Rich Blood

Chapter 9: Dog Days

The next few days were a blur. I had minimal contact with my new boss since I had first arrived and he revealed to know the true nature of my being here.

I began doing my daily chores. I would enter his study or office, as I could, where he would watch me like a hawk. Normally the idea of being constantly watched would have completely gotten under my skin, but my wolf loved the feel of his eyes on me.

While my wolf craved him, I, myself found him to be arrogant, self serving. No more so than my family, mind you but, still.

I filled my days up with cleaning and at night I walked the gardens, always where I was in sight. So far, I have been here just shy of a week, and I have only gotten quick glimpses of Richard's brother, Grecian. He seemed to live a low key, yet party lifestyle from what I could gather.

I went to bed every night feeling heavy, and dreaming of the lake and my wolf. I woke up one week after being at Blooding Estate and decided I would request a companion to go on a run with me in the woods after the days work was done. Even if I was being followed and watched, if I was running out in the open, it is better than feeling empty and alone, isolated.

I made my way downstairs to begin my chores and to my surprise, Hester, who had greeted me everyone morning wasn't there. Perhaps he had the day off, or business within the Lycan district with his Royal Pain in My Ass and was tending to it. I decide, it was in my best interest to just carry on as I had for the past six mornings and begin my duties.

The whole estate was eerily quiet. Usually there were private meetings which, given my known circumstances of being there, I definitely was not privy to. Or there was the sound of footsteps and one sided phone conversations that could be heard, but not today.

I finally get to the point in the day where I should be going into the study. As I approach the door, I notice it is ajar. My heart leaps.

No one seemed to be around. I could almost hear my father badgering me to find the king's secrets, get dirt, get anything I could. I stood just inches from the threshold for who knows how long. But my wolf was pulling me away, hard. On the days Richard was in here, she was more than happy to enter this room, but not today. I decide it is in my best interest to listen to her and I walk away to carry on about the rest of my cleaning.

About an hour later, the sound of car doors slamming startle me, as I am upstairs in one of the guest bedrooms. I look out the window, see Richard, Hester, a few men I didn't recognize and someone being carried in, he didn't seem to be conscious.

I rush downstairs, and meet everyone at the front door. The man being carried in is covered in blood. My fight or flight response kicks in and I rush to Richard.

"What happened???"

"Feral attacks in downtown. There are a few dead, a few carried off, several that were taken to the hospital. And this piece of s**t-" he referred to the man covered in blood, "he seemed to be one of the ring leaders of the attacks."

I take a closer look at the unconcious man, his clothing definitely would imply being a part of the Ferals.

"Take him down to the basement for questioning." Richard growled. "No need for meds until he talks."

The men carrying him do as they are told without a word. They must be part of the Knights of the Moon, the royal secret guard. They are highly efficient, skilled at stealth and espionage and most terrifyingly, deadly.

"Hester, make sure they bind him properly. Let me know as soon as he comes to. Gentlemen," he said, addressing the other Knights, "Take small groups with each of you. Go to the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern territories, scout them out, touch base with your teams there. Ensure they are safe and be discreet. If the Ferals are so bold now as to attack us here, they will most definitely attack any of you on sight, and won't care who they take out with you."

Hester immediately follows the prisoner and the remaining Knights turn to leave, hastily.

He and I are alone now, this is the first time I have seen his inner beast showing. He is panting heavily, and we lock eyes.

"Get back to work."

"Can I do anything to help?"

"Your job."

He broke the eye contact, for the first time since we met and walked away up the stairs. I felt utterly useless. I wanted to help, but there was no way Richard would trust me at this point. Or ever, possibly.

The best I can do in the moment is what was asked of me, and I return to cleaning the guest room I had abandoned a few minutes before.

I finish what was left and move on to the next guest room, then the bathrooms and I finally make my way into the master bedroom.

Nevermind the fact that it is always immaculate, I still do the basics that are asked of me. After all, regardless of what he said about bad politics and publicity, he could have killed me, my father, my brother right there on the spot, if he had wanted to.

He already had the evidence and proof of the southern territories conspiring. And even though this is far from a place I would consider home, it is much better than being married to Demetrius where I would be expected to be subservient, f**k him and as soon as I was done being useful, I would disappear.

Thousands of thoughts seem to race through my mind, and I suddenly catch a scent.

Fresh blood. And it's close.