Chapter III

After a few days, Ellean was back to working again. However, since she couldn't call her animal forward, there was no way she could heal as fast as the rest of the pack. The funny thing was that the Black River Clan wasn't all wolves. There were a lot of other animals mixed in the clan, such as bears, bobcats, weasels, rabbits, etc. But yet, they kept her apart simply because she was deaf.

Slowly walking down the hall with her tiny arms filled with laundry, Ellean kept against the wall so that she wouldn't run into anyone. But unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side today. Just as Ellean rounded the corner, a leg stuck out, tripping her, falling face-first Ellean grits her teeth so as not to cry out in pain.

That hurt. Holding her tears back, Ellean looks up to see Chase looking down at her. Sneering, Chase hits Ellean's head with his fist.

"Watch where you are going, dummy! Didn't you hear me coming? Oh, right, you can't hear me. So that means I can say anything I want, and you can't do anything about it."

Ellean could do some lip-reading. So she understood some of what Chase was saying. So why would an 11-year-old bully her? She was so much smaller and younger than he was. Ellean didn't even want to be around Chase as he made her life a living hell.

Laughing at Ellean's puzzled looked, Chase ran down the hall. He didn't care if he had caused more work for Ellean. All Chase knew was it was fun to torment the pitiful little slave.

Standing up, Ellean once more picked up the laundry and hurried down to the laundry room. If she dawdled too long, the laundry lady would surely take a stick to her ass. And Ellean didn't want a beating today.

Coming around the corner, Ellean almost bumped into Jenny. Jenny let out a growl as she saw her baby sister. Then, raising her hand, Jenny slaps the back of Ellean's head.

"You stupid bastard, stay out of my way!"

Ellean nearly loses her balance before ducking her head and scurrying away.

Today was not her day. Instead, everyone was taking their anger out on her.

Finally reaching the laundry room, Ellean dumps the load on the floor, sweat running down her forehead. She wanted a nap. Her whole body hurt from working so hard.

She was looking around to see if the laundry lady, Rose, was anywhere. Not seeing Rose, Ellean headed back to her room. If she could get a nap, she thought she would feel better.

Just as Ellean reaches her bedroom door, the cook, James, throws a carrot at her to get her attention.

James was getting up in years, so he used Ellean to do different things around the kitchen. James didn't care about Ellean, but she did make a good helper.

Seeing the carrot fly through the air towards her, Ellean strolls into the kitchen. Ellean knew to keep small as possible and do her jobs quickly. As long as she stayed out of the way, Ellean could nibble on things when James's back was turned.

Reaching James, Ellean looks up at him, waiting for her job. Instead, James pointed at the potatoes, motioned for her to get to it. Ellean hated peeling potatoes. But it had to be done.

Pulling the stool up the counter, Ellean slowly started to peel the potatoes. From the looks of things, there was going to be a party tonight. And Ellean hated parties the most. Everyone would get drunk and start throwing up all over the place, and it was her job to clean it up.

After peeling the potatoes, James hands her a pitcher of water, writes on a piece of paper.

"Go fill the glasses at the table and come right back."

Ellean nods, wobbling slightly, holding the heavy pitcher. She knew the consequences if she spilled any water.

Ellean slowly filled each glass with sparkling water. Her big grey eyes kept glancing around. The center of the hall was beautiful how Ellean longed just once to join in and eat with the rest of the pack. How fun it would be.

Heading back to the kitchen, Ellean looks back once more at the decorated table. Since Ellean was considered a slave, she would never be allowed to sit at the table with the rest of the pack. Ellean lowers her head and lets the door shut behind her as she walks towards James to finish whatever job he had for her.