Chapter 5: Not in Dungeon?

My eyes scanned the place. I lived in Alpha Roger’s mansion back in our district. It’s big and grand, but this… seemed like a palace to me. Perhaps, Alpha Rowan has an underground dungeon somewhere where he’s planning to lock me up until the investigation ends?

The servants in uniforms bowed their heads and greeted their master. Their curious glances didn’t escape me though. It’s like they’re wondering why Alpha Rowan brought me home, someone who looks rubbish.

“Follow me.”

I followed Alpha Rowan as he ascended to the stairs. The slender man who must be the butler followed us silently.

While walking on the hallway, I looked at the dust free marbled floor and then to my shoes I got from Edwina. I chose the most worn out one because I felt like I was stealing from them. I should visit them when everything works out. Her family saved me, after all. I owe them my life.

Alpha Rowan stopped in front of a door, “This is going to be your room.”

Wait, I wouldn’t be locked up in the dungeon?

“What’s with the look?” he asked, noticing the confused look I had on my face.

“N-Nothing, Supreme Alpha.”

He nodded. “Your room is next to mine. I want to be aware of all your actions. I don’t think you are capable of killing someone who’s ten times stronger than you, but I want to make sure you don’t pull stupid stunts under my watch, Miss Sinclair.”

“I don’t have plans on escaping, my lord, if that’s what you’re worried about. My plan from the start is to ask for help from you.”

“That is possible for sure,” he nodded. “But you see, I’m still alive after years of being the supreme alpha. It’s because I’m cautious. I doubt every person that comes near me. Who knows you are hiding something under your sleeves.”

“I understand,” I said with a hard face as I looked into his eyes that were busy dissecting me. “Rest assured I don’t have other intentions apart from proving my innocence and catching my brother’s killer.”

He smiled. The kind of smile that held no warmth.

“If that is the case, then we can work together on that. Now get inside, young lady. Orion, send servants for her clothes.” After that, Alpha Rowan went inside the room next door.

The room he gave me is big. It didn’t take long for the servants to send me clothes, which I thought were of low quality, but to my surprise, they are pretty good. I’m not sure if Alpha Rowan asked someone to buy these, or if there’s a lady living in the house who’s not a servant and he asked her to give me some of her clothes. They look a bit old fashioned so I assume they’re not new.

“Supreme Alpha said you are only to leave this room if he asks for you, Miss Sinclair,” Orion informed before he left with other servants.

When I was left alone, I sat on the queen-sized bed and sighed. I took off my overcoat which revealed all the bruises in my arms. It has only been five days since I escaped prison. I’ve been tortured so hard that when I close my eyes, I can imagine the pain I’ve gone through.

I took a bath, hoping that it would wash away what I’m feeling. I didn’t have a chance to mourn for my brother’s death. I was thrown in prison the moment they saw me in his room with his lifeless body. I was still in the middle of shock when I was tortured. My cries and pleas were never heard. So I just stopped trying when I figured out no one in my pack would listen to whatever I say.

Tears trickled down my face along with the water. I smiled in bitterness. How cruel life is.

After I bathed and dressed, I just laid on bed with my eyes staring at the ceiling. I don’t know how long I stayed that way until I acknowledged how tired my day was and let myself rest for a bit.

I woke up when a servant knocked on my door and said Alpha Rowan asked for me downstairs. It was already dark outside when I looked out of the window. I realized I slept for hours.

If the servant didn’t guide me, I wouldn’t have found my way to the dining hall. There, in a long table, Alpha Rowan is sitting alone for dinner. His gaze darted to me the moment I went in.

He glanced at what I’m wearing. It’s a black collared knee-length dress. It’s short sleeved, which showed the violet bruises in my arms. The clothes sent to me, none of it is full sleeved, so I had no choice. I just let my long hair down to hide the bruises in my neck to look less awful.

“Sit here,” he ordered when I was about to take the seat three chairs away from him. He’s sitting at the head of the table and the seat he pointed to is the chair next to him on his right.

“You seem to be afraid of me, Miss Sinclair. Do I look like a rabid dog who will bite you anytime?”

I took the seat nervously.

“Of course not, Supreme Alpha… I just thought you wouldn’t like it if I sit near you.”

“I told you, didn’t I? I want to know all your actions, which means I’d appreciate it if you stay near me.”

I nodded, gazing down at the dishes laid on the table and I realized I’ve been starving. I haven’t had anything this day.

“My mother’s dress looks good on you by the way.”

His mother?

A little alarmed, I was about to ask him if it’s okay with her when I remember hearing from someone that his mother passed away when he was eighteen, just two years before he assumed his father’s position as the supreme alpha.

“Thank you for your kindness, Alpha Rowan,” I bowed my head a bit.

“You must have been badly tortured in prison,” his dark eyes are on my arms. It’s hard not to notice when the bruises are very visible in my pale skin.

“Should I kill those bastards?” he asked so seriously that I doubt if he’s joking or not.