Chapter 47 CHAPTER 047
Ari POV:
The days passed so fast it almost felt like yesterday when I decided to bolt out of Ricko and was found by Stone. But in reality, it had been two weeks. Two weeks of grueling experiences as Stone's slave.
I could still remember his words, and the way his eyes lost warmth when I appeared in the pack hall that evening.
"You're now officially Ricko's slave, Ari. You will live the rest of your life pleasing no one but the Alpha." My heart dropped to my stomach as I looked at Stone for help.
But his expression remained blank.
"So that's how we're playing it?" I vowed to make life hell for him.
Whenever he asked to be dressed, I would drop his expensive coat in cow manure, put too much mint in his tea and even cut into his robes. Anything to make him pissed enough to send me out of the pack. But nothing helped.
That morning, I got a note from the chief Maiden. "Head to the kitchen and make breakfast for Alpha Stone."
I crushed the note in my palm so hard, before heading over to the kitchen as instructed.
The kitchen was filled with activities as usual. From the corner of my eyes, I saw warriors grabbing quick meals before their shifts, maids gossiping while kneading dough, and cooks barking orders, but the moment I stepped in, the noise died.
Eyes tracked me like I was a stray that had wandered into a wolf den. I ignored them, marching straight to the counter where the headmaid, Elara, stood like a sentinel over a steaming tray of roasted venison and herb-buttered potatoes.
She didn’t even glance up. "You’re late."
"I came as soon as I got the note," I muttered, reaching for the tray.
Her bony hand slapped mine away. "Get away, you filthy stray," she hissed, her voice sounding loud that the maids who heard did little to hide their snicker. "Did they teach you nothing in that rotting pack you came from? You don’t touch an Alpha’s food with hands that smell like horse shit and misery."
My jaw clenched. The horse shit was from mucking the stables earlier. It was a chore she’d assigned me. And the misery? Well. That was a given.
Elara shoved a basin of icy water at me. "Go on and wash yourself. Then come back to work."
I dipped my hands in the basin, wincing under my breath as I felt the cold biting my sensitive skin. When I pulled them out, they were dripping. She tossed a rag at my chest. "Dry your hands. And don’t drip on the floor, useless girl."
I wiped my hands slowly, savoring the way her eye twitched. "Done," I said, tossing the rag back.
It landed in the water with a splash.
Elara’s face purpled. "You insolent being!" She grabbed my wrist, yanking me so close I could count the wiry hairs on her chin. "Listen well, gutter rat. That Alpha out there may have dragged you here like you are special, but make no mistake, you’re nothing. Less than nothing. A whore who couldn’t even keep her own mate."
The words shouldn’t have hurt me. Not after weeks of being a slave, despite how much he promised. But hearing my past on the lips of someone who wouldn't have crossed my paths some weeks ago made my breath hitch anyway.
Elara smirked, scenting my anger. She plucked a sprig of thyme from the tray and tucked it behind my ear like she was performing some grotesque parody of adornment.
"There. Now you’re fit to serve. Barely though." She thrust the tray into my arms. "Go. And if you spill a drop, I’ll have you licking it off the stones."
"Yes, Elara." I muttered enough for her to hear before turning around to leave.
I lowered my face fast, ensuring no one could see the tears gathering in my eyes. The tray trembled in my hands as I walked between the winding stone corridors toward Stone's private dining chamber.
I finally found him. Stone lounged at the head of a steely table. He had several scrolls spread before him when I entered. His silver gaze flicked up immediately and locked onto my red-rimmed eyes. My breath caught. For one foolish heartbeat, I thought he might ask what was wrong.
Instead, he returned to his documents without a word, the line of his jaw hardening. The lack of care stung more than Elara's insults. I set the tray down with too much force, making the silverware clatter.
"Leaving so soon?" Stone's voice froze me halfway to the door. My pulse leapt, thinking he was going to finally ask, until he added, "You're supposed to feed me first. Didn't Elara teach you well?" His tone was colder than the winter air.
I turned slowly. His expression gave nothing away as he pushed the tray toward me. "Use your hands."
My fingers shook as I tore a piece of bread. When I raised it to his lips, he didn't lean forward. He waited with his eyes fixed on me, forcing me to stretch closer until the sleeve of my dress strained across my chest. A tear escaped before I could blink it back.
It landed squarely in his wine.
Stone's hand shot up as if to strike me. I gasped and jumped, snapping my eyes closed as if that would help keep his fist away. But when I opened my eyes, he had one hand grip his own wrist as if physically restraining himself. His nostrils flared, his wolf's eyes flashing gold beneath his human mask.
I inhaled so deeply I could feel a hole form in the space between my collarbone. The door burst open before he could say something.
"That is disgusting," Sierra drawled, sauntering in with her hips swaying. Her suspension just ended and she seemed to be celebrating that quite well. Dressed in a fitted white lace gown that barely brushed her thighs, tiny high heels and hair that shone so bright, her red lips still seemed to spat venom.
"Sierra." Stone called her name like he had been expecting her.
"Feeding the Alpha like some common whore?" She snatched the bread from my fingers and tossed it out the window. "Get out, runt. You are ruining his appetite with your pathetic face."
I looked to Stone. His gaze remained fixed on his wineglass, where my tear still pierced the surface. I expected a word. Something to keep Sierra in check. But I got nothing from him.
The sob building in my chest escaped as I fled, embarrassment twisting my stomach as I ran blindly toward the servants' quarters. Sierra's laughter followed me, but cruel as it sounded, the silence from Stone hurt worst of all.
I collapsed onto my thin pallet, pressing my face into the scratchy wool blanket. The scent of lye soap and cheap perfume clung to the fabric. Outside, something began to patter against the narrow window.
What was worse? Entering winter when I'm living in the worst condition? Or getting my first snow without Riel?