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

how I found myself with my back pressed against a

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

my defense, this house was a

I was or how to get back to the staircase leading down into

built directly in the center of what must have once been a wide, open foyer, an

I found myself hiding in the shadow of an awkward, off-kilter commer,

Archer would tease me relentlessly for being lost

of course,

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

on the

were burning with the effort of lugging it through the house, searching for a room belonging to someone named

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

are you doing up here?" came a whisper

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

shrugged, pushing off the wall and hurrying toward her as she peered passed me to the door into which Jared

up here unless you're delivering

have no idea

in a practiced fashion as she motioned me to follow

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

in his quarters," she continued,

us touching

I asked,

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

was so close, he could've picked

began a while later, toying with a shirt laid out

to me, her hands

"What is his deal?"

"His deal?"

doesn't like being called an Alpha.Why

one, I guess.I've never asked

She was giving

Alpha

the south, of course.The settlement of Newcrest had an

Aeris.

legs and picking up a needle and thread as Scarlett eyed me, blinking at my

Aeris is the Alpha

"Oh, there you are,"

she bustled through the

laundry in front of me, this one

Jared's room for me dear,

Scarlett before rising from my stool, nodding my agreement to Miriam, who beamed

you.She can be a little shy, unless Archer is around, of

the cheeks, her eyes

grabbed the

I'd run into Jared

liked to drink at the village tavern in the

be with

least four doors in that hallway, and the one he

in delivering

door open without any resistance, and had to

around and walked blindly toward a couch, dropping the basket there instead of the