Chapter 1 The fallen princess
~Scarlett POV~
I had been on my feet for hours, serving tables and cleaning up after customers.
My body ached, and my feet throbbed with each step, especially when I was wearing those cheap shoes I bought from a thrift store.
A pair of cheap high heels that I hadn’t even laid eyes on in the first 18 years of my life.
Before I was 18, I lived a life of luxury.
As the daughter of the SteelFang pack’s alpha, I was the pearl of the whole pack. Everything around me was of the best quality and design, and even my admirers were all handsome, rich young men.
Just like many other proud princesses, I was used to getting my way and took pleasure in asserting my dominance over others.
But now, I’m just a poor waitress who works multiple part-time jobs just to scrape some money.
I constantly go without sleep or proper meals, and my hair that I used to cherish so much is now dry and messy due to lack of care.
Instead of the admiration and praises I used to receive, now I only get constant scorn and ridicule from strangers, from my former friends, and even from my former admirers.
People have turned their backs on me ever since my father’s death.
I was just finishing cleaning up a table when the group of young wolves came in.
“Hey, guys, guess who will be serving us food today?” One of them said to his friends.
“Who?”
“Scarlett! You know, the ex-princess of the SteelFang pack. She’s reduced to being a waitress now, isn’t it funny?”
“Really? I can’t wait to see that!”
I lowered my head and used the glasses on the tray to cover my face. I remember the one who started the topic. It was Andy Brooks, one of my former admirers.
Please, I don’t want their attention.
Back when I was still a proud princess, I used to enjoy it.
But now, I just want to stay as far as possible from them.
“Look who it is!” A voice spoke towards me.
I tried to slip past them unnoticed, but Andy quickly stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“Hey, little miss servant,” Of course, it was Andy. “Or should I call you, princess Scarlett?
“How does it feel to be serving me now?”
I clenched my jaw, trying not to show my irritation as I tried to sidestep him.
“Mr. Brooks, I am just doing my job. Now please allow me to clean up the dishes.” I forced a smile.
“What’s the hurry?” Andy leaned in and grabbed my wrist. “What happened to all the fancy parties and events you used to go to, princess?”
I clenched my jaw even tighter, trying not to show my irritation. “Mr. Brooks, please allow me to do my job.”
“Doing your job, huh? Then what about this?” Saying that, he deliberately bumped into me and the glasses on the tray tipped over.
Red wine and cola spilled all over his shirt.
Damn! I know the brand of this shirt, and it’s an expensive one!
“Oops! Look what you’ve done, Scarlett,” Andy feigned a shocked look. “Now my shirt is ruined. You know how much this costs?”
I knew he did it on purpose, but I was in no position to argue. I had rent to pay and bills piling up.
I couldn’t afford to lose this job.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Brooks. I’ll get you a towel to clean it up.” I tried to stay calm.
“Oh, no, a towel won’t do. You made this mess, you clean it up properly,”
“Now, lick it clean.”
I froze.
“Come on, Scarlett. You don’t want to get fired, do you? ”
“I’m sorry, Mr.Brooks. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you? Well, then, how about this? You come to my place tonight, and clean this shirt for me properly. If you do a good job, I might just forget about this little incident and even give you a nice little bonus.”
He licked his lips, and I knew exactly what he meant.
He didn’t ask me to clean the shirt. He asked me to sleep with him.
He didn’t get me when I was a princess, and now he thought he could easily get me when I become a waitress.
“I’ll pay for the damage to your shirt. I’ll find a way.” I took a deep breath.
“Ha, princess Scarlett still got her temper.” Andy laughed. “Do you even know how much it is?”
“I said I will find a way.” I closed my eyes and said.
“Tsk. You think you’re still the same princess? I’m already giving you a handout. Who else would want you now? Your mate? He doesn’t want you, you rejected, unwanted, pathetic bi*ch.”
Andy grabbed my arms and leaned in. I could feel his stinky breath on my face and his hand is reaching out to my bosum…
A little longer, just hold on a little longer, Scarlett. You can’t lose this job. Sadie needs you.
I told myself again and again and try to ignore his hands groping over my body. But I couldn’t help trembling.
Disgusting.
Disgusting as hell.
“Come one, Scarlett. You enjoyed it, don’t you?” Andy smirked and pulled me even closer. “Come to my place tonight, and I will treat you well.”
I stayed silent.
“You know me well, Scarlett. You know that I can make you lose the job and make sure you’d never get another job.” Sensing my reluctance, Andy threatened.
Yeah, I know him well.
He used to be the pack beta’s only son. And now the previous alpha, my father is dead, he became the pack alpha’s only son.
In other words, he is the future alpha.
“What’s all the commotion about?” Just then, the restaurant owner, my boss Michael emerged from the kitchen.
“Oh, sir, here’s the thing. Your waitress accidentally spilled some wine on my shirt, and we’re just trying to figure out how to handle it.” Andy said.
“I’m awfully sorry, Mr. Brooks!” Michael glanced at me with anger. “Scarlett! If you don’t make it right for Mr. Brooks, you’ll be fired!” Apparently, he’s afraid of angering the alpha’s son.
Andy turned back to me. “See, Scarlett? Your boss understands the importance of keeping customers happy. I suggest you do as I say.”
I clenched my fist. Then I let out a deep breath.
“I’ll come to your place tonight, Andy. But just to clean your shirt. Nothing more.”
Hearing this, Andy grinned. He’s satisfied with my answer, and finally let me go.
“That’s a good girl, Scarlett. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Then he tossed a few coins on the floor in front of me, just like how I used to boss him with my money.
“Now take this money, and call me after you get off work.”
Andy looked at me and the coins on the floor with a smirk on his face.
Memories struck me at that scene.
I used to do the same thing to him and tell him to stay away from her. I used to treat money as dirt, and treat him as dirt.
Just about a year ago, Andy tried to asked me out.
He stopped me nervously and said he love me, and asked if I’d like to dance with him. Quite different from his arrogancy now, he was shy and humble in front of me then.
I remembered I pulled out a thick wad of cash and threw it in front of him.
“Take this and leave me alone, Andy,” I remember I said. “I don’t have time for you.”
The coins spun around on the floor, and few rolled down by my dirty cheap shoes.
I stared at Andy for two seconds.
Then, I bent down to pick up the coins one by one, wiped the dust with my apron, and put it in her pocket without saying anything.
I needed every penny.
And when I bent down, he shoved a piece of paper hard into my bra through my messed up collar.
It was his numbers.
