Alice's POV
After dinner, Robert returned to his study to attend to the matters of the pack. I quickly changed into a maid's outfit and went to the kitchen to help the maids with the cleaning. These chores should have been my responsibility. The kitchen floor was the most challenging to maintain. Robert had a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and he insisted that the floors in the house should be so clean that they could reflect one's image.
"Alice, could you take a break, please?"
I was searching for floor cleaner when I heard a voice behind me, filled with anger. I immediately knelt down, covering my head. "I'm sorry; I won't do it again."
Robert didn't expect my reaction to be so extreme, and he appeared somewhat puzzled. "Why are you kneeling?"
I obediently complied; wasn't this the proper response? The head of the sanctuary had said that when you made a mistake, you had to kneel to acknowledge it. Only when the other party forgave you could your error be alleviated. It was the mark of a fine princess and a way to avoid punishment. The feeling of being lashed with a whip soaked in wolfsbane was too unbearable, and I didn't want Robert to hurt me.
Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Whitman rushed over and helped me up, her tone gentle. "Miss Alice, Alpha Robert didn't mean to be upset with you. He's probably just tired from his recent return."
Mrs. Whitman had been Robert's steward since childhood, and Robert respected her deeply. She held great authority when speaking to Robert.
I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Uncle is good; I shouldn't have acted that way."
"Don't be so formal." Mrs. Whitman patted my head. "This is your home, Miss Alice. You can do whatever you want."
"Really?"
I looked timidly at Mrs. Whitman, worried that she might have been speaking casually.
Mrs. Whitman nodded firmly, assuaging my concerns.
"I'd like to move out."
Mrs. Whitman visibly relaxed but remained cautious. "You've never lived on your own. Can you handle living alone from now on?"
"I can. Jesse and I are getting married soon, and Scarlett has already helped me prepare everything for the wedding. I want to enjoy my single life for a while before that."
Robert was also going to marry Princess Selena from the Starfall pack soon, so it wouldn't be suitable for me to stay here. Besides, it would prevent me from angering Robert. I didn't want to return to the sanctuary.
Seeing my determination, Mrs. Whitman didn't say much. After all, Scarlett had instructed her to monitor my every move, ensuring that there would be no hint of impropriety between Robert and me, as any such scandal between the Alpha of the New Moon pack and me was strictly prohibited.
After thanking Mrs. Whitman, I returned to my bedroom. As I lay on the bed, I started calculating my finances. Currently, my bank savings amounted to only $20,000, which used to be the cost of just one or two of my outfits. But now, everything was different. I needed to save money. Soon, I found a suitable apartment online and paid the deposit.
The monthly rent for the apartment was $1,500. "Alice, are you moving out?"
Robert's low, angry voice held a hint of reprimand, as though I were a disobedient child. I hesitated, fearing I might have to kneel down again.
Robert abruptly grabbed me and slammed me onto the bed. "Why are you constantly kneeling, Alice? What kind of game are you playing?"
Robert looked down at me, no longer the gentle and composed figure I was used to but more like a demon from the depths of hell, just like the day he had sent me to the sanctuary three years ago.
Three years ago, I had gone from being the most cherished little princess of the New Moon pack to a mentally deranged lunatic, and for Robert, it's as simple as flicking a switch. I huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling. "Uncle, I truly know I was wrong. I'll never do it again."
However, my heartfelt apology did not earn Robert's forgiveness, and he advanced toward me, step by step.