5: Wear the Ring

“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 mind turning the heater on. I felt so numb all over my body. Even now I still can’t believe that my parents are gone. That the pack I used to take shelter on was snatched from my hands.

Worse, I was sold by human traffickers and bought by a vicious alpha who wants to make use of me. What a life you have, Maddy.

I didn’t know how long I stood there watching the raindrops touch the glass but after a long while, I went to bed thinking that I can’t face Lucius tomorrow without energy.

The next morning, I was woken up by the knocks on my door. Not minding what state I am in, I opened the door. My narrowed sleepy eyes flew wide when I saw who was there. The annoyed eyes of Lucius Voss knocked some sense on me.

“Why are you here?” I asked coldly.

“Because this is my house.”

“What do you need?”

“My family is downstairs for breakfast. It’s the perfect time to introduce my fiancée, isn’t it?”

“What? I thought we will just pretend in front of Benedict-“

“How will he know and be convinced if the people won’t know about it? We need to make this look real, Maddy. And I don’t expect a mistake from you.”

“People make mistakes. Nobody is perfect.”

He eyes me sharply. “You can’t talk that way to your master, little wolf. I thought I already made that clear last night?”

My jaw clenched and didn’t utter another word. I know better than to dig my own grave.

“What should you say, little wolf?” Now he’s like talking to his pet and it irked me more. He’s so overbearing and manipulative. Just like a devil.

“Of course, I will try to not make a mistake, Mr. Voss.”

“Master Lucius for you, Maddy,” he corrected, smiling wickedly as if torturing someone was his own description of entertainment.

“How will the people believe that we are engaged if I address you that way?”

“Smart girl.” He clicked his tongue. “Just call me master when we are alone, but when we have an audience call me by name but you still have to be respectful. Got it?”

Respectful? I want to laugh at him. Respect is earned, you devil. Not given for free.

Instead of affirming it through words, I just nodded. He then said, “Good. Now let’s get you dressed. I don’t want my dear family to think that I picked a shabby girl to marry.”

“What do you mean by let’s get you dressed?” My eyes narrowed and didn’t step back. He keeps on smirking like my annoyed or worried expression entertains him.

He didn’t say anything and opened the door wider. He shut it behind him when he got inside. Stepping back, I looked at him wondering if he meant those words in literal sense. I felt a little turmoil inside me as I braced myself for what else might befall me under the mercy of this man.

“What are you waiting for?” Lucius asked. “Get bathed now. Go quick.”

“And what will you do here?”

His eyes narrowed mischievously. “Why? You want me to accompany you-“

“No of course not,” I cut him off, panicking.

Cocking his head, he grinned. “So stiff. I’m glad you didn’t ask that. I don’t like bathing with someone else. I love my private space more than anything. Now get yourself cleaned. Will pick you a dress while waiting.”

Sighing, I tiptoed to the bathroom. I wasn’t sure how many minutes I took under the shower, but it felt like I did it for just five minutes. There is something about Lucius Voss that scares the hell out of me. He can be dark, serious and playful. He is someone I can’t read. And people like him are the most dangerous. And to think that he was in the same room while I was taking a bath, I couldn’t concentrate. So I just got over it as soon as I can.

Since I didn’t bring clothes with me, I had to go out before dressing up. Thankfully there’s a full robe I can use, else I’d be going out in just a piece of towel wrapped in my body. Though I already said purity isn’t something I should care about right now, I still can’t help but be anxious around a vile man who can do anything to me.

Lucius was sitting on the sofa when I went out. Our gaze met but I tore off my gaze from him after a second to look at the dress laid on the bed.

“Wear that,” he instructed.

I walked to the bed to look up close. It was a short black and white dress. My lips protrude a bit realizing he knows how to pick a nice dress. I didn’t comment on it and picked it up before going back to the bathroom.

“Now you look more like a girl,” he said, nodding to himself when he saw me as if he took pride in the dress that he chose. Now I can see that he isn’t just controlling and ruthless. He’s also a narcissist. Someone who believes everything he does is right.

“Dry your hair and wear those shoes,” he pointed to the box in the vanity table with a jerk of his head. “And don’t forget to wear the ring.”

Before I could ask what ring he was talking about because he never gave me one, he went to the door and went out.