STUCK IN MUD

LILIANA'S POV

My shoulders stiffened at the sound of his voice and I stayed still hoping that he would just walk by. Maybe he'd thought I was some sort of statue.

The idea sounded dumb the moment my brain processed it and I let out a small breath turning slowly, like a criminal caught red handed.

Darian stood at the doorway with his regular bored slash-intimating look. If he wasn't so scary he would have been a complete ladies man. His black hair which was normally styled fell flat covering most of his forehead and eyebrows.

Unlike Taryn, he had a larger, taller and more masculine physique probably from all the training he put himself through. But what always stood out to me was the pair of striking grey eyes. They looked so clear sometimes you could almost see through them.

He cleared his throat obviously waiting for an answer and I just stared back not trusting myself to say a word.

My heart was racing so fast and from the raised eyebrow I was positive he could hear it. It wasn't a secret how uncomfortable he seemed to make me even when he wasn't staring.

Back then, even Taryn knew how much he intimidated me. I could count the number of times I had caught him smiling or laughing. Zero. And the cruel rumors flying around weren't helping either.

And now I was in his hallway bare footed not only that but in a two piece pyjamas I didn't even remember putting on. His brow lifted slightly, like he was waiting for me to speak. To explain.

I opened my mouth… then closed it.

Smooth, Liliana.

My wolf was already panicking. “Do something,” she hissed. “Submit. Say something. Anything.” But I was just… stuck.

His face shifted and I stared in confusion. He wasn't smiling but I could tell he was amused and that only made me more tense.

"I'm positive I've heard you talk at least once." He said his thick voice running a spark through my body.

Before I could muster the courage to finally say something I heard footsteps behind him. I looked up to find another man, not as tall but a few years older, walking in with a white coat and a large bag in hand.

Doctor.

“Ah, she’s up!” the man said cheerfully, walking past Darian . “Woke up earlier than I predicted. That’s a good sign. You’re looking well, just like I said you would.”

Darian didn’t look convinced.

“She looks fine. Fine enough to go through my private wing." Darian said and I felt my face go red. "But something might be wrong with her tongue."

"Nothing's wrong with my tongue," I yelled, before I could stop myself and my eyes widened. Goddess I was so done for.

He looked at me again, unimpressed. “Oh, good. She can speak.”That was enough to snap me out of whatever frozen mess I was in.

“Of course I can speak. I was just—” I stopped. What was I even going to say? Sorry for wandering your mansion after being dumped in the street like trash?

My head suddenly felt like it had been hit with a hundred rocks and I swayed. "Be careful," the doctor said, rushing towards me and I let him walk me back to my room. If I could call it that.

Darian followed his eyes, burning holes into me no matter how much I tried to ignore it. “Thanks,” I muttered, not even sure who I was talking to anymore.

"Well you still have a mild concussion but every other injury seemed to have healed. A shower and good meal would probably fix the rest," he muttered but I barely nodded.

The doctor took his leave shortly after Darian stepped closer, with that unreadable look in his gray eyes and asked, “Do you have a place to stay?”

The first thing that came to my head was a lie but something told me he already knew everything and I felt a wave of frustration. "No....I don't." Because your brother took it.

Silence fell over and just when I thought of looking up he broke it. "I can't interfere with whatever might be going on between you and my brother." He muttered like it was the most boring thing he had to talk about and I frowned.

"I didn't cheat on him," I said through my teeth and I watched him raise an eyebrow, then gave a slow nod. “Okay.”

My eyes widened and I blinked repeatedly trying to catch myself. I had expected him to ignore my comment or scoff but he sounded like he believed me?

"Since you have nowhere. You stay here," he said with a tone that told me it wasn't up for discussion but I chose to ignore it.

I shook my head quickly. “No, I can’t stay with you. That’s not—”

He cut me off. “If you think you can stay with him, it's not possible. Last I heard he's getting married to that girl."

I wanted to argue, walk out something. Staying with the man I had avoided for a reason I had no idea of was not on my bingo card but he was right I had no where. "If it makes you feel better you won't be staying here for free. You'll be assigned a task."

I stared at him more confused than ever. What the hell could I do one of the most ruthless Alpha's. "You'll water my plants," he deadpanned and it took everything in me not to burst out laughing.

“You don’t even have any plants. I looked around your house — just vases everywhere, no plants.”

"Oh, you’ll go with my driver to get flowers. And you have to make sure none of them die.” he explained and for some crazy reason I could hear a tint of mischief.

"You're not joking? I asked, waiting for a punchline or something but he just stared at me. "Thank you," I yelled, jumping up to hug him only to sit down.

Darian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction. Then he added, “Also, I’ll tell my accountant to go through your payment. So, technically, you’ll be paid for watering flowers.”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “Wow, thank you so much.”

He nodded once and started to leave the room. “I'll have the chef cook you something to eat then you rest." He said shutting the door behind him before I could answer.

I sat still on the bed too scared to go about so as not to annoy him and in about an hour the maid came in with a trolley of all sorts of meals.

I ate to my fill then took a shower. I finally took the time to cry over my marriage one last time and by the time I was done my throat felt hoarse and my eyes swollen but at least I was free.

Throwing on my nighties I laid in bed trying to get some rest but Taryn still seemed to find a way in my head and my short nap turned into a long and painful nightmare.

By the time I woke up the sun was down and I was drenched in sweat. "I need air," I muttered, throwing the covers away. I didn't know how long I spent walking around but the hallways seemed to never end.

Letting out a sigh I stared at the large portrait again and decided to call it a night but dread washed over me when I realized I had no idea where I was.

Taking slow steps I tried to trace my steps back but it dawned on me that I was bad at that too when I stepped into the wrong room.

Darian's room. I turned to leave, but the door wouldn’t budge. Panic rose in my chest. I was locked in.

Just then, the door opened, and Darian stepped out, drying his hair with a towel and a bigger one tied around his waist.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, turning away immediately as his eyes met mine. Goddess I was so done for.