Chapter 14 Itching hands
TARA:
I immediately looked around but there was no sign of the Alpha.
“That was just a dream, right? There’s no way it can happen in this life.” I tried to convince myself. I looked beside me and saw the book I was reading earlier that morning.
Do books really affect one’s dreams? If they do, why was it the Alpha? Why not anyone else?
And that night I saw him holding my hand and looking at me, was it also a dream?
“Why am I seeing him in my dreams?” I wiped my face, brushed my teeth, and finished the food I had left over last night.
After eating, I had my bath and sat on the bed, not knowing what to do.
At my former pack, I always woke up to a pile of work. Either I was washing plates, doing the laundry, or cleaning the entire pack house. I barely had enough time for myself.
But now… I just felt weird sitting idle. My hands were itching to do something.
I decided to walk about and explore my surroundings. I noticed the place wasn’t that big. Just the main house, the extension where I stayed, and a small yard for flowers and other activities.
I saw a few maids spreading laundry around the vicinity. My head almost sparked.
“You there,” I heard behind me and I turned. “Who are you and how did you get in here?” The woman asked sternly. Guess who it reminded me of.
“My name is Tara. And I came in yesterday with the Alpha and Sir Mason.” I quickly replied to avoid trouble.
“Oh, you're the guest the gamma mentioned. I’m the head maid here. Good to have you. What are you doing wandering around? Definitely, you're not lost. This place is too small to lose your way.” Her gaze softened as she spoke.
She wasn’t like Ellie's mother who shouted at everyone and for everything. Nothing we did was ever good in her sight.
“Actually, I was looking for something to do. Maybe I could help with the laundry or clean the yard. Anything at all.”
“Oh no. Please, the Alpha will not like his guest doing anything in his house. I don’t want to get into trouble.” She said and began walking away but I ran after her.
“Ma'am, please. I just need to do something. I can’t just sit idle. I can clean or wash or iron. Anything at all.” I begged as though my life depended on it. “I promise, the Alpha will never find out.”
She stopped and looked at me.
“If I give you something, will you stop talking?”
I smiled widely. “Yes, ma'am. I will stop talking.”
She sighed and told me to wash the dishes in the kitchen.
I was expecting to see lots of plates and pots but it was just a few. I frowned. What sort of thing was this? Was this how I was going to live my life here?
Anyway, I got to work and finished in no time. I took it upon myself to sweep and mop the floor of the kitchen and the dining area. I made sure to look out for the Alpha because I didn’t want the head maid to get into trouble because of me.
“What do you think you're doing??” I heard her voice across the dining hall. I quickly hid the mop behind my back.
“Nothing.” I lied.
What a stupid girl I was. I had already been caught but I was still lying.
“Are you trying to get me fired?” She snatched the mop from my hand and ordered the other maid who came in with her to finish up.
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help it. You see, I'm an omega and this is what I’ve been doing my whole life. It would take time for me to adjust.”
“Until then, keep your hands to yourself. The Alpha brought you here, right? It means you’re a guest.”
I thought she would understand but she didn’t. Rather, she set the covered meals on the kitchen counter, arranging them side by side.
“What if I get permission from him? Will you allow me then?”
“Of course, why not? You can knock yourself out by then.” She rolled her eyes. The head maid didn’t act like she was older in any way. Looking at her up close, she looked like someone who was in her early or mid twenties.
“Here,” She handed me a plate of food. It was inviting but I had to refuse. I already had something that morning.
“No, thank you. I’ve eaten.” I politely declined. She took my hand and placed the plate on it.
“You can put it in the trash or give it out. The orders are clear: As long as a person works, the person eats. Simple.” She explained. The other three maids I had seen earlier walked in and got their share.
“Hi,” The one who was asked to take the mopping stick from me came close. “I’m Sienna. What is your name?”
“Tara,” I replied.
“I wanted to thank you. You saved me a lot of work back there.”
When last did any of my colleagues thank me? Right. They’ve never. Even after I did their entire work just so I could be friends with them.
“It’s nothing,” I replied. She smiled, opened her food, and began eating. I saw how rich the meal was in vegetables and protein. To eat this kind of meal in Red Moon, you need a lot of connections. Or you just steal it. I had none.
I opened my food too and started eating. It was so delicious. I had never had anything like that. Heck, everything I've been eating since I left Red Moon was new. The lady even gave me another plate of food because there were extras.
“So, what are you doing here? Are you related to the Alpha? Because I know that he doesn’t allow anybody to stay around him. We maids come to clean and go back.”
“I…uh…” I didn’t know what to say to her. What could I say that would be reasonable? “The Alpha brought me here for a purpose. Once I'm done, I’ll leave.”
“Really? What for?"
I didn’t know how to answer the question.
“Tara, over here please.” My eyelids rose and I saw Mason standing at the door with his usual smile plastered on his face.
‘I’ve been saved.’ That was the first thing that came to my mind.
“Sorry, I have to go.” I laughed awkwardly and ran toward Mason. He led me out of the kitchen, heading for where I didn’t know.
“Hope you had a good night's rest.” He asked me.
“I did. It was wonderful. The bed was so soft and it was quiet throughout the night. The best night I’ve ever had.” I replied expressively.
“Sir Mason, can I ask you something?”
“I’m all ears, dear. What is that by the way?” He pointed to the plate of food in my hand.
“I got it from the head maid. She insisted because I helped out with a few things. That's what I want to talk to you about. Is it okay to ask the Alpha if I can join the maids to take care of the house chores? I don’t want to sit around doing nothing.”
I might get sick from laziness. Of course, I didn’t tell him that part.
“Hmm… you'd have to ask the Alpha himself. I’m sure you’ll get permission.”
My eyes lit up at the certainty in his voice.
“I’ll ask him when next I see him.” I giggled.
“Great because… he’s waiting for you.” As soon as his words dropped, he opened a door and inside the office, the Alpha sat. His gaze was cold as usual, his lips moving slowly.
When his icy gaze shifted to me, I froze on the spot where I stood.
Why was it now that the dream I had started flashing in my mind?