The Alpha's Prisoner

Dinner with the Alpha

Sarah

I sat back still perplexed on the satin bedspread. At least now I knew the name of the mysterious man. When I was visited by his friend enquiring about my family, he had let slip his name. Alpha. It was strange, very strange, but kind of nice.

Who was Alpha though? He’d have to be rich, and very important. No normal person owns a prison. Perhaps a mayor from a larger village? All I knew was that I didn’t want Derek finding out where I am, I can’t believe how lucky I got with this arrangement. I had asked Mathew, the man that Alpha had sent, not to mention where I was to anyone that questioned. He had been very kind in agreeing, even if he was a bit stand-offish towards me for whatever reason.

I slowly traced my fingers up and down the bedside, feeling the satin pleats through my fingers. I had never felt anything so soft in my entire life. It had been a while since Alpha had left and I began to feel antsy with just waiting around. I got up quickly and started pacing around the room, stopping abruptly when I came face to face with the bedroom door. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to begin exploring the grounds, seeing as I was now working here.

My fingers curled once again around the cold brass handle, giving it a turn and a tug, the door swung open freely. Startling the woman on the other side, her arm raised ready to knock.

“Oh, hi! Welcome to our home!”

The older woman beamed towards me. She was beautiful, very elegant. Her dress was sleek and modest, skirting around her ankles in a pool of dark green. She looked oddly familiar, but I couldn’t place where I had seen her before.

“May I come in?”

I realized I had been standing motionless, quickly moving out of the way returning her smile as she made her way inside. Draped over her arm was an assortment of elaborate fabrics which she quickly placed over the bed.

“I brought you some clothes, we’re very happy to have you staying in our home”

This place was more surprising by the second. What is happening here? Why are these people so kind?

“That’s incredibly kind of you, but these look too nice for me. I’m just here to work to repay my debt”

The woman nodded; her lips pursed.

“Yes, I did hear about that. However, it has been insisted that you are to wear these by my son. I don’t think you’d want to disappoint him. He is also expecting you for dinner. I’ll be back later so you have time to change and freshen up before I take you to him”

The woman turned back towards the door, a cheeky smile spread across her soft features and promptly exited.

I turned back to the bed slowly. What was happening here?

The fabric laid out on the bed was even more beautiful than I had initially realized. Maybe these people were just so rich that even the help is adorned with expensive fabrics. But why would Alpha want dinner with me? I’ll have to ask him this evening. It may just be for business purposes, to introduce to me the working role I am to take without taking up an unnecessary amount of time. For some reason that thought disappointed me.

I quickly turned away from the smooth silky dresses; I couldn’t stand looking at them much longer. It confused me and made me feel alienated seeing such niceties being presented to me. I carefully stepped over the broken glass as I made my way towards the bathroom, quickly stripping off my dirty clothing and heading into the large shower.

After a long time trying to figure out the complicated knobs and dials, I finally finished my shower. Adorned with the sweet-smelling shampoos and soaps I had used one of the showers dials to initiate the drying off process. I couldn’t help wondering why someone would need a washing system so complicated. It was nice, however, having the luxury of hot water once again. We hadn’t had that since my father passed.

A knock at the door brought my attention back.

“Are you ready?”

The woman’s voice was muffled through the large oak door. I shot off quickly, slipping on some clean undergarments and one of the ordained fabrics before rushing towards the door.

“Yes, all done!”

I hurriedly opened the door.

The woman pursed her lips and quickly took me in.

“Um, let me help you just a second”

She ushered me back inside the room and promptly closed the door, taking me in once more.

 “You have it on backwards sweety. You fix that up and I’ll get the brush to calm your hair”

I blushed at her words. I must look like a complete mess of contorted fabric and frizzy hair. I quickly unzipped the dress and stepped back into it as she started to brush my long hair. She brought her arm around me as she continued with my hair, delicately swinging elegant black leather heals in front of me. I thanked her as I began buckling them onto my feet.

The dress and shoes fit perfectly.

“Okay, now you’re ready”

The woman spun me around and took me in, a smile now played on her beautiful face.

“You look absolutely perfect!”

I returned her happy smile as she quickly ushered me out of the room.

I stumbled awkwardly in the heels. I had never worn anything quite like it before and they seemed like the most ridiculous things to ever move in. She led me down the hall and around the corner.

The room she led me into was magnificent. Dark wood was ornately carved decorating the tall walls. A deep red carpet spread across the large room. In the centre was a small table, and there he was seated. Alpha.

He stood as I entered. His eyes slowly crawling over every inch of me. I blushed under his stare.

Keeping his eyes on me he circled the table and pulled out a chair. I walked over cautiously, trying hard not to fall and embarrass myself as I made my way to him. I shivered as he pushed the chair in behind me, his fingers softly caressed my bare back as he did so. I fought hard to control my emotions as sparks began igniting across my skin and my stomach began to churn.

I watched carefully as he circled back to his seat and sat down once more, grabbing the open wine bottle and carefully pouring us two glasses. I immediately took the cup and began to sip. I had never had wine before and it tasted awful, however, an instant warm feeling rushed over me that calmed the sparks that danced over my skin. So, I continued to drink.

He watched me with careful eyes, and I was finally able to meet his gaze. A small smile played across his lips. I kept sipping more wine as my stomach began to churn once again, helping me to calm the raging storm that started brewing inside me. With inquisitive eyes, he peered to my wine glass and back to me. I stopped suddenly, realizing I had almost drunk the full glass not even 30 seconds after it had been poured. Reluctantly I placed it back down onto the table.

“I see you like the wine?”

He purred, the cheeky smile playing across his gorgeous face.

“I’ve never had anything like it”

That much was true, but it felt wrong to tell my gracious host how awful the drink tasted when I had just taken in the glass so quickly. He topped my glass once more, but this time I left it on the table.

Finally relaxed I took in the table set in front of us. It was beautifully set up, with many spoons, knives and forks, two sets off plates were sat in front of me. In my groggy state, I couldn’t help but wonder the purpose of such an exquisite set up for our meeting.

“So, tell me a bit about yourself. I noticed some knives in the tree when we rescued you in the forest. Are they yours?”

He sat back as he asked the question, his eyes watching my face carefully. It was a strange question to begin the interview, but then again, I’ve never had a job interview before.

“Yes, I learnt to throw when I was very young from my father. I have been hunting with knives for many years now. I’ve always loved learning different aspects of skilled fighting; my father had taught me a lot when I was younger, but he never finished training me”

“Why is that?”

I swallowed the tightness rising in my throat as thoughts of my father came back.

“There was a mining accident, he didn’t make it”

I watched as his face fell, sympathy poured over his features.

“I’m so sorry”

I shook my head, bringing a small reassuring smile to my face as I tried to relinquish the sudden sadness that filled the room.

“Don’t be, it happened a long time ago”

He returned my faint smile, but his eyes stayed on mine. They were so full of empathy and concern. I had never had anyone look at me before the way he does right now. It made me so calm, and my sadness seemed to melt away as I was taken deeper into his eyes.

“Is that why you now take care of your mother and sister?”

“Yes, my mother has been sick for some time now, she hasn’t been able to work since I was very young. My sister is nine and very sweet, but very fragile. I’ve tried training her before, but she doesn’t take well to physical work”

“That’s very kind of you to take care of them the way that you do”

I shrugged looking down at the dinner plates in front of me, maybe this wasn’t a business meeting after all. The words started to spill out now, my brain unable to stop the information draining from my mouth.

“I owe everything to them, they’re the only family I have. My real mother had died in childbirth. Unable to take care of me, my father was quick to remarry. My new mother had raised me as one of her own and loved me as any mother would love her child. Even though my father had never recovered after his first wife’s death, my new mother never held any of that against me. She was the kindest, sweetest mother a child could ever wish for. So, after my sister was born and she grew sick, I made sure that I did everything in my power to take care of her.”

I turned my gaze back towards him, my head swimming as a big heavy smile spread across my face. He greeted my smile with a big one of his own, his kind eyes were like an anchor in the swirling world around me. I’ve never been drunk before, and I instantly regretted having the wine.

“I’d love to meet them some time”

My heart raced in my chest at the thought. I wanted so badly to see my family again, but I couldn’t risk it with Derek lurking around.

“Haha, I’m not sure a cottage is a fitting place for someone of your status”

I gestured to the fine room around us to emphasize my point. He shrugged; his eyes plastered onto mine.

“These are just things, the more or less of them you have doesn’t determine the value of the person that owns them.”

His answer surprised me. It was strange to hear a man of power so dismissive of his perks of status.

The door opened and I quickly drew my eyes from his inquisitive stare. The room filled with amazing smells of cooked meats and spices. Two men had entered with a trolley full of elaborate food. To my embarrassment, my stomach began to rumble as I realised how hungry I had become.

The men promptly began to serve roasted meat and vegetable on the plates laid out in front of us both. They had barely begun to walk off before I started demolishing the food in front of me. I tried to keep it as civil as possible, but I was desperate to taste the smells that had enveloped my hungry mind.

In between mouthfuls of juicy meats and roasted vegetables I stole quick glances of Alpha in front of me. He seemed just as invested in his meal him as I was with mine. It helped calm me seeing he hadn’t taken disrespect to my sudden onslaught of the food.

Soon our plates were finished and the men from before rushed in to clear them away. I hid my face behind a clean towel and began pressing it to my mouth. It came back with greasy blotches of brown and black, suddenly embarrassed I quickly folded it to hide the mess that had encompassed my face.

“Would you care to join me by the fire?”

Alpha had risen from his seat and had begun to make his way towards me, hand outstretched. I nodded as I graciously took it and he helped me out of the chair. I swayed as I stood, the combination of wine and the unfamiliarity of heels threatened to topple me. A steadying hand quickly wrapped itself around my waist as I was led towards large armchairs behind the table we just sat.

After being seated our conversations quickly rose back up. We talked for hours about our families and our lives. Although we had very different up bringing’s we maintained many of the same interests. I had never so seamlessly enjoyed the company of someone in my entire life.

Whiskeys were poured and the fire was lit. A deck of cards was soon produced, and Alpha started to teach me the rules to one of his ‘fancy, aristocrat games’ as I called them. I explained to him that most of the village games primarily involved heavy drinking and lacked many rules; he laughed as he pointed out my poor drinking ability.

“Aha! I win”

I slammed down my cards onto the dark table. I beamed at Alpha as he studied the cards in front of us.

“No you don’t”

“What do you mean, of course I do!”

“No, you don’t”

I studied the cards yet again, not willing to have my victory taken from me so quickly.

“Yes, I do! I have five in a row!”

“They have to be of the same suit”

I looked back at my cards and realised a heart had been mixed up within my set of diamonds.

“Would you mind filling up my whiskey please”

I smiled mischievously, swirling my empty glass. With a large grin, he took it and turned to pour the whiskey. As soon as his back was turned, I began rifling through the large deck in front of me, searching for my diamond.

I jumped as his hand quickly shot out and grabbed my wrist, shaking gently, causing the cards to cascade off the table and onto the floor.

“Wooooow, are you that competitive that you’re willing to cheat?”

His smile had steadily grown as he had caught my devious act. I scowled in return which only caused him to laugh. He carefully picked up his deck and surveyed the cards in front of him, with a dubious smile he winked and flicked one of his cards out towards me.

“You win”

He smirked, sinking back into the leather chair and started to sip his whiskey. I picked up the card he had just given me. It was my missing diamond.

“No, that doesn’t count”

“But cheating does?”

“I still have to work for that. If you just give me the cards, I haven’t fully earnt my win. So, I can’t fully appreciate it”

“That makes no sense at all”

“Yes, it does! I had to misdirect you, be able to silently work through the card deck, come up with a brilliant distraction…”

“I think you give yourself too much credit”

I shrugged, sinking back into my chair grinning back at him.

“Okay, maybe I am a little”

“I mean, considering that you were so terrible at trying to cheat…”

“Alright, alright fine”

I stuck my tongue out at him which only caused him to laugh once again. I studied his perfect face and my previous questions began nagging at my mind. He was so mysterious, this whole situation baffled me.

“So, I’m very confused about why you asked me to join you tonight, Alpha”

Alpha perked up, surprised, and began to choke on his whiskey.

“Tyson”

He managed as he tried to cough through the whiskey he inhaled. I looked at him confused. His face a large grin as he chuckled, still coughing into his arm.

“My name is Tyson”

He had finally recovered his breathing.

“I am so sorry; we’ve been talking so long without any introduction”

“My name is Sarah”

I smiled back at him, for some reason I just hadn’t felt the need to introduce myself. I stifled a yawn as I sank back down into the plush leather chairs. Tyson got up slowly and offered me his hand.

“It’s late, I’ll walk you back to your room”

I accepted his hand and he slowly lifted me up. We walked in comfortable silence back down the hall, I was almost disappointed when we arrived at my room. He gave my hand a quick squeeze before saying goodnight and heading in the other direction.

I stumbled my way into the room. Disrobing as I walked towards the soft, inviting bed. As soon as my head hit the silky pillow I was dragged into a deep dreamless sleep.