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

how I found myself with my back pressed against a wall, holding my breath as

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

this house was

was or how to get back to the staircase leading down

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

hiding in the shadow of an awkward, off-kilter

more likely that Archer would tease me relentlessly for

was harmless, of course,

about, and I watched with bated breath as he slowly turned back into

grip on the basket, letting it rest against my

lugging it through the house,

he even existed.I'd probably have better luck leaving the basket in the middle of a corridor

you doing up here?" came a whisper

maid, was standing looking somewhat shocked

her as she peered passed me

unless you're delivering Jared's laundry,

no idea

handing her the basket.She sighed, balancing the basket on her hip in a

her thick, dark red hair.But she was quiet, shy, and a strict follower of the rules.I

allow maids in his quarters," she continued,

like us

I

her throat that told me she hadn't gotten close enough to know for herself.She set the basket in front of a narrow door, then turned the

close, he could've picked up

while later, toying with a shirt laid

down with her back to me,

"What is his deal?"

"His deal?"

like being called an

he's not one, I guess.I've

She was

is the Alpha in this territory,

Aeris to the south, of course.The settlement of Newcrest had

Aeris.

a needle and thread as Scarlett eyed

the Alpha of-"

"Oh, there you are,"

she bustled through the doorway, her brow

laundry in front of

room

my

Scarlett is being nice to you.She can

pink on the cheeks, her eyes slowly going back

brows at Scarlett as I grabbed the basket and turned toward

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

of bandits liked to drink at the village tavern in the late evenings, so I was

would be with them,

hallway, and the one he came out of was likely his bedroom, or

I was likely to be successful in delivering at least one basket of

the door open without any resistance, and had to suck in my breath out

I looked around and walked blindly toward a couch, dropping