A Winters Memory

Chapter Eight

The next morning, Ara was forced to sit, watch and participate in the preparations for breakfast. She was taught how to properly cook eggs; how to make and bake bread and biscuits. She was also taught how to cook sausage among other meats as well. Much to her dismay, she was not finished there.

The early morning's heat poured through the windows bathing Ara in the rays of sun beaming down from outside, beads of sweat coated her upper lip and forehead as she sat by the oven waiting for the biscuits and bread to finish baking.

Everything smelled enticing as the women continued to prepare the breakfast while the men were off doing their own thing or still sleeping.

Ara stared into the brick oven impatiently waiting when the sudden swing of the door caught her attention. Her eyes moved towards the door as the Alpha strolled in, his eyes moving straight to her, a smirk playing across his lips as he set his sights on her.

"Breakfast is almost ready, Sir."

The woman who had been bossing Ara around all morning spoke up upon noticing the Alpha standing in the middle of the kitchen. He turned his gaze to the woman and nodded his head.

"And how is our new slave working out, Maura?"

She twisted her lips slightly and turned to look at Ara.

"She lacks in many things, but I am sure with enough time she will learn what needs to be done, I will make sure of it, Sir."

The Alpha nodded his head." Good, good. I want her to bring out the food, am I understood?"

Maura nodded her head "of course. I shall see it done."

Once the meal was complete and everything was up to par, the other women began serving the plates while Ara brought them out to the table setting a plate in front of each member and moving back into the kitchen to fetch the rest.

All had been served except one, though the seat remained empty, she was told to wait until the Alpha's son to sit down before bringing out the plate.

Ara stayed back in the kitchen leaning against the counter as she waited for the Alpha's son whom she had never met and yet, was to blame for what had happened to her. She shook her head wondering who the hell this so-called Alpha's son was that had his father so convinced in his accusations.

"Bring out my sons' meal, slave!"

Ara gritted her teeth as the Alpha's booming voice came through the dining room to bring out his son's plate. Taking a deep breath to calm her annoyance she lifted the plate off the counter and moved across the kitchen floor and into the dining room but what she laid her eyes on next would never have crossed her mind in a million years.

She pushed the door open and stepped out, her eyes staring to the Alpha before moving to the male who sat beside him, his frame poking at the back of her mind as the familiarity of it etched at her.

Upon closer proximity, her eyes widened to see Alec sitting there. She gripped the plate in her hands tightly, her knuckles turning white from the hard grip she held.

"You..."

She said aloud when she approached him, standing directly beside him, between him and the Alpha. Alec blinked and looked up seeing Ara standing before him, holding a plate of food and dressed in a tattered burlap sack that was turned into a make-shift dress for her.