Chapter 200
My mouth waters as delicious scents waft up from downstairs. Bacon. Coffee. Fresh bread. My stomach clenches. painfully wondering how I can smell all that when I realize the window is open and so must be a window downstairs.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed, nearly falling as vertigo hits. Everything feels…off. Like my body isn’t quite mine anymore. I stumble to the door, gripping the handle too hard. It crumples slightly in my grasp.
“What the hell?” I mutter, staring at my hand in confusion.
The shower keeps running. Soren has no idea I’m awake. Part of me wants to wait for him, but the hunger is overwhelming.
I slip out into the hallway, following my nose toward the stairs.
Each step echoing unnaturally loud in my ears. As I reach the bottom, and move to the kitchen pushing the swinging door open a crash reverberates through the room and I clutch my ears at the horrifying sound. My head whips around to see a maid, her eyes wide with shock, standing surrounded by shattered porcelain.
“I–I’m so sorry, Miss,” she stammers, her voice trembling. “I didn’t expect-”
Before she can finish, Maribel bursts into the hall, her usually composed demeanor slightly ruffled. Her gaze locks onto me, a mix of concern and relief washing over her face but I am more fascinated with what’s on my head, I pinch the furry
Chapter 200
tufts only to wince when I realize they
ares
to me. Moving toward the microwave I stare into the stainless steel to find two furry ears on top of my head. I poke it and it twitches. Why are my ears furry and up there? I stare at my reflection only to realize the marring gashes Bianca caused are now gone. I pull my skin only for those twitching ears to distract me again. I look normal besides the ears.
“Aubrey! You’re awake,” Maribel says, her words coming out in a rush. “Does Soren know?”
I blink, confused by her urgency. “He’s in the shower. I just… I needed food. Why are my ears not normal?” I ask her. She glances at the servant and so do I, waiting for an answer.
Maribel clears her throat. “You haven’t shifted yet?” she asks, and I try to think back to what I remember.
“I don’t think so, but I have these?” I ask her, pointing to my ears I can feel twitching at every noise.
Maribel nods, a little too quickly.“Yes, parts will semi shift, it will come and go until you complete the shift completely.” she says moving slowly toward the servant who is just staring at me like I’ve grown an extra head not a set of pointy furry ears. “You must be starving, dear. Let’s feed you.” she says, and the mention of food has my stomach growling.
I follow her, when another servant comes in letting out a shriek, I stare at the new woman who quickly covers her mouth, acutely aware of the eyes of the staff following my every move. Ignoring her, I make a beeline for the fridge, yanking the door open with more force than necessary. The handle creaks ominously when I hear Maribel tell the girl to get Soren.
Chapter 200
288 Mouchers
‘He’s in the shower,” I tell her, rummaging through the fridge. She says nothing and I peer over the fridge door at her, she smiles awkwardly at me. Why is she being weird?
“Sorry,” I mutter, rummaging through the contents.
Everything smells so strong, so vivid. It’s overwhelming. Oh… roast beef!
I grab a container of leftover roast beef, fumbling with the lid. It slips from my grasp, clattering to the floor. Frustration bubbles up inside me.
I spin around, nearly knocking over a stool as I try to catch the glass container. The maids flinch back, their faces full of fear. My confusion deepens.
“Why are you all staring at me?” I demand, my voice coming out harsher than intended. “What’s going on?”
Maribel steps forward, her hands raised placatingly. “Aubrey, dear, it’s alright. You’re just-”
But I can’t focus on her words. Everything feels wrong. My skin is too tight, my senses too sharp.
