Her mother wore an expensive ball gown with large gold earrings and a matching necklace.
"You look beautiful , mama."
"You really think so? Madame Bouvier is making all of us girls wear these tight, expensive dresses tonight. It is all in hopes of enticing the wealthy pack leaders so they offer their patronage."
Sylvie didn't trust Madame Bouvier as her mother did.
"Did you eat, my dear?" She asked her, changing the subject.
"Yes. Cook fixed me a plate." She answered.
"Sylvie! You are soaking wet! You should change into some dry clothing. I have some in the cedar chest." She quickly walked over to the chest, opened it, and retrieved dry clothing.
Sylvie went behind the screen and peeled herself out of the wet clothing. Then she put on the dry shirt and trousers. Sylvie felt so much better. She felt her shivers slowly subsiding.
"I was able to buy back our home here." Her mother informed her with a smile.
Sylvie could hardly call it home. It was a 14-foot by 20-foot dilapidated house in the middle of the forest. They had moved in it when they had first relocated here. No one had wanted to take them in, and there was nowhere else to stay. Their Landlord was an old pig who desired her mother more than the weekly rent.
He had threatened her mother. After raping her and evicting them, she was shamed into her present career. Sylvie wondered what her mother had to do to get their old lodging back.
"Did you hear what I said, Sylvie? Our old home."
"Mama, it's not home." Sylvie corrected her mom.
Her mom's smile faltered, and Sylvie put her wet boots back on.
"You are right. It was never a home, but it is a place that can keep you warm. I haven't been a good mother as of late-"
"Mama...please." Sylvie interrupted her.
"No, Sylvie! I must say this. You are no longer a child. You must know the truth."
"I know the truth, Mama. I haven't been a child for some time..."
I know the truth, Mama. I haven't been a child for some time..."
Her mother flitted from her bed to grab her stole and wrap it around her slender shoulders. Then she went to the vanity and adjusted her perfect, ample breasts in the corset while powder puffing her nose.
"No, you haven't. I have tried to protect you from this world as best I could. I..."
Sylvie didn't like to see her mother get down on herself. There was nothing her mother could have done to protect her, let alone herself, in a world like this. The chaos of the world managed to seep its way here. Women and children were preyed upon. Some even worse than Sylvie and her mother.
"Mama, don't worry. I will sleep in the house tonight."
"Thank you." She walked over and hugged her, "My girl," she said as she cradled her head.
There was a loud knock on the door then. Madame Bouvier entered the room, talking loudly. "Luna, are you ready! I haven't got- You! How the hell did you get up here?" She snarled at Sylvie, who had jumped away from her mother.
"Madame, please, forgive me. It's been days since I've seen her!" begged her mother.
"Well, Luna, you know how to fix that now don't you?" Her mother looked down in shame. Madame Bouvier's attention, went to Sylvie. "It's time you started earning your keep here."
"B-but I don't stay here."
"No! You prefer the stables."
Sylvie was surprised she knew that information.
"What? Do you think I haven't got my eye on you? Who do you think pays the stable master not to tell the authorities? You know what could happen to a girl like you in the island prison."
Sylvie had watched Madame Bouvier threaten countless young girls in this exact same manner. Now it was her turn, an inevitable fate.
"You will work the party tonight."
"No, Madame Bouvier she is too young!" Cried her mother.
"Don't you say another word! You are Luna, the illustrious! You have no children! What would you have done if I had been that Lycan Gent of yours? Hadn't thought of that, did you? He would have been mad with rage. That's why I'm here for you to think for both of you! Sylvie needs protection. You need protection."
Both ladies knew Madame Bouvier would not let them go.
Sylvie understood now why her mother hadn't wanted her to come around. It had been for her own protection.
"It's time for her to be put to work!" Madame Bouvier declared once more.
"No!" Shouted her mother once more.
Madame Bouvier slapped her hard across her face.
Sylvie screamed. "All right! I will do it! Just don't touch my mother." She said.
Madam Bouvier smiled. She had gotten her way...Finally.
"Luna, get her dressed and teach her the role she is to play tonight and you girl, this is your future. Make the most of it or suffer the consequences."
Sylvie felt her heart sink. She had been caught by the Madame's trap. She watched her mother, who looked frightened now. Sylvie felt guilty. This was all her fault. Madame Bouvier exited, with the two bodyguards she had brought with her.
The door shut loudly behind them, Making her mother jump in fear.
Sylvie quickly went over to her mother.
"Are you alright, mama?" She asked without thinking.
Her concern had always been about her mother's well-being ever since her mother had been attacked by their past landlord. She felt she had no option. She could not lose the only person who truly loved her in this forsaken place.
"I'm sorry, Mama."
"It's all right. My child, we don't have time. We must get you ready. There's much to teach you." She left her side, walked over to her wardrobe, opened it, and pulled out a dress similar to the one she wore.
The lightning cracked. The growl of thunder announced more rain was on the horizon. Sylvie was terrified...