The monster and I

Hera’s POV 

“I made a vow, didn’t I?” 

Eleazar’s deep chuckle reverberated in my ears, and probably due to the position we were in, the vibrations sent tingles down my feet.

I shivered and tried to get away from his hold, for some reason, it felt like it was making me remain at a disadvantage.

He let me go and I stifled a sigh of relief.

There was no way I could get out of that hold if he hadn’t been willing.

“Well aren’t you a woman of dignity.” He replied, the mockery in his voice stinging my heart.

“Dignity and pride, I refuse to be the talk of the palace.” I replied turning to look him in the eye.

The smile I had imagined was on his face when he had chuckled was no longer there but his eyes shone with amusement.

“The rumors worry you?” He asked, his voice unreadable.

“I am worried about myself, a Luna is only one if her subject recognize her.” I replied already getting exasperated. 

Why do I need to explain myself to get him to perform his duties?

“And what about her Alpha?” 

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“What?”

He closed the distance between us, our breaths mingling.

I tried to keep my eyes on his but with him towering above me, his eyes on me, his scent ever so subtle yet so blatant, his heat engulfing me, my eyes fell to my feet, my heart raced in a frenzy, my fists clenched by my side, the hairs on my hands were all standing straight as goosebumps coated all over.

“What does my recognition mean to you?” His voice was quiet, devoid of all emotions.

I swallowed.

I only wanted him to recognize me so I could claim my place as his queen, what else would his recognition mean to me?

I must have allowed the question hang for long making him lose interest. He let out a small sigh as he took a a few steps back, his eyes still never leaving mine.

As I made to reply, he turned away from me then said.

“I refuse to be used as a pawn in your quest for power my lady, I am afraid you will have to seek other ways.”

With that, he disappeared behind a door I hadn’t even notice before leaving me in a whirlpool of emotions.

I was relieved, I knew that but at the same time I was disappointed and hurt.

I didn’t want this, I was making a sacrifice too.

Hell, he scares my soul out of me so why does he sound like I was some gold digging inconsiderate wife?

I looked down at my attire and heat spread through my chest.

I looked…… desperate.

My eyes stung with unshed tears, my words echoing in my ears.

‘A woman of dignity and pride’

Yet here I was throwing myself at a man who wouldn’t bat an eyelash at me

Why?

Because I was scared.

The knowledge of that hit me like a tornado and I lost my stance allowing myself fall to the ground in a broken mess.

I had barely touched the floor when I footsteps echoed in the room and before I could collect myself,a familiar hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me up rather gently.

“You gave your vows to please your people, I refuse to be a monster and make you give your body to please mine. Call me dominating but I take pride in taking care of what belongs to me and you Hera, belong to me.”

I blinked once.

Then again

Then again before I could think .

Eleazar was in front of me, a white shirt now hiding his chat from my view. I looked up at him not knowing what I was looking for but it was there. The mask laid comfortably on the bridge of his nose and his eyes only looked down at me,  the mockery I was expecting or even disappointment all absent. 

I opened my mouth to say something, something appropriate as a response. Something in the lines of, “I am not a property, I belong to no one”, but when my voice finally returned and my mouth opened to respond, like a fool, all I could say was.

“But you are supposed to be a monster.”

His lips rose in what I now know was a smile.

“And you are supposed to hate my touch.”

I shuddered and quickly collected myself from his hold.

“I do.” I stuttered now a few feet away from him.

His presence, that close, was messing with my head.

“I know and I am still a monster.” He replied, his tone a little softer.

I nodded, turning away.

“I should change.” I said pulling at my dress.

He snickered.

“Our closet is behind that door.”

He said pointing to the door he had disappeared to earlier. I nodded, mumbling an appreciation as I rushed to the door.

I briskly walked into the room and closed the door behind me, then leaned against it.

I took in a deep breath like I have been deprived of air for hours, my hand patting my chest trying to calm my frenzy heart.

Why am I acting strange?

Does he really scare me so much?

Or is this something more than fear?