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.

down my rogue curls that were now sticking straight up due to the humidity in the room before

back pressed against a wall, holding my

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

this

the staircase leading down into the depths of the house where

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

the shadow of an awkward, off-kilter

it more likely that Archer would tease me relentlessly

harmless, of course,

bated breath as he slowly turned back into the room that he'd just come out of,

on the basket, letting it rest against my

with the effort of lugging it through the

existed.I'd probably have better luck leaving the basket in the middle of

up here?" came a whisper

my roommate and fellow laundry maid, was standing looking somewhat shocked

as she peered passed me to the door into which Jared

be up here unless you're

no idea who Silas

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

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

his quarters," she continued, leading me

like us

things?" I asked,

a small grunting noise in her throat that told me she hadn't gotten close enough to know for herself.She set the basket in front of

was so close, he could've picked up

while later, toying with a

down with her back to me, her hands back to her

"What is his deal?"

"His deal?"

being called an Alpha.Why

he's not one, I

She was giving

the Alpha

one that I know of.There's Aeris to the south, of course.The settlement of Newcrest had an Alpha, but I think he’s dead.And to

Aeris.

and thread as Scarlett eyed me, blinking at my attempts to

Aeris is the Alpha of-" I

"Oh, there you are,"

chirped as she bustled through the doorway, her brow

of laundry in front of me, this one looking

this up to Jared's room for me dear,

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

to you.She

Scarlett, who had gone pink on the cheeks, her eyes slowly going back

grabbed the basket and turned toward the door, following

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

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

with

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

successful in

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

dropped the basket as I looked around and walked blindly toward a couch, dropping the basket there instead of