CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

Rayne's POV
I was woken up by the feel of metal pressing into my skin. This time, I was well aware of where I was and what I had gone through.
As I opened my eyes, I practically got blinded by the sunlight glints shining directly on the cage. I was also made aware of the fact that my metal cell had been heated up already and the top felt hot to the touch, so I had to lie down in a strange sitting posture.
I was really tired of staying in this small metal prison, and also tired of complaining about it too. In total honesty, all I actually wanted was a good long sleep and some water— preferably chilled.
That will feel like heaven. And maybe, just maybe some juice, cookies, and chocolate….oh mom!
Suddenly, the sound of the door of the metal cage I was placed in, opening, broke me out of my reverie. I looked up to see someone trying to position himself in front of my cage. My heartbeat became a little bit too fast as I thought about the devil in the guise of human/werewolf form, Gilbert, the alpha of the midnight pack had sent for me again.
'W-what? What is it that you want?" I asked with a straight face, doing my best to put up a brave front.
The young man did not answer me. He only grunted as he reached for my hands.
'No!" I shouted, snatching my hands away to the best of my ability.
'I do not want this to be stressful. I just want to drop you and go." He said to me, raising both of his hands.
'Then if you don't want any issues," I gritted my teeth at the man in a mock show of bravery. 'Then you would have to just answer my question.'What do you want?" I asked again.
'I am only following orders. I was ordered to drag you out of the cage and into the slaves' quarters. The laundry slaves' quarters. So please, do not delay, I also have to go and eat my lunch." The man said, and it is then that I noticed that he was just another servant.
'I want to walk on my own." I insisted.
'No." The servant man shook his head. 'I was given specific orders to drag you out. But do not worry, I will try to drag you gently. I will try my best." He added.
Well, it is not like I was not used to this treatment already, is it? So, with a sigh, I get out and gave him my hand, allowing him to degrade the little ounce of dignity I had left as he dragged me to the laundry slaves' quarters.
Although he did try his best, I still think that there is no way in hell that anyone would be able to describe dragging as gentle.
Soon, we arrived at the quarters and the main grounds are full of different slaves, each looking sick, or underfed scrubbing and washing clothes.
'There, you can go inside now. Enjoy." The servant said to me before making his way out. "I'm a slave here and a least favorite. I'm thinking we could be friends. I'm Jamil. Feel free to ask me any question I'd be more than willing to help. I'm a site guard but sometimes I work on the fields too. You can find me in those two places if ever you need me" Jamil said and with a small encouraging pat on my shoulders, he was gone.
I stood amongst slaves who were moving in and out of the tiny rooms allocated to them. I'm guessing each of them is holding a washing item in their hands. I looked lost because I didn't know what to do, when I was first pronounced a slave, I belonged to the ones that worked in the kitchen….
'Excuse me," I called out to a female slave hurrying in my direction.
'I'm sorry but I cannot be seen with you." She said in a small voice as she hurried past me.
Great!
'Ray!" A voice shouted my name. I turned around in the direction it came from.
"Rayne! Oh, thank the goddess! I am so relieved." The voice said again.
Ruby!
Almost immediately, a weight knocked against me, and I almost doubled over. She wrapped her arms around me and engulfed me in my biggest hug ever!
'Oh, Ru! You are alive." I said, touching her face.
'Yes, I was brought here on the third day. They had locked me inside a cold room and then they brought me here to work!" Ruby said as she took a good look at me from head to toe.
'And what on earth did they do to you? You look even worse than me!" Ruby asked me with worried eyes. 'Just wait until my mate gets here, then they would know what it is like to get a good ass beating! You'd see, especially Lucas and Jenny. I promise you!" Ruby said. 'Of course, he would try to get married to me as soon as possible. do not worry Rayne, I am sure." she smiled weakly at me, dusting my face with sand.
'Here we are facing life-threatening issues, and you're having boy problems. You are so cute, Ru."
'Don't say that," she said, covering her face with her palms in embarrassment.
'What do I do now that I am here though?" I asked.
'First of all, you would have to get work cloth. There are a lot of spares, so I would just grab you one." Ruby said, looking at me.
'I think that you would prefer a bath first though." She shuddered as she plucked something from my hair.
" definitely"
'I would take you to the bathroom. There is some detergent here, wait, let me get some."Ruby said and left quickly, returning soon after with a detergent and a piece of nylon.
Ah, yes. Our bathing materials, how could I ever forget? I mumbled sarcastically, thanking Ruby as she gave them to me and led me to the bathing area.
If only, just like Ruby, my mate loved me and believed me more than he does others, then maybe, just maybe my life wouldn't be as pathetic as it is right now. I couldn't help but envy Ruby, she gets not even a quarter of what I suffered just because she was mated to the beta of the pack.
Perhaps Edward drew a line before he left for Italy.
After taking a cold water shower, and changing into the uniform dress which Ruby had given to me, I went back to where she had pointed out to me as the laundry room to get my blood-stained one washed. I came out to meet Ruby waiting for me when I was finished with my washing.
"I was just informed That there's a ceremony going on in the pack tomorrow and we are to serve in the kitchen, again" the minute the words are out of her mouth, my countenance fell immediately. Is this like another mind game or trap?
Ruby noticed the change on my face and tried to comfort me. Even Ruby was aware of the fact that no one would hurt her as much as they do me. I'm super happy for her though, not only does she and her mate share a mutual ground, he is willing to do anything for her. If only he hadn't gone to Italy, I'm sure this intense suffering of ours would have only been a moniker.
Goodness!
***************
"Chloe, are you done with the dishes? They need four more plates at table K710" Ruby shouted at me, looking extremely tired herself. She was standing at the entrance, just a few strides off and I had to move closer because of the jangling surroundings.
"On it" I replied to her. Just after finishing serving all the congregation, what else do they need four plates for? I thought in my mind. I quickly got four plates and filled them with the food that had been made by the pack's chef, balancing them as carefully as possible on my arms, while I walked subtly to the packhouse dining room so as not to trip and fall. Something told me that the shreds of the ceramic will be used to leave marks on my body if I break any of the plates. It isn't something the pack heads can not do. I remember a time—a day after Jenny and Lucas conspired against me to Gilbert, I was serving breakfast in the dining room and mistakenly stepped on Gilbert's feet. He got angry and poured a cup of hot coffee on my face. It would have turned to blister if not for Edward's interference. I pushed back the ugly memory to the pit of my stomach and braced myself for the next task. Hopefully, my clumsiness doesn't earn me more days in the dog cage.
Since the pack is very big—one of the biggest packs in America, serving was always a very strenuous job to do. Especially if they keep coming at intervals to collect food.
"Oh, let me help you," Jamil said immediately he saw me falling while trying to balance the tray on my hand with a soft snicker. Taking two plates from my hand, I smiled at him for his kind gesture as I could finally walk in a better posture, minimizing the amount of pain that would attack my waist and back later in the night.
"Thanks, I really needed some help with those" I finally confessed while wiping my sweats and he smiled at me reassuringly, before going to the tables that needed the food.
"Can you hurry the fuck up, skrep? Some of us have important things to do with our lives" an obnoxious pack member shouted while banging the tabletop to get my attention, making me want to roll my eyes but instead oblige, like I'm supposed to.
"Didn't the first serving get to the pig? Why is he acting like he's been starved after being on the war front all his life"...."I think this is another opportunity to try to run away again. Don't you think so?" My wolf, Sapphire said for the umpteenth time, since she finally managed to break out of the priest spell. Don't ask me how. I shook my head slightly, carrying on with my serving, trying as much as possible to not get distracted by her rants.
"Can I get my food any time soon, BITCH" the same voice from earlier shouted, putting more emphasis on the name bitch, causing me to jump in fright and nod my head like an agama lizard. I quickly tossed on his table the plates of food, sneering small cures at me, before he attacked the food.
"Here," he forcefully tossed three large empty plates at me before he continued to munch on his food. After giving the remaining food to its owners, I walked back to the kitchen to make a special meal for the Alpha and his entourage, while I dread the chore with igniting passion. The food is to be served once the initial event ends and every other person has probably gone to their house.
Where the fuck is the pack's chef.
The time goes by at a quick pace but thankfully enough, I finish up with the meal before the time has elapsed. I looked at my reflection in the mirror before leaving, trying to make sure I look presentable enough. My apron had dish soap on it. My socks had tomato sauce and I was dripping with sweat…don't get me started with my hair. It looked worse than a bird's nest.
Yucks!
After refreshing up for a few seconds, I collected the tray of food from the countertop before making my way out of the kitchen to the packhouse's second living room which was specifically meant for the Alpha and other royalties. I placed the food in different heating containers before trotting upstairs to inform the pack heads that their meal had been served.
Climbing the stairs was extremely difficult today, causing my legs to go jelly-like. I hissed out loud once I was finally on the flattened ground, the hallways that lead to some room. Tenaciously, I knocked on the Alpha's door but no reply came from inside. After waiting for some seconds or minutes without hearing any reply, I pushed the door and went inside. The Alpha's compartment in the packhouse was an en suite. Once I checked through the bedroom and did not see him, I walked through the next door and what I saw next made me choke on my own saliva.
What the heck?