NOW A MAID AGAIN

The guards led her through a narrow hallway that seemed like it was for the servants.

Soon, they got to a courtyard. The place was large enough to fit fifty people comfortably.

The women there wore a uniform to distinguish themselves from the other maids and the male slaves were on a green tunic to clad only their groins.

Zoya led her to a woman who seemed to be the head of them. “Put her to work!” she commanded, while giving Carly a dirty look.

“What are you looking at? Follow me at once,” the woman told Carly, after giving her a thorough inspection.

“I wonder if she ever gets to leave this place,” Carly whispered while glancing from the woman to the narrow door. She was somewhat chubby and short.

They both entered a room and Carly halted, scanning everything in the room. It was quite ancient, but magnificent. They had painted it gray and there were sculptures that enhanced the room.

The woman walked towards an adjoining room and came back with a vial. “Take it,” the woman spoke to Carly in a monotonous tone.

“What's this?” Carly asked as she reached out for the vial, knowing fully well that there was no way it would be for her benefit. 

“Tracking vial, it puts me at ease to know I won't have to bother about your whereabouts. Call me Mia,” the woman replied, going through a closet in the room.

She fished out a maid tunic, the same color with the uniform the other maids she saw earlier on, but it was a different design.

“What's my duty? She asked, wishing the entire ordeal would be over soon so she could rest.

“Once we leave this place, take a right turn. When you get to the end of the corridor, you will see your post. I'm still waiting for you to drink it” Mia eyed the vial and kept her stern face on Carly.

“Oh…. okay” She knew there was no escape, and she had no choice but to consume it.

Opening the vial, an acrid smell filled her nose and she visibly gagged.

“I have no time to waste, young lady.” Mia warned.

She closed her nose with her fingers and gulped the potion in one swallow. There was no way she would dare to drink such twice. And luckily, its content wasn't too big. It was enough to take at once. 

'I guess my plans to escape goes down the drain,' Carly thought dejectedly.

“The vial lasts for only six months,” Mia said, like she had read her mind.

Carly's face must have shown her relief because Mia decided to shatter her renewed hope, as she continued “You are to come on the fifth month for a refill, if you pass the deadline, I'll take it you don't want to live again,”

“Wait, I'll die without a refill?” Carly’s face had turned pale, and she almost choked to her own saliva. 

“You heard me right,” Mia replied nonchalantly.

“Woah, that's cruel” Carly didn't know when it slipped from her mouth. She met Mia's gaze, except for a slap or something, but nothing came. 

“If you have an issue with it, take it up with Zoya. Now get out, as you see, I have work to do and places to be at,” Mia said, stepping out of the room and Carly followed behind.

“I'll lead you to your post.” Mia broke the sudden silence and turned towards the direction she had described earlier for Carly.

They went through the corridor, with the woman walking sideways.

“I wonder who built this place. Two of my bony frames won't even be able to pass at once,” Carly thought to herself.

“It's to prevent the slaves from running.” Mia said. As if once again reading Carly's mind. 

“Can you hear my thoughts?” Carly could not help but ask, amazed at how she always replied to her concerns.

“You wear your hearts on your sleeves girl, you're like an open book,” Mia answered, shaking her head and giving Carly a pathetic expression. 

“Oh…” Carly muttered. 

The corridor took them to another courtyard smaller than the first one.

“You can search for an empty room to use during your shift. You are responsible for the guest toilets.” Mia informed her. “But for now, gather those piles of clothes and wash them. They contain blood stains, so make sure they are thoroughly washed. Report tomorrow morning by dawn. Goodnight.” She added before leaving.

As soon as Mia was out of earshot. Carly sat on the ground feeling broken as she began sobbing. For all she had lost and why her mate had to be her father's murder. The one who took her joy, dignity, and freedom. 

“Carly, I wish there was more that I can do for you,” Alexis said in a sad tone. She hated how Carly was always breaking down when alone.

“I feel so lonely.” Carly thought out loud as she signed after cleaning her tears. If only she had someone to lean on and talk all about her life with. “Alexis, you don't have to worry. Keeping me company is big enough. I appreciate you.” 

“I can't even fight. I can't even free you from this maltreatment. To what use is my existence then?” Alexis replied. She was extremely upset about everything. 

“Who said you are not already helping? You are the reason I'm still alive because if not for you, I would have died. Do you think my non wolf self can withstand all this? Now stop whining and help me form a strategy to get us out of here… and end that brute that feels he's untouchable,” she sneered, earning a chuckle from Alexis.

“Now, these clothes won't wash themselves.” Carly reminded herself and took a bucket to fetch water from a well close by.

“Yuck..do these people bathe in blood?” The clothes were smeared with blood and food. 

By the time she was done, it was past midnight. 

Carly woke up with a light tap on her shoulders. Opening her eyes, she saw an unfamiliar face.

“Wake up, Zoya wants us in the Grand hall,” the maid said and Carly frown. 

The statement earned a groan from Carly. “What does she need us for this late?”

“The Alpha is expecting an important guest, and he wants us to prepare a place.” The maid answered. Unlike those at Hulbert's place, the maids here we're more nicer. 

'Who is this guest?' Carly's interest was piqued as she inquired. 

“I don't know the details but…” the maid looked around and lowered her head near Carly's ear, “I heard it's a human.” She whispered. 

“Wait…. What? I thought he hated their kind and vice versa,” Carly murmured back in shock. 

“Well, same here. Seems things aren't always as they seem. Get up now except you prefer to bask in Zoya's wrath,” That got Carly up on her feet at once. Not like she had a choice. 

She quickly washed her face and put on the tunic she had folded at the corner of her straw mat.

The other maid led her towards where the others had assembled. “Besides, you can call me Mandy. I love your hair. It's so pretty.” 

“I go by the name Carly and thank you…. It's feels like it's been ages since I received a compliment from anyone,” Carly said, shuffling from one foot to another.

“Well this place sucks, I get it,” the girl retorted and shook her head. 

Carly glanced around, hoping no one heard it, while the girl had zero concerns. 

“Careful, you don't know who's listening,” Carly chastised her, not wanting the only person she had managed to befriend to end up with her head on a stake.

“Oh that, the others feel the same way, the spy is not here yet so we're good,” Mandy replied flippantly. 

“There's a spy? How do you know who it is?” Carly was curious and decided at that moment she must milk out any info she can get.

“She's not exactly discreet, and she gets a lesser workload. It's not difficult to know… oh there she comes,” Mandy said playfully pointing at the newcomer. 

The girl was undeniably pretty, and she had curves at the right places. Even the male slaves turned to look at her as she walked pass them.

“She's still trying to buy her way out by seducing the lords. I hope she gets what she's looking for,” Mandy whispered with a giggle and Carly looked strangely at her. Unsure of what the statement meant. 

The girl turned in their direction and gave them a scowl.

“Seems she heard,” Carly whispered back, feeling a bit scared. Almost forgetting she has a wolf now and can't be harmed easily.     

“Well, who cares if she did?” Mandy said dismissively. 

Soon, they were close to the place because she heard the familiar voice she hated so much. “Alright, is everyone here?”

Zoya did a head count. When she spotted Carly, she nodded satisfactorily.

“Complete as suppose.” Carly knew it was about her. “Now, get to work and make sure I spot no holes.” She warned. “As for you, come with me,” she pointed.