A Wolf's Honor

Chapter 4

"Well...?" Adler asks, setting down the napkin. He his stoic and nonchalant expression is quickly growing to impatience with my silence.

"I... umm.." The tears are once again in my eyes for what feels like the millionth time. I barely feel anything at this point, besides nausea and sickness. He wants me to be with him? To live here and be 𝘩𝘪𝘴? What does he even mean by that? This has to be a sick joke. Though what is if it's not? What if this really is my life from now on? Could I do that?

𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦.

"You won't hurt me? I won't be put in danger? Can I go out?" I ask.

"No. I will only push you as far as you can go. You won't be in danger here. And you can leave the estate when you accompany me upon request or with a guard. At least for now. We can negotiate more about boundaries when you trust me more and I know you won't desire to run." He replies and stands.

I nod and remain silent, taking in all the information, assessing what this means.

"I take it you plan to stay with me here? If at any point you choose to return to the auction, I will send you back. But I don't intend to only let you go." He goes on.

"What.. if I work it off? If I do what you ask until you think you've gotten your money's worth?" I challenge. "Then I can go home. Even if it's 20 years from now. If I work it off. You can keep tabs on me for the rest of my life to make sure I won't tell what's going on or who you are." This could work. If he just agrees.

Now it is his turn to ponder my words and assess his next move. It takes a moment of silence before he replies.

"If you can properly satisfy me until I see fit. I will relinquish ownership. And you will be returned back to Cherryton district. If and when I see fit. Is that agreeable, Legosi?" He asks. His tone a little more frustrated having to listen to my request.

"Yes, Adler sir. Then.. I agree." I say sheepishly.

"I will do my best to fulfill any request or desire to your liking." I say, putting a hand up. "Wolf's Honor, sir."

"Good to hear." He says and motions. "Now come, I'd like to retire for the evening." He continues before leading the way upstairs to the left staircase.

Just as the right wing was, the left hall's doors seem endless as he makes his way down and goes into the last room at the end of the hall.

It's an open master suite of a room with a connected bathroom to the left. On the left is a large personal balcony with sliding glass doors made of colored mosaic in an abstract pattern. The carpet is plush and soft under my bare feet, a dark mixed charcoal. The walls are the same dark forest green as the foyer.

𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦.

I look over the bed. It's a king size with a tall post at each corner. The sheets and blankets match the room in dark greens, charcoals, and touches of gold in the bedding set. An oversized trunk sits at the foot end. Along the right side of the room by the glass doors are ceiling to floor bookshelves, deep set arm chairs placed in a seating area beside them.

The left end side table has minimal miscellaneous items such as a phone charger, an empty glass of water, and a book. I assume that side is Adler's and walk over to the right side, sitting on the edge.

As Adler watches, he clears his throat.

"Legosi." He says and grabs my attention. I turn to look over, not expecting something so soon.