Uncaged Spirit

CHAPTER 2

I blinked, unable to accept what he had just said as part of reality. There had to be hidden cameras around. I tried spotting them, but after a while, I convinced myself they were just hidden professionally.

He noticed my uncertainty and repeated what he had said, word for word.

“What's with that look?" He asked, giving me a side-eyed glare.

"I—I'm sorry." I stuttered. “I just can't believe you're for real, sir."

“I'm for real," he said cheerfully. “And you can call me Stormie like everyone else.”

It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, and what made it unbelievable was that it was the kind gesture of a stranger.

"Does it hurt?” He asked with genuine concern.

"Not really.” I lied while struggling not to wince from the pain biting hard against my sides.

I noticed he was looking at my hands and trying to get a read on what he was focusing on.

“That scar—” He pointed at a scar on my left wrist.

“Oh, yeah. I've had it since birth." I said as I unconsciously rubbed the inflamed skin.

Stormie was nice the whole time, and he even offered me a nice meal. The food was served hot, which was a first for me, and it was served on a plate that was too expensive for the likes of me. The food tasted so amazing, it was like I was eating pieces of paradise. I tried to remember the name the chef had called it, but every bite messed with my memory until I was sure I'd soon forget my whole name.

That night I slept on a comfortable bed, and my dreams were indeed dreams. I didn't want to wake up or have a reason to get out of bed. I was willing to spend the rest of my life there between its sheets.

The next morning, an older woman with a pleasant face woke me up, and I was expecting to be whacked with the broom she held, but she welcomed me and handed me a parcel that contained my uniform.

The castle was huge, and I lost my way twice and had to retrace my steps. The work I had to do was easier than I thought, and I only had to work a total of four hours a day, which was nothing if you asked me. When I was with Ivan, he expected me to work even when I was asleep.

The next day, I was directed to a different part of the castle. This time, I managed to find my way without wandering off like an i***t. I passed the castle's arena and saw warriors sweating heavily as they sparred against one another.

After my rounds, I was on my way back to my room when a man dressed in a gray suit stopped me. He had a cheeky smile, and his face was a bit flustered as he approached me.

“Hey there, beautiful." He said, waving.

The alcohol in his breath made my eyes wet, and I took a step backward, seeking fresh air.

“What's a pretty lass like you doin’ here alone?" He asked in an accent that left me struggling to understand what he was saying.

“I work here," I said, unsure of what I was supposed to do. There was nothing in the manual for handling a drunken noble.

He squinted for a moment, struggling to focus on my face. I suspected he was drunk enough to steer a ship with his toes.

“I'm sorry, sir, but I have to leave.”

"Shut up! You don't move unless I say you can move.” He sneered.

The smile he had earlier was replaced by a vicious glare. His bloodshot eyes bulged, and he would have easily scared the living crap out of a child.

My heart banged with enough intensity to shatter my body. Fear gripped me tight and squeezed. I wanted to run away from him as fast as my legs would let me, but fear had paralyzed me.

“I—I think, I think I should go.” My voice shook as much as my body.

He reached out and grabbed my arm, and I thought he was going to shatter it. His fingers dug into my flesh, and hot tears gathered in my eyes as I tried to break free.

“Stop struggling, ya cunt!” He bawled. "We're just going to have a good time. That's all."

The thought of having this slimy, poignant man anywhere near my body made me sick with disgust.

At that moment, my prayers were answered. The pleasant-faced woman in charge of the servants came over and talked to the man in a deceptively calm voice.

She urged him to let me go and pointed out that I was nothing more than a servant. The man let me go, and I ran to my room. The flesh around my wrist, where he held me, stayed an ugly shade of purple.

The next day, I was assigned to serve the Alpha. I couldn't help but feel nervous because I'd heard some of the maids gossip about him, and so far, I wasn't prepared to face him just yet.

I stayed in my room, waiting for the telltale buzz that would indicate I was being summoned by the Alpha. Time went by fast, and the day was almost over. I looked at the clock and saw it was two hours away from midnight. It's almost over, I thought. Moon goddess, please don't let him ring for me.

The buzz sounded like it was part of a twisted inside joke. I cussed heavily as I got up and straightened my uniform. The Alpha was my boss, and every new employee must feel the same way I felt when they got summoned by their boss for the first time.

I stopped by the kitchen to take the tray, and everyone there eyed me with pity as if I were about to be thrown into a lion’s den.

I paused in front of the door and took a long, deep breath. Just as I was about to knock, the Alpha called out in a husky voice. “Do you need a personal invitation to come in?"

My legs buckled as I rushed in, stumbling like a clutch. I kept my face down as I rushed over to the table and dropped the tray in front of the Alpha. His presence was overwhelming, even though I kept my head low.

“I call for a rematch." A woman whined in a familiar voice. "Alistair is a better fighter than you'll ever be.”

Just then, I remembered what Stormie had told me before offering the job of a lifetime. Lolly is full of crap, but she's also the Alpha's girlfriend. . . .

I gasped as I looked

up to

see the woman who had almost cost me my life.