Chapter Six

I opened my eyes, surprised at how refreshed I felt after such a deep and peaceful slumber. It was the first time I could remember sleeping so soundly. I tried to hold onto the fragments of my dream, a nostalgic scene from my childhood filled with warmth and affection, but the details slipped away like sand through my fingers.

Getting up from my simple bed in the servants’ quarters, I noticed the other new girls waking up as well. We had all arrived together the night before. Before I could ask them what was going on, a stern-looking guard entered the room, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

“All right, you lot,” the guard barked. “Time to get to work! The household won’t run itself!”

The experienced servants sprang into action, knowing their duties without needing instructions. I watched with wide eyes as they hurried off to their tasks.

The guard turned his gaze to me and three other new girls, forming a line outside the quarters. He walked up to us, sizing us up one by one, making us feel smaller than we already were.

“You, girl,” he pointed at the first girl in line. “You’ll be tending to the gardens today. Go there, and the gardener will tell you what needs to be done.”

The first girl nodded with a mix of nervousness and excitement and quickly headed towards the gardens.

“You,” the guard addressed the second girl. “Report to the infirmary. They’ll give you your instructions there.”

The second girl seemed a bit apprehensive but followed the guard’s orders without question, disappearing in the direction he pointed.

I shifted my weight, anxiously awaiting my own assignment. I hoped I would be given a task that allowed me to continue my dream from last night, but I had no control over that.

The guard's gaze landed on the third girl, who seemed restless, perhaps more so than the others. He looked at her curiously, trying to decipher some hidden meaning.

“You,” he said, with a hint of authority. “Join the first girl in the gardens.”

The third girl looked surprised but complied, walking towards the gardens with a mix of confusion and determination.

Now, I was the last one remaining among the new girls. I stood there dutifully, waiting for the guard at the entrance of the grand estate to give me my orders.

As the three girls dispersed to their designated tasks, the guard addressed a group of new male servants. “You, to the fields,” he pointed at some, “and you, to the training grounds. Today, you’ll be introduced as new recruits for labor or soldiers.”

I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards the men, wondering if their experience entering this world was as overwhelming as mine.

Finally, the guard’s eyes met mine, and he couldn’t help but smirk mischievously as he scanned me from head to toe. It made me uncomfortable, but I kept my composure, waiting for him to speak.

“Go to the kitchens,” he finally said, his grin widening. “Ask for the head cook. She’ll tell you what to do.”

I nodded, feeling grateful that my assignment allowed me to be near good food. The kitchen seemed like a place where I could find some comfort and belonging. I started walking towards the bustling kitchens, curious about my upcoming tasks. But before I could reach the door, the guard called me back.

“Oh, by the way,” he called out, “you’ll be summoned to the main residence later.”

I furrowed my brow, not quite understanding what he meant. Nevertheless, I decided to focus on my current assignment and headed into the busy kitchen. The scent of freshly baked bread and simmering stew filled the air as I approached one of the servant girls.

“Excuse me,” I asked politely, “where can I find the head cook?”

The girl pointed towards a woman who appeared much older than me, her hair adorned with streaks of gray. The head cook glanced at me, assessing me with a critical eye before finally speaking.

“You must be the new one,” she said with a stern tone. “Good, we need more hands here. Start by scrubbing those pots over there.”

I didn’t complain; I knew I had to prove myself in this new environment, and besides, scrubbing pots was a much better task than what I was used to. I immediately set to work, scrubbing away at the piles of pots, determined to do my best. The morning passed quickly, and when it was time for the servants to have their meal, I joined them, sitting at a small table in the corner. After the meal, as the sun Reached its peak, I returned to my duties. I spent the day in the bustling kitchen, chopping vegetables, scrubbing pots and dishes.

After a while, the guard who had spoken to me before entered the kitchen. I looked up, curious about why I was being summoned again.

“You’re needed at the main residence, ask for the Alpha’s chambers,” the guard said casually and turned away.

I was perplexed, wondering why the master of the estate wanted to see me. Still, part of me was excited at the prospect of meeting the mysterious man who had purchased me.

Leaving the kitchen, I made my way towards the main residence. On my journey, I passed by the courtyard where soldiers were engaged in their afternoon training. Their coordinated movements and powerful strides were exciting, and I couldn’t help but pause to watch them for a moment. The scene was like a beautifully choreographed dance, and I admired the soldiers’ discipline and dedication. But I knew I had to continue to the Alpha’s chambers, leaving the soldiers behind, as I wondered what awaited me there.

As I reached the large double doors of the main estate, my heart pounded with anticipation. With a deep breath, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, prepared to meet the man whose life I was now a part of. I had been summoned by the strange man who had bought me, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind. Nervously, I approached a group of servants, asking for directions to the Alpha’s chambers.

“Where can I find the Alpha’s chambers, please?” I asked.

Pointing down a dim hallway, one of them replied, “Just follow this corridor, and you’ll find it.”

My palms were sweaty as I walked, my anxiety mounting with each step. I reached the heavy oak door at the end of the hallway, which was the only door there. With a bit of hesitation, I knocked softly on the door.

“You may enter,” a thick voice called out from inside the room.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the cozy room. My eyes widened in shock. There, sitting on a lavish chair, was the very man who had purchased me at the wretched auction. Beside him lay a woman, who was naked on the bed, looking at me with a mix of superiority and disdain. The woman’s presence only intensified my fear and discomfort.

“I… I was told the master summoned me,” I stammered, my voice barely audible.

The man’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he leisurely observed me, his gaze making me feel exposed and vulnerable. “Ah, yes. I am Alpha Hunter, and this is my wife, Lucia,” he announced, his voice carrying an air of authority.

My breath caught in my throat as I tried to maintain my composure in front of the powerful Alpha and his wife. The woman’s evil eyes never left me, and his gaze lingered on me, though not as prying as hers.

“And what is your name, girl?” the man asked me, his authoritative voice sending a shiver down my spine.

“I am called Amelia,” I answered, cautiously glancing towards Lucia on the bed.

The tension in the room grew thicker, suffocating me as Hunter and Lucia exchanged amused glances. “Hmm, Amelia, a fine name for a mere servant,” Alpha Hunter remarked sarcastically, and both he and Lucia erupted into laughter, mocking my worth.

Although their cruel jest hurt, I swallowed my pride and remained silent.

“You are no longer a free woman,” he proclaimed coldly. “You are my property now, and you will do anything I say. Do you understand?”

I nodded meekly, fear and anger locked behind a mask of obedience. Hunter’s power was obvious, and I knew better than to provoke him. Lucia’s presence only intensified my discomfort, fueling a mix of jealousy and resentment. I kept my head low, nodding occasionally to show understanding as he continued to lecture me on my new status. His words weighed heavily on me, threatening to break my spirit.

Hunter’s eyes remained fixed on my face, tracing every detail of my body as if I were an exotic creature on display. “You may leave now,” he said when he finished, dismissing me, and I retreated from the room, the weight of my new reality pressing down on my shoulders.

Once outside, I let out a shaky breath, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling of humiliation and vulnerability, but I also felt a flicker of determination. I knew I had to bide my time and find a way to regain my freedom.

Returning to my duties within the kitchens, my mind constantly fluttered with images of Hunter’s shirtless chest.