Chapter Seven

Amelia

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I finally made my way back to my small bedroom. The day’s work had been exhausting, but I felt a sense of satisfaction for having completed all my duties. My feet were sore, and my body longed for rest. The dim light filtering through the window signalled that night was fast approaching.

As I settled into my modest room, my mind began to wander back to the earlier encounter with Alpha Hunter. The words he had spoken to me echoed in my mind, causing a mix of confusion and apprehension. I understood the part about being his slave; after all, he had purchased me from the auction house with an unbelievable sum. But what puzzled me was the expectation that I would do anything he wished. I couldn’t help but wonder what that truly meant.

Lost in thought, I pondered the implications of being a slave in his hands. My heart skipped a beat as I feared it might be a repetition of my dreadful past with Arnold. However, the day had been relatively better than my past experiences, and I was grateful for that glimmer of hope in my new life.

As the evening grew darker, a sudden knock on the door startled me. I wondered who it could be, expecting it to be one of the guards coming to assign me more tasks. Gathering my courage, I got up and opened the door, revealing the familiar face of Hailey, one of the new servant girls I had worked with in the kitchen throughout the day.

“Hi, Amelia,” Hailey said with a warm smile, breaking the silence.

Surprised but glad to see her, I replied, “Hi, Hailey! I didn’t expect to see you here. Is everything okay?”

Hailey shrugged lightly. “I just thought I’d check up on you. We’ve been through quite a lot today, and I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Her thoughtfulness touched me. “That’s really nice of you. I appreciate it.”

The two of us exchanged a knowing look, understanding the challenges we faced as newcomers to Alpha Hunter’s home. In just one day, we had become allies, finding solace in each other’s company amidst our duties and uncertainties.

“It’s all so new and different here,” Hailey remarked, breaking the silence again. “But I’m glad we have each other to lean on.”

I nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. It’s a relief to know I’m not alone in this.”

Hailey leaned against the door frame, her expression thoughtful. “You know; I’ve been wondering about Alpha Hunter’s expectations too. What do you think he meant by wanting you to do anything he wishes?”

I sighed, trying to articulate my thoughts. “I’m not entirely sure. Maybe he just wants me to prove that I’m worth the price he paid for me. As long as I work hard and obey, maybe it won’t be as bad as I fear.”

Hailey nodded, seeming to find some reassurance in my words. “You’re right. We’ll do our best, and hopefully, everything will turn out okay.”

Our conversation lingered on for a little longer, as we shared our hopes and fears for the future. Though uncertain about what lay ahead, we found comfort in each other’s support.

With weary yet hopeful hearts, Hailey and I settled into my small bed as we talked.

“So, we’ve been working together for a while now,” Hailey started, trying to break the ice, “and I feel like I don’t really know much about you. Would you mind sharing?”

My gaze shifted to the ground, reliving the painful memories that I tried so hard to bury. “I... I don’t usually talk about it,” I murmured, “but I guess we should trust each other if we’re going to be friends.”

Hailey’s eyes widened with empathy, encouraging me to continue.

“I was sold by my stepfather,” I confessed quietly, “first to an auction house, and then to our master here. It’s not something I like to think about.”

Hailey’s expression turned solemn. “I understand, Amelia,” she said gently, “and I appreciate you opening up to me. I was sold too, from a different auction house.”

The revelation surprised me, but it also created a sense of understanding between the two of us. We had experienced similar hardships, which formed an unspoken bond between us during our time in the kitchen. Hailey’s persistent efforts to befriend me had paid off, even though I had initially resisted.

“I’m grateful to have someone to talk to, Hailey,” I admitted, my guard slowly lowering.

Hailey smiled warmly, “And I’m grateful to have someone to talk to too. We can support each other through this difficult life.”

My heart softened, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance to fully open up. “Thank you, Hailey,” I said sincerely, “I do appreciate having someone to talk to, even if I’m not ready to share everything.”

As we continued to talk, the door to the servants’ quarters creaked open, and a guard’s voice echoed through the hallway. “Dinner time, everyone!”

The two of us exchanged a quick smile, realizing we had lost track of time while sharing our stories. With newfound understanding and familiarity, we walked side by side towards the small dining room where the servants gathered for their meals.

As we walked down the narrow, dimly lit corridor that led to the servants’ dining room, we turned a corner, and I couldn’t help but notice some of the other servant girls from my batch looking at me with scornful eyes. I heard whispers of jealousy and resentment circulating around me, their words like thorns in my heart. They questioned what made me so special that the Alpha had paid almost four times the price for me compared to each of them.

Worried and feeling exposed, I finally opened up to Hailey about my feelings. “Hailey, do you see the way those girls look at me? It’s as if I’ve committed some terrible crime just by being here. I don’t understand why they hate me so much,” I confided.

Hailey glanced at me, her face full of empathy. “Amelia, those girls are just jealous. You need to ignore their spiteful glances and whispers. The Alpha must have seen something extraordinary in you, and that’s why he invested more. You can’t let their bitterness affect you.”

I nodded, appreciating Hailey’s support. “You’re right, Hailey. I shouldn’t let them get to me. But it’s hard, you know? I just wanted to start fresh here, but it seems like making friends is out of the question.”

“They’re not worth your time,” Hailey assured me. “You’ll find genuine people who appreciate you for who you are. And until then, I’ll be here for you.”

A small smile crept onto my face, grateful for Hailey’s kind words. “Thank you, Hailey. It means a lot to me.”

As we entered the bustling dining room, the delightful aroma of hearty stew and freshly baked bread enveloped me. The long wooden tables were filled with chattering servants, exchanging their day’s experiences. Hailey and I found a spot together, and I couldn’t help but feel the warmth of our growing friendship surrounding us.

As we enjoyed our dinner together, being by Hailey’s side made me feel a deep sense of belonging. The worries of those scornful girls began to fade away, replaced by the comfort of having a true friend. I knew that our friendship would flourish in the future, but for now, Hailey’s support was more than enough.

In that moment, savouring our meal together, I decided that I wouldn’t let the envy and hostility of others define my time in this new place. I was determined to rise above it all and cherish the friendships that truly mattered, like the one I had found with Hailey. With resolve in my heart, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in this unfamiliar world.

However, something else bothered me within. I couldn’t help but notice that everyone treated me differently, even though I knew I was just a slave like all the other girls. First, Alpha Hunter summoned me to his private chambers, and now the other girls seemed to resent me for being more expensive than them. I had asked around and discovered that the Alpha never called a servant to his private chambers. What made me so special?

Perhaps it was my looks. With my striking features, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might be more beautiful than the rest of the girls. I wondered if that was the reason why everyone treated me differently, including Alpha Hunter. My mind wondered to the auction house where I remember a girl saying we would be sold as breeding machines. Could it be what was happening now? I contemplated. But I felt that this master that bought me, was in no need of a breeding machine, he even had a wife, so what else would he need us for if not serving under his roof.

I tried to shake off the thought of Alpha hunter making us breeding machines, but it kept bothering me especially considering the amount he paid for me, surely there must be a hidden agenda. I knew I needed answers, but for now, I needed to eat and keep my strength for the next day. Perhaps on my second day here, I would find out more about what set me apart.