Branded

In Service

Sunlight streamed in through the gap in Fraya's tiny window warming her face. Her eyes fluttered open. Rising, she felt as if in a daze. Sensual dreams had filled her sleep of a dark and brooding man who did things to her body that made her blush. She looked down and saw her naked form and frowned. It was a dream, wasn't it? That couldn't have been real.

Scrambling out of bed, Fraya checked the door. Locked. Good. No one could have come in. She admolished herself with a sigh, You are no one. Who would be interested in you? A poor little orphan girl with no connections, money or redeemable features. It was all probably some twisted joke.

She was used to being toyed with. While at the orphanage she had befriended a sandy haired boy who was kind to her. He gave her little bits of his cookies when they were lucky to be gifted them by a doner. However, he used the act of kindness to accuse her of stealing and being greedy. She had been beaten and told to give him her deserts for a month as punishment. After that, she darent get close to anyone else. She refused to be used or taken advantage of and would not let simple acts of kindness move her heart. She was no ones toy.

Looking at the horizon she guessed it to around 5am. Her shift was about to start. She threw on her cleaning clothes, a loose top and grey joggers, and hurried towards the kitchen to get started.

She started wiping the surfaces and cleaning pots and pans before moving to mopping.

After an hour she was awaiting Margo to help prep breakfast for the Alpha. Alpha Elkhart Burnwood. She corrected in her head. She startled. How did she know that name? She had assumed that he was called Alpha or it was a title. Where did that name come from? She daren't ask Margo. It would be impolite.

Puzzled, she started making pancake batter and cooking the various meats. Alpha Burnwood liked his protein. She was almost finished when she heard Margo's footsteps.

'Oh! There you are Freya. You've started early! But I'm glad you have as Alpha Burnwood has risen early.' She seemed flustered and on edge.

Relief flooded Fraya. Margo MUST have mentioned his name before. It would be silly for her not to have. But it still didn't feel right.

'You are welcome, Margo. Can I do anything else?' Fraya smilled kindly.

Margo slumped her shoulders and looked at the innoccent lamb before her. It would be hard to let her go. Margo wasn't as limber as she used to be and Fraya was going to be so much help - or so she had planned. But Elkhart would not be refused. She just hoped he was careful and didn't scare her away. She was such a good worker.

Margo realised she had been staring hard at Fraya and coughed, 'Well my dear. There has been a request for you...by Alpha Burnwood, to be his personal...assistant.'

Fraya paled.

Margo took pity on the girl. Alpha Burnwood was rather difficult to please. She must be worried. She patted her arm. It was an unfortunate fate indeed.

'So, what do I need to do?' Fraya whispered.

'Well, little lamb, you need to get yourself decent looking. He doesn't like eyesores.'

Fraya looked down at her clothes. Though it stung she wasn't wrong.

'Then you need to go to the top floor and wait outside the last room on the corridor. Beta Marco will be waiting there with further instructions. Wear something nice.' Margo pleaded.

'I'm not sure I have anything?' Fraya began to panic.

Margo had a far away look then smiled down at her. Don't worry I have had one of the other servants put something in your room. Think of it as a perk of the promotion.' She smiled encouragingly but it didn't reach her eyes.

Fraya nodded. Her mind had gone blank. She would have to be very close to the man who haunted her dreams and she had an odd mix of fear and anticipation at the prospect.

The fluttering in her stomache increased as she made it to her room.

Laying on the bed was a beautiful, yet rather sexy, pencil dress. She pulled it on and it hugged her curves in all the right places, esencuating her ample bossom. She assessed her hair and decided a neat updo would suffice. She didn't wear make up as her complexion was clear. Lastly, the shoes. Small heels that elongated her short legs. Altogether she looked the part. But she didn't recognise herself. She looked purposeful and wasn't blending into the background. She wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

Taking a deep breath, she accended the stairs to meet her fate.