But I'm Not An Alpha!

Chapter 1

“So, I know you were sent here to learn the ropes but I am not sure what really you are supposed to be learning specifically. I was only told that you needed to be taught generally. Have you had any hand in cooling or cleaning? Anything that could help me fine tune what to do with you?” Lucie asked, she seemed to be reluctant to have Dunk do anything but since it was an order, she had no choice. It was fine though, Dunk was used to being shoved around into various tasks, he would adapt to whatever he needed to. That was his strong point, at least in his mind. 

“You don't have to put too much thought into it really. Whatever task is fine, I am pretty adept at learning things quickly. Just show me what to do and I will try my best to do it. I doubt Master John really wants me to learn anything of substance anyways. To be honest I am only here because he got mad at me for not being able to get pregnant in the three months I was there. Oh but don't tell anyone that. He would get mad if he knew I was talking about our affairs like this. I just wanted you to know so you didn't push yourself to make a big effort on my behalf.” Dunk explained. He felt like he was complaining but he didn't care. It was the truth and he was just a little bit sour about it. 

“Well that's not fair now is it? How can emhe expect you to just pop out a kid in 3 months? These things take time! I heard that the master of that house was a bit ill mannered and hot tempered but oh I don't want to speak ill of him. He is our master's brother after all. It's just crazy how different they are.” Lucie gossiped, eager to talk more. 

“The Master of this house… what's he like?” Dunk probed, prodding the loose lipped Lucie for more information. 

“Joong? Well, he's quiet. Kind of a shut in I guess. But he is not a bad person. I can tell he has a soft heart under that silent exterior. He tries to hide his good nature but he can't fool me, I have seen it myself. Just remember to stay out of his private quarters unless told to. He doesn't like his personal space invaded. I don't even think I have seen anyone touch him. Not even a hug.” Dunk listened, taking mental notes for later. If he learned one thing from John's estate is that you pay close attention to the needs, wants and likes of the highest person. As long as you made them happy then everything else would be easier.  

“Well, I am nothing if not proficient in listening to orders. I will take extra care in keeping him within my good graces by staying clear of him and his belongings.” Dunk assured them. Lucie smiled wide and pinched his cheeks affectionately. 

“Gosh you are just the cutest little puppy aren't you? Speaking so beautifully. You're a breath of fresh air.” Dunk had never been complimented like that before and he didn't know how to react so he just smiled and bowed to her. She stared at him for a moment longer before clapping her hands together. 

“Okay, why don't I take you on a tour of the estate? That way you can get a little more familiar with everything. This place is pretty big so it's easy to get lost if you don't know your way around. You don't want to end up somewhere you shouldn't go right? Come on. Let's go!” She linked her arm in his and guided him away from the kitchen. Dunk stammered out a polite goodbye to Alberto and stumbled behind the quick paced Lucie. The first place she carted him off to was the main hall. Dunk could truly see just how big the place was as he took in the seemingly endless array of doors lining both the first and second floor on either side. A wide staircase wound up and split off to go separate ways next to giant pillars adorned with flowers and vines crawling across them. They looked real, he thought as Lucie pulled him along. He wanted to reach out and touch them but he restrained himself. He glanced up as they ascended the stairs to the second level. A huge skylight roof let in the outside sunlight and lit the place with beams of natural light. It was honestly breathtaking. Dunk bet that it was even more beautiful at night. Could he see the stars he wondered. Then he had no more time to think about it as Lucie shot off a rapid fire list of what was behind different doors. Servant rooms lined the back expanse along with two bathrooms in the back and two more in the front of the balcony areas. Left wing held a library filled with more books than he could read in two lifetimes, a game room filled with all different manners of play. Pool tables, foosball tables, a bowling lane in one corner, and even a dart board. All typical things found at a bar or lodge. Next room held a full movie theater system to which Lucie mentioned that any movie whether old or new could be watched there. They even had movie night parties once a month. It was a real treat for everyone. 

“The master has been known to occasionally watch things here as well. Between you and me he likes the mushy stuff more than action films, but you didn’t hear it from me.” She mused in a loud whisper,  like it was some big secret. 

Moving on! There were computer rooms, a conference room for meetings, and a small medical ward for the sick. Then they moved around to the right wing, but only briefly. There was a sauna and massage parlor. A terrace balcony that led out to a pool and hot tub with a cabana off to the side filled with all manors of alcohol. Then she led him to a huge set of double doors but didn't go past them. 

“Remember this door. This is the threshold to the Master's chambers. You don't need to go in there so don't worry about this section okay? Master has his own way of doing things with a crew that takes care of him so we just have to respect his wishes and stay out. But you don't seem like a naughty kid so I don't think I have to worry much. Let's move on!” 

Down on the main level was an atrium with a full garden and a fountain surrounded by little butterflies. This was probably Lucie's favorite place as she explained multiple times. The last area was a huge ballroom where she said they would hold parties and banquets for fancy people on occasion. It was so much to take in all at once. And this was just the main building. According to Lucie there were at least three other houses as well as a vegetable garden, a small farm with chickens, cows and a few pigs, and a few other things here and there like a running track and basketball court. Dunk's head was spinning. Was this an estate or a small village! There was no way he would be able to navigate this on his own anytime soon so he focused on remembering the way to the Master’s bedroom first. He didn't want to accidentally end up upsetting the Master by invading his space so that was the most important thing to remember right now. The rest would come later. 

After all that walking and information Dunk felt exhausted. He made his way back to his room with the help of Lucie and collapsed onto the overly soft canopy bed. He had only been here for half a day and he was already overwhelmed by all the things that had happened. Would he really be okay in the end? He had to be, he guessed. Not like he had other options. The false hope he harbored in his heart was to be able to eventually be free of everything and be able to live his own life how he wanted but that was a pipe dream he would probably never see. Sure this place wasn't all that bad but realistically he just traded one cage for another. Even here he wasn't able to do what he wished. He could try and run away. He had thought about it many times. But where would he go? Outside of his family he had no one else. No friends, no allies to help him escape. He would be truly on his own. He didn't own any property, he didn't even have a dime to his name. 

He sighed and rolled over on the bed, pulling the pillow down and tucking it under his arm. Everything was just so complicated. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He closed his eyes and in a moment had drifted off into a light sleep only to be awoken by voices talking just outside his door. 

“Ah, young Master. You're back already? I thought you were going to stay the night?” He heard Lucie say to the Master. 

“Yes, well the prospect wasn't very tempting. I prefer my own bed and my own company. You know I loathe social settings where someone is trying to curry favor. By the way, did the new boy arrive safely?” Dunk heard the voice drift to his ears and he instantly shot up in bed. That voice… he knew that voice…. John? No… why would he be here? Was he imagining it? Did he hear it wrong? He climbed out of the bed and silently made his way to the door, opening it as slowly and silently as possible. He could see Lucie standing next to a tall man in a suit, but Dunk could only see his broad back. He was about to close the door again when he heard Lucie's voice call out. 

“Oh there is the little puppy now. Dunk sweetie, come say hello to the Master of the house.” Damn, he was caught. Dunk opened the door all the way just as the Master of the house turned to greet him. As he locked eyes with the mysterious Master, his blood froze.