Welcome to Your New Home

Zane was surprised when Amari was released from the chains that she stuck to her word.  She did not fuss, fight, or attempt to run away. Amari had resigned to her fate. 

“Let’s go,” Zane ordered, offering Amari a clear path to lead the way out of the office.  She had only taken a few steps when Alpha Winters attacked Amari, yanking her in the air by her throat. 

“Put her down,” Zane growled. 

“She is my daughter, I can discipline her however I see fit,” he snapped back.

“She is no longer your daughter, but my property.  Put her down or face the consequences,” Zane warned lowly.  He was only bluffing.  His pack was in such disarray and vulnerable to attacks that he could not afford to go to war right now.  Especially over a woman who was not his mate. 

Alpha Winters delivered one final squeeze to Amari’s windpipe before dropping her to the polished hardwood floors.  Amari shrieked when she accidentally used her destroyed left hand to break her fall out of habit.  Zane rolled his eyes, unsure how Amari would be able to complete her tasks with one hand.  She better keep up, or the other maids will eviscerate Amari for not pulling her weight. 

“Help her off the ground,” Zane sighed to his Beta.  “You have one final moment to change your mind.  Once we leave this office, that’s it,” Zane said to Alpha Winters.

“I’m wondering why you all are still here,” Alpha Winters replied gruffly. 

“Very well.  I hope we do not see each other soon.”

Amari was herded to a SUV and was relieved when she was protected from her pack members’ hateful glares.  Some of them were clearly mourning Camilla’s loss, but Amari would not shed a tear for someone who tormented her and stole her mate.  The way Amari saw it, whatever misfortune befell Camilla was purely instant karma. 

“Are you nervous?” Zane asked.

She shook her head.

“You should be.  My maids are very strict when it comes to cleaning and punctuality.  Your employment is what you make it.  If you keep up and do your work, then no one will bother you.  If you fall behind, then you better prepare yourself to be berated or get your ass kicked.  And do not expect me to run interference.  I have better things to worry about than a murderer’s feelings.”

“I’m not a murderer,” Amari whispered.

“What was that?” Zane challenged.

“I said, I’M NOT A MURDERER!” she yelled back with tears in her eyes.  Zane smirked at her.  He knew Amari was not responsible for killing her sister.  Her father’s explanation did not even make sense, but Zane had no problem running with the narrative. 

“If it is true what you say, that means your mate did this to you.  How does that make you feel?” Zane asked, tugging on one of Amari’s loose curls.  She didn’t answer him, but she did not have to, he could see the painful anguish on her face.  “Do you wish to seek revenge against him?”

Amari shook his head.

“Weak,” Zane commented as he continued to play in her hair.

“You’re not weak for loving someone and stop touching my hair.  I did not give you consent to touch me!” Amari snapped, batting away Zane’s hand.

A gasp left the other passengers’ mouths.  Amari chanced a look at Zane and winced at the raging storm brewed in his eyes.  “Did your mate have consent when he tortured you?” he questioned with a teasing smirk on his lips.

She refused to answer.

“Yeah…I didn’t think so.  I had considered giving you a break and being nice to you, but I think I’ve changed my mind.  Don’t come running to me when my pack makes your life a living hell.  By the way, we have some distant relatives visiting next weekend.  I’d classify them as elitist, and they treat everyone around them like the scum beneath their feet. You should be worried.”

**********

Amari felt herself being violently shaken awake moments later.  “Get up.  We are here,” Zane commanded. 

She wiped the sleep from her eyes and followed him out of the SUV.  She gawked at the fortress in front of her.  She was aware that her pack was well off, but Zane’s residence made her feel she grew up in a shack. 

Absentmindedly, Zane grabbed Amari’s right hand and tugged her behind him through the castle doors where they were greeted by his most trusted maid, Susan. 

“Good evening, Alpha Steele,” she greeted cheerfully.

“Good evening, Susan.”

“Who do we have here?” she questioned, peeking at Amari from around Zane’s muscular frame.

“This is Amari Winters.  She will be joining your staff.  You’re responsible for her, and please for the love of the Goddess, keep her out of trouble.”

Amari’s eyebrows quirked in surprise.  Why would he care if she was in trouble?  He just finished telling her she was basically on her own.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Alpha Steele.  She looks like a sweetheart,” Susan cooed, giving Amari a wide smile.  Amari weakly smiled back before shyly ducking her head down.  “Adorable.  Is she your- “

“No, she is not,” Zane gritted out.  “As if I would let my mate scrub floors on her hands and knees.”

“Right, silly me,” Susan giggled.  “But the two of you would make beautiful pups.”

“Susan,” Zane growled lowly.

“Alright, alright.  I’ll stop teasing you.  No need to blush.”

Zane sighed and rubbed his temple with his thumb and forefinger. 

“It’s late.  Can you please take her to medical, get her something to eat, and show her where she will be staying?”

“I’ll be thrilled.  Come on, Amari.  We’ll get you all fixed up.  We’ll have the pack doctor have you looking good as new.  The chef made some yummy venison chili and cornbread for dinner.  No offense, but you look like you need a little more meat on your bones.  We’ll get you bathed and take care of your glorious mane, and then we’ll get to the real work in the morning.”

Amari was barely listening to Susan as she was dragged throughout the massive mansion towards the infirmary. 

“Oh, I forgot.  You may call me Susie.  Alpha Steele is the only one that calls me Susan because he’s so formal.  He’s in his late twenties, but from the way he behaves you would’ve sworn he was in his fifties.  Don’t let Alpha Steele fool you either.  Under that tough exterior, he’s a complete teddy bear.  Here we are.  Dr. Patrick, I have a lovely patient for you.”

Amari’s eyes landed on a middle-aged man who looked as if he was dragged out of bed to render her aid. 

“Thank you, Susie.  Who do we have here?”

“This is Amari Winters.  She is one of our new maids.  It looks like she has a severe injury to her left hand, and I’m not sure what other wounds she might have.  Should I return in an hour?”

“Yes, that seems sufficient.  Please leave me and my patient alone.”

Amari wanted to beg for Susan to stay, but she realized Susan wasn’t always going to be there to fight her battles or protect her.

“Amari, that’s a beautiful name,” Dr. Patrick complimented.

“Thank you.”

“Please sit on the table and let’s take a look at what I was dragged out of bed for.”