Elián;
I turn back to Alana with creased brows.
"What do you mean you'd get punished?" I question, and she shifts uneasily.
"Well… there are different types of punishments… Depending on how upset the Alphas get or which one metes out the punishment… We can either
get whipped or lose our jobs…" She explains, and my jaw drops in alarm.
"All cause you didn't bathe me?!"
She nods stiffly, and my face scrunches. You've got to be kidding me!!
I shut my eyes and let out a breath as my mind races.
"Look… let's do this. You don't have to tell them that you didn't bathe me. I'll clean myself up, and you'll tell them you did it. Easy peasy." I reply, and she looks at me like I just asked her to bring me to the moon.
"What?" I question, and she struggles to return her face to a neutral expression.
"…Master Elián, we can not lie to the Alphas." She replies, and I blink at her.
"Why?!"
"They'd know. They always do."
Silence stretches between us as we stare at each other, and my grip on the duvet around me tightens.
"So what you're telling me is that I either let all six of you bathe me, or you either get whooped or lose your jobs?" I finally speak, and Alana nods.
I groan as my conscience starts tugging at my heart.
"A few strokes of the cane can't be that bad…" I tease, and Alana's face instantly goes pale.
Her mouth opens like she wants to say something, but then she closes it back. Her head drops and I watch her rabbit ears fall and press flat against her head.
"Yes, Master Elián. If that's what you want…" She replies as she turns around.
I watch her clap, and the other ladies who look like I just gave them a death sentence, start filing out of the room.
I can't do this to them… who knows? How hard they'd get whipped… and if they lose their jobs? What if they have families to feed?? Old parents depending on them or…
I just got here. Am I seriously about to make six people miserable on my first day here??
"Wait."
Alana turns back to me, and I drop my head with a sigh.
"I'll… You can… bathe me…" I add, and I feel the mood in the room shift.
"Really?!" I hear Alana's voice reply with so much happiness, I'm forced to look up at her.
"Y…yeah…" I reply, and a massive, grateful smile splits her face.
"Oh, thank you so much, Master Elián. I promise you will feel relieved after your bath!" She replies with so much gratitude in her voice. However, her happiness is not enough, though. Not enough to make the thought of six strangers bathing me any less horrifying.
******
The bath was Glorious!!
Yes. I'll admit… I was a bit uncomfortable at first… scratch that. I was VERYuncomfortable at first.
But Alana picked the cloud bath for me, which had the surface of the water covered by soap foam, so they couldn't see anything.
My fingernails, toenails, hair… everything was paid attention to.
Well… not EVERYTHING… but most of my body. I've never felt so clean in my entire life. I feel spotless.
Fancy even. And I smell divine! Alana and I settled for the Milk and Honey scent, and honestly, I don't even think I was bathed this good as a baby…
There were racks of new clothes brought for me. Most of them were in very flashy colours… which I don't like. Bright colours drag attention, so I've never been a fan of them.
I chose an easy pair of black pants, which looked like something wrapped around my legs in some chaotic contraption, but that was the least flashy thing there.
Then I threw on a simple white shirt, and sent every other thing that wasn't white, black, grey or ash back.
I've been fed, bathed, and fully rejuvenated. Just when I thought Alana would leave me alone, she spoke.
"Master Elián, it's still some time till your meeting with the king. Is there something you'd like to do in the meantime?" She questions, and I turn to her.
What could I possibly want to do here? I know nothing about this place and…
"Maybe a stroll?" she adds, and I pause.
A stroll.
Yes!
I'd get to understand at least some of the layout of this place… And hopefully, find a way out of this place.
Not to be ungrateful.
I love the hospitality and loved the food. But that's not enough to take my mind off the underlying horror.
I've been bought by five beastmen who all want to have sex with me…
No… let me rephrase.
Five men who want to get me pregnant. As if that's possible.
When I get out of here, I swear I'm writing a book. But first, I need to get out of here. And to do that… I need an idea of what this place looks like.
"Master Elián?"
"Sure, Alana. A stroll seems nice."
She gives me one of her ever-warm smiles with a soft bow, and I step forward with her walking beside me.
Whatever happens. I need to get the fuck out of this golden prison. Especially before I see their father.
Whoever he is. If the man has five lunatic sons who think they can get a fellow man pregnant, then he's probably a bigger lunatic.
And Koda… as painfully breathtaking as he is, already makes up for all the madness I want to experience from this family. I don't intend to meet another member.
"You get too tired during the stroll, or need anything at all, please let me know. I'll get it sorted for you as soon as possible."
Alana suddenly speaks, pulling me out of my thoughts and I look over at her.
"Hmm… can you break me out of here?" I question, and her smile drops as fear floods her eyes.
"M…master Eliàn, you don't possibly mean that, do you?" She stutters, and I force out a laugh.
"I was just joking," I reply before looking away from her.
"Why would I want to leave this… beautiful place?"