05~ You Can't Runaway

OLIVIA'S POV 

"I must be dreaming," I thought as I awoke in a luxurious bed. The last thing I remembered was giving in to the Alpha's demands and agreeing to be his slave. But here I am, in a grand bedroom fit for a queen.

"You're not dreaming," a voice said from the doorway. It was the Alpha. I felt my pulse quicken. "You are now a servant in my household, and I expect you to carry out your duties to the best of your ability."

I swallowed hard. Was I imagining all these, or was it truly reality staring at me?

“Are you listening to me?” He asked, his gaze fixed on me. He sounded rather harsh.

I stuttered. “I… I understand," I said, though my heart was racing. He turned and left the room, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I couldn't believe this was my life now, however, I knew I had to make the most of it. I stepped out of the bed, and I started by dressing the room and heading for the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

I had no idea where the kitchen was, everything about this place feels complicated to me. Or is it because I am new?

While I trailed through the quiet hallway, I thought of how my life would be with Mr stranger and his pack. For now, I just have to play dumb while I find clues on how to leave this place for damn good. He thinks he is the smartest one around, but I'll sure let him know that I ain't as dumb as he thinks.

I had to ask a maid who was passing by for the direction which led to the kitchen from here. She took her time to explain to me, “Thank you,” so I continued, using her direction.

“You're the new slave, aren't you?” Asked an elderly woman who I assume must be the chef.

Does it even matter who I am? Just give me the alpha's meal and I'll be out of here.

“Yes, I am.” I kept my cool, trying not to show my bad side on my first day in duty.

“I hope the Alpha King treats you well.” She muttered, but her voice was loud enough for me to hear.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked anxiously.

“It's nothing. You just have to be a good girl, and he won't have to treat you the same way he does treat his other slaves.” Her voice was low, barely in a whisper.

Then my assumptions about him were definitely right. He doesn't look like a gentleman to me, he looks more like a serial killer with no heart.

“Well, you should get his meal ready, Alpha Rick hates to be kept waiting.”

When I was done, I took the tray of food to the Alpha's study. As I walked in, he was sitting at his desk, engrossed at some papers before him. “Sir, your meal is ready.”

“Just drop it there.” He pointed at one side of the desk. I gently dropped the tray of food at the exact place he had pointed at. "Thank you," he said, without looking up. I stood awkwardly for a moment, unsure what to do next.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”

His lips opened like he was going to say something. “No.” 

I nodded. “I'll get going then.” I left the room.

As I walked out of the office, I passed by a maid carrying a large stack of laundry. Just as the maid passed, a small piece of cloth fell from the top of the pile and landed at my feet. I bent down to pick it up, and noticed that it was a small square of white linen, embroidered with a delicate red rose. 

I held it in my hand for a moment, admiring the intricate detail of the stitching. Then, I tucked it carefully into my pocket and continued on my way.

Since I wasn't familiar with the environment, I just kept walking to wherever my heart led me. My brain was busily working on a better strategy to escape this place. So, I used this opportunity to take a walk around the alpha's headquarters to find out ways I can leave.

Just as I left the Crescent Pack, I was ready to do the same here without looking back. Though Alpha Rick might seem nice, that still doesn't change the fact that he wasn't a good person. 

“Where are you going?” I heard a soft voice say from behind me, bringing me back to reality.

I stopped walking, turning to look at the young lady who had stopped me. She looked a bit older than I am, but appeared more beautiful and cuter than I am. “Hey. I uhm… I was just taking a walk around. You know… I'm just trying to get used to the environment.” I forced a smile on my face.

“It's alright. I heard you're the girl who trespassed. It's a nice thing Rick didn't get to kill you, he never shows mercy on people who trespassed into his territory. But letting you live means something.”

“Honestly, I never wanted him to show me mercy. But he did, and yes… I am forever grateful for that.”

“Was it under a condition?” I raised an eyebrow. “Letting you live, was it under a condition?”

Okay. Initially I thought she was a pretty cool person, but the way she was having this conversation seems like she wanted to get words out of my mouth and I was beginning to grow uncomfortable with that.

“I uhm… I think I should get going.” I said, excusing myself. 

“Going?” She asked.

“I didn't even get to know your name. Well, I'm Anna Peller, Alpha Rick's girlfriend.”

“Olivia. My name is Olivia Bridgestone.”

“Nice to meet you, Olivia.” She stretched out her hand for a handshake.

“Same here.” I returned the handshake. Without waiting, I left.

Alpha Rick has a girlfriend? Of course, he will. Besides, he has the look every woman would crave for. He has the height, the eyes, the facial looks… he wasn't missing a single thing.

Now that he has decided to make me his slave, it's really not safe. That's another reason why I have to leave.

As the day wore on, evening came calling. It's as if my body system knew of my intentions, it was making signs of uncomfortability that it can't stay here any longer. 

Just then, I recalled the embroidered linen. I took out the cloth and examined it more closely. There was something mysterious about the embroidered rose. As I turned the cloth over in my hands, I noticed a small tag sewn into the corner. On it was a single word: "Anna."

Could this cloth have belonged to her?

A maid came to call me that the Alpha King had requested to see me. I forgot to hide the white, so I held it in my hand. As I entered, Anna was sitting across from Alpha Rick. The smile on her face quickly faded upon seeing me.

“You called me.”

“Where did you get that cloth from?” Anna's voice sounded a bit harsh.

It was then I realized I had the white cloth in my hand. “Oh, I uhm… it fell on the floor so I had to pick it up and I forgot to give it to you when we met.”

“You can give it back now.” She stretched out her hand while I placed the white cloth in her hand. “You might have been spared doesn't mean you shouldn't mind your business.”

I don't know why she was angry at me, or was that hatred speaking?

“It's alright, babe, she wasn't going to claim it as hers after all.”

She frowned. “You're trying to defend her?”

“I am not, Anna. She didn't claim the cloth to be hers, at least you shouldn't start now to accuse people of things.”

“She was going to claim it if I didn't ask for it.”

“That doesn't mean she did.” I was grateful for his defense, and I know what just happened would cause her to hate me the most.

Alpha Rick ended up dismissing me even without saying why he had initially called. He was a bit disappointed by her attitude, and he demanded that I should meet him later. But poor thing, there was no later.

When darkness finally came, I was very much determined to leave this place for good. I had mastered my way out of the quarter, there was a fence by the side which was still under construction, so I was going to find my way out.

I successfully made it out. Without looking back, I took to my heels, running as fast as I could. I got to a place I was sure I was safe from Alpha Rick and his pack – at least that's what I thought, but not when he grabbed my arm.

My entire body froze, fear gripped inside of me. How the fuck did he know I was here? How the hell did he find out? I was sure no one saw me leave, or could it be…

He slammed me against a tree, his hand tightened around my neck. Though his eyes were normal, I could still see a hint of red in them. I was so scared, I had no explanation to give.

“Trying to run away, huh?”

“No. No, I wasn't. I just….”

“Do you think you can run away from me just like that?” I shook my head immediately. “You might be my slave, but know this, I own you. So, run away as far as you can,” he leaned close to me, his lips caressing my earlobe, causing shivers down my spine. “I will always find you.”