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.

clicked her 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

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

or at least they didn't act like they'd

my defense, this house was a

to the staircase leading down into the

center of what must have once been a wide, open foyer, an afterthought it seemed, to cram

the shadow of an awkward, off-kilter commer,

Archer would tease me relentlessly

course, at least I

Jared I was worried about, and I watched with bated breath as he slowly turned back into the room that he'd just come out of, closing the door firmly behind

my death grip on the basket, letting it rest against

of lugging it through the

or if he even existed.I'd probably have better luck leaving the basket in the middle of a corridor and letting whoever walked by

doing up here?" came a whisper from

fellow laundry maid, was standing looking somewhat shocked and pale only a few

off the wall and hurrying toward her as she peered passed me

unless

idea

basket.She sighed, balancing the basket on her hip in a practiced fashion as she motioned me to

was aptly named with her thick, dark red hair.But she was quiet, shy, and a strict follower of the rules.I hadn't been able

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

like us touching his

I asked, becoming

noise in her throat that told me she hadn't gotten close enough to know for herself.She set

if Silas was so close, he could've

a while later, toying with

with her back to me, her hands back

"What is his deal?"

"His deal?"

he doesn't like being called

I

was giving

is the Alpha in this

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,

Aeris.

and thread as Scarlett eyed me, blinking

Aeris is the Alpha of-" I began

"Oh, there you are,"

the doorway, her brow glistening

laundry in front of me, this one looking

Jared's room

with Scarlett before rising from my stool, nodding my agreement

a good girl.I do hope Scarlett is being nice to you.She

pink on the cheeks, her eyes slowly going back to her lap where her

Scarlett as I grabbed the basket and turned

least two hours had passed since I'd run into

that the crew of bandits liked to drink at the village tavern in

with them, of

at least four doors in that hallway, and the one he

successful in delivering at least one basket

any resistance, and had to suck in my breath out of

dropped the basket as I looked around and walked blindly