Simon's POV...
I watched Kara from afar, clasping my hands behind me; she seemed to be doing a haphazard assault on the weeds she was working on. The earth would definitely be having a hard time with how she stroked at it. She is so bad at it that I can't help but laugh at the sight. Selena told me about the trouble she had gotten into with the other slaves at lunch. It makes me glad she is experiencing first-hand humiliation from the lowest class to exist in the pack.
Clearing my throat, I moved closer to her; her skin looked burnt from the harsh sun. She dripped of sweat, and her hair stuck to her forehead. I chuckled loudly as I stood in front of her."How does it feel toiling the soil? Responsible?" I uttered in a deep tone. She kept digging into the ground more enthusiastically, showing her anger. I am still surprised that she has refused to say anything to me. "Do you really have nothing to say?" I pressed on.Kara turned her head to hold my gaze with a bKara's POV... It's only been five days since I resumed work as a slave in the Red Lotus pack, and I am almost on the verge of losing my mind. The people I share a room with are just as evil as the doctor that killed Keisha. They have made it a point of duty to frustrate me. My bed gets wet both morning and night. Even when I arrive early to the room in a bid to keep my bed dry, one of them would turn the water on me while in bed.It would have been better if they had stopped there, but they extended their generosity to my food. I don't think I have had a full plate of food since I arrived; they take everything from me. To think I have to work on the farm on an empty belly. I am losing the strength and will to continue. But I can't seem to stop whenever I want to. The day I unintentionally sat for a little while, one of the guards whipped me mercilessly. I realized no other slave was being treated that way except me. It appears there has been a new order that punishes anyone who maltr
Simon's POV...Yanking the door to my room open, I slammed it shut, cursing under my breath. Kara really has some nerve in requesting something like she deserves it. I wish there was a recorded tape of all Alexa's struggles as a slave and play it for Kara to watch. I won't be surprised to find her dead after committing suicide from frustration. She doesn't have a sense of reasoning and shame. I am mortified on her behalf.Unbuttoning the first two buttons of my shirt and undoing my pants zipper, I sat on the couch, letting out a breath of relief at the comfort it provided. A snort escaped my lips as Kara's sleeping face flashed through my memory. She must have been having a good dream. If I wasn't so compassionate as a person, I would have sent her back to work to get her head in the game. She needs to know there is no play around here.But then, a new dispensation brought in a different type of rule, and everyone is to be treated with a huma
Kara's POV...The few days of rest I had worked magic, and being able to eat without anyone getting in my way is something I hope continues for a long time. I don't want to go through the phase of my meals being taken away from me while I watch helplessly again. Even though the farm work isn't any better, it's easier to cope since I have enough boosters in my belly."Get out of the way!" One of the slaves pushed me aside.I moved gently to disallow any other person from pushing me. My former roommates seem to be looking for every chance to spite me. Since I don't share a room with them any longer, it's probably giving them a lot of headaches.Carrying the basket in my hand properly, I made my way toward the kitchen, where I was asked to take the harvested fruits. I was so engrossed in the load that I almost didn't notice Alexa approaching me. My eyes lingered on her hand, rubbing slowly at her protruding belly. I try not to picture myself in that state. I bowed my head lightly. She mo
Kara's POV..."Have you seen the Alpha and Luna?" One of the female slaves working next to me asked her partner. "The both of them are so sweet towards each other it makes me want to fall in love." She giggled, high-fiving the other one.I stayed quiet, keeping up with my digging. A tight string pulled at my heart as the words kept resonating in my head. All of the slaves gossip so much that it makes my head ache. The way they talk about Logan and Alexa loosely makes me want to yell out in horror. I wonder why both of them choose to indulge in public displays of affection. They act like there aren't any of their exes around.The last time I had bumped into them in the garden on my quiet walk to the farm, my heart practically sunk to the pit of my belly. They both stared at each other like they couldn't live without one another. It breaks my heart to see Logan in that element; now that I think of it, he has never looked at me like th
Author's POV...Selena stared at Kara in utmost disgust; she was toiling the ground like there were no bones in her arms. She hadn't thought much about her presence in the packhouse before, but one look at her reminded Selena of all the bad things Kara had done to not just her but Alexa, too. For someone like Kara, it would have been really unfair if she escaped karma.She had woken up on the wrong side of the bed, angry at Simon for not trying hard enough to resolve the misunderstanding between them. It prompted Selena to rage at anyone who stumbles through her path. Luckily, Kara seems like the right person to leech on. The sound of the lunch bell rang loudly, notifying the slaves to take a break.Kara dropped the tool with her and dusted her dirty hands on her shabby clothes with a look of relief and eagerness on her face. Selena hurried towards her, blocking her way."Where do you think you are going with that mess you created?"Looking back at the obvious mess, Kara gulped hard. "
Simon's POV...Yawning tiredly, I flexed my arms, staring out the hallway window that oversees the farm. I feel so burdened. A lot has been on my mind, but I have been too preoccupied to pay attention just yet. I have missed days of keeping a close eye on Kara to be sure she isn't planning anything dubious. Most important is Selena; since she walked out on me, we haven't been able to talk. Not because I didn't want to, but an important pack duty came up, and it's my place to attend to it."I can't believe it took us this plenty of days to sign a treaty," Logan grunted beside me, exhaling. "I miss spending time with Alexa and Alvin.""You seem to have a lot of free time on your hands since you got married, leaving all the work to me. I'm glad you couldn't escape this one.""It's why I have as a Beta." He winked.I snorted out a laugh, shaking my head. "You are so unrepentant.""How is she doing?"I didn't need to ask who he was referring to. "I haven't had much time to watch her moves.
Kara's POV...Opening the door to my room felt like heaven. My legs shook hard from bending it all day long. I wonder what got Selena to let me off, just like the rest of the slaves. Even though Logan had been the one to ask all slaves to take the rest of the day off, she would have asked me to stay back and toil till the sun went down, keeping to her promise to make me pay for all that I did. I haven't had a straight meal in the last couple of days, and it feels like my strength is waning.Surprisingly, the guards told me to take a break, too. I didn't bother to source for food and came back to my room instead. Laying down on the bed, tears trickled down my face. Life has been unbearable for me since I got into this pack. I don't know if it would have worked out better for me in the woods than here. No one wants to see me near them. They avoid me like a plague.
Simon's POV...I don't know why I came down to this part of the floor, but seeing Kara move with such extreme determination had me curious. I was surprised to see her go into her old room. Quickening my step, I opened the door, and right there, by the drawer next to the bed, Kara had a little brown medicine bottle in hand, unscrewing the cap to consume whatever was inside."What the hell do you think you are doing?" I yelled, taking large strides to reach her. "Is this wolfsbane?" I inquired, slapping the bottle away from her hand."What are you doing?" She bellowed, stomping her feet."I should be the one to ask that question. Have you gone mad? Were you planning to kill yourself?""What does it matter to you? If I die, I am sure everyone would be glad."