CHAPTER FÎVÉ

𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❁

I stared into a pair of dark eyes, pink plum heart shaped lips stewed in an amazed smile. Dark tendrils of hair pulled in an updo bun, two strands curved at the sides of her face. Her skin glowed like never before.

"You're so beautiful my lady" Faye gushed, staring at me adoringly through my reflection.

For once I stared at myself with a smile on my face. I actually looked like a person, for the first time in years. My big doe eyes were glowing, my pale colour skin gleaming with health and beauty. My once pale lips looked plum and luscious after Ruby had applied some oil on, promise it would make them glow. Sugars I looked pretty, like a princess.

The beautiful red floral gown I wore only added to the look. It was like a crossett from the chest down, breast pads elevated my twins making them look round and perky, flairs poored out from the end of it and it looked amazing. Everything was complete, yet something felt amiss. I couldn't help but feel out of place. I wasn't meant for this, I wasn't even supposed to be here. Why was the king doing this? He terrified me to my core yet he sends such nice people to assist me?

"Yes my lady, so stunning," Ruby added. "High highness would gush over-" a whimper reached my ears and I turned to see Ruby holding onto her arm and glaring daggers at Faye.

"Something wrong?" I asked, exchanging looks between them. It looked like they were having a silent conversation I was kept out of.

"Of course not my lady," Faye dismissed. "Please come with me my lady, I will lead you to the dining hall. His highness must be waiting"

I nodded, getting up to let Faye lead me to where I was expected to meet the King. She led me out of my room and into a very long hallway. We walked for a few minutes and I couldn't help but gawk at the breathtaking designs. This place was like a maze, everywhere looked the same, the same huge double doors dimacating rooms, the same walls. If I wanted to find a way out I would need a map or something, this was crazy and I wouldn't get far on my own, despite being weak. Maybe I could stay till I got my energy back then I would run away. The different twists and turns, it was giving me motion sickness and I was only strolling.

We turned a sharp corner and arrived at a set of spiral steps. Each end leading to another flight. Everything around here unnerved me, it was so beautiful and extravagant. The high chandeliers and the very gorgeous statues that added to the ancient grandeur of the palace. Faye suddenly stops at a set of double doors. I watched her curiously as she pushed them open, leading me inside. I walked in after her, my eyes wandering round the large expanse of the hall. The gold walls, the huge chandeliers had me squinting my eyes to adjust to the bright blinding lights.

I had been an omega for eight years but I never let it define me nor put me down. It didn't however stop me from knowing my place and this wasn't where I belonged. Everything looked so lavish, grand and definitely not suite for someone as low as I. The dress I wore, the room I was in.

The soft screeching of the chair snapped me out of my reverie. My head snapped to the source and immediately my eyes landed on the King's tall approaching form. I stumbled back, going into survival mode. He visibly tensed, halting his movements. The way he approached me had my legs trembling underneath me. His hands were folded behind his back, he had his chest out, his 5o'clock stubble rested lazily on his face.

A comforting smile played on his face,"You may leave us Fayette"

Faye diped and gave a curt nod before walking out of the room. She gave me a comforting smile before pulling the double doors closed. I looked back at the huge man that stood a few feet away from me, his dominance and power could be felt even from this far off. The way he looked at me with tenderness and... adoration?

I blinked slowly, averting my gaze from his glinting dark onyx orbs.

"You're looking ever so stunning 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐞" he said, his lips curling upwards into a grin.

I searched his eyes for any trace of deception but found none. Why was I looking? "Come my love" he brought forth his hand, looking up at me encouragingly. My gaze darted from his awaited hand to his face.

I started unconsciously playing with my fingers, an old habit I adopted as a child, whenever I was nervous. His gaze softened as they registered my actions. Realising he was watching my nervous fiddling I stopped, gazing everywhere but his face. I felt my cheeks burning up the more he just stood there and stared.

Sugars. Declining his hands would be rude. What if I provoked him? He didn't need to be so nice to me. I looked back up at him, a small smile still on his face.

The amount of hope and excitement I could see in his eyes had me in awe. Cautiously I wrapped my hand around his finger, the only part of his calloused hand that mine could occupy. His smile widened and he gently urged me forward, leading me to a chair and pulling it out. He waited behind me as I sat down, uncomfortably adjusting my weight around the seat of the chair.

I could feel his breath at the nape of my neck and immediately an involuntary shiver ran up my spine. Heat rose in my lower abdomen, making me uneasy. His head dipped to the crook of my neck as he took in my scent, his long fingers went to play with the soft curls that fell at the nape of my neck. I remained unmoving, scared I'd tip him off. Tingles shot down my neck, making my face bleach. My heart hammered against my chest, my breathing heavy.

All of a sudden he pulled back, standing in his full length. He walked over to the head of the large table, propping down on his seat. He watched me intently, his dark gaze boring holes into the side of my head. I kept my hands between my thighs, trying to wipe away their clamminess.

"Please relax my love" he said, reaching under the table to grab my hand. Immediately a shock ran through my hand making me jerk at the sudden jolt. I pulled away from his grasp, my eyes wide as I stared at him. His face fell so quickly, if I hadn't seen it for myself I would have thought the unimaginable amount of pain I saw in his eyes was a figment of my imagination. He quickly recovered, smiling softly as he retrieved his hand.

"Please eat up baby" he cood gently, gesturing to the food.

Looking down at the many bowls and salsas full of delicacies. I felt a pang in my chest. Nothing was adding up, I needed answers. These feelings, the way my body was reacting. The king sat so close to me and he was treating me with so much tenderness it didn't register properly in my mind. My head throbbed thinking, not even the pain in my stomach could pull me out of my mind.

"I-am not hungry," I lied. I felt my cheeks turn beet red as my stomach growled loudly, exposing my lie.

He smiled wolfishly, his eyes flashing in amusement"I won't have it dear, you will eat" he spoke in a tone that left no place for arguing.

"Please y-your highness, why am I here?" I asked quietly, avoiding eye contact, bringing us back to the actual topic at hand and the reason he had asked for my presence

He cleared his throat ignoring my question and as if on cue an old man in a black and white suite walked into the room, a napkin folded at a 90° angle on his forearm. He stood tall and elegant as he began taking out little portions of every single dish and depositing them on my plate. I stared longingly at the plate of food, salivating as he stood to his full length and walked out the way he came.

A long finger traced the side of my face, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. My gaze met his and the overwhelming look of longing flashed in his eyes making me look away. "Trust me baby you are safe here. I will answer all of your questions, I promise you, Audrey"

"First you have to eat for me baby. You haven't eaten in days Audrey, why?" He questioned, his face etched with worry.

I chewed on my lower lip, contemplating. Why would the king care? Should I tell him? "I- it was my punishment" I answered after a long pause.

"What punishment Audrey? What were you being punished for and by who?" He asked, his voice tender but his face held the very opposite

"Was it by your Luna?" He asked after I had refused to answer. I still did not reply to him, my gaze was fixated on the now very interesting silk table cloth. "Audrey" he called out sternly, his hand gripping my jaw tight-not enough to hurt. He brought my face closer to his so our eyes could meet. When they did I could see anger brewing in the dark abyss of his eyes. "Who punished you?" He picked each word slowly, his voice dripping with anger telling me his patience was running thin.

I flinched away, not enough to leave his grip, "I-it was the L-luna" I spluttered, trembling. A growl left his lips, the deep rumbling in his chest making the big room echo. I shut my eyes tight, preparing for the worst.

Everywhere fell silent.

Sugars. I let moments pass before prying my eyes open to see the king staring at me. His face was devoid of any expressions except the one I could read as clear as day in his eyes. Anger. He abruptly stood, pushing his chair back with such a force it went flying into the nearby wall. I jerked, shaking to my bones in fear. He pinched my jaw, bringing my face up to meet his darkened gaze. My whole form was trembling as I stared on at his aggregated features

"ipsi autem omnes stipendium" he growled. His gaze swept over my form once more as he shut his eyes tight, his nostrils flaring as he took in my scent. He visibly relaxed, his once tensed shoulders draped.

(They will all pay)

"Please eat my love and I will come visit you in the evening" he promised and with that he sauntered out of the room, leaving me breathless and trembling.