JULIETTE
Warmth was the first thing I realized I had woken up to, and the musky earthy scent, and the gentle loose grip on my waist. It was Darius, and he was still sound asleep, his chest rising and falling in a smooth rhythm. I didn't realize my head had been resting on his chest the whole time I was asleep, until I saw the pillow under his head. I didn't recall sleeping in this position, he must have been responsible for this. Strangely, I was seeing Darius asleep for the first time since I got here. The other night, he didn't stay until morning, leaving an hour before dawn. I moved slightly, trying to sit up, but it made Darius stir, his grip tightening around me. My heart skipped. His grip was now firm, not the suffocating kind, it was protective, as if he had no intention of letting me pull away from him, even in his sleep. The heat of his body was still radiating through the thin fabric of my dress, surrounding me with his warmth. I carefully lifted my gaze, and there he was, face so relaxed, no frown, no mischievous smirk, or wicked smile, not even a trace of stoicism. Just a man with the most perfect features I had ever seen, it made me wonder what the Creator was thinking while carving him out. I noticed how his hair fell on his face in baby curls, his lashes so long that they cast shadows against his cheekbone. His lips were a shade of bright pink, far too gentle for the kinds of words that he spits. His jawline looked sharp at rest, not clenched as I always find it. And what about the skin of the ruthless man? So smooth, my hands itched to touch it, to feel it against my fingers. But I didn't dare, I simply stared. This was the first time I was seeing him so up close, when we kissed, I realized he takes my very essence of reasoning. But now that there was no kiss, and I had free will to dive into his features, I noticed the scar so close to his eyes, and it looked as though the rest of it was behind his eyes. Strange how he looked so dangerous while still being asleep. Darius stirred again, and a few strands of hair fell on his eyes. My hands subconsciously moved to clear it off, but I froze mid-air, when his eyes suddenly snapped open, they stared at me with a piercing gaze, still clad in sleep. “What are you doing?” Caught. Heat rushed to my cheeks, a storm of embarrassment crashing over me at once. “I… I didn't…” Darius sat up and rubbed his eyes, “ You shouldn't stay up so late at night.” He said, getting off the bed and stretching. “I woke up early.” I countered, but Darius only glared at me. “On the other hand you…” “Shut up.” He cut me off immediately and I rolled my eyes, feeling foolish for appreciating his beauty. Darius proceeded to the door, but stopped and turned to me. “There's a dinner at 6pm, the servants will drop by to get you ready.” and out the door he went. I folded my hands and scoffed, Just wonderful. Another gathering with a fucking noble. ****************** Except I was wrong. They were nobles, but far higher than I was expecting. It was the fast-rising Alpha Kaius Fenrir and his daughter, Penelope Fenrir. A few months ago, he was practically the news’ favorite topic to discuss with all the fortune he was able to acquire after finding a long forgotten gold mine that belonged to his family, and to his luck, the mine was filled with a bullion of Gold that could last his family a lifetime of riches. Every pack wanted an alliance with this man, he was so presumptuous, he came on the news to openly say no to the thousands of alliance requests he got. And now, I was seated at a dinner table with him on the opposite end. I still didn't understand why Darius would choose to invite me to this particular dinner. Did he plan to humiliate me in front of a prestigious figure? “Thank you so much, Alpha Darius. For hosting us and filling our bellies with such wonderful delicacies.” Kaius said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. It was obvious my presence was making them uncomfortable. A slave, dining with men, and a woman of caliber. Darius made me wear the collar, one of the elements that gave off my position, and a part of me felt embarrassed. Well, at least he made the servants dish out a plate for me, which threw off the father-daughter duo. “I believe, Beta Cole has informed you of the reason my daughter and I have graced your abode.” Darius nodded, picking a napkin to wipe off the side of his lips. “So, shall we speak in private?” Kaius asked, and his request was met with Darius's silence. A minute went by, and then Kaius chuckled. “Do you wish for us to speak here?” “Yes,” Darius replied immediately. Kaius cocked his head, glancing at his daughter. He looked as though she wanted to be anywhere else but here. He returned his gaze to Darius, stealing a glance at me. “I thought it would be more private.” “Speak Alpha Kaius, or I leave this table with the notion that we had spoken,” Darius said, his words sounding more like a threat, than whatever he intended. Kaius chuckled and reached for his daughter's hand, “ I will get straight to the point then. Penelope is at the right age for marriage, and I came here with a proposal, and I am hopeful that you would give Penelope a chance to show you that she is fit to be by your side, and that…” “No,” came Darius' swift cut in, which left Kaius in a daze. “What?” “I gave you a straightforward answer, unless you are eager to hear it again.” “Alpha Darius…” “We are done here.” Darius stood up and snapped his fingers at me. “Let's go.” I obeyed, mostly because I didn't have a choice, but the tension that rose in the room was enough to kick me out.JULIETTEDarius should have been the last person I ever thought of running and breaking down. Heck, he wasn't supposed to see me this way. Yet I found myself buried in his arms even after he led me to his bed.On the other hand, he equally surprised me, or maybe it was just the shock of the moment. He didn't question me, didn't push me away, or use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move me and show his superiority.Instead, he held me, tight enough to keep me secured, he caressed my hair to soothe me, and whispered words like, *it's okay,* and *You are alright*.Now that I am in my right senses I can't get over the fact that I chose Darius as my solace. In what world was I thinking? Maybe I just felt overwhelmed when he kept to his words and gave me the chance to find out the horrible truth of my life.My father betrayed me, played with my feelings for fifteen whole years, and my mother? Whom I loved more than anything in this world. Not only did she destroy our family, but she
JULIETTETWO DAYS LATER…I halted before Darius's door, still contemplating the next step to take. I was torn between knocking and making my presence known, and just walking away to avoid Darius's ridicule.But I was haunted, barely getting any sleep after that realistic dream I had. It left me shaken, and every attempt I made to get it out of my mind led to nothing.I needed answers to the questions that plagued my mind. I needed to know if my mother truly died or if my father chose to lie to keep me from wondering what happened to my mother. It was hard to accept a new truth after fifteen whole years. I just couldn't.So I pushed back my fear and pride, placing a gentle knock on the door.“Took you long enough.” Darius's voice boomed from the other side. “Come in.”With a racing heart, I pushed the door open, slowly striding into the room. He was on his bed, with a book in hand and weirdly reading glasses.He looked different, harmless, soft, like a professor, a dangerously hot one.
JULIETTE“Rise and shine sweetheart.” A melodious voice whispered into my ear and I stirred in my bed. I recognized the voice in an instant, my eyes fluttering open.“Mom?” I called, surprised to see her by my bed, staring down at me with her beautiful eyes and contagious smile. “Good morning, pumpkin, I trust you had a good night's sleep.” She asked, leaning down to peck my forehead.Confused, I pushed myself up and swept my gaze around. My lips parted in shock. It wasn't in my tiny room at the castle; I was in my old room from when I was five years old. Everything was the same, from my favorite pink flower blanket to the lilac-painted walls; the only difference was my size. I wasn't five, but my mother didn't seem to notice. This had to be another realistic dream.“Pumpkin, is something wrong?” My mom asked, reaching to touch my face, and I let her, watching her reaction as she caressed and pinched my cheek.“No, Mom, I am fine, just tired from sleeping.” She patted my cheek once m
JULIETTEMy door opened minutes later, and I cocked my head, expecting to see Lilian. Hopefully, she was here to help get this dress off me.However, to my disappointment and somewhat relief, Darius walked in. His presence filled the room with a heavy authority that clung to him like a second skin, making the hair on my neck stand.His gaze settled on me, tracing every inch of my body as he strolled fully into the room, something flickered in his eyes. Admiration, desire, or possession. I wasn't sure, but I caught his lips twitch, no smile no smirk, just a stupid twitch.“Just as I predicted,” he muttered, his tone rough around the edge.I spun fully to face him, raising my chin. “Predicted?” I snapped, grabbing the dress in my hand, “This is what you do the moment you return, play dress up with your little pet.”Darius narrowed his gaze,” What are you talking about?” He asked, pretending to be oblivious of the games he keeps playing.“You know exactly what I am talking about,” I repl
JULIETTETWO DAYS LATER…Finally, Darius’s arrival was announced, and the palace erupted into chaos as everyone rushed outside to welcome him.Well, everyone except me.He left without a word, so why should I bother pretending to care about his return?Besides, with more than a hundred servants, maids, and guards scrambling to greet him, I doubt he’d even notice my absence. And even if he did… I wouldn’t care.At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.Because a part of me knows he would notice. And then he’d storm into my room, his eyes burning with fury, determined to punish me… to touch me. . .No. No, Juliette. Stop it.What a stupid thought to even let in. I hate his punishments. I hate his arrogance, his words, his smile, his body, his face. . . everything about him.Darius is my enemy, and he will always remain that.He ruined my life. Degraded me. Chained me like I was nothing.He deserves my wrath, my hatred, and my revenge. . .nothing else.A sudden knock snapped me out of
JULIETTETHREE DAYS LATERThe past few days had been nothing but dull since I returned to my room that night. Darius hadn’t sent any maid or guard to call me, nor had he shown up to my room himself. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.Disappointment hit me hard when I learned that he had gone to attend a summit without me in the neighboring town, a meeting that was mandatory for all Alphas. I spent half the day wondering why he hadn’t taken me with him.I was nothing to him, just a slave he brought along whenever it pleased him. The summit, being such an important event, made the truth painfully clear, it drew the line between my imagination and reality.“Juliette? Are you in? It's Ria.”“And Stacy.”Their voices boomed on the other end, my thoughts cleared up immediately, a smile tugging at my lips as I jumped off my bed, and strolled to the door, pulling it open.“Hey, guys.” I greeted them, letting them in, but they didn't bother stepping in. “Is something wrong?” I asked,