Talking Back

JULIETTE

I thought after confronting Darius, he would think of some sick punishment to subject me to, but instead, he sent a guard to unbind and carry me back to my room.

Again, Stacy and Ria found their way into my life. Somehow, they were assigned to properly bathe and clothe me. Ria also brought back the meal from earlier, but it wasn't stale, it was steamed back to perfection.

I didn't refuse their help this time, I needed the break from acting all strong, so I ate as much as I could. Each dish ended up neatly wiped off the plate, and they watched, which I cared less about.

“We are really sorry, Juliette,” Ria said as she cleared the table, while I emptied the cup of water in my mouth.

I swallowed and wiped my mouth. “Do you still have the ointment?” I asked, ignoring the flimsy apology they were tossing my way.

“Yeah,” Stacy said, reaching into her pocket and pulling it out. She placed it in my hand and I opened the bottle and took little portions of the oil, dabbing my bruised ankles and wrist.

Once done, I closed the cap and gave it back to her. “Thank you.”

Then I limped over to my bed and crawled under the thin sheet. The ladies remained standing, as if waiting upon my permission to leave.

I closed my eyes, focusing on getting some sleep instead. This was the first time in seven days that I was going to get a proper sleep.

“We will try again tomorrow.” I heard Stacy whisper, and then the sound of the door opening and closing shot made me sigh,and fully slip into oblivion.

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

THE NEXT DAY…

I woke up to a gentle tap on my shoulder, and opening my eyes, I was taken aback, seeing Stacy and Ria in front of me once more.

I slowly sat up, rubbing my sleepy eyes to get a clearer view and it truly was them.

“Good morning Juliette,” Stacy spoke first, her lips trembling into a smile. It was unsteady and suspicious, and I had to shift into the bed to be sure they had no plans of hurting me.

“Why are you both here again?”

“The Alpha sent us,” Ria said, lifting her hand, and my heart skipped a beat.

The chains, they were back. “B. . .But why?” I stuttered, the dread of not knowing what was happening was filling my heart.

“I am sorry, Juliette. I wish we had come here on a better note. I mean, we were coming here on a better note, but we saw and stopped the guard Alpha Darius sent to bind and bring you to him.” Stacy paused, and Ria continued.

“We were hoping to be a better presence whilst you wore the chains.”

My jaws clenched so hard that I waited for them to snap, realizing Darius only spared me for the night; he had no remorse for the pain, suffering, and humiliation he caused me. He indeed had more plans, and I was foolish to think he didn't.

I didn't say a word to Ria, or Stacy. I slowly slid out of the bed and went over to the bathroom. I had a cold shower, and when I stepped out, they had picked out an outfit for me.

I placed the dress on and wore the flat they brought me. “Go on.” I gave Ria the go-ahead after fully dressing up.

She nodded and proceeded with the chains. Bounding my ankles to the heavy metal, she did the same for my wrist, and then the collar followed, but it was lighter than the rest. I could have passed it for nothing if the cold metal wasn't already rubbing against my neck. They helped me up, leading me to Darius' chamber.

When Darius saw me, he smiled, pleased with the sight before him. “Leave.” He said, dismissing Ria and Stacy.

As soon as they left, he grabbed the suit lying on his bed and put it on. Only then did I notice he was fully dressed in a black suit trousers, a blue t-shirt, and the suit he had just worn. His hair was slicked back with gell, and a diamond earring glistened in the light pouring into the room.

“Shall we?” He smirked and began walking, expecting me to follow behind him. I didn't have a choice.

The metal dragged against my wrists, and the chains annoyingly clicked with every step I took.

We reached the large hall where Darius held his last banquet meeting with the nobility of the pack.

The guards opened the door and Darius stepped in like the king he was, his shoulders straightened, his steps measured. The hall, which had been ablaze with color, laughter, chattering, and music, suddenly quieted down as all the nobles paused and lowered their heads to acknowledge him.

“Welcome Alpha Darius.” Some of them chorused but Darius didn't respond. Two men approached him and he led them to the side, while I remained in my position , and now, unfortunately the centre of attraction.

“Look at her,” one of the nobles, a petite-looking man with heavy facial hair, sneered, his jeweled fingers pointing toward me. “She’s the King’s new plaything.”

A burst of laughter rippled through the hall. Women, young and old pressed their fancy laced fans against their lips, whilst their eyes glared at me with malice. Well, that isn't new.

“She looks like a wild animal dressed in silk,” one of the women whispered behind her fan, but it was loud enough for me to hear. “A dirt dragged in from the gutters, pretending to belong among us.”

Their words struck me, but I didn't bow my head for once, my chin remained up, eyes glancing at everyone. They could call me anything they wanted, it was their choice. I had gone through worse than they could ever imagine.

A man in a navy blue tuxedo leaned lazily against a pillar looking at me, and smirking as though I were some entertaining entity. “Worthless slut,” he spat.

Something inside me snapped. “Better a worthless slut than a man without a backbone,” I shot back, my voice clear and sharp, and I liked the reaction I got from it!

The hall fell into stunned silence, and gasps rippled seconds later. Then, laughter followed, but this time uneven. Some were filled with mockery, some were amused chuckles.

They enjoyed it, the slave talking back.

Darius returned to the center and tugged at my chain, and I followed behind him. When he got to his throne centered in the middle of the celebration.

“Sit,” he commanded, but there was no chair next to his supposed throne. So I fell on my knees and sat on the floor.

“Alpha Darius, I suggest your slave be punished for being insulting to Major Lazer, she talks too much,” one of the women declared, stepping forward, her heels clicking against the floor.

“No.” He simply replied.

“But Alpha…” the woman argued

“Silence.” Darius thundered. “She belongs to me,” he said, his voice effortlessly booming across the hall with profound authority. “And that is all anyone needs to know.”

“Not another word against Juliette will be tolerated by me. If you deem yourself above my words, I dare you to speak against her,” he said, and the woman recoiled immediately, disdain flashing in her gaze before she turned away.

Darius defending me built up my rage, I didn't need his useless words, not when he subjected me to this pain. He had no right.

I clenched my fists around the chains. I will never forget today, nor the words of these people who have mocked me and the looks on their faces, and Oh goddess , I cannot wait for that one day, where I will have to take my revenge.