CLARA"What would a girl her age like?" I pondered as I scanned the pieces of jewelry adorning the necks of perfect mannequins scattered across the store. "...what would Lydia want?" I wanted something expensive yet elegant. It was the type of person she was. I did not want the girl to believe for a second that I was beginning to manage her. Half f me suspected she was only being this way with me because of the power I held and the kindness I had displayed to her and while I did feel a slight prick by the heart for my supposed selfishness, I knew I was doing the right thing."Clara, tell me you do not intend to use Lydia to bait your son in tonight's banquet?"I flicked my head to the side and what did you know, it was Elliot tossed to the side like the devil on my shoulder. Why was he here, I wondered as I lifted a piece of jewelry that caught my fancy to the face. The necklace was a simple silver chain with a scarlet stone as big as a grape dangling at the end. It would contrast Lyd
LYDIAI remained frozen and motionless. Just staring into the deception of my reflection. It couldn't be. But no matter the lie I tried to tell myself, as my brain cells continued to diligently work, my reflection was all that stared back."Um...Miss Lydia?" The beautician coughed. I looked in her direction. She was by the door, holding it open for me. I felt a prick of guilt tear through me realizing I had been too carried away by my new improved self to make this woman's job easier. Numbly, I walked through and went out into the reception area.Clara was there, sitting on a chair made available with his eyes glued to something that glittered in her hands."Mrs. Rose." The stylist was sure to call her attention. Clara straightened her back and her gaze went my way as I continued to approach her. I noticed her eyes pop out in shock as her gaze lingered."Lydia?" The disbelief in her voice was evident and she couldn’t even mask it. I couldn't blame that she had found it impossible
FIONA"Did you like that?" Alexios asked with lust still heavy in his voice. I was by my side when he threw the question, probably still reeling from his post-orgasm daze. A tear escaped my eyes as I did my best to put on a brave voice, but deep inside I was trembling. I had come here wanting to know everything; now, I felt terrified. I did not understand what was happening and why it was happening to me. Performing the glamour spell to look like Lydia was a mistake because it showed me a truth I still didn't want to see. I trembled remembering the Seer's utterances. It was true. All of it was valid. Alexios had cheated on me. It didn't matter that it was still me. He has no idea it was me. Yet, he had sex with me. Mind blowing sex we had never shared as a couple. Not to mention that he marked me. A feat I had failed to make him perform. Alexios had always claimed that he was only waiting for the bond to overcome him and I had believed him. “Yes, I did,” I replied, trying my best to
LYDIAI found myself back in the garden. Alexios was about to break the kiss when I kissed him back without thought, instantly intoxicated by him. His mouth was firm yet tender on mine, silently coaxing me to let go of my inhibitions and just follow my instincts. I tried, hard to turn off my thoughts. My fears. Turn off every old feeling. I already knew I could be with this man, and he was pretty perfect. At least this side of him was. But my wolf wanted this. To just be with him. I raised my palm to his cheek, felt the rough stubble there. Without quite intending to, my lips parted, inviting his tongue into my mouth, and the move saturated my whole body with warmth, especially when a low moan left him, letting me know that . . . mmm, he felt it just as much. When finally we stopped kissing, our foreheads touched and I absorbed his very nearness, bit my lip, let out a sigh. Then his hand slid softly up my side, stopping at the swell of my breast, causing me to tremble.“I want to tou
ALEXIOS They arrived by the dozen, each sporting expensive looking masks decorated in gold and silver that hid their identities entirely. Everyone present wore a new dress or suit which would be discarded after the night was past. I could smell the scent of new permeate the room. In the sky, the moon provided a natural disco ball and lighting into the house which held the main event. Greetings were offered out along the gravel path, some to me as dainty fairy lights added a surplus amount of color to the parade of footsteps. The gifts exchange had already begun when I found my way across the lawn to get a drink - a bottle of Rose in return for a clear mind which would be lost to the hawk-eyed scroungers of the party. I felt like they could see through me. I wondered why I hadn't felt that same guilt when Lydia had undressed herself hours ago. I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy every single second of it. Now. Now it just felt wrong. A sweet melody was drifting through the b
LYDIA Would it be so strange if I said the entirety of the room turned their heads to where I stood? I felt the lump in my throat grow as muttering lips whispered words I could hear but couldn't make into proper words. Clara was just behind me. "Your eyes..." The guard by the end of the stairs muttered. "Are you...""Nightshade." I finished for him. Honestly, I welcomed the look of disgust he threw my way. The eyes from across the room were causing my heart to beat faster and not in a good way. In the middle of the ballroom and dressed in complete opposites were Alexios and Fiona. They had their eyes on me too probably wondering who I thought I was barging into their celebration. I could tell at least one of them if not both of them wanted me out of the room but for some reason, they kept their peace. Surely, it had to be because there were others in the room. Alexios might be ruthless but even he had to have a certain respect for his guest. As our eyes continued to linger, I began
LYDIA He was jealous. How... Why was he jealous? The glare they both sent each other was unnerving. Alphas had the pride of lions and the brute nature of silverback gorillas. If something wasn't done to cut them off soon. A fight would ensue. My eyes traveled to where Clara sat. The grand luna was standing now, clearly worried as to the situation arising in the middle of the ballroom. Questioning eyes also followed. People wanted to know what was happening and why two men seemed to be fighting against themselves for my sake. "Yours? She is a consort?" Archie queried, removing the mask that covered the half of his face. I was greeted by thick brows, pleasant full lips, and a chiseled jaw. It would be a shame if Alexios unable to control himself punched him. In seconds, this whole confrontation could go wrong. "She is my slave." Alexios spat.The whole room suddenly went quiet. Maybe that wasn't true. The truth was that my system completely stopped working when he said that. I was
FIONA Time ticked faster waiting for Alexios . The clock was about to hit eight and the Aloha who would open the feast was nowhere to be seen. Curtis was beginning to send me looks and so did our visitors. I knew I had to take it upon myself to check on him. I walked out of the halls and back into the house. "You," I whistled at a maid mopping the marbled floor clean to glass. "Have you by any chance seen Alpha Alexios ?"Her head shot up and she immediately bowed before answering. "Yes.""Where?""He's with the slave girl" She replied with her head still bowed.Lydia ? My heart pulsed. The bite marks that Alexios had imprinted just down my throat itched. Alexios had lied again. He had told me he was going to the toilet only for him to go behind my back and see that girl. He had been acting weird all night and a huge spur for that might be because of the atrocity he believed he committed with Lydia . I looked back at the maid and tried to keep a proper composure even when I was l