Psychotic touture

JULIETTE

Heading back to my room, I adjusted the shoulder strap of my dress, but the zipper stubbornly stuck halfway despite my attempts to pull it up.

I tried not to stick my mind on the words Darius had whispered into my ear, but it didn't matter how hard I tried, my body was still tingling from his touch and his words, which were playing on repeat.

*Neither do I…*

Darius asked me to leave after his strange confession. He was in such a hurry that he grabbed my arm and led me out himself, slamming the door in my face, as though I was the cause of his problems.

Confused, I silently left, but met a surprise that made my blood boil.

“Why are you still here?”

Ria stepped forward, fiddling with her fingers, “Please, Juliette, just hear us out, and we will explain the reason for our actions.”

“Why should I give you a chance? So you can find some lame excuse to call me a whore again?” I raised my brows, questioning their intent.

Stacy shook her head, also stepping forward, she pointed her fingers to her chest, “It's all my fault.” She clasped her hands, “Please, a minute, that's all we need.”

I pursed my lips, glaring at them both. “Go on.” Stacy's lips swiftly stretched into a smile. Ria shared a smile too, looking relieved.

“C–Can we go in?” Stacy pointed to my door, but I didn't budge, folding my arms instead, “55 seconds left.” I reminded them.

Stacy nodded, understanding my gesture, she cleared her throat and began, “I would like to start with an apology. Personally, I have felt like a total ass recalling that encounter with you, and I am really sorry Juliette. You are not a slut and I was totally in the wrong…”

“Can you skip this apology? I had a really long day and I need to get some rest.” I cut her off, showing her the redness on my wrist.

“I am so sorry… I mean, we, Ria and I.” She tapped Ria's shoulder and then rested her hand on her chest once more. “We were misled by the head maid, Patricia. She rules and runs things around here, and a few days back she called a meeting to warn all the servants about you.”

I straightened, my hands slowly falling to my side. “And?” I urged her to continue.

“She told us you were seducing the Alpha, trying to win him over with your body, so you could get a promotion to head maid, and control the servants as you wished,” Stacy explained, her voice dropping low. An abrupt laugh tore out of my throat.

I palmed my mouth, but I couldn't hold it back in. “Excuse me?” I giggled, holding my stomach.

“Seducing the Alpha for a promotion to be a head maid. How stupid were you all to even believe that?” Another round of laughter burst out of my lips.

I laughed so hard I had to hold the wall to support my footing. “Oh Goddess.” I swallowed, sighing loudly.

“Wow!” I gasped. “Head maid, hmmm…” I rubbed my chin, “I mean it doesn't sound that bad.”

Stacy and Ria's faces were now a shade of crimson, as they averted their gaze, suddenly feeling too ashamed to look at me.

I smiled, still reeling from the joke, “So what made you change your mind?”

Ria opened her mouth to respond, but I beat her to it, “My sufferings right? Isn't that what the head maids enjoy?”

“We are really sorry, Juliette. Please forgive us. We know better now and we will try to make the others understand the real truth.”

I shook my head, “I honestly don't care what anyone thinks, at least not anymore.”

Ria's lips twitched, “So do you forgive us?”

I grabbed my door handle, twisting it and pushing it open. I glanced at them, and smiled, “What's there not to forgive?”

I walked into my room, shutting my door, pouncing on my bed, my eyes closing immediately.

*****************

THREE DAYS LATER…

When a guard showed up at my door with a large box, filled with a dress and accessories, stating that Darius, who had not reached out to me in three days, suddenly wanted me to dress up and meet him in his chambers, I knew I was about to face another psychotic torture.

I dressed up regardless, because I had no choice.

I stared at my reflection, almost not recognizing myself. The dress I was wearing fitted my body perfectly. The teal lace top of the dress hugged my body, with a neckline that dipped low, exposing my cleavage. The dress details were delicate, with thin straps that rested on my shoulders.

The lace flowed down to my waist, and then a softer fabric fell around my legs.

My hair was styled in a bun, and my lips were painted with a gloss. It all still felt like a dream that I wish would remain, but unfortunately, it was reality.

“You look amazing,” Ria said behind me and Stacy nodded in agreement.

I turned away from the mirror, peering into their happy faces, unable to share that happiness with them.“ I have a feeling this is just another sick ploy to humiliate my existence in front of the pack's nobility.”

Stacy stepped forward and tried to touch my shoulder, but I shifted. Forgiving them didn't equal friendship or any type of closeness. They were only here because no one else in the palace would dare help me dress up for the Alpha.

“I think you should look on the bright side, Juliette, you get to wear pretty dresses bought by the Alpha himself. I can't remember the last time I wore a nice dress after I was taken from my parents.” Stacy said, smiling softly.

“Then maybe you should take my place. It would be fun if the Alpha could focus more on someone that isn't me.” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

Ria chuckled nervously, “Ignore Stacy, sometimes she speaks out of context.”

Stacy frowned at her friend, smacking her shoulder, and Ria winced, grabbing her shoulder.

I smiled, shaking my head at the child's play. Glancing back at the mirror one last time, I inhaled and exhaled softly.

“I guess I am ready.”

Stacy and Ria volunteered to tag along with me to Darius’s chamber, even after I refused, they were stubborn, and I didn't have the time to fight it.

I stopped before the door to Darius's chamber and knocked.

The door swung open, and Darius stormed out without a word, walking away. I stood there, confused for a second, but then Darius paused,” Let's go!” He barked and I jerked before running after him.

We stopped outside the garage and Darius hopped into the backseat of the car. I slipped into the front with the chauffeur. The engine roared to life and the journey began.