Sold To My Fated Alpha

Chapter 8: The New Housekeeper

Sheena

“I—I do!” I had to yell over the roar of the wind so the storm wouldn't swallow my voice whole.

Alpha Neil’s jaw went tight, muscle ticking in his cheek. He grabbed my wrist, pulled my fingers around the handle of the umbrella, and let go like my skin burned him.

Stepping straight out into the freezing downpour, he backed off, keeping a wide distance between us.

For a moment, I wondered if I had done something wrong.

I stood there, surprised, watching the rain soak his dark shirt instantly. I took a step closer, lifting the umbrella up to keep the water off his head again. “Alpha, you’ll get soaked.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he growled, totally indifferent.

He didn't wait for me. He snatched up my suitcase by the handle, and turned back toward the dark outline of the house.

I stared at his back as he pulled away from me. The wet stone path picked up a faint orange glow from the line of small outdoor lights now, turning the puddles into dark mud.

“W-wait!”

The rain had already soaked the ends of my clothes, and my boots slipped slightly against the path. I lifted the umbrella higher, trying to cover his head too.

He didn't slow down.

I tried matching his stride, but every step he took took two of mine. My lungs were burning, my boots splashing through deep water as I hurried behind him.

“Keep your distance,” he said, not even turning around.

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “May I ask why?”

I wasn't sure what I had done to upset him.

He cut a quick glance back at me before staring straight ahead again. “Does it matter why?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice shaky. “I’m supposed to be your housekeeper. You’re going to see me every day.”

“Why the hell would I need to look at you every day?”

I stopped for a second, unable to find a quick answer. He was right. There was no real reason for him to look at me, except for the fact that I needed him to if I was ever going to pull this off and earn his trust.

“I might have questions,” I said eventually.

It wasn't exactly a good excuse.

“About the house. Here and there.”

We reached the front door, and he stopped in his tracks. He turned around completely, towering over and staring down at me.

“That’s Tenicia’s job,” he said. “Other than questions 'here and there,' do you have any reason to come near me?”

Those pale gray eyes locked onto mine again, heavy and cold, making me feel like a bug under a shoe.

“N-none at all, Alpha.”

He stared at me for another moment.

“Then we’re done talking. You’re here to clean, not to keep me company. Stay out of my sight.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my teeth clicking together from the cold.

This was going to be difficult.

How was I supposed to gain the trust of a man who hated me at first glance?

The door opened again, and Tenicia came rushing out, worry written all over her face as she grabbed me by the elbows and pulled me inside. “Oh my, dear child. Come inside.”

She looked me up and down, seeing that I was soaked to the bone.

“I'm all right.”

I smiled a little.

She gave me a look that told me she didn't believe me.

“Let me bring you to your room.”

She led me down the back hallway to the far right side of the house, right behind the kitchen. The room was tiny, barely big enough for a small single bed and a plain wooden closet. A few cardboard boxes were shoved off to the side like someone had moved them in a hurry.

“The Alpha said you are to stay in this room,” Tenicia said. “The bathroom is over by the other side of the kitchen, so you’ll have to walk through it to get there. There are also fresh clothes by the closet, some old ones used by the young lady.”

Young lady?

Aiden had never mentioned that there’d be a lady of the house. But at least that meant seduction was off the table. Relief washed over me, and a small smile formed on my face. I wouldn’t need to use my pheromones like Aiden had intended me to do.

“Thank you.”

“I owe you an apology, Iris,” Tenicia said, looking at the floor with a tired sigh. “The boat guy said he was coming, but the storm got so bad the cell tower went down. He couldn't get a message through. I really thought you’d already caught a ride back to the port.”

I shook my head fast, not wanting her to feel bad. “No, not at all! You don’t need to apologize. I’m just really glad to have not been kicked out. Maybe the rain was a blessing in disguise.”

Tenicia smiled, her eyes looking soft. “I get why the Alpha is wary of you, Iris. You are too kind for your own good.”

Kind? I had never thought of myself as kind. A kind person would stand up for the sake of others. I was the type to just stay on the side, cowering in fear. I was a coward, not kind.

I just gave her a polite smile. I didn’t want to look defensive. “I sure hope the Alpha will come to like me soon enough.”

Tenicia narrowed her eyes slightly.

I blinked rapidly, fixing it fast. “Not in that way, but as a worker.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “I know what you meant, child. I already like you, and he will too once he cools off. Now get out of those wet rags before you catch your death. I’ll start supper.”

A warm feeling settled in my chest. If anyone was kind here, it was Tenicia.

I nodded and watched her leave.

Once the door clicked shut, I stepped over to the closet and pulled it open, running my fingers over the neat row of dresses and nightwear hanging inside.

“Is it really okay to wear the lady’s clothes like this?” I mumbled to myself, wondering if I was supposed to be calling the young lady Luna. I probably should once I see her.

That night, I took a quick shower, washed the dinner plates, and slipped back to my room.

Even though I knew it wasn't what Aiden wanted, I locked my door, sat on the cold floor in the corner, and dialed his number on my phone.

It rang a few times before he finally picked up.

“What did I tell you?” His voice was cold over the line.

“I… I know, I’m sorry,” I whispered, staring at the floor. “I just wanted to tell you that I got the job. I was almost kicked out, but I got it.”

I waited for a second, hoping Aiden would say I did a good job.

“He almost threw you out?” Aiden let out an annoyed breath. “Just don’t do anything rash, and don’t call again.”

The line went dead, leaving me sitting alone in the dark, staring blankly at the bed in front of me.

It wasn't a bad bed.

It was better than the places I'd slept before.

Still, for some reason, my chest felt strangely empty.