Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 794

Chapter 5 : What Are You Doing in Here?

"Eliza* It was my third full day at the grand estate of Jared, otherwise known as "His Royal Highness the King of Murderous Criminals," who now employed me as a laundry maid.

I thought that title fit him perfectly, and felt rather clever for coming up with it.

I was used to being around men with chips on their shoulders, like the pompous, arrogant assholes who thought their presence at even the most insignificant archeological dig site was a divine gift from the Goddess herself.

Jared was a bit different, though.

Everyone here worshiped the ground that he walked on.

He wasn't boastful, or rude.

But he was standoffish, cold, and looked at me like I was a disease threatening to spread among his people.

He was suspicious of me, sure.

But I was just as suspicious of him.

That man had secrets, dark ones.

And even though I should have been focusing on my imminent escape, I couldn't help but lean into my undying curiosity about not only Jared, but his lands, and his house.

It was bizarre, really.

My first full day at his house had been spent on strict bed rest overseen by Miriam.

She was sure I'd knocked my brain right out of my skull, and she may have been right.

I definitely had a concussion, but the wound had healed nicely, and quickly, much to her surprise.

She kept me in bed regardless, feeding me warm, hearty meals and always making sure I had a hot cup of tea next to my bed as I let myself spiral into oblivion.

I'd been sure, at least during that first day, that I would be killed, or worse, by these people.

I thought I'd never see my family again, that all of my dreams would be unfulfilled, a life only half lived.

But on my second day, by then fully lucid, I began to shed that fear and the old Eliza sprung back to life, ready to be nosy, searching for answers to the mysteries that seemed to be lurking in every darkened corner of this odd house.

First, I was given clothes—an ankle-length gray homespun dress and a starched white apron.

Miriam tried in vain to tame my hair to no avail, eventually giving up after my curls ripped through the third ribbon she'd used to try to tie it ina neat bun.

The house seemed to lack electricity, had very little in terms of running water and other basic utilities, and was no doubt haunted by spirits only the earty gods could name.

I felt as though I'd been thrust back through time, and had half convinced myself of it before getting my hands on several newer-looking books with the publishing date stamped in fresh ink during a brief stint in the library.

Today was my first day in what Miriam called "the laundry."

tt was a large, stone room on the lowest level of the house with two wide tubs of scalding water that we were meant to stir with wooden paddles to beat the clothes senseless before wringing them out and hanging them to dry.

It was hard work, really hard, and by midday, my arms were trembling with fatigue.

Then came the mending, which was my specialty, according to Jared.

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and the single shirt I'd spent nearly two hours sewing back together showed that clearly.

tongue, shook her head, and did her best to pat down my rogue curls that were now sticking straight up due to the humidity in the room before sending me on my

myself with my back pressed against a wall, holding my breath as Archer and

hadn't seen me, or at least they didn't act like they'd noticed my

this house was a

or how to get back to the staircase leading down into the depths of the house where the laundry, kitchen, and communal

of what must have once been a wide, open foyer, an afterthought it seemed, to cram as many rooms as possible into

now I found myself hiding in the shadow of an awkward, off-kilter commer, hugging a basket of laundry

found it more likely that Archer would tease me relentlessly

was harmless, of course, at least I

was worried about, and I watched with bated breath as he slowly turned back into the room

my death grip on the basket, letting it

it through

Silas was, or if he even existed.I'd probably have better luck leaving the

up here?" came a

was standing looking somewhat shocked and pale only a

off the wall and hurrying toward her as she

unless

no idea

sighed, balancing the basket on her hip in a

she was quiet, shy, and a strict follower of the rules.I hadn't been able to get much information out of her

allow maids in his quarters," she continued, leading me through a door and down

like us

I asked,

enough to know for herself.She set the

if Silas was so close, he could've picked up his laundry himself!

began a while later, toying with a shirt

down with her back to me, her

"What is his deal?"

"His deal?"

he doesn't like being called an Alpha.Why

not one, I guess.I've never

She was giving me

the Alpha

of.There's Aeris to the south, of course.The settlement of Newcrest had an Alpha, but I think he’s dead.And to the east is, well, it's just

Aeris.

as Scarlett eyed me, blinking at my attempts to

is the Alpha of-" I began

"Oh, there you are,"

she bustled through the doorway,

placed another basket of laundry in front of me, this one looking much heavier than

Jared's room for me

a look with Scarlett before rising from my stool, nodding my agreement to Miriam, who

good girl.I do hope Scarlett is being nice to you.She can be a little shy, unless Archer is

gone pink on the cheeks, her eyes slowly going back to her

the basket and turned toward the

passed since I'd run into Jared and his shadows, Archer

bandits liked to drink at the village tavern

be with them, of

least four doors in that hallway, and the one he came out of was likely his bedroom, or

successful in delivering at least one basket

the door open without any resistance, and had to

as I looked around and walked blindly toward