Cilla’s POV
After the meeting with Ridian, I forgot all about my escape plans. When he left me there, I sat down in order to process everything. The four words he had said went deep and meant a lot. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had actually meant what he said.
A part of me desperately wanted to believe it. I started to rationalize. It had to be true or he wouldn’t have said it. Why else would he have sex with me if he did not love me? Another part of me was saying he had only done that because of the attraction from the mate bond. He did not have any extra feelings for me and I was grasping at straws.
The same kind of thoughts were going on in my mind for over half an hour. When I finally got the strength to stand, I did. I stood up and started moving towards my residence. Since the alpha had already seen me, I had no reason to fear. I was pretty sure one of the members of his security team was aware of what had happened between us.
When I got to the quarters, I saw the workmen and the seamstresses returning from their work in the field. As always, the women seemed radiant and happy while the men looked more worn out since their work was more hectic. It was a good time to be a woman.
Supper was a drag, but I somehow managed to get through it without losing it. I avoided company like the plague and sat far away from everyone. My mind was spinning with all kinds of thoughts as I slowly forced the food into my mouth.
If Ridian really loved me, why would he treat me the way he had been doing? He had allowed me get punished and even sold me off. Someone who loved me wouldn’t have done that. It appeared that Ridian was trying to play my mind for some reason, maybe so I could continue letting him have his way with me. I knew, deep down, that I couldn’t possibly turn him down. I didn’t think I could ever reject his touch when every fiber of my being craved it.
After dinner, I went straight to my room and lay down. Thankfully, I was exhausted after all the work I had done that day so sleep came easy to me. My busy mind tried to resist but eventually my brain shut down.
The next two days went on normally, with me doing my work as usual. The new slave woman and her daughter left every morning to go to the main house. I was jealous of how easy they had it. They had just come and did not have to do the kind of work I had been welcomed with. If Ridian had any love for me, he would never have let me work like a horse, unless there was another definition of love I did not know.
It was on the third day that things changed. It was during supper time when Marlon came in holding a piece of paper. He usually came in with one when he had announcements to make.
“I wonder what he has to say now,” a girl from another table said.
“I don’t care,” another replied. “All I want is to stare at those very kissable lips as they move. This man is so damn sexy.”
“You have a mate, Kayla.” Someone retorted.
“So what?” Kayla said. “My mate is not hot like Marlon. Why did I have to get paired with some scrawny kid? The moon goddess sucks.”
“Don’t speak about the moon goddess like that,” someone told Kayla. “She is wiser than all of us, and her decisions are for the good of everyone.”
“Attention everyone,” Marlon’s deep voice reverberated all over the hall. The room descended into total silence. You could hear a pin drop. I looked around and saw that everyone’s eyes were focused on Marlon. “I have a few announcements to make. First, I’d like to speak about your conduct. Most of you have been fairly well behaved but they’re a few rotten apples causing chaos.
Mary Gillies and Victor Jimenez, you are reminded that romantic contact is not allowed among slaves. If you are found standing close in the darkness again, a heavy punishment will be given to you. And then, there are some of you who still continue to be late everywhere. It seems the old punishments are not doing the trick, so we will have to update to tougher measures.”
Marlon paused and looked around. His eyes found mine. I felt guilty immediately. Had he seen me trespassing, going beyond the recommended section?
“There have been reports of some slaves going beyond the residence without permission,” he continued. “Anybody found doing that again will be got rid of with immediate effect. And when I say got rid of, I’m sure you understand very well. There will be no negotiations anymore because we have realized that some of you are looking for means of escape which could mean a lot of losses for the pack. We do not want that.”
Marlon went on with several announcements which I did not pay attention to.
“Now for the last one, miss Cilla Markle,” he said. My attention had waned but it returned at that time. The moment he said my name I thought I was going to be got ‘rid of’. Remembering his warning about what that meant, I shuddered.
“Cilla Markle,” he said, and paused for dramatic effect. I felt all eyes on me. “Your slave status has been revoked.”
I gasped, and stared at the man with wide eyes, not sure if I heard right.
“What?”
Marlon shook his head and walked down the hallway, ignoring me.
“You are no longer a slave,” James told me.
“I don’t believe it,” I said.
“This is great news,” James said. “You won’t have to live in these terrible conditions anymore. You might even become a member of the pack with time.”
“If I’m not a slave, what will I be?”
“They might just employ you. You will get paid for your work. If they don’t do that, you’ll become a member of the pack. In that case, you will not get paid for any work you’re assigned to do but it won’t be a lot and you will have so many other privileges.”
“I can’t believe this,” Janine Bakers said, standing up. “This girl fights and she gets rewarder for it. This is not right. I hate this bloodsucking pack.”
“Calm down,” a friend of hers said.
“What was that?” Marlon said, walking back into the hall. “Did I hear you say something, Janine?”
Janine was silent.
“Okay, Janine. With effect from today, you will take over from Cilla Markle. You will be doing all the chores she has been doing.”
Marlon walked away immediately and the room filled up with murmurs from different directions. Janine headed to where I was and I stayed put, not feeling even a bit intimidated.
Janine reached where I was and stared at me for some seconds. Then, she slapped. This time, I did not retaliate. Instead, I laughed.
I had won.