(ASA)
I woke to the sound of birds singing outside my window.
It took me a moment to remember where I was, and then I sat up abruptly. Gazing around the big room, I took in the fireplace in the corner and the walnut dresser and bookcases. The four-poster bed I was in was far too big for just me.
It had to be a king-sized bed because I was swimming in it.
Usually, I'd have woken in my small dorm room. My roommate would have probably been snoring like a bear. I'd have stayed up too late, studying last-minute for a big test.
Life had been stressful but simple. I'd known what each day would bring. Now? I had no idea what was coming. I was afraid to even think about it too much.
I threw back the covers and looked down at the soft satin pajamas I wore. I usually slept in a T-shirt and shorts, but last night the young maid, Luna, had insisted I wear the pajamas folded neatly on the bed. I had to admit they were amazingly comfortable.
As I slid off the mattress, the door to my room opened.
Luna walked in, humming a happy tune and carrying a tray of food. When she saw me awake, she smiled. "You're up. I was afraid I'd wake you, Sir."
"Nope. I'm… I'm already wide awake." I laughed nervously.
I certainly wasn't used to breakfast in bed. I'd been lucky if I'd had time for a cup of coffee from the vending machine at my college.
She set the tray on a side table and straightened, tucking a tendril of auburn hair behind her ear. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?"
"Oh, gosh, no. I'm fine doing that on my own." I grimaced. "I'll probably just shower anyway."
"Okay. Shall I lay out your clothes for the day?"
"No, thank you. I'll just look through the closet and find something."
"Er… yes." She frowned. "Well, just ring the bell when you'd like me to collect the empty plates."
I said brightly, "No need for that. I can carry them down."
"Huh?" She looked uneasy. "You'll carry the tray down?"
"Sure. Why not?"
She bit her bottom lip. "May I speak freely, Sir?"
"Sure."
"Um, it's my job to do these things for you. If you don't let me do them, then I feel useless."
Surprised, I frowned. "I'm sure you have more important things to do than wait on me."
She shook her head. "No. I don't. You're my responsibility. You and Master Zevran are the reason I'm here. It's my solemn duty to look after the men of this household."
Master Zevran? Solemn duty?
I laughed because I couldn't believe she was serious. This was the twenty-first century, but she was acting like something out of a Victorian novel. "It's great that you look after… Master… Zevran… but I'm just an omega like you."
She gasped. "An omega like me? You're nothing like me, Sir. Master Zevran has chosen you. You're his omega."
"Oh, well, there's been a misunderstanding. I… he… It's not what you think."
She lifted her brows, cheeks pink. "Perhaps you need more sleep, Sir."
I gritted my teeth. "Perhaps I do."
She moved to the door. "Remember," she said firmly, "I'll take the tray down. Not you."
"Okay." I was afraid to say much of anything in case I insulted her again somehow.
She left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
I went to the tray and perused the offerings.
There was orange juice, coffee, crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, and what smelled like homemade bread, lightly toasted.
My stomach growled on cue, and I carried the tray to the bed. I crawled back onto the mattress and proceeded to devour the food. I felt like royalty, sitting in the huge bed, eating delicious food hand-delivered by Luna, the maid.
Yesterday was a bit of a blur. Everything leading up to the ride home in Zevran's limo felt like a bad dream. Being in Zevran's mansion also felt like a dream. A glorious, warm, wonderful dream. I was still worried it would all come crashing down any second, but I wanted to enjoy it while it lasted.
Once I'd eaten, I returned the tray to the sideboard. While I was tempted to take the tray downstairs, Luna's stern words echoed in my head.
I showered and changed into a pair of jeans from the dresser and a soft flannel shirt from the closet. Luna had told me to help myself if anything fit. The clothes were almost a perfect fit, maybe slightly loose. But whoever they'd belong to must be very close to my size.
I stalled going downstairs because I had no idea what to do with myself. I didn't know if Zevran would be down there. Maybe he went to an office every day. If he wasn't downstairs, what was I supposed to do? From Luna's reaction to the idea of my lifting a finger, I got the feeling no one would want my help with anything.
Apparently, Zevran hadn't told the staff the real story of why I was here. Luna certainly seemed to think there was something romantic between Zevran and me.
My stomach dipped when I remembered what Zevran looked like. He was sexy, and I was a little sad I didn't get to explore that with him. But he'd made it clear to me he wasn't looking for me to be his omega.
I flipped through some of the books in the bookcase and stared out the window at the lush grounds. But when the clock struck noon, I decided I'd hidden as long as I could.
I opened the door and wandered down the hall. I headed in the direction I thought the staircase would be, but I must have taken a wrong turn. I traveled down several halls, still hoping to find the stairs, but I just kept getting more twisted up in circles.
At one point, I came to a room with a red door. From inside the room, I heard the sound of a piano being softly played. I listened outside the door for a while, then I slowly opened the door. I was hoping whoever was inside the room could lead me to the staircase.
I was surprised to find Mrs. Gentry seated at a black baby grand piano. She was lazily pressing the keys, and a sad tune filled the room.
Mrs. Gentry's stern demeanor made me nervous, so I started to back out of the room. Unfortunately, she noticed me out of the corner of her eye. "Don't go," she said in a strident tone.
I stopped and turned to face her. "I'm sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt. I'm a bit turned around. I'm looking for the stairs." I gave a nervous laugh.
She didn't smile. She stood and walked toward me, her expression emotionless. She wore the same tailored style of gray dress as yesterday. Maybe she had a closet full of them.
Personally, I thought she should have tried a different color. The gray did nothing for her sallow skin. It did, however, suit her somber personality.
When she reached me, she stopped. "I'll help you find the stairs."
"Great." I sighed in relief.
"But first, I wondered if we could have a little chat?" Her smile was brittle, and it didn't reach her eyes.
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Um… sure." What in the world could she possibly have to talk about with me?
She cleared her throat. "I was very surprised when Master Zevran brought you home last night."
"Were you? I… I thought he called ahead."
"He did. I simply mean the fact he brought you home at all was… startling." She ran a hand over her short, mousy-brown hair.
Up close, she looked older than I'd first thought. She was probably in her late sixties, with deep lines around her eyes. "He never goes to The Auction. He disapproves of the very concept, and I know for a fact he wasn't in the market for an omega."
"No, he wasn't. I… I'm sorry if my sudden arrival has been an inconvenience." I grimaced. "I'm sure he'll explain to you his reason for bringing me here. It's not what it seems."
"No?"
"Definitely not. I think he only brought me here because he felt sorry for me." I laughed gruffly.
"Really?" She crooked one thick brow. "That's not like Master Zevran."
"Isn't it?"
"No." She grimaced. "I mean, he's a good alpha, just not particularly soft-hearted. He doesn't always have empathy for others."
I shifted uneasily. "Well, he's been very kind to me so far."
She pursed her lips. "Did you proposition him or something?" I lifted my brows. "Huh?"
"I'm simply trying to work out why he picked… you. You're very young." Her tone was disapproving. "You're attractive enough, I guess, but you're not at all his type."
Her sour expression made it hard not to feel like gum on the bottom of her shoe. "I wouldn't know anything about his… type."
"No, I don't suppose you would." She sniffed. "He tends to like more mature omegas."
I laughed nervously. "As I said, I think he felt sorry for me."
"Perhaps."
I grimaced. "I… I'll try to stay out of your hair."
She didn't respond. She simply continued to study me like I was a Rubik's Cube.
I wanted to change the subject, so I asked, "May I ask you a question?"
She didn't look thrilled at the idea, but she said, "I suppose."
"Why do you guys call him Master Zevran? Is he royalty or something?"
Her eyes flickered. "No, but it's a tradition among the staff. The Cross family men have always been addressed as master when at home."
"I see."
"Is that a problem?"
"No. So long as I don't have to call him that." I frowned. "I don't like the implication."
"Meaning what?" She narrowed her eyes.
"That he's better than me."
She laughed harshly. "But, he's an alpha of impeccable breeding. Of course, he's better than you. He's better than all of us."
I squinted my disapproval. "Not sure I agree. Yes, he's rich and from a good family, but does that make him better than me? I'm not so sure."
"But," she sputtered, "He's an alpha. That puts him higher than you by default."
I scowled. "While I know alphas are considered above omegas in our society, I've never accepted that as a truth. I was raised to value my worth."
"Is that so?" Her lip curled. "Then why were you offering yourself up in The Auction?"
My face warmed. "Only because I found myself in dire straits, through no fault of my own."
"No fault of your own?"
I wasn't about to tell her my background since she was already judgmental enough. I just shrugged. "I'm very grateful to him for rescuing me. While I won't kiss his feet, I hope to be of use to Zevran. I'll help him any way I can."
"I'm happy to hear that. You seem rather headstrong and opinionated. Master Zev didn't bring you here to butt heads. Whether you like it or not, you must know your place."
I bristled at her phrasing but decided not to argue with her. She could think however she wanted. I didn't have to please her. I only had to please Zev. Hopefully, he'd understand why I didn't want to call him master.
A phone in her pocket softly chimed. She pulled it out and tensed. "It seems the master is wondering where you are." She met my gaze, tucking the phone away. "I'll take you to him. Follow me." She moved past me, nose in the air.
I sighed and fell into step behind her.
I was nervous about seeing Zevran, but if it got me away from Mrs. Gentry's snooty energy, I'd take it.