The devil you know…

Fiona’s POV

The next few days I spent trying to adjust to my new surroundings but it was proving to be a lot more tasking than I'd expected. No one seemed to be interested in talking to me or relating with me. Whenever I passed, I'd see them whispering about me. I spent most of my time picking up books from the library to read

Lena hadn't done anything yet but it already felt like I was in hell. Once I'd recovered completely I started to take walks around the estate and explore the mansion on my own since Lena had refused to show me around like Marcellus had asked.

On one such day when I was walking around, I got lost and ended up in a wing of the mansion I hadn't been to before. I was trying to find my way back when I heard music coming from one of the rooms. I knocked on the door hoping whoever was inside would be able to give me directions back to my room but I didn't get a response.

I twisted the door handle and the door opened revealing a room with similar details as mine except it was much bigger and looked more grand. There was no one in the room but the radio was turned on and music was playing on one of the channels.

I let curiosity get the better of me as I walked around the room admiring it. The sound of the bathroom door opening startled me and I tried to run and hide but it was too late as Marcellus walked out with nothing but a towel tied on his waist. His eyes instantly locked on me.

“What are you doing here?”

I struggled to form a coherent sentence while still keeping my gaze away from his bare chest and how water dripped down from his wet hair. I thought he looked hot before but he was Greek god level hot now.

“I-I was walking around and I got lost. I'm sorry for coming into your room”

He started slowly pacing towards me and I moved back on instinct till my back hit the wall. I realized I was trapped.

“I thought I told Lena to help you out”

I didn't say anything to that because I didn't want to get her in trouble and give her more reason to hate me but fate seemed to be against me as the door to Marcellus's room opened and Lena walked in with a smile on her face.

The smile dropped as soon as she saw me and Marcellus in that position. I cleared my throat and Marcellus backed away from me, turning his attention to Lena.

“Did you do what I asked?”

“Yes”

“Then why did she get lost and end up in my room?”

Lena gave me death glares before responding. “She was sick. I'll show her around now”

I didn't want to be alone with her so I spoke up quickly. “Oh, it's fine… I, umm, I'm feeling a bit weak now so I need to go rest”

“Lena, take her,” he said simply before turning to his wardrobe and I quickly excused myself. Lena escorted me back to my room and she didn't say a word to me till we reached there.

“You'd better stay the hell away from Marcellus, or else” Her words hung in the air as a warning and a threat. I didn't want to find out what she would do.

Later that day, I was called for dinner so I changed my clothes and went downstairs. There was a big dining hall where the important members of the court and the pack had dinner together. I was invited to eat there too since I was still new.

When I got there, I noticed all eyes on me. I was used to people staring, but it felt different from the stares I normally got. When I reached the table where the other mistresses were seated, I saw Lena stand up

“There she is. You little thief”

I was taken aback by her words. I hadn't stolen anything so what was she saying?

“I'm not a thief,” I said simply.

“But you are. You went into the Alpha’s room today and pretended to be lost just so you could try to seduce him and when that didn't work you stole from him. How pitiful is that”

“I'm telling you I didn't steal anything… what are you talking about?”

Marcellus came into the hall at that moment his face was stern as always. “Lena, what is the meaning of this?”

“Oh, it's a good thing you're here now. I was just about to expose your little thief”

“I didn't steal anything, I swear” I turned to Marcellus hoping he'd believe me.

“Do you have any evidence to prove your claims?”

I felt my heart break. Of course, he wouldn't believe me. He had no reason to trust a girl he'd only known for a few days. It felt like history repeating itself, I would get falsely accused and then be punished for it without anyone ever listening to what I had to say.

“Yes. When she came into your room earlier today she stole a necklace from you. I'm pretty sure it's the one that belonged to your mother”

“And how do you know this?” Marcellus sounded like he was getting impatient.

“When I took her back to her room, I noticed she had something she seemed to be holding very tightly in her hand and she seemed like she was in a hurry to leave. I only just realized that she must have gone to your room to steal. Maybe she even had plans of running away before anyone would figure out her nefarious plans”

“That's a lie! You're lying!” I shouted

“Shut up! You lying whore. Tell him the truth”

“That's enough” Marcellus commanded in a firm audible voice, making the entire room go quiet. “Where is the necklace now?”

“I'm sure you'll find it if you search in her room. She must have hidden it somewhere”

“Okay then. Lead the way” I stared horrified as some guards were called and we all had to go to my room. I was innocent, I knew that much but Lena's confidence put me in an unease. I couldn't even protest. I had to stand there and watch as they searched my room.

The blood drained from my face when one of the guards held something up from one of my closets.

“Is this it?”

Lena smiled in triumph, “See, I told you she was lying all along. She's a thief and a liar. I stood there in shock, unable to say anything in my defense.

Marcellus didn't say anything. He remained quiet as he took the piece of jewelry from the guard. He glanced at Lena very briefly before fixing his gaze on me. I looked him back in the eyes, silently begging him to believe that I was innocent.

Finally, he spoke.

“If this is what you think you saw Lena, then you're wrong”

Lena's wicked smile dropped as she stared at Marcellus confused.

“What do you mean? She clearly stole that”

“No. I gave it to her”

I was also taken aback. That wasn't true either but why was he lying to defend me?

“That's impossible… Why would you do that? I know for a fact you didn't give that to her”

Marcellus's eyes narrowed as he stared at Lena

“And why would you know that?” She seemed to realize she'd almost given herself away and she composed herself

“It's your mother's… you wouldn't just give it away to some random human nobody”

“Well, I did Lena. You can leave”

Lena was clearly embarrassed and she stormed out of the room, the guards flowing close behind her. Then it was just me and Marcellus, alone.

“Why did you do that?”

“I know Lena. And I know you had no time to find this or even steal it because you wouldn't have known where to begin looking for it. But Lena would”

I stared at him with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration. “Thank you. No one has ever stood up for me like that before”

“How do you plan on thanking me?” He stalked towards me slowly like a predator moving in on its prey. I began to feel hot and I was all too aware of how close we'd gotten.

“I… I” I couldn't form words that made sense

“You what?” He leaned towards me, his lips brushing my neck as he spoke.

“I know you brought me here to be your mistress… but I–”

He pulled away from me abruptly. “Relax, little one. I'm not going to touch you. Not unless you want me to”