chapter 23

We sat down to eat and the conversation flowed, the men getting on better than I ever thought that they would, though I knew that it was for my benefit more than theirs. They wanted me to feel comfortable, to be happy and not have to worry about them arguing every five minutes over who gets to spend time with me. It was nice to be wanted, don’t get me wrong, but it was also kind of tiring to be the centre of attention all the time.

“What’s your favourite colour Annalise?” Zane asks, his voice light and fun.

“I’m not sure, I’ve never thought much about it.” I say. “But I’ve always liked purple.”

“Purple it is.” Zane smiles, peaking my curiosity.

I frown, “Why do you ask?”

“Eve wants to know so she can’t colour coordinate your wardrobe.” He says, the smile he held widening.

“Oh.” I whisper. “How many clothes is she getting?”

“Enough to fill a full wardrobe sweetness, you need choice.” Dean piped up, his voice just as light, as though every weight from earlier had been lifted. “Plus, you can’t keep wearing Zane sweats.”

“Oh right, I just don’t want you to spend too much.” I mutter, feeling awkward that they were spending so much on me when I couldn’t pay them back. “I can’t repay you.”

“You don’t have to repay us!” Zane growls lightly, making me jump.

“What he means to say is that it’s a mates job to provide for you, theirs no need to worry about the cost because alphas have plenty of funds.” Matthew interrupts, flashing Zane a sharp look.

“Yeah, that’s what I meant.” Zane corrects himself. “Sorry love.”

“It’s ok.” I whisper, though his tone had bugged me.

Why did it matter so much that they bought me stuff? I didn’t understand the importance of it, but I guess I didn’t understand a lot of things because I had been a slave for so long. I had so much to learn, and I didn’t even know where to begin, I wanted to watch tv and read a book. I wanted to have sex with these men and maybe one day have their children.

Their was so much that I wanted, so much that I needed to experience that it muddled my mind. But I was determined to do it all no matter what, you only got one life and a good portion of mine had already been wasted.

“Do you have a tv?” I asked Dean, hoping that he would let me watch something.

“What kind of question is that? Of course I have a tv.” Dean frowned, watching me closely.

“Before you ask, yes I’ve seen one.” I snap slightly, sick of being treated like an outsider just because I had a different life. “I was just never allowed to watch it, slaves don’t get tv breaks.”

“Where would you like to start?” Matthew asked, shooting Dean a stern look before smiling at me. “Maybe Disney would be a good place to start.”

“Disney?” I repeated, “isn’t that the studio that does Moana?”

Alexander nodded, “yep, that’s the one.”

“I’d like that.” I say, “I saw some of it when Balthazar had guests one week, it seemed really good, though I only saw a few seconds.”

“Then we’ll watch that first, anything for our lady.” Zane smiled from the stove, the meat cooking nicely in the pan. “Plus I’m a bit of a Disney nerd myself.”

“Does that mean you like it?” I ask. “Is it as good as I think?”

“It means he loves it, though they didn’t just make Moana, there are loads of others.” Alexander explained, coming to take a seat next to me after placing plates onto the table.

“How many?” I ask, suddenly excited; a wide smile on my face.

“More than I can could love, but all of them are good in their own way.” Zane says over his shoulder. “Foods ready.”

I practically bounce in my seat, “Can we watch it after we eat?”

“I have work to do love, it’ll have to be later.” Xanadu’s with a frown.

Dean’s frown resembles that of his beta. “I have some pack business that’s needs sorting, but I’ll be free tonight.”

“ what about you?” I ask Matthew.

“I’ve got some pack members with me, their in town at the moment, but I have to brief them once we are done here.” He says, his voice low and even. “I’m sorry perhaps another time.

“I’ll watch it with you.” Alexander says, nudging my shoulder. “I wouldn’t personally pick a Disney film, but if that’s what you want, we’ll watch it.”

“What would you pick?” I smile, glad one of them will watch it with me.

Zane places meat, (looks like stake) potatoes and veg on everyone’s plate before sitting down, the men wasting no time and digging in whilst I am more interested in what Alex has to say. Though, I still eagerly eat what is on my plate.

“Probably a comedy, or perhaps action.” He says, smiling at me as he eats a potato.

“Are they good too?” I ask, cutting up the seasoned meat. “I’m sorry I don’t know much right now, but I intend to learn as much as I can.”

“Yeah some are.” Alex smiles, “though some films can be boring and repetitive, you have to be careful what you pick.”

“Okay.” I smile. “Then we’ll watch Moana and then you pick a film.”

“Deal.” He agrees.

I smile And try to quickly finish my food, shuffling it down as fast as I can, the excitement building within me more than I can bear. I have always wanted to watch a movie or series, I wasn't entirely bothered which, I just wanted that experience. I'd always have the guards talking about films and things like that, But I've never seen them myself, bath as I didn't like slaves using anything, let alone a TV.