Kiara's POV.
Throughout the drive to Hyde's surprisingly distant kingdom, no one said a word to anyone. The silence could be sliced effortlessly with a butter knife. We had left immediately after the rites were completed. Aside the elders, none of the pack members showed up. The smile on my father's face as Hyde led me to his carriage was unexplainable. He really wanted me out so badly. I hope that one day, his resentment towards me will be backed up with a tangible clue, there has to be more to it that meets the eye. Strangely, it was beginning to seem as though Hyde and I suffered the same faith, how could he travel such long distance to wed yet no one came with him, not even a single member of his family, or the elders of his clan, His father who had agreed to the marriage wasn't in attendance too. It was just him and few of his servants and guards. Well, his situation was understandable anyway being that there was a recent rumor about him killing his brother. Who would accompany someone who embodies such numerous rumors to wed? As much as I was scared to my teeth for the scandalous marriage I was venturing into, I was also curious to know why he turned out the way he was. I have heard that the rest of his brothers were completely the opposite of him. Slowly, I felt my head begin to swirl slightly and my eyelids were becoming heavy, I felt a strong wave of drowsiness hit me hard, and before I knew it, my eyes squeezed shut and I drifted into darkness. * I felt a soft tap on my cheeks as I slept deeply. I stirred slightly and peeked through heavy sleepy eyes. Right beside me, Hyde was sitting, staring into my face. My eyes quickly flew open and I jerked up in a high speed, attempting to flee from whatever situation that have gotten me in a carriage with the demon king. I was only a step away when a quick rush of events of the previous hours of the day surged through my head and I collapsed back on my seat. I had dozed off during the journey back to Hyde's kingdom and totally forgot about the marriage. "We are here," he muttered and I quickly stared out through the carriage door. The sky was already dark and only shone under the merciful moon "Oh... Uhm... Okay." I stuttered, the realization of my situation dawning on me for the umpteenth time. I was really here, in a strange land, with a strange man as my husband. Could this be a journey to an entirely different existence? What if it's one that I can't be able to see the end? It's way more scary because I don't even have anywhere to run to if it becomes too much for me to bear, going back to my pack is not an option in any way. "Do you enjoy the comfort of my carriage so much Kiara?" His cold voice jolted me out of my chain of thoughts. He really doesn't doesn't speak a lot, most of his speeches seemed calculated. "I.. I'm sorry, I was carried away a bit," Hold on, why am I apologizing? Slowly and steadily, I climbed down from the carriage, and so did he. While I waited for him to lead the way towards his chamber, he surprisingly walked up to me instead, and stretched forth his hand towards me. Wait, what am I supposed to do now? Hold his hand? "C'mon Kiara, we can't stay out here all night, can we?" His eyes traveled to my face, piercing into mine. I couldn't hold his gaze for a second before quickly dragging my eyes to the floor. How could I possibly stare into those strangely dark bullet-like eyeballs that is capable of piercing through the skin. In a swift move, I quickly placed my hands on his and he began to lead the way into the hugely erect mansion. This was the third time that I'd be making physical touch with him, but each time, it feels as new as the first. All through the walk towards his chamber, I shivered uncontrollably as his hand held mine. I couldn't explain how I felt, but one thing is sure, I'm scared of this man. But should I though? He's my husband right? Okay well, that sounded a little bit weird. We walked into the house, it was as empty and silent as a graveyard. Does he live alone? Even if he doesn't live with his family, how about his house workers? Is he deserted this much? "The house workers have all retired for the night," he suddenly blurted as though he could hear my thoughts. I nodded frantically, scared to make the wrong move and incur his anger. He proceeded to lead the way up the stairs, we took different turns and finally halted before a door which I already assumed to be his room. Only then, did he let go of my hand and pushed the door open. I immediately felt a sense of calmness wash over me, the atmosphere surprisingly pleasant. His room was huge, obviously made for someone of his statue, his bed was made with the finest fabric, the floor covered in a deep black furs that was so soft and smooth that it practically massaged my feet as I walked. Aside the decoration, the room itself was finely scented, laced with a mixture of fragrance and sweat. Strangely, I found the combination quite intriguing to my sense. I felt so drawn to it. "Your father, he was in a hurry with the rites," I heard him suddenly speak up and I turned around swiftly towards him, my gaze everywhere but his face. "Any idea why?" My fingers fiddled with the edge of my dress as I fought for the right words to say, how could I possibly tell him that my father sold me out to him because I brought only ridicule to his name? Or do I tell him that I was brutally rejected by my fated mate because I do not have a wolf? Isn't that enough to raise his disgust against me too? "The maids were rude to you, and no one in your pack was in attendance of your marriage, not even your friends, have you no friends?" Why is he bringing this all up? It's been only a couple of hours with me and he could already smell my misfortunes? Am I really that bad? I dragged my gaze to the floor, unable to utter a word. Almost immediately, my eyes flew back towards him as I heard a krunch sound, he was biting down hard on his palm and when blood began to spill, he stretched forth his hand towards me. What? "C'mon, take a lick," he nodded at me. I was completely frightened, deeply confused about what he was doing, but the fear of getting on his nerves was bigger than my confusion and in a steady move, I bent over and licked off the spill of blood on a part of his palm. Somehow, it wasn't awful like I had thought, it was surprisingly savory. Unconsciously, I grabbed his hand and sank my lips down on his blood stained palm. "You're linked with me now," I heard his voice resound in my head. "Nobody holds the right to step on you anymore, not even your father." "You're safe now," those were the last words my ears grabbed before a heavy wave of dizziness washed through me and darkness enveloped me.Kiara's POV.I thought I had prepared myself.I had given permission, after all. I’d told myself that it was just a dance. That it meant nothing. That I wasn’t going to be the jealous wife standing in the corner, fuming while her husband danced with another woman. No. That wasn’t me. I wasn’t going to let Valerie get under my skin.But as I stood there, watching Valerie lead him to the center of the floor, my stomach churned with a rage that I couldn’t even begin to explain.The way Valerie smiled at him, the way she placed her hand on his arm as if she owned him, God, I could feel the heat in my chest rise. Her fingers brushed against his skin, and I nearly choked on the knot forming in my throat. And that smile, so smug, so full of knowing.I had allowed it.No, I let it happen. But I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that I had been played, that I was just a pawn in some ridiculous game. She was using me.Her eyes flicked over her shoulder at me as they reached the dance floor, that
Kiara's POV.The maids had done their work well. Too well, I almost thought. I stood before the mirror, The gown was perfect. Elegant. Far too beautiful, perhaps. The bodice, a delicate lace embroidered with gold, hugged me tightly, extending softly to the floor.But it wasn’t the dress that held my attention.It was me. Or rather, how I looked.My skin had a radiant glow and my dark hair flowed in soft waves over my shoulders, a few strands left loose to frame my face. The makeup was subtle, just enough to emphasize the sharpness of my features, the natural flush of my cheeks, the slight upturn of my lips. But it was all... too much. Too perfect.a knock suddenly came on the door.“My lady?”It was one of the maids. “His Highness is waiting for you,” she said."I'll be with him shortly." I replied. As I made my way to the door, I paused, catching a glimpse of myself once more. What would Hyde think when he saw me?But I had no time to dwell on it. I took a deep breath, straighten
Kiara's POV.I’d been awake for a while.Not wide eyed and alert, just… existing. Eyes half open, staring at the carvings in the ceiling, following the curves of the wood like they might reveal some answer to the question still crawling under my skin.Valerie.I hated how her name sat in my mind like a splinter. Not even a sharp one. Just dull and persistent.Who was she really to Hyde? Could she truly be just the past? A closed chapter, no bookmarks left behind?Or was she a pause in a sentence waiting to finish?The thought alone made my stomach turn.And yet, here I was, still laid across the bed, pretending like I wasn’t still playing every moment from the garden over and over in my head.The way she had looked at him, and the way she absolutely didn't spare me a second glance. A knock suddenly snapped me out of it.“My lady?” came a gentle voice, Elsin, one of the quieter maids. “His highness requests your presence in the dining room. Breakfast is served.”My heart gave a traito
Kiara's POV.The night breeze relaxed my mind comfortably.I sat on a stone bench mounted on several parts of the garden, pulling my robe tighter around me, but not because I was cold. The garden had always been my place of calm, a corner of quiet. I could almost convince myself I wasn’t waiting for him.Almost.But my eyes stayed open.Hyde had left a while ago, long enough for the worry to start its slow creep in my chest. I hadn’t asked where he was going. He hadn’t offered the information. I told myself he just needed to feel the outside breeze just like I wanted as well.I ran my fingers through the petals of a moonlit lily beside me, trying to distract myself. The night was beautiful. Quiet. Peaceful. But all I could feel was the tightening in my gut.Then I saw him.A shadow at first, moving with the fluid pressure only Hyde ever had. He stepped into the the clearer light, and my breath caught in my throat.He looked like he’d been dragged through a war.His shirt clung to hi
The woods had always been a place for thinking.Hyde didn’t come to the forest for peace, he came for space. The kind of space that let thoughts stretch and unravel, wild and aimless. Although the quietness presently wasn’t comforting, not exactly. It was too alive, too watchful. Every creak of tree trunks, felt like he was been observed. But he pushed the thoughts away and and continued walking. His thought was centered on Kiara.She wasn’t the same girl he had first found trying to run away from her pack just so she doesn't have to marry him, and she was too scared of her father to stand up to him about it. There was so much fear and uncertainty in her eyes that day. She looked too naive. Too weak, bruised. But she’d changed. Bit by bit. Hardened and honed.He had seen the changes in her, more clearly than she saw it in herself. The quiet strength building behind her words. The way she didn't flinched when he told her his story... everything, no half truths, no softening, she h
Kiara's POV.The heavy steel door creaked open on a slow groan, and I stepped in.Hyde stood at the far end of the hall, shirtless, skin gleaming with sweat, knuckles bloodied from the heavy bag he’d been working like it owed him a life.His back was to me.“Didn’t I give an order?” he said, voice low and flat.“You did,” I said, stepping closer. “And I’m ignoring it.”He froze. I watched the muscles in his shoulders tense, then slowly relax.“I’m not in the mood, Kiara.”“Well, too bad,” I said, folding my arms. “Because I didn’t come here for your mood. I came here for you. And I’m not leaving without answers.”He turned to face me then.And when he did… his eyes were still normal. But everything else about him looked hollow. Torn.“You shouldn’t be here.”“I need to be here.”Our stares locked. For a moment, neither of us moved. The weight of everything unsaid crackled between us like electricity.Then he looked away.“What do you want to hear?” he said bitterly. “That I’m not who