Nine
1642 Words
Accalia POV.
As soon as I took the last bite of food, he continued his question.
“These rogues, where did you encounter them?” He asked.
I didn't know if mentioning the case would put me in any rush so I decided not to go with that answer.
“I can't say for certain because it was very dark and I could hardly tell where I was but for sure, it was in the woods, not close to here though,” I answered.
“Make sure to keep a close watch on her. When she's done resting, release her to go her way.” He said to Felicia.
“She has to pay for her meal,” Felicia whispered to him.
“Does she look like someone that has money?” Her dad asked her, visibly pissed.
I pretended not to hear their conversation and kept on looking everywhere except for them.
“Then she can work for us,” Felicia stated defiantly.
“Whatever, do what you please. I don't think she had much of a choice anyway. ” He told her and walked out of the dungeon.
“Thanks, Dad,” Felicia screamed happily.
“She's not staying in my house though.” He shouted back.
“I really appreciate your consideration.” She told him.
“Your brother has to make a choice too.” He added before shutting the door behind him.
I couldn't help but smile at the lady and her dad's relationship. I wished I had the same kind of relationship with my dad.
I've never had the boldness to tell him what I wanted or tell him that I didn't want what he wanted for me, hence the reason he thought he could just toss me off in marriage.
I wondered what would be going on at the Lethal Stone pack at the moment. Would they still be searching for me?
“I think I have had enough rest. Can I be released to continue my journey now?” I asked her.
“Who said you were leaving?” She asked, rolling her eyes.
From her look, I knew she desperately needed a younger one or perhaps a maid that she could play with or send errands and that was why she wanted me to stay.
“I thought that was what your dad said,” I asked her pretending not to hear the rest of the conversation.
“I will decide what to do with you henceforth.” She responded.
“Well until my brother agrees for you to stay.” She muttered.
“What?” I asked her.
“No questions. I'll be back in fifteen minutes.” She said and ran after her dad.
I took in the environment, it was more of a dusty abandoned house than a dungeon, it seemed my hunger made it look more scary the first time.
I looked around, waiting patiently for her to return. I wondered why she was willing to keep me. I could just run her errands to pay for the food and continue my journey.
She walked back after a few minutes. “I wanted to be sure he is out of hearing range. You look like you need shelter.” She stated.
I looked at her in surprise, at first she had seemed hostile but instead, she was actually looking to help me.
“Yes, I do,” I told her.
“That wasn't a question. It's obvious.” She stated and started to loosen the chains.
“Well, you have to always do as I say. Let's just say I will be the exact replica of your stepmother only that I wouldn't sell you to a man.” She stated.
As far as she was willing to offer me a place to stay, I didn't mind. I nodded in agreement.
“We just need to get my brother to agree for you to stay here.” She stated.
I wondered why the brother was the one who had the final say and not her dad but I didn't want to pry into their family's business.
“Now tell me about your stepmother.” She asked. I didn't know she would want to pry into my business after all.
“Oh, she's hostile and inconsiderate,” I answered.
“That's obvious. I need more details.” She stated.
I wracked my brain to come up with something but nothing was coming to mind.
“Okay I see, I'm scaring you. It is fine. Let's just go.” She stated, beckoning me to follow her.
I removed the last strand of shackles on my leg and followed her as she led me to a farm.
The place was messy and the stench was horrible.
I hesitated walking in. She noticed and laughed. “That's where all the food comes from, if you want to eat, you will work.” She stated.
With that, she tossed a glove at me and dragged me into the farm.
The place was filled with cows and some goats that were looking so unkempt but they didn't look hungry as there was a lot of grass around to feed on.
“We need to clean them up, fill their barns with food, and uproot the weeds from the vegetable farm,” Felicia announced to me.
“Sounds doable,” I muttered.
“My parents are the only farmers in this pack.” She started.
I looked at her in surprise, she didn't seem like one who likes to share family business.
“Sometimes the workload gets too much for me to handle alone. That's why I want you to stay.” She continued.
“Do you think your brother will let me stay? Your parents are still very suspicious of me.” I asked her.
“Yes, but we should be more concerned about my brother. He's…” She stopped.
“He's what?” I asked her.
“He's a bit difficult.” She stated.
“I can work with that,” I said confidently.
“Don't be too confident.” She warned me while showing me how to wash a cow.
“He's not as simple as this.” She added.
She was coloring her brother with a cow? I wanted to laugh but held my composure.
“He'll be back soon. Make sure you are on your best behavior.” She stated.
I nodded in understanding and proceeded to replicate what she had taught me on the other cows.
“So Adele, how long have you been staying with your step-parents?” She asked me.
I almost forgot I had given her a fake name and didn't know she was referring to me. “Just my stepmother. My mum died when I was born so my dad had to remarry.” I lied.
“Pathetic. I can't imagine what having a stepmother looks like. My parents aren't so nice but I'm sure they're nicer than typical step-parents.” She stated.
“They aren't nice?” I asked her.
“Yup.” She chimed.
“But they treated me to food and water,” I asked.
“They were being kind, not nice.” She answered.
“Oh,” I exclaimed as soon as I got the analogy.
“They were only suspicious because of the bad things that happened to our pack some time ago.” She stated.
I was quite interested in this particular topic of discourse.
“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked her.
“Sure.” She answered.
“On the condition that we work faster, we need to show everyone how much we can get done in a short time.” She stated.
I nodded in agreement and began to work faster. The stench from the farm was disgusting, almost causing me to throw up the food I had just eaten but I didn't want to disappoint Felicia.
“So there was a time when a stranger came into DragonStar pack…” She started.
“Damn, was he fine! He was actually my childhood crush.” She said, her eyes dreamy.
“Well, he turned out to be a spy.” She concluded sadly.
“I'm sorry about that.” I tried to apologize.
“You don't have to be. If you're one, you'll definitely be caught too.” She stated.
I was shocked at how much she could tell me even when she clearly still didn't trust me.
“So what's your plan? That's if you're telling the truth about your stepmother and how she plans to sell you off.” She asked me.
“I don't have a plan yet. I planned to run as far away as I could and now that I have done that, I still feel like it is not far enough.” I answered.
“Hmmm, how do you intend to feed and make ends meet?” She asked me.
“That's another question that I've not thought about,” I answered.
Dragon Star is a good pack, we have an understanding alpha and many eligible bachelors. I believe you can do well over here.” She said,
“Plus you have a job.” She added, pointing at me with cow poop all over my clothes and body and laughing.
“You just need to learn how to handle those animals so they won't mess you up like that.” She concluded.
“Thank you very much,” I told her.
“Don't thank me yet. I still do not trust you. I'll remind you at any opportunity I get.” She responded, back to her hostile tone.
“Noted,” I answered.
“Moreover, my brother is not here yet.” She reminded me.
“So don't get carried away.” She added, her voice laced with seriousness.
- Writer
