I'm in the middle of the forest. A canopy of trees surround me, hiding the sun. In the midst of confusion, it's an infant's cry that brings me back to reality. I search around for the babe, only to see a woman yelling orders, inaudible to understand. A quick kiss to the baby's forehead, before placing them down on the frigid forest floor. She takes off running in the opposite direction of the child, through the foliage, every so often glancing behind her in a panic. Drawn to her I follow, but she looks right past me. When she finally stops her movements her breath is audible. Kneeling down near the bushes to hide, she knows time is running out. A dark shadow creeps up behind her.
"Watch out!"
I scream loudly. Awaking from my dream.
The same dream, constantly plaguing me. A nightmare. What does it mean?
Yawning I stretch, wiping the sleep from my eyes before shielding them from the morning sun, illuminating my bedroom.
Oh, no! I'm late for breakfast. He is going to be so irritated. He will be grumpy for the rest of the morning.
Throwing many silk and fur blankets off of me, I crawl to the edge of the bed. Stepping down my wooden stepstool I rush hastily into my private bathroom. Running warm water into the porcelain basin, I pull my nightgown over my head, flinging it to the floor. Goosebumps form on my bare skin as I shiver, grabbing a bottle of fragrant oil to pour into the water.
I wish I had time for a bath.
Grabbing a cloth resting on top of the sink spout I dip it into the basin and start to wipe down my entire body. Once clean of sweat and grime I splash my face once with fresh water. Dabbing gently with another cloth to dry myself I go back in my room to get dressed. Slipping on my undergarments I choose a simple cotton baby blue dress with a white bodice that I tie up tight in the back. My shoes are nothing fancy, a simple brown leather with no heel. Checking my appearance in my beauty vanity mirror I brush tangles out of my hair with my fingers, too much in a rush to comb them out. After I finish braiding my hair and tying it with a ribbon I spray perfume on my neck, then dab a bit behind my ears.
His favorite scent, should lessen his anger.
With one last glance at my appearance I hold onto my locket saying a quick good morning to my parents wherever they may be. I kiss the shimmering gold praying to God for strength before exiting out of my room. I run down the empty stone corridor, making my way directly to the kitchen. Staff running around, but all work seems to halt as soon as I step in.
"Child where have you been?"
"I overslept."
I say quietly to the woman who has raised me for the last twenty years. I take note of her appearance, pieces of her gray hair, undone from its tight bun. Her apron covered in blood with a bit of flour on her chin. A tiny jewel pinned on the collar of her dress, to signify her head maid status. Despite her disheveled appearance, concern is etched upon her face.
"Another nightmare Winnie."
"Yes ma'am."
She sighs in frustration before coming closer, holding my cheek in a loving manner with her withered hands.
"You must see the pack doctor. It isn't normal for a girl your age to be so frightened. He can give you a remedy to help you sleep."
"I am fine.....mother."
I say quietly, only loud enough for her to hear.
"We will talk later. Master has been waiting for you. Hit poor Arthur in the face for delivering his food to him. The poor cook had to recook his breakfast again. All that food wasted on the floor."
"I'm sorry. What can I do to make it up to Arthur."
"Worry about that later. His food is getting cold hurry up child before you make it worse for all of us."
I nod silently, rushing to the table to grab the master's tray of food. Steadily I pick it up with both hands as a fellow worker opens the kitchen door for me to enter into the main dining area. Silence befalls upon the room as I cautiously walk in on the pack consuming morning breakfast of assorted meats of the raw and cooked variety. The odor nauseates my stomach as I finally reach my destination in the room. Nervously, I set the tray down in front of him quickly, refusing to make eye contact. Noticing his empty cup I grab it and start to walk away only for a large hand to grab my wrist.
"Winnie."
His voice is low and assertive as he gently takes the cup out of my hand. Releasing my wrist I stand there like a child waiting to be scolded.
"Sit."
He pats his lap gesturing for me to sit.
"Master, your cup needs to be refilled."
"I said sit Winnie."
I follow his command siting down slowly on his thick muscular leg. With one arm around my waist he gestures to the nearest servant to fill his cup with water. The servant rushes to the table, shaking as he pours more, spilling a bit.
"How hard is it to pour water slave?"
"Maa, master. I am sss sorry."
"Leave it."
His voice booms as the servant bows before running into the kitchen. Staring up I see the head pack members are still silent, some annoyed that I have caused the Alpha, my master to be in a bad mood. I turn my head to face the large windows overlooking the forest.
They never stop staring.
He pulls me closer before using his utensils to cut, then consumes his cooked deer meat. The smell irritates me as he eats slowly sipping some water in between a couple of swallows. It doesn't take long before chatter soon starts again in the room. My mind wanders as I think of ways I can say I'm sorry to Arthur.
I should bake for him. Nothing says sorry like something homemade.
It doesn't take long before the pungent meat is directly in front of my face. I turn my head before the dead animal can touch my lips, laying my head back on his shoulder.
"Eat it Winnie."
His voice is more authoritative as I open my mouth to comply, slowly chewing and swallowing.
"Good girl."
He whispers in my ear before continuing to eat.
"Alpha you ready to precede with the meeting?"
My master's Beta, Gabriel asks.
"Winnie go do your daily chores."
I nod before standing up making my way as quickly and quietly as possible out of the room. Rushing to the nearest bathroom I throw up the meat given to me. Upset that I've consumed an animal I sit on the bathroom floor silently sulking to myself. It isn't long before there is knocking on the door and it swings open in a fury.
"Slave this bathroom is for wolves only."
A tug on my braid causes me to cry out in pain as he drags me out of the bathroom. He lets go of me once I'm out. Just as he goes to strike me he pauses."
"Winnie is that you?"
He grips my face harshly to face him.
"Yes."
I say in a small voice, not making eye contact.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you. Your clothing, is misleading, it isn't your normal attire. Please don't tell Alpha."
"I...I won't."
"Good, now run along human."
Scrambling off the floor I go directly outside to the apple orchard. Grabbing a woven basket used by the gardeners I walk around each tree searching for perfect apples.
This one is perfect, so red and firm.
I wipe it off with the bottom of my dress before taking a bite into the succulent apple. The juice runs down my chin. Using my backhand to catch the dribbles I sit down underneath the tree to finish my breakfast for the morning. Once the picking is done I brush myself off grabbing the basket, holding it to my hip. Walking to the stables I go to the first stall that holds the master's horse Steel. Putting the basket down I grab the biggest apple I picked.
"Here boy. Steel! I have a treat for you."
Being short the stall door hides the resting horse. It doesn't take long before the all black horse pops up into view. He whinnies in acknowledgment sniffing my face, then licking my cheek in affection. Using the sleeve of my dress to dry my face I hold out the apple to him as he snatches it out of my hand.
"Are you sure you should be doing that?"
I turn around quickly startled by the presence of another person. A man dressed in typical slave attire, dirty pants, a loose fitting shirt with worn down black boots. His face holds a boyish charm and his skin darkened through outside work. Holding a hay bale over his shoulder. I stare into his light green eyes, too frightened to speak.
"My names Zachary. I'm new here. Was bought a couple of weeks ago. What's your name beautiful?
I stand there still not knowing what to say. I turn my attention back to Steel calmly patting and rubbing the rambunctious horse.
"Excuse me."
I turn around again with a frown on my face.
Just leave me be. Men never talk to me.
"Have I done something to offend you?"
I shake my head no, while grabbing my apple basket. Giving one more apple to Steel I walk hastily away from the stables.
"Hey wait up."
A hand on my shoulder causes me to flinch as I remove his hand quickly.
"Sorry I didn't mean to be so heavy handed, but you wouldn't slow down."
"You have no right to touch me. You stay away."
"Why should I stay away? You haven't even given me your name."
"You are new here, but there are rules. I'm not allowed to speak to you or any man for that matter. Just leave me be.... everybody else does. Goodbye Zachary."
I continue walking back towards the castle.
"I was never one for following rules!"
I hear from a distance, as a small smile graces my lips from the man's words. Going through the servants' entrance I make my way back into a small-unused kitchen nook.
Pushing thoughts about the new slave to the back of my mind I begin to cook two apple pies. Time flies by as I set the pies on a table to cool. Knowing that I am behind in my chores I make my way to my master's study. In front of the mahogany door I turn the knob to find it is open, knowing that it is not a good sign I open the door slowly, careful not to make too much noise. Still facing my attention downward to the ground, I hear shuffling of papers as I bend over to retrieve my wooden bucket and cloth from a small cabinet. It isn't long before a hard body presses up against my backside, standing up straight, bucket in hand, the hair stands up on the nape of my neck. I turn my neck to the side slowly as my master inhales deeply before lightly gripping my neck.
"Turn around, drop the cleaning supplies."
He lets go as I face towards the ground, a sign of respect and submission to an alpha wolf. Gently placing the supplies on the ground I turn around slowly, never making eye contact.
"Winnie I'm trying oh so very hard to control my anger with you right now. Do you know why?"
I shake my head no quickly, biting my lip with nervousness. His rough hands lightly touch my chin, tilting my head upwards, so that our eyes meet.
"Winnie what have I been telling you since you were a little girl?"
"That I belong to Master. I am yours."
"Exactly. You belong to me. Now tell me the two rules you must never disobey."
"Never touch a man, or even converse with them, but I didn't."
"Don't lie to me!"
My eyes begin to well as tears fall from my cheeks.
"I can smell them. A male wolf has been in your hair, a human male has touched your shoulder."
"It wasn't my fault. A guard didn't recognize me and he....he...."
Tears cascade faster as I try to explain. It doesn't take much to make my master's anger lessen. He sighs before moving closer to my face, before licking my cheek, a small sign of affection.
"Dry your eyes."
Reaching into his pockets he hands me a silk handkerchief. I wipe my face, trying to calm myself.
"Are you calm?"
"Yes."
"Tell me what happened, so proper punishment can be addressed."
"A guard didn't recognized me, grabbed me by my hair out of the pack bathroom."
"What else? Tell me about the human."
"He was a new slave. I don't remember his name. I ignored him. I was feeding Steel, but I never directly talked to him. He just wanted to know my name."
"Interesting. I don't remember purchasing new slaves recently, unless Gabriel bought him. Anyways I will have a talk with him about it. Can't have a slave touching my little Winnie with his dirty little fingers can I. He will have to be punished."
"You can't."
"Excuse me. I can't what Winnie."
I close my lips cursing my words.
"Speak."
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
"If you fancy him tell me now, so I may have him killed."
"I have no feelings for him Xael, he means nothing to me. I just don't feel it is right to punish a man who did not know the rules. That is all."
I stare at his eyes as the rage leaves them, soften slightly.
"You are too sweet my little Winnie, but your kindness is a weakness."
His large arms wraps around me. I squeal in shock as he lifts me off the ground throwing me over his shoulder.
"Your punishment awaits you in my bed chambers."