Rich Blood

Chapter 5: A Room with a View

Richard Blooding was looking directly into my eyes and although this was the first time we were meeting, it felt oddly familiar. My senses were running wild. I froze but my wolf inwardly felt excitement. She wanted to play. My heart fluttered, I had to break our eye contact first, which was far more difficult than I ever thought possible.

Blooding, not missing a beat, gave a half smile, sat back in his seat behind his solid wood mahogany desk.

"So, Mr. Fengari of the Harvest Moon Pack, correct?" He continued without waiting for a response, "it is my understanding that you called this meeting today to bring your only daughter, Selene, to...um what was it again." He gestured an open hand at my father, permitting him to speak. However, his tone was anything but lighthearted. It was cold. Direct.

"To be your Charwoman."

"Charwoman, that's right." He flashed his eyes quickly towards me, then back to my father. "And why should I accept such an offer?"

"An act of good faith, the Harvest Moon Pack would like to show their allegiance to you, my Lord. With uprisings in the southern border, it is my wish to show you how dedicated I am to you and your leadership."

He surely could lay it on thick when he wanted to kiss ass.

"My daughter is strong and obedient, as she should be. She is more than grateful to be here and for the opportunity to work for you. Aren't you, Selene?"

I open my mouth to speak but nothing came out. A half hearted smile and a nod was all I could muster. I wanted to run away. I wanted to go back to yesterday. To the lake and find the wolf, turn into a human, and somehow convince him to hide me. If he was my bonded mate, he would have done it, no questions asked. Hell, even if he was just a decent soul he would have helped me out the enslavement I faced here or back home. I was trapped.

Apparently I got lost in thought, because next thing I knew Blooding stood up, shook my father and brother's hands and told them that he would give them a moment to give me a proper goodbye. He walked out of the room and my wolf whined.

The three of us stood there awkwardly, love and affection was never an emotion shared between the three of us. Not since my mother died. She was the glue that kept us together. I think we were happy then, but I was young and dumb, I could be romanticizing what our family was.

My brother reached out and shoved my arm, in a way he used to. "Don't be a dumbass."

"Thanks, Kenneth, I'll miss you too." I at least will pretend that is what he meant.

"Look, after the first two months you are allowed to visit one weekend a month. Use that time to get close, remember what we discussed. Every. Thing. Don't f**k this up."

"I know."

And with that, they were gone. It was silly and I wasn't expecting it but I would have liked a little more of a sentimental goodbye. Their only daughter, only sister and they just walked away like I was unwanted trash.

Once their footsteps down the hall grew more distance, Hester came back in, "Mrs. Fengari."

"Selene, please."

"Selene, if I could-"

"Oh my, I should probably get to work shouldn't I?" I felt completely awkward but I suppose I should just get to it, no need to sulk over the past and the future is already planned out for me, so no need to try and change it.

Hester smiled, "No ma'am, Mr. Blooding has asked me to show you to your room then around the grounds." My face must have shown shock.

"He wishes for you to get comfortable and familiar before throwing you into work."

"Of course. Thank you."

I follow him out of the study and down the hall further showing me the dining room, kitchen, den, breakfast nook, the second kitchen and two half baths then on the second floor with the master bedroom, two guest bedrooms, workout room, an office, and three bathrooms then up to the third floor. By this time I am deeply regretting my choice of heels.

Once this floor there was a room we passed without going in. "Hester, what is in there?"

"Oh, Ms. Selene, I will have to ask that you not go in there, no need to clean in there. It is always locked and no one but Mr. Blooding and his kin are allowed there. This obviously peaked my curiosity, but I will have plenty of time to investigate.

We reach a bedroom which is beautifully furnished. Full of plush furniture, a king sized bed, and a bathroom with a deep spa tub. I soak in every inch of this masterpiece of a room. A huge bay window encompassed the back wall facing the pool, gardens and a lush forest.

Hester, who was only a little taller than me with my boots on, let me take in the view for a moment before speaking. "Mr. Blooding does hope this room will suffice for you."

"This...is mine?" Only this statement could have drawn my eyes away from the beauty that laid beyond the window.

"Yes, it was the previous housekeeper, or charwoman." He said with a chuckle. I smile for the first time all morning.

"I... didn't expect this..." I feel so caught off guard I feel like this is a trick or a "gotcha" moment.

"Well, Rich Blooding takes care of his people, there's no doubt about that." He stated this so matter of factly I nod without hesitation. "Now, Ms. Selene, please, take today to get adjusted. It is your first order from Mr. Blooding. He does not wish to overburden you, as he realizes the upkeep of this estate is a monumental task."

He paused, letting me take in his words before continuing.

"Walk the grounds, get comfortable, if you wish to transform and go for a run, that is more than fine, there are about 500 acres behind the pool that are private lands. Mr. Blooding does ask that you be ready for dinner at 7pm sharp. He likes to have private dinners with his new staff to get to know them better. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!"

He turned to leave, and the question that had been plaguing me since my father and the pack leaders had formulated this plan, came out.

"What happened with the former housekeeper, Hester?"

"What was that, dear?"

"Where, um, where did she go?" I felt shy asking, but I also thought I had a right to know.

"Well, perhaps that is a questions better answered by Mr. Blooding."

I nodded and he left the room, closing the door behind him. After taking off my shoes, I flopped on my new bed which was far more comfortable than my one at home and quickly fell fast asleep.