Asked To Sleep On The Cold Floor

After a quick soak in the gold-edged bathtub, I slipped into a silky nightdress I’d taken from the ones Bernice brought earlier and a strange sensation washed over me. The fabric felt so foreign and luxurious compared to the rags and hand-me-downs I was accustomed to. A part of me couldn't help but feel like an imposter, as if I didn't belong in such gorgeous attire. As if I only deserved to watch people who wore things like this from a distance.

As I stood before the mirror, the reflection staring back at me seemed almost unrecognizable. The vibrant red fabric clung to my figure, accentuating curves I never knew I had. It was a bittersweet moment, for in this waif nightdress, I felt both transformed and trapped, staring at the scars that marred my skin.

Sighing, I walked away from the mirror and slipped into a robe. Then I lay down on the bed, surrounded by silky canopies. They swayed ever so slightly, casting shadows across the room that mirrored my restless thoughts.

What if the prince didn’t like me? What if I fell asleep before he came in? What if he sent me back….?

Every creak of the floorboards amplified the beating of my heart. Time seemed to stretch, each second elongating into eternity as I anxiously awaited the arrival of the prince.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and died, plunging the room into darkness.

My body began trembling instantly.

Darkness...it always brought back memories of that night. I had never stayed in the dark alone since then, keeping a small light by the bed to feel safe.

But now, in this strange place where I already felt scared, the power failed.

I curled up on the bed and hugged my knees. I was shivering so badly that I didn’t even notice the door opening or the figure standing there.

Suddenly, something touched my feet and hand. It was cold and itchy.

A scream tore from my throat and I scrambled back on the bed until I hit the wall. I felt faint as the dark shapes crept closer, ready to pounce. Don’t come any closer. Don’t! I prayed in my mind.

All of a sudden, the door slammed shut and the lights came back on, almost blinding me.

Creaking my eyes open, I blinked, expecting to see some monster but all I saw were clothes on the bed. Was that what I felt touching me? Wait, was he here already?

I scanned the room for the prince, but he was nowhere to be seen. Only his clothes were on the bed.

With his wolf senses, he’d have seen me screaming and cowering in the dark.

‘God,’ I face-palmed,’ he must think I was such a nutcase.’

I jolted upright when the door to the bathroom swung open and the man I had seen in the Bentley walked in…butt naked!

The blood rushed to my brain, leaving me lightheaded. I had never laid my eyes on any man with such a menacing presence even when naked!

For a while, all I could do was stare at him, not knowing if I should look away or drool at his gorgeousness. He was built like an Adonis, his broad shoulders tapering to a slim waist.

I snapped my eyes up before they rested on his flaccid penis. I didn’t know if I should be sad or relieved that he wasn’t excited just by looking at me. I had never been with a man before but at least from what I’ve heard from the other maids, they are supposed to…get hard?

Daring to meet his eyes again, my breath caught at the chilling disgust they held for me and I shrank back.

“And who are you?” His voice was cold and biting as he took out a pair of pajamas from his closet, unashamedly sliding into them in front of me.

I felt my cheeks heat and I focused my gaze on something else. “I…uh…sorry. I am Savannah…and…I am…”

A heated look flashed in his eyes and he spat, “I was told you were wolf-less, not retarded.”

I burned with humiliation as tears welled up behind my eyes, threatening to spill over. His disdain cut me deep and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had been hoping for someone else, someone like Celia. The thought gnawed at me, clawing at my heart.

I searched his eyes for any trace of disappointment, a flicker of rejection that would confirm my worst fears. The silence that followed his words was deafening, and I swallowed hard, trying to steady the tremor in my voice. “I am Alpha Reed’s daughter and your soon-to-be wife.”

His piercing gaze bore into my soul, casting a veil of intimidation that enveloped the room before he finally spoke, each word laced with venom. "Get the fuck up from my bed."

His unexpected outburst jolted me, leaving me momentarily stunned. The shock echoed in my voice as I mustered the strength to respond, "What?"

He regarded me with a mix of disbelief and disdain, as though I had gone mad. His reaction ripped apart any shred of dignity I clung to.

Tremors of humiliation coursed through me, and with trembling hands, I slid off the bed, clutching one of his pillows.

Curling up by the foot of his bed, tears blurred my sight and streamed down my cheeks. The icy touch of the floor penetrated deep into my very being, a brutal reminder of my lowly status in this unforgiving world. It felt as if my heart was being torn apart, shattered into countless fragments, each one resonating with a potent self-disgust that consumed me. Why does everyone hate me? Was it how I look? Is there something about me that makes people so disgusted when they see me? How would I achieve my goal of making the prince fall for me when he already hates me? I’m of flesh and blood so it hurts. Being rejected by everyone hurts so much.

Not saying any more to me, he climbed into bed and switched off the lights.

Panic crawled up my throat and I whispered, "Please...not the lights. I am scared of the dark."

He ignored me.

I bit down on my hand, desperate to stifle the loud sobs that are threatening to escape. I didn’t want to offend him further.

Curling up in pain, I felt hopeless and worthless, wondering if this torment was the twisted salvation the moon goddess had chosen for me.

Just as I resigned myself to fate, the lights came back on and he snapped, “Stay away from my bed. I wish I could make you sleep elsewhere but my father would find out I hate this alliance. Got it?”

“Yes….”