"You impudent little whelp! I told you to organize this mess, not make a bigger problem! Get out! NOW!" The Wolf King backhanded Lil, sending her flying across the room, the papers and scrolls scattered everywhere. She hit the wall, sliding down, her world spinning as she dragged herself from the room. "Don't forget this mess!" The Wolf King stormed out of his office while Lily tried pulling together enough to clean the mess he had made. She had organized everything according to his exact directions, even writing them down to make sure. Although slavery was outlawed a thousand years ago, this was how servants were treated in the Wolf Clan. She should have been used to this by now, since this was an everyday occurrence. Lily did her work to avoid the abuse, only to have it thrown in her face that she is wasting everyone's time. If only her parents had not abandoned her as a child to the royal family of their Clan. Cleaning up the mess with bruised ribs, her vision kept going in and out from the pain. Hearing footsteps, Lily moved faster, trying to pick up everything and put it back in place. Black boots came into view when she looked up to see Prince Maximus looking down at her with a concerned look on his face. "He beat you, again, didn't he?" Making a great effort to stand without stumbling, Lily held the papers close, hiding her pained expression. "I'm fine. Thank you, your highness." She moved around. I'm about to head out when he reached for her arm, making her gasp in pain from existing bruises. "I will talk to him." Lily, hearing the wolf prince, shrugged him off, taking a few steps away. "That's alright, your highness. I should get back to my work." Lily quickly hurried off to her small office at the end of the hall that used to be a storage cabinet. Closing the door, she drops the papers on her desk, pulling open a drawer for a potion box she had stashed. Finding the one with blue liquid, she downed half the bottle, sitting back in her chair, waiting for it to take effect. All of a sudden, Princess Alisa pushes open her door, looking pissed off with a destroyed dress in her hands. "I told you to clean this! Not shred it to pieces! This was a one-of-a-kind showpiece from the kingdom's top designer! You will pay for this!" Lady Alisa threw the dress at her, walking around, and as she pulled back, and slapped Lily relentlessly. "You..(slap)...Stupid..(Slap) ...b*tch! (Slap)" Lily was barely conscious by the time Alisa left her lying on the floor, the lights in the room dimming. *Just a little longer and I'll be free.* Lily tried to tell herself, knowing her 18th birthday was tomorrow, and she would be free of this monstrous family. The Wolf Clan royalty acted so superior to other Clans as they were at the top of high society. Lily knew one way or the other, er, she would be free of this place the minute she became an adult. Hopeful, her wolf would come early so she could sneak away without anyone noticing. The potion kicked in, healing her cheeks and ribs, making it easier for Lily to breathe. Leaning back against the wall, she prayed to the goddess to help her, but she never received help; it only brought pain and suffering. Lily passed out from the effects of the pot and fell into a deep sleep. *Sitting in the hidden garden connected to the palace grounds, Lily stared up at the moon, absorbing its rays, feeling her energy begin to restore itself. The moon always helped her, though she wasn't sure, considering she was s common wolf, or so they say. * * Hearing a noise, Lily turns to see a beautiful blue dragon eyeing her. She did not feel fear towards him as he leaned closer, er sniffing her. He blew air out of his nose, making her giggle. "And who might you be?" Not answering, he continued circling her, wrapping his body around he, lowering his head to her level. *"Should I be afraid of you?" The dragon did not answer her, but leaned forward, kissing her forehead, leaving a mark only he could sense. *We shall meet again.* Lily's head slammed against the floor as she was violently woken up to Alisa dragging her out into the hall for everyone to witness. Dropping her on the floor in the main hall, two guards grabbed Lily's arms, holding her down. "This is what happens to wolves who don't appreciate their masters." Lash after lash struck her back, ripping her clothes and flesh. Lily refused to cry out, not wanting to give this sick princess the satisfaction of her screams. Trying to ignore the pain, Lily hums to herself a tune soothing her mind while her body is being torn up. "Enough! Let her go." A deep voice from the entrance of the hall shouted. Prince Maximus walks i, seeing his sister beat another servant for no apparent reason. Approaching the scene, he noticed who theservantt grabbing Alisa's hand and stopping her. "She ruined my dress for your ascension gala! This worthless servant can't do anything right!" Princess Alisa pulled her hand free, pulling back to strike Lily again. "I said enough! Killing a servant is no way for a princess to act! Guards take her to the infirmary." Lily could barely make out the words spoken when the guards roughly picked her up. Neveminddd, give her to me. I'll take her." Lily hears his highness say before passing out. Waking up with a splitting headache, Lily was reminded of what had happened. Muscles still sore from the tension as she looked around the room. Seeing the moon stream in told her it was well into the night. When the moon reached its highest point, her wolf was supposed to em, setting her free. Lying there waiting for her first shift, Lily grew excited that she would finally be recognized as a wolf citizen. An hour went by, and nothing. Two hours went by, and still no change. Her heart sank knowing what she feared most was happening. She was wolfless.