Special people like me

JULIETTE

THREE DAYS LATER

The 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, squinting at them.

“Everything is fine, Stacy and I were heading out for a stroll around the palace, but we got a letter written for you, so we brought it to you,” Ria explained and pulled out a small envelope from her dress pocket.

“Thanks,” I said, taking it from her. I glanced at the address, and it belonged to none other than my father. I subconsciously walked back to the bed and plunged into it. Tearing the envelope open.

I pulled out a folded piece of paper, unfolding it, and my father's handwriting came into view.

*My dearest Juliette. I am sorry you got caught up in my mess, I really tried to get it resolved without involving you, but I had no choice. I know you hate me now, but please my daughter, I need your help. I am still in major debt, and I need you to win over the Alpha's favor so that I can be spared from my debt. We all know, Alpha Darius can be demanding, but he is merciful if you are obedient and respectful. Do everything the Alpha asks of you, and when my debt is cleared, I will try to get you out of there. I still love you very much my dearest, and I hope you can forgive me.*

*Your loving father.*

I read the words again and again, trying to make sense of what my father was asking me to do. Win over the Alpha? That was what mattered most to him.

Not me. Not his own daughter, his flesh and blood. He didn’t write to ask if I was safe, or lonely, or scared. He didn’t even ask if I was okay. This was just him, selfishly demanding his freedom while I remained trapped in captivity.

Something inside me broke. The ache was all too familiar, sharp and hollow, just like the pain I felt the day he told me my mother was gone.

Tears blurred my vision, dripping onto the paper.

“Juliette,” Ria called softly, and only then did I realize they were still there.

I sniffed and wiped my face, then crumpled the paper in my hand before tossing it aside. “I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing,” Ria said gently. “But we understand if you don’t feel like talking. Maybe you could join us for a stroll, clear your mind a bit?”

It didn’t sound like a terrible idea.

“Yeah… I think that will be great.” I stood from the bed, wiping the last traces of tears from my face.

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

We stopped by the water fountain and sat on the edge of the concrete pond.

“This is my favorite spot in the entire palace,” Stacy said, dipping her hand into the pond and tracing slow swirls across the surface.

“It’s beautiful,” I replied, my eyes fixed on the fountain’s centerpiece, two wolves holding up the moon, where the main stream of water cascaded from.

“Do you have a place you find special in the palace?” Ria asked, mimicking Stacy’s motion as her fingers brushed through the water.

Tempted to try, I dipped my hand into the pond. The water was surprisingly warm against my skin.

“No,” I replied to Ria’s earlier question. “But it’s safe to say I have been a regular visitor in the Alpha’s chambers.” I let out a long sigh.

Ria and Stacy exchanged a look, then giggled, wiggling their brows at each other.

“Oh, Goddess,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “I’m pretty sure you both remember some of that experience?”

Their smiles vanished instantly.

“Hey, no long faces. I’m actually over it,” I said quickly, though it wasn’t true, it didn’t feel like a complete lie either.

“Really? Or are you just saying that to make us feel better?” Ria asked, pouting in a way that made me smile despite myself.

“I’m serious,” I said quietly. “I don’t remember much of that experience, and honestly, I don’t want to relive it by talking about it.”

“We totally understand, Juliette,” Stacy said softly. “This fountain is for pure thoughts only, like what we are going to eat tonight, or some fun memories we keep close to our hearts.” Her tone grew lighter, almost playful. “Juliette, want to share one of your happiest moments?”

I pulled my hand from the water, watching the ripples fade. “Well, there aren’t many happy memories for me,” I admitted. “My mom was my favorite person in the whole world. She made life feel easy, like cupcakes and rainbows.” I gave a small, sad smile. “But reality set in when she died. Despite having a father, it’s safe to say I raised myself.”

Ria and Stacy’s solemn looks made me groan. “I don’t need your pity.”

“It’s not pity, Juliette,” Stacy said gently. “We’re almost alike, and I think that makes us special.” Then she suddenly stood from the edge of the fountain, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

“Well, since Juliette doesn’t have a fun memory, we’re going to make one.”

“What. . .” I began, but before I could move, Stacy was already scooping up a handful of fountain water and tossing it at me.

I shrieked as the warm water splashed across my face and clothes.

“Gotcha!” Stacy laughed, her giggles echoing around the courtyard.

“Oh, really?” I smirked, scooping up a handful of water, ready to throw it at Stacy, but at the last second, I dumped it on Ria instead.

She gasped, then burst into laughter. “You did not just. . .” she squealed, plunging her hands into the pond and splashing both Stacy and me in retaliation.

I couldn’t let her win. I moved faster, scooping and throwing until both of them were drenched. Water flew everywhere as our laughter filled the courtyard.

I was still laughing, feeling a strange, fleeting sense of victory, until a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Hey, you three!”

“Run!” Stacy shouted, grabbing my hand. I caught Ria’s, and the three of us sprinted off, laughing uncontrollably like children caught in the middle of a prank gone wild.