For the first time, Verna chose to relive her life at the slave house, than face the mystery that was yet to come to light. Kernan had warmed her but her curious nature had guidee her into the room she wasn't supposed to wander into.
"You still haven't answered any question. What the hell are you doing here?" His voice was low but loud enough to be stern, which made her shift in her position.
"I…heard a voice. I decided to follow the voice." Kernan looked like a,simple man but his staff knew better than to cross him when he had given a specific order. Not to talk less of a slave who hadn't spent more than a few hours here. Kernan had thought of the other slaves whom he had tried to break in this very room but still something just felt special about Verna, that seemed to make him drawn. She wasn't like the rest, she was more and he wanted to find out what was happening. With her and with him. It was a two way thing and he wasn't ready to jeopardise it by just one act of silliness.
Verna had fear in her eyes. Fear wasn't something she was used to having inside of her, it was something she face willing. That was the more reason she was wcen more scared of him. Who was this man? She asked herself. He was more than just an Alpha, more than just a painter, then who was he? It was the only question that had no answer, that was filled with too much silence to make a sound in her brain.
"I thought I told you to stay put."
"I'm sorry."
Kernan just sighed and pulled her by the arm gently. He quickly went into his room and took the chains from the night stand. He chained her legs by tightening the collar. "You better be careful, mouse, because too much strain would only make the collar tighter. It might cause a bruise." She tried moving and she felt the collar tighten a bit.
Her master had a smirk on his face, which only made her scowl a little. She needed to get used to her reality that she might be trapped for the rest of her life, any form of hope had shattered. She relaxed a bit on the bed but Kernan didn't give her time to relax.
"Your punishment has not ended." He pulled her to the hallway. From the straits he saw the butler walking on his errands with his hands folded at his back. "Scott, please take my slave to the staff quarters and mane sure she helps around there."
"Okay, sire." He avoided eye contact with him as his eyes were fixed on the young girl. What has she done to be sent to the staff quarters? He asked himself. He knew his master well enough to know that he doesn't do anything except he has never provoked. Poking the bear was not a good thing, it was rare for someone to be in the same room with the man without getting an injury or two. Scotts eyes travelled to the girl's feets as he saw the collar he used. He gulped. This is not good.
"She is not to Take in food or water until I say so."
"What if the food we are preparing for her sire?"
"How the hell would I know what you want to do with the food? Just don't give it to her." His voice was stern this time. It was clear that he was upset, he didn't want to upset him further with his questions. He tried to pull the girl to himself but Kernan was quick to throw her to the butler.
"Good lord. I wonder what you did to upset him." Scott said in between his teeth not allowing his master to listen. He had managed to spend decades here and he knew the special ability he possesses. Those special abilities were still a mystery but he has managed to be of great help to the supreme council any time. Verna was looking ahead as the butler tried to keep her steady. The collar tightened and released a little, that was enough time to breathe through the pain. After scurrying through the dark hallways, they got to a hot steamy room. Verna couldn't make out what the room was until she saw some ladies dressed in white and navy blue gowns with aprons tied along their waist. They were in the kitchen, all her life she had never had to work in a tavern or an inn where coming or cleaning was involved. That was the perks of being who she was, she never had to do any work that was tied to the kitchen. She rather plough the garden and remove the weeds that eat the good plant or feed the horses, clear out the stables. She was definitely going to mess things up, she knew that much.
Scott saw that she was looking terrified. "Is anything the matter?"
She shook her head vigorously, still staring at the work that night be lying around for her to do. Verna wondered if she was still going to dress like these ladies that worked here. If it were it would be difficult to get out of those chains.
"You will be helping Cecile, in sorting out the dishes for dinner. Do not mess up Sire's food. She would direct you in what to do and when you are done, you find me so I can relay the report of your duty to the Alpha."
She nodded. Who would have thought that just a simple menial job in the kitchen was enough to tame the wildness in her. Verna knew she had to be extremely careful, just a few hours and she was already wishing she had flown off the carriage. She would have been dead by now but she didn't mind, it was better than this place that was called a mansion. Every peasant dreamed of living this way but she had gotten into the building she was wishing that she had died.
Cecile smiled at her as the butler supervised the rest of the staff. They were preparing the broth, the maid had given her the spoon to turn the broth that was cooking on the stove. She was already preparing the plates for the Alpha to have his dinner. It was rare for him to eat but they did keep the roasted kitchen for him upon his arrival. Cecile had told her how to serve the broth on the bowl .
"You are selling for the first time. You do not have to worry, in no time you will master the chores around here."
That was the first nice thing Verna had heard in months. It was so foreign to her ears she didn't know how to respond. "I guess. Thank you."
"You can carry the plates to the dining table. Alpha would soon be seated there."
When she heard the last statement from Cecile, she knew she had to do whatever she came and complete her chores because if Kernan holds a sight of her anywhere near him, he might do something worse. She had felt it and she knew something terrible would cause a rift, if she doesn't act fast. Verna was careful as age carried the plates to the dining table, as she glanced at it, she spotted Kernan. Her heart skipped a bit, she moved too fast, making her step foot on the chain until she landed on the floor same as the bowl of broth she held in her hands.
She was still lying on the floor and couldn't step up out of shame. Her eyes were squeezed shut, the moment she opened her eyes, it was his feet she met first, standing before her.
"Get up, Verna. Don't make me drag you up."