Jane

Jane's POV 

The house was quiet. The hallway was quiet, almost too quiet for a house. The housekeeper stopped in front of a door and turned to me.

"I'm Josephine, and this is your room," she said gently.

I only nodded. I didn’t have the strength or maybe the will to say anything to her or anyone. All I needed was answers to the questions swirling through my mind.

She looked at me for a moment, studying my face. Then she asked softly, “If I may ask, are you mute?”

I shook my head slowly and finally found my voice, though it came out barely above a whisper. “No.”

Her face relaxed, a flicker of relief crossing her features. “You have a lot to say, but you didn’t say anything.”

That surprised me. My eyes darted to hers. “How did you know?” I asked.

She smiled faintly, like she understood me more than I understood myself. “I could see it in your eyes. The pain, the confusion, the questions… I could see all of them.”

Just like that, a tear slipped down my cheek. I didn’t wipe it away. I didn’t speak. I just stood there, cracked open in silence. 

Then, gently, she took my hand. Her touch was warm and comforting in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“This place isn’t the best,” she said. “But I promise you… it will be better than where you came from.”

I nodded again, unsure if I believed her, but desperately wanting to. I can only hope.

She was about to leave when the question tumbled out of me, unplanned. “What is he like? Alpha Liam… how is he?”

She paused. “We experience different versions of people,” she said,staring into my eyes as if she was trying to connect with my soul.

“I just want to know… so I can prepare myself.”

“You’ll have to find out for yourself,” she replied.

Her unreadable tone made me more confused.

Then she added, “Your uniform will be sent to you,” and without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts, my pain, and the mysterious weight of my new life.

Not long after, the maid uniform came. The uniform lay smooth against my skin, black and white, far better than the rough, worn-out clothes I wore back in Theo’s pack. At least here, the fabric was clean and soft. Almost too soft for someone like me.

Still trying to make sense of Josephine’s words, I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. Every minute led me closer to the mystery that was coming.

Darkness had swallowed the world outside, and I knew it was time. It was time to know what was waiting for me. I would soon find out what kind of job he brought me here to do.

“Thinking a lot, are you?” The voice hit me like a thunderclap, deep and commanding. 

I jumped to my feet, my heart slamming against my chest. I hadn’t even heard the door open.

“Alpha Liam,” I managed, my voice catching as I tried to calm my racing breath.

“Come with me,” he said flatly, turning without another word.

“Where… where are we going?” I asked, the fear already tightening in my throat.

He didn’t stop walking. “To your first task, bunny.”

Bunny. That word again. It made me feel small, breakable and owned.

My courage barely scraped itself together. “Why am I here?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He stopped. Turned halfway. “You’re here because I bought you.”

I know he bought me but his words stung in a different way. I sighed, a mix of frustration and quiet pain rising in my chest. 

“Why did you buy me?” I asked.

“I bought you because you were not needed there,” he said, looking at me without a shred of emotion. “I need you. I bought you. Simple.”

But it wasn’t simple. It wasn't simple for me. Something about his words triggered a memory. I remember the way he had said that same thing the night we first met. “I need you and I will buy you”

That haunted me more than anything else because he eventually bought me just like he had said.

“Why would you need me? Why would you need someone like me?” I asked, even though I knew I shouldn’t.

He stepped toward me. His steps were slow and deliberate. He stopped just one step away. His scent hit me hard, powerful and intoxicating. It made my knees weak. 

I looked away, unable to hold his gaze, fear crawling over me like a second skin.

“Look here, bunny,” he said in a low growl. “You don’t ask me questions. You do what I tell you to do.”

Before I could respond, he grabbed my wrist. It was firm but not painful. Just like that, he pulled me out of the room. My feet struggled to keep up and I stumbled as I tried to, but he didn’t stop or slow down. He dragged me like I weighed nothing.

He finally stopped in front of a large door and opened it. The second I stepped in, I knew it was his room.

I had no idea what he wanted from me and why he brought me to his room.

Why am I here? The question screamed in my mind as he flung me onto the bed. My body bounced slightly on the thick mattress, my heart thudding so hard it echoed in my ears. 

Panic surged through me, prickling my skin. I pushed myself upright quickly, scrambling to the corner of the bed before anything could go wrong.

My eyes were widely open as I watched him. He didn’t move closer.

He just stood there, watching me with his eyes. His gaze was unreadable, dark, and steady but mine couldn't hold onto it. Then he slowly began to unbutton his black shirt.

My breath caught as he popped each button open.

Why is he undressing himself? I pondered as my eyes glanced away from him.

I clutched my arms tightly around my chest, trying to shield myself, even though I was still fully clothed. I felt vulnerable and exposed like a prey caught in a trap.

Then his shirt dropped to the ground. His chest was bare, muscular, firm, covered in tattoos I didn’t have the courage to stare at too long. I forced my eyes away again, biting back the fear rising in my throat.

Was he really planning to do it? Just like that? Without asking? Without even speaking?

He must have seen the fear written all over my face, before he said, “I sleep without clothes… but because of you, I’ll sleep with my pants on.” He didn’t sound angry or eager. He just said it like a fact.

I didn’t know whether to feel relief or confusion. 

“Because of me?” I asked, stuttering.

“What did I say about you asking me questions?” His voice was flat, and surprisingly calm. 

I didn’t relax. I couldn't relax. I sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, my hands trembling in my lap but I managed to talk again. 

“I just want to know why I'm here in your room.”

“You are here to work,” he said, moving to the other side of the bed. “Now, come to bed.”