Chapter 4 – A Gem

Chapter 4 – A Gem

“You really don’t listen to me, do you?” he uttered and took a step forward, so I also stepped back out of fear of what he might do.

He only stopped taking steps forward towards me when my stomach grumbled again and I tightly closed my eyes in embarrassment.

“Go wash up and come down in the kitchen when you are done.”

“I might come down a bit later Alpha since I would still have to dry my clothes so I have something to use after I shower.” I said because what I am wearing now is the only clothes I have at the moment. I still have to work to earn some pennies to buy cheap clothes somewhere or to other pack members here if they will allow me.

He sighed and messed his hair with his palm and brushed it on his face in frustration. I am going to lie if I would say that the Alpha is not attractive in every way. He is an epitome of a human god if ever there is something like that. He just looks so perfect on his own.

But snap it, I have no time and right to admire people and think about anyone.

“Da-mn. You are a lot of work to do.” He muttered under his breath and I just had to apologize again, so in a very quiet voice, I uttered my sorry.

“Look, doll, all these things, the bed, the lamp, the window, the curtains, the couch, the bathroom, this wardrobe and its content, all that is in here is yours and you are free to use it. No punishment in return if that is what you are scared of.”

My head lifted up and looked at him in surprise, still cannot believe of what I heard. He is kidding me. There must be a catch, there is always something in return, nothing is free.

“W-what… I c-can’t have them, Alpha.”

“Are you disobeying my words, doll?”

“N-no, Alpha. I will use what is in here. I will follow what you said. And to pay you back, I will work in the house Alpha, I can do the chores, I can cook, I can tend the yard, I can run errands, anything you order me to do, Alpha.” I said.

“Those are not your job. For now, go and wash up, use the clothes in here and come down in the kitchen when you are done.” He repeated and immediately, I complied and walked, limping towards the door of the bathroom.

“Stop.” He ordered and so I halted on my track, turning around to face him.

“What happened to your foot?” he asked.

“I… uhh… I tripped, Alpha.” I answered, not telling him how I tripped. It was because I tried to escape from the traders.

Again, he sighed, and shook his head before he strode out of the room without saying any more word.

I proceeded to the bathroom and took a shower. The fragrance of flowers of the shower gels and shampoo screams their expensiveness. I had never imagined in my life to have ever used such expensive thing. With the prices of these, I could probably get a one year supply of food already.

I did my routine and found a bathrobe in one of the cabinet here. I wore it before I walked out and carefully opened the wardrobe, fearing that it might break if I would not be careful enough. Then, it revealed in front of my eyes a lot of different dresses and tee shirts, pants, jeans, and fresh underwear are in there. I looked for my size especially the underwear and pants, since the dresses and tee shirts are all fine with me as long as they are not too small for my body, and the larger the clothes are the more comfortable it is.

When I am done, I found a hair dryer and used it. I am a bit ignorant of some of the things here, but I saw some of them used by my “sister” before and some can be easily operated so I figured it on my own.

I did not find any footwear in the wardrobe and so I walked to the kitchen bare footed. On the table I found a lot of dishes served, and at the end was the Alpha, seated on his chair with a book on his hand.

“What is your size?” he asked, eyeing my bare foot.

“T-thirty seven, Alpha” I meekly replied, curling my toes in embarrassment. I must have looked like a beggar.

But then, who cares? When I think I am even worse than a beggar who can at least live for his own life and freedom.

“Seat.” He ordered and I hesitated, so I did not move.

“I… can’t Alpha. I am not allowed to—“

“I tell you what you are allowed to do and not to do. Understand? Now, seat.” He repeated and placed his book down the table, when he closed it, I saw the title of the book and it was the ‘The History 2’. I know that book since I also like reading books and I would just sneak some books from the small library of the pack house before, and that ‘The History’ was indeed a good story. Actually, I was only able to read the first book, and I could not find the second book, yet now, I saw it. The Alpha has it.

The first book had left its readers including me in a cliffhanger. I had always wanted to know what happened next on the journey of the main character. Actually it was not really about the world’s history, but it is just about the character travelling to different places in different times, discovering treasures, witnessing wars, anything that happened significantly on the year he had travelled on. And though it is a fictional story, it still has a touch of true world history in it, depending on where the character went and what time.

“Eat.” The Alpha uttered, bringing me back from admiring the book.

“I… I will just eat at the back kitchen instead, Alpha.” I replied for I am not used to eating on table freely on my own, with other people, and most especially it is the Alpha.

“Why are you so stubborn? Do you like going against my words?”

Even with just his voice, it is already telling me not to answer anymore and just follow what he said.

I put a small quantity of rice and one strip of bacon and a sunny side up on my plate, I did not dare to touch the other dishes anymore due to shame, and I also fear that the amount of the food I ate might go equal on the amount of work I will be given.

“Do not waste the food. Finish everything that is served.”

“H-huh?” I looked at him, puzzled.

“I am fine with this now, Alpha. Thank you.”

He growled under his breath and looked at me deadly. He looks pissed, and it took me a minute to realize that I had gone against his order again.

“Yes, Alpha, I will finish all these.” I uttered in the end. I should fill my stomach anyway, this might be once in a blue moon only.

While eating, he just sat there silently, continue reading the book, and I could not stop myself from glancing at the book every now and then. I am curious of what he is reading now, which part? What time did the character travelled again, what did he discovered.

“What?” the Alpha asked, lowering down his book to see me and I immediately shook my head and continued eating, but I was not able to stop myself from taking one last glance at the book on his hands which the Alpha had noticed.

“Do you read?” he asked and I did not answer him, stuffing the rice in my mouth.

“I am asking you, doll.”

I nodded but also immediately shook my head. I was not really sure what to answer him.

“Do you know this book?”

I avoided his scrutinizing gaze.

“I am talking to you, missy.”

“I… uhh… y-yes, Alpha. I-I have read the f-first book.” I replied with all honesty, and put down my spoon even though I have not had a half of my food on the plate yet. It would be too rude to continue eating while the Alpha was talking to me. I then placed my hands on my lap and became attentive to his questions so I could answer them properly and to not mess up.

“How about this second one?”

I shook my head, but not daring to look at him.

“Take it.” he pushed the book on the table towards me and I looked at it with excitement, but when I realized that there must be something in return of it, the excitement in me instantly vanished.

“I-it is okay, Alpha. I am n-not interested about it anyway.” I lied.

“Take it and read.” He firmly stated and I nodded after a second.

My attention was caught when an old lady entered the kitchen, holding a pot on her hand which seemed that she is putting it back.

When she came back and was about to leave, she stopped beside me.

“What is it, Nana?” the Alpha asked to the old woman clad in a black and brown long dress.

“You have found a very important gem… that does not only bring you love and joy, but trouble as well.” The old woman uttered while looking at me.

“Yeah, she is already causing too much trouble.” The Alpha said and I lowered my head.

“More trouble… she will bring more trouble to you. Be careful, Alpha.” The old woman said and left, leaving me puzzled. What trouble would I cause them?

Am I really that bad luck that everyone who would have me will be in trouble?

I knew it, I should have died instead. I should not live. I do not belong in this world for I will only bring trouble to those who would have me.

“I am sorry.” I uttered, facing down on my fiddling hands on my lap under the table.

“Who are you?” he asked and I hope I also know the answer to that.

“Why were you on that auction?” he asked again, but I cannot answer him. How can I admit that even my own father never wanted me.

“Please let me go, Alpha. I would only bring you trouble and misfortune. Believe what the old woman had said.”

For a minute, I felt his piercing gaze at me, and I did not dare to look at him. Then he stood up on his chair and walked away with his hands on his pocket. Leaving me on the table.

Indeed, no one wanted me. I must be discarded. I should have been dead long ago. I was so stupid to endure it all in the end.

But when I thought the Alpha already left, I was wrong when I heard his voice from a meter behind me.

“I do believe her... That I found a gem that would bring me love and joy.”

Then I heard his footsteps walking away from the dining area, fading as he goes farther.