THE THREAT

AMARIS POV

One year later.

The sound of wine glasses clicking against each other filled the room as guests smiled at one another, muttering little pieces of gossip while the men discussed the next best business ideas or the companies they planned on boycotting in the new year to come.

It was New Year’s Eve. A year since I was said to have paralyzed my twin.

A year since I became her replacement.

Not the worst thing that could happen, though. But certainly not the best, having to be around the one person I couldn’t have.

Zevian was an Alpha, and an Alpha needed a Luna, hence they were considered weak or unfit without one. And Zevian, seeming not to want to disclose Amoria’s state to the world, protected her while I became the stepping stone.

To the world, I was Amoria Dormount. Zevian Frost’s wife. But inside the Frost mansion… I was just his real wife, recuperating life support.

“I still can't get over how pretty your wife is,” one of the older-looking men said, gazing at me and licking his lips like he wanted to devour me.

I could feel Zevian’s hands tense at my sides. I couldn’t tell if it was because he couldn’t bear hearing me complimented or because I again reminded him of his real wife.

“Don’t flatter her. She isn’t all that.” Zevian cleared his throat, shocking the other men who had heard this.

But it wasn’t a shock to me. Zevian had reverted back to his torturous comments ever since Amoria returned. We had treated each other like viruses that shouldn’t be in contact with each other. He left early for work and came back very late…checked in on Amoria and went to bed.

A repeated cycle.

I bite my lips, trying to contain my emotions. Why did he always make me stick by his side at every occasion just to listen to his perverted colleagues talk?

“Don’t be too modest, Zevian,” the old man said, his gaze sweeping over the clingy outfit that had stuck to all my curves. Thanks to Zevian’s maids' strict diet monitoring, I had gained a healthy amount of weight compared to when I was dragged into his house.

“I...excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” I said, walking away before Zevian could grip my hands tighter.

I couldn’t stand there listening. I felt repulsed by the old man’s flirtatious gaze when his wife was barely ten feet away from us.

Quickly, I located the nearest restroom, only exhaling when I reached inside.

I rushed to the sink, turning on the tap before splashing the water on my face. What started as splashing quickly turned into scrubbing as I scrubbed off the heavy layer of makeup on my face.

After some minutes, I mustered up the energy I had remaining, then brought out the little makeup kit in my purse. But just before I could start applying it, the restroom door flew open.

I ignored it, as I thought it might have been a lady who wanted to use the restroom too. But when there wasn’t a sound of clicking heels or giggles from the girls who usually went to the restroom in groups, my gaze in the mirror slowly shifted toward the direction of the door.

“Mr Giaus? This is the ladies’ room,” I managed to say, even with the alarms already blaring in my head.

“I know, mi amor,” he said, closing the door behind him without taking his eyes off me.

My heart had already started beating wildly against my chest. As I looked for somewhere I could run to, I realized there was only one exit, and that was the one he had locked and was standing in front of.

“I just want to have a little taste of what Zevian has been enjoying… that’s all,” he said, his hands raised comically with a disgusting smile on his face.

My eyes darted toward the inner toilet door, which was open. I quickly shifted my gaze back to him, careful not to alert him or my next move.

Mustering up courage, I spoke. “You want to sleep with Mr. Zevian’s wife? Do you have any idea what he’ll do to you when he finds out?” I said, my voice rising as I tried to draw the attention of anyone who might have been passing by.

I was aware of my bluff.

I didn’t think Zevian would give two cents on who I slept with.

“Do you think I look like a child? Zevian obviously wouldn’t mind, given that he doesn’t even like you.” He took a step closer while I took a step back. “I know about his… real wife… what you did to her.”

My breath caught in my chest.

“I mean, who calls their so-called loving husband, ‘Mr. Zevian?’” he chuckled.

“I promise, this is going to be real quick,” he smiled, one that was both terrifying and disturbing. One that told me, he was ready.

Without bothering to mutter any words. I dashed towards the toilet door as quickly as I could. Banging the door at Giaus who was still strolling, as if my attempts were nothing much.

“You can hide, but you can’t run,” he muttered and I could feel his unhurried steps approaching closer.

I tried locking the door, but the lock was jammed. “Oh, goodness,” I mumbled as the terror began to settle in.

Quickly, I pressed my back against the door, using all my energy to push so he wouldn’t get in.

“Maybe I can convince him to give you to me after this… wouldn’t you like that?” he said. I could feel his presence through the door behind me.

Then came the push.

My legs braced against the lower part of the toilet in resistance, but that was nothing compared to his strength.

“I’m sure Zevian doesn’t mind my input,” he growled softly before pushing again.

Seeing the large space that had opened up from his push, I let go.

My hand scurried to my hair, where I had always kept a sharp pin.

Giaus’s gaze trailed to the pin, and I could see the visible laugh he was trying too hard to hide as a mocking sound escaped his lips.

“You really think that can stop me?”

But before he could take another step closer, I pointed the silver pin at the veins in my neck, causing him to pause in shock.

“No. But I know you won’t get the pleasure you seek by having sex with a dead female.” I muttered weakly.

This was simply a threat to save my life. As much as I hated my life, I still wanted to live it. Even if it meant watching Zevian from the corners, it was still mine.

Besides, Amoria was still linked to me.

If I died, Zevian would probably drag me back from the dead just to kill me himself.

I swallowed the hard lump of saliva that had formed in my throat. But Giaus didn’t relent, instead he ripped the pin out of my hand harshly, the force cutting into my palm.

“Arghh!” I winced as blood dripped from the wound.

Before I could get over the pain searing through my palms, Giaus was already on top of me, his trying to trip my dress but I resisted.

“I don’t mind a dead bitch, but let’s save that for later.”

Those were the last words I heard before a loud bang and liquid splashing over my body.