Chapter 4. Unexpected Companions

Sarah’s feet led her straight into the kitchen. She was hungry, her stomach feeling as if someone had dug a knife through her. It wasn’t a new feeling, considering how she’d been living, but since she had the chance to help it, why not? Besides, Damon said it himself that she could eat.

She first opened all the cupboards and found nothing but sugary cereals, noodles, snack foods, bowls… Closing it, she moved to the fridge and grasped the large handle, its expensive-looking black surface making her pull softly as if the slightest mishap would damage it.

There, she was met with rows and rows of food, like a dashing ray of sunshine in a place that only knew darkness. There were things that she rarely ever saw much less ate, and others that she was used to seeing rotten rather than fresh.

Meat sat at the top with quite the variety, placed in neat, airtight containers sitting side by side. Raw foods, fruits and greens sat on the shelves below that and at the middle, another set of containers were organized, with what seemed like cooked dishes set aside for other days. At the very bottom, countless bottles stood upright, a mix of liquor, drinks and water.

She couldn’t get a glimpse of everything, but with so much to choose from, she found herself hesitating every time she reached for something. She wanted to taste a bit of everything, but that would’ve been impossible. And she wouldn’t dare try cooking in his kitchen, so not even something as simple as eggs were an option.

In the end, she took ice-cream, yogurts and two plates of food that she was too scared to even heat up.

It was a bit much, but she would gladly eat it all. Even if he slitted her throat tonight, at least she would die with a full stomach.

Licking her lips, she glanced around, confirming there were no prying eyes. Then, she dug in, smiling as the cold ice cream melted on her tongue.

Before she got captured by the Traders, she was living on the streets, eating scraps passersby would throw at her or rummaging through bins for the crumbs the fortunate discarded. She had nothing back then, no family, no money, no food and no shelter… nothing. That was why, at first, the Traders were her saviors. They gave her food without pay and though she sat around in her cell, cut off from the world… she had shelter.

That was until she overstayed her welcome.

While the others were fed once a day, Sarah was fed according to Mr. Knack’s cruel whims. She was the worthless one, the one who’d been ‘mooching’ off him the longest.

Now that she thought about it, it was fortunate to have a taste of luxury, even if it was just for a while.

What more could a girl like her ask for?

Sarah finished her food with a shiver. Everything was cold and her stomach felt tight after eating it all but it was good. She patted her stomach as she stood up, stumbling slightly. Now, she was feeling sleepy.

Dragging her feet across the kitchen, she cleaned up, washing the containers and setting them to dry. Then she walked out, rubbing her eyes as she turned towards the stairs, her hand sliding along the banister. Rather than worrying about when her master would kill her, she was going to take a bath then head to bed before he showed up again.

But as she was about to enter the hall, three human barricades came out of nowhere and stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed over their chests and their eyes running over her figure. They snickered after examining her and Sarah swallowed, gripping her filthy dress in her fists.

These women, dressed so elegantly, were sex slaves… just like her. The small numbers burnt into the side of their necks told her so.

It wasn’t anything strange that the Alpha King already had slaves, yet her heart did an unwelcomed clench at the sight of them. She shouldn’t have been surprised, in fact, she shouldn’t have felt anything, but alas, she couldn’t deny her bitter feelings towards the situation. She resisted the urge to walk by them without a word and bit her lip. “Hi. I’m Sarah,” she said. It was supposed to come out cheerful or at least polite, but distaste was unfortunately thick in her tone.

The women looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

“Uh…” Sarah cocked her head, watching them. Was it her name they were laughing at? “Did I… say something funny? Is my name strange?” She was genuinely confused, but the girls took it as her attempt to be insolent.

The first to glare was Alexis, her laughter gone in an instant. “Wow.” She scoffed. “You sure are daring having that look in your eyes despite the ragged piece of cloth wrapped around that filthy body of yours!” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, rudely sizing Sarah up with her eyes. “If you think you’ll be treated better than us just because you happen to be his mate, then you’d better not kid yourself!”

The two apparent lackeys beside her nodded frantically in agreement, their chins pushing out as if trying to look intimidating.

“I’m the one who gets all the attention around here.” Alexis declared, “If you want to live peacefully, drop that proud shit and lower your damn eyes! It’ll be better for you that way…”

Sarah blinked, utterly taken aback. She could not say she liked the fact that they were here, but she didn’t hate them or anything. She was even ready to make friends if they wanted to! But a slave telling another slave to lower their eyes was ridiculous.

“I’m unsure where this is coming from.” Sarah said, “I greeted you three and you burst out laughing. Aren’t you the ones who seem too arrogant for fellow slaves? I doubt I’m mistaken about that branding on your neck.” The words came filing out before she could hold them back.

Her mouth had betrayed her.

The astonished looks on the their faces made her quickly try to fix her words. “I d-didn’t… erm…” She scratched her neck. “I just meant that you—”

“Shut it!” Alexis was fuming now. Sarah had successfully gotten on her nerves. First, she came looking all high and mighty, then she dared to talk back, and now she was acting innocent! Who did she think she was?!

Clenching her jaw, Alexis took several steps down the stairs and met Sarah in the middle, the movement frightening not only Sarah but the others as well.

The girls attempted to remind her of Sarah’s status as Damon’s mate but Alexis was quick to raise her hand, shutting them up in an instant. Her eyes then narrowed in on Sarah’s figure.

“YOU—” Alexis spat. Her right hand reached over in Sarah’s direction, fearlessly poking her in the chest. Sarah was forced to take steps back whilst she took steps forward. “—were here last, so YOU should know your place! Who the hell do you think you are, bitch?! You’re no better than us…!”

As Alexis sent a train of insults at her, Sarah continued to move back and in her haste to get away, she tripped over her own feet. Gasping, her hands made a swift move to grab for the banister but failed miserably.

Then and there, she was bound to fall to her doom… but her back never collided with the hard floor. Instead, she fell against something warm and familiar tingles immediately spread across her skin.

It didn’t take a genius to know who had just saved her from death’s grip…