The Shift

JULIETTE

A WEEK LATER…

Darius called me more times than any other omega he had taken possession of. I knew it was just to spite and torture me.

Each time he called, he would bark several orders in that deep rumbling tone of his that always sent my pulse running, daring me to carry out the tasks at the same time.

Sometimes, he would send for my presence, ask me to sit, and then he would watch me like I was a soap opera or something, giving me slow, measured looks, and sometimes he would hold me longer than he should.

Thankfully, he didn't ask me to strip or try to go down on me again. The last experience made my body shudder. Darius left me on edge the last time, he made my core burn for more and then he told me to leave.

I couldn’t sleep that night, so I had to bathe twice to ease the tension. It didn't seem like much, but it was the worst torture.

This morning, he called again. I met a guard outside my door with a message from Darius. "The King is training. He wants you present.” He relayed, with no further explanation, just another choice made for me.

I got ready, putting on the dress Darius had filled my wardrobe with. He liked them and how uncomfortable they made me feel. A corny bastard.

I followed the guard to the courtyard behind the palace, which was bright with the early morning sun.

Darius was in the center, shirtless, sweat slipping along his body, his muscles expanding with every impact, his movements flowing as he danced with a pair of short blades. He was like something out of a fever dream. Or a warning.

He hadn’t seen me yet, but my eyes were glued to his frame. His body wasn’t just grown, it was engineered. There were faint scars along his ribs, so vivid against his tanned skin that I couldn't help but look at them too.

It left me wondering how each came to be. I didn’t mean to stare as long as I did. But I did. Following his movements like a moth.

All I could think about was how it felt to have that body on top of mine, in the searing softness of how he had kissed me last time. The way he handled my flesh was as if he had wanted to eat it. The painful pleasure that throbbed low and deep.

*Stop looking.* I yelled in my head.

But who was I kidding? I just couldn't.

And then… he caught me.

He stilled, his sword lowering slightly as he met my stare across the courtyard.

My mouth went dry. I didn't know if I should step forward or just run. However, running didn't seem like the best decision right now, given what happened a week ago.

Darius dropped his sword and approached me. I remained still, avoiding anything that would come off as resistant. I don't think I want him punishing me again.

“You were watching me.” He voiced out, stopping before me.

I bowed slightly, “Alpha Darius, g. . .good morning.”

His bare chest was now close up, giving me a better view. I could see his abs and V line sharply outlined; it was sexy, something I couldn't lie or twist.

“Still looking.” his voice pulled my eyes from his lower body to his face, and he was smirking, his usual carefree eyes cloudy and darker than usual.

I crossed my arms. “I wasn’t.”

He took a slow step in my direction. “You were.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

He took another step. The distance between us is closing.

“Shall I show you what your punishment is like if you lie to me, Juliette?” he asked, voice dropping, and I backed up.

“No!” I yelled too fast, almost desperately.

Darius bent forward and I felt him an inch away, not touching, but I felt the heat coming off his body. I inhaled sharply when I smelled him, so earthy and male and sweat and steel.

“Look at me.” His tone didn’t allow disobedience.

So I did.

His eyes were crazed, dark with something between lust and ownership. A storm is ready to consume me. And then he kissed me.

Hard.

His mouth was on mine, hard and possessive, and I gasped. He gripped my hip, drawing me down against him and I felt the jarring tension in his body. The heat of his chest scorched me.

I should have slapped him, pushed him away. Instead, I kissed him back.

The groan that escaped his lips was primal. And it did something to me. Something I hated. Something that made me burn.

His mouth slid down to my neck, and he kissed and bit me, he wasn't marking me, just an average bite.

"You'll never be anyone else's, Juliette," he whispered into my neck. “And someday… you’ll thank me for that.”

His words seeped into my bones. He stormed off and didn't look back, as though what had just occurred meant nothing to him.

But it wasn’t anything, to me.

It couldn’t be anything.

I knew this because I had stood rooted in place long after he left me, my heart pounding, my lips swollen and my skin tingling where he had kissed me and branded me.

That evening, I was in my room unable to sleep, and just staring at the ceiling. I rubbed my neck where he had bitten me. My skin was unbruised. And Goddess help me, I didn’t even despise it. I couldn’t believe I didn’t hate it. I lay curled on my side, with thoughts spinning around all I tried not to feel.

Darius is a cruel, heartless, and unforgiving man, He has humiliated me, caged me, and made me feel less.

And yet… that kiss didn't leave my mind.

It was just powerful, It was a punishment that didn't feel like one. It was heat, hunger, and desperation.

He doesn't want me, but he acts like he does, sparking strange feelings with me. I wasn’t sure what scared me more—what he wanted from me… or what I wanted. Because some piece of me, some twisted, aching piece, wanted him, too. Not his cruelty, or his dominance.

Just him.

His mouth, hands, and entire body on me. My core throbbed at the thought of him, I closed my lids and put my palms over my face.

What is wrong with me?

I rolled in the bed again, trying to catch sleep. But it never came. I could only lie there, sheets wrapped around me, heart racing with wild thoughts and desires.