I’ve always felt the weird demeanor Benedict has all those years of him acting loyal to my father. He’s handsome, quiet, I think the quietest man I’ve ever met, he’s most of the time serious, and he never looked at any girl in our pack. He was either training the men or handling the pack’s affairs.
I didn’t have casual conversations with him even though he was often invited to our house for dinners and parties. I’d always seen him in the town, and back when I was still studying, we went to the same school. I didn’t give him much attention then, but I knew he was good at academics. Well, he’s good at everything he does if my memory serves me right.
Although his beta father died early, with his contributions, everyone believed that he was the only man worthy of my hand. They said we were perfect for each other. I couldn’t disagree more. I had never pictured myself marrying Benedict Allen. I could stomach Tyler, his geek cousin who couldn’t even throw a punch, but not him.
Even though he hadn't done anything yet, I felt that he had something I didn’t want for a husband. He’s too dark. Brooding. Too manly. Looks too powerful. Just like this man named Lucius Voss.
And I guess the real reason why I don’t fancy a man like that for a husband is the fear of being controlled. I don’t want to be inferior in a marriage.
“Feel free to call for servants if you need anything,” Lucius said before he left the room he’s given me.
After I agreed, he brought me to his residence in the most secluded part of Seattle. I have nowhere to stay so I’ve got no choice but to accept his offer of living with him in his house. With how rich he is, I should have assumed that the “house” he was referring to was actually a palace-like mansion. He was being modest and I was a fool to assume anything less from him.
The room he gave me was quite spacious. It has its own living room, a large bathroom, a walk-in closet, a Victorian styled queen-sized four-poster bed, even an elegant kitchenette. My family isn’t as rich as Lucius Voss but we’re well-off. My father ran a textile business in Vancouver and owned several properties. We lived in a mansion, but not as big and grand as this.
Later at the dinner, Lucius and I talked about how we’ll do the fake engagement thing. Honestly, I’m not sure if it will work, but Lucius seems very confident that it will. He looks like someone whose judgment never fails him. He’s that sure of himself and I guess it’s kind of contagious since I’m starting to believe that once he thinks it will work, it really will.
“I asked someone to buy you clothes. The maids are putting it in your room now,” Lucius said.
The dining hall is incredibly huge and the table is long enough for more than two dozen people, yet we’re sitting there just by the two of us. There’s that thick air surrounding us, or maybe it’s just me feeling uneasy, but I tried to shrug it off and just eat. I’ve been starving myself for days, the reason why I passed out in the woods and got caught by human traffickers. I should know better than to starve myself in the future. I don’t want to stand in a stadium in front of a crowd of jerks again.
“Are you a regular in underground society? Is that where you get women to serve you?” I asked casually while chewing a piece of meat.
I glanced at him. He stared at me while drinking wine. I went back to my plate.
“If I want a woman to serve me, I won’t need to toss a single coin in the air. Buying a whore in an auction is not my thing. I knew you were there so I went to see.”
My eyes narrowed a little. He could have gotten me out without spending a dime considering how influential he is, but he chose to buy me to show that he’s powerful. To show how he can hold my neck. What a smart ass he is.
“Why do you hate Benedict?”
“Do you really want to know?” he asked, his eyes turned to a darker shade of amber, more like closer to brown, or even almost black.
I didn’t say anything and just looked at him.
“Let’s just say we are something like rivals and he stole something from me. And I hate it when I lose a possession no matter how worthless it seems. I have this one rule in life. What’s mine is mine. I don’t share anything I own with anyone.”
He was finishing his food. But before he could stand up and leave, I spoke.
“You said my father owes you a debt. What had he done?”
He smiled. The kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It only made him look morbid. “He’s done nothing. I just don’t like him because he’s an asshole.”
With how he talked about my father, I forgot where I was or who I was talking to. The knife I was holding flew to the opposite direction, right where Lucius was sitting. I bared my teeth and gripped on the fork at my other hand so tight it was about to break.
“How dare you disrespect my father,” I said, my body burning.
Lucius chuckled, holding the knife I threw at him. He was fast enough to catch it before it could hit his stone face.
“How feisty you are, Madeline. But you have to know the truth. Lawrence Devitt is no saint like how you perceive him to be. He’s evil-“
“Shut up!”
Now I’m standing. I don’t care if I kill myself but one more rude word from him and I’ll forget the deal we just had or the vengeance I’m fighting for. I can’t just stand and listen to him spurting disrespectful words to my father!
“You sound like evil yourself. Who are you to judge a person?”
He threw the napkin and stood. He walked toward me slowly with an unreadable expression on his face. Then the next second, he was an inch away. He pushed me hard and my back hit the cold wall. I groaned in pain but before I could recover, he was pinning me with his body.
“Remember what I told you, Madeline Devitt? You’re living at my mercy. You can’t just do as you please.” He shook his head and touched my jaw with his rough knuckles that sent shivers down my spine. “You can’t disrespect your master, lady. Do this next time and you won’t like what I will do to you.”
“Be a good girl. Do you understand, little wolf?”I gritted my teeth. Wanting to claw him on his face but I can do nothing but purse my lips tight so a word won’t slip. I’m sure he won’t think twice on hitting me and I know receiving a blow from a male alpha isn’t something my fragile body is ready for.Lucius went back to the table and drank his wine, wiping his lips with the napkin before leaving the dining hall.I blew the breath I was holding back. My eyes shut as I took a handful of my hair, sitting on my heel, feeling so weak and helpless. I’m angry at myself. Why did I have to be born a female when my family got no one to depend on but me? Although there are female alphas in other packs, most are still traditional and see women as weaklings. That the alpha position should only be given to males.I dragged my feet back to my room and stood in front of the window. The downpour was making the glass blurry, not allowing me to see what was outside. It was getting colder and I didn’t
Opening the shoe box, I noticed the small black velvet box beside it. I put down the shoe box and got it instead. Now I see what ring Lucius meant. It’s this.The diamond ring made me gasp. It is simple but elegant. Back then I always thought the ring I would put on my ring finger would be given by my mate, but look how it turned out. I shook my head with a bitter smile on my lips, sliding the ring through my finger.While drying my hair, I can’t help but wonder if Lucius had met his mate. For us wolf shifters mates are our other halves, the only ones destined for us. No one can hold our hearts like they do. That is how powerful a mate bond is. I haven’t met my mate yet. I haven’t felt that strong pull, that deep connection with someone. I wish he’s strong and capable. Someone who can free me from Lucius’ grip and help me take back my pack.Thinking about it, Lucius must haven’t met his mate yet. For him to pick a random girl to be his fiancée all of a sudden, his mate wouldn’t surely
I felt like a cub in the den of a pack of wolves while sitting there in front of Lucius' relatives. Bernard was tolerable because he barely spoke and he wasn't that curious about me. But his nosy sister and mother didn't spare me from their sharp glares from time to time while putting me on a hot seat with questions about my history with Lucius, which I found hard to answer because there was no history to begin with.Thankfully, the smart Lucius Voss knew better than to let me answer those stupid questions and answered them for me. With the way he gave them the story they wanted, I figured out he was such a smooth liar. He can lie so calmly that no one would think he was lying. I guess he's so used to telling people lies.The family left after breakfast. Knowing that they aren't staying in the same house is a relief. If I am to stay by Lucius' side, it would be harder for me to breathe with those women who seem like they are ready to skin me alive."Do you think they believe your story
The car stopped in one of the city's tallest skyscrapers. I just followed Lucius as he walked through the main doors and I noticed the logo in the front desk. Voss Landscapes... it says."Good morning, Mr. Voss," the staffs in corporate attires greeted. Their eyes stopping at me for a moment, obviously wondering who I was to tag along with their boss.Lucius didn't say anything and continued walking to the elevator. We went to a certain floor until we arrived in his office. He went straight to his table while I remained standing, not knowing what to do.“Why did you take me here, master?” I asked, watching him sit on his swivel chair and check the piled paper works on his table. He lifted his gaze to me, the corner of his lips tugging up. His wicked smirk made my forehead crease. What is he planning again?“To be my secretary?”I didn’t get it.“Wait, I thought I’m playing the role of your fiancée? What happened to that? Besides, don’t you want to make a move with our plan yet?“The p
Calm down, Maddy. The worst that can happen to you is get beaten up, which is obviously better than getting killed.“What took you so long, little wolf? Waiting for something?” Lucius asked, staring at me darkly as if he clearly knew what I did.“I apologize if I took long, master. Will you use the bathroom?” I said innocently, which made his eyes narrow. “Do you have anything else you want me to do?”He clicked his tongue and a sarcastic smirk appeared on his lips. Inching closer to me, I stepped back, but there was no room for me to escape. My back touched the bathroom’s door and I realized I was cornered. He put his hand above my head while his amber eyes darkening by the minute. I swallowed hard.“You know what you’ve done, don't you?” There’s that dangerous tone in his voice again as if he is ready to kill anyone if he wants.“I-I’m sorry…” Shit. Why the hell I’m stuttering? “I mean I’m sorry I forgot you didn’t want sugar in your coffee. I was thinking about something while doin
When I opened my eyes, I realized I fell asleep in the middle of all the work I was doing. I blinked and looked around, stopping at Lucius’ empty seat. Where did the devil go?I shifted my gaze to the files in front of me. Then to the wall clock. I groaned, knocking my head with my knuckles. For goodness’ sake, it was almost six in the evening and I only finished two columns of the shelf!What should I do now?For a long minute, I remained sitting on the floor, staring at the mess in front, contemplating what to do. Thinking of a wicked way to escape this hell, I stood and wandered around the room to confirm if Lucius wasn’t really around. When I confirmed it, I went to the door to see if it was locked.But before I could touch the doorknob, I stopped when I saw a small note pasted on the door.‘Don’t you dare try to run. I will find you.’I immediately knew who wrote it. I twisted the doorknob, finding out it wasn’t locked. My eyes narrowed and stepped back. He left a warning but did
Wait. Did I hear him right?I leered at Lucius darkly, wondering what he had up to his sleeves to let me join his dinner. He couldn’t be this merciful to someone who disobeyed his word.Walking toward him, I asked, “Are you planning to poison me?”One corner of his lips tugged up. “What made you think that? I already told you, didn’t I? If I’m going to kill someone, using poison is the last thing I would do.” He clicked his tongue and eyed me like a snake. “Accusing your master of such a crime, little wolf, don’t you think that’s absurd?”Right. He wouldn’t kill someone through poison and I also doubt he would kill me this early. After all, I was someone he could use against Benedict.“I’m letting you eat so you will not make a mistake tomorrow.”“Where are we going?” I asked as I took a seat, my gaze fixated on the table. There were two plates of pork steak while others were side dishes. Though I was hungry, the meat was half-cooked and I didn’t eat barely cooked meat even when it wa
I slept the rest of the flight and only woke up an hour and half before we landed. Lucius had changed into a black button-down long-sleeved shirt and black tux. His attire was all black only accented by a silver chain on his neck and silver Rolex. Meanwhile, my dress was also dark – a gradient of dark red and black, which gave me an idea how Lucius loved dark colors. He must have picked it himself.The dress was nice though. It was a tube dress with a puffy skirt extending down my knees. The upper part of the tube was black, then going down it turned dark red until it turned to a brighter shade of red at the end.Lucius left the cabin while I dressed up. I tied my hair in a classic bun, leaving a few curly strands at the sides. While finishing my makeup, I heard the door click and I saw Lucius walking towards me in the mirror. I put the gloss down and stood to face him.“Are we landing now?”Instead of answering, I saw his eyes move around my face before it went down. I cleared my thr