~Emily~

'Am I not talking to you? Are you deaf?" Reta barked, her voice filled with venom.


'Fuck, I hate this bitch," I muttered underneath my breath as I turned, a small smile on my face.

She walked closer, her long dark hair dangling back and forth. Crystal was behind her as usual, her face twisted in a frown.

'I'm sorry, my lady, I didn't quite hea……"


Her hand landed on my face sharply, cutting me off before I could finish. 'You swine, how dare you?" She barked, her eyes blazing like primal fire.

I held my cheeks tightly, tears welled up in my eyes. Her palm left a red mark on my face and it hurt as much as a bee sting.


'I need you to watch your back in this castle, cause I will make it a living hell for you," she threatened, pointing her finger at me.

Crystal remained silent, eyeing me maliciously. I bet she was the peddler of whatever gossip Reta heard.

I tried to speak but I couldn't, it was as though my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth.

Reta was still the king's fiancee anyways and me? Nothing but an ordinary human maid.

'I'm s-sorry," I stuttered, still holding onto my red cheeks.

'Sorry for yourself, you fool," she spat, eyeing me one more time before she left.

Once she was gone, I couldn't hold it back anymore, I let the tears drop freely from my eyes.

For the first time in a while, I missed my mom, I missed my poor, small village.

'Are y-you ok?" Someone behind me said. I quickly rubbed the tears off my eyes before turning.

It was no other person than Rowan," I-im fine," I replied, avoiding his piercing gaze. 'I'm sorry but I have to go," I added, walking away quickly before he asked any other question.

I immediately dashed to the kitchen, it was time for the king's lunch.

'You are late, again," Crystal muttered immediately as I entered. The disgust on her face was not hidden as usual.

'I'm sorry," I replied, grabbing the tray on the table before leaving.

At that moment, all that mattered to me was seeing Zayne, I didn't know what to expect but I needed to see him.

As I walked through the hallway to his room, I couldn't stop the tension I felt. My heart beat increased with each step I took.

'What if he ignores me?" 'Or replace me?"

These thoughts filled my mind as I pondered on our not so good experience just a while ago.

Zayne might have a little affection for me but it didn't change the fact that he was my master.

Finally, I was at his door, my heart pounding in my chest as a drop of sweat trickled down my face.

'Come in," he growled, in his usual harsh tone. I sucked my lower lip nervously before opening the door gently.

There he was, shirtless, with a glass in his hand. He was facing me but he had a glint in his eyes that made my tummy crawl.

'You are back," He said, his eyes piercing into mine, it was as though he was boring into my soul.

'Your l-lunch is ready," I stuttered, avoiding his gaze as I gently walked past him, dropping the tray on his shelf.

'I will be outside my lord," I muttered, walking away but he held me back, pinning me to the wall immediately with a speed that left my mouth slightly open.

Maybe I had been so engrossed in my feelings for him that I forgot how dangerous he could be. Maybe I forgot I was in love with a lycan.

'Ouch," I whimpered. 'You are hurting me."

His long fingers were boring into my arm, my blood dripping on the floor. He stared at me for a while, his eyes fixed on my lips. 'What did you do to me?" He asked, his voice soft and tender.

'N-nothing," I stuttered, trying to wriggle my way out of his grip but I was no match for him.

'Do you love anyone, Ema," He asked, his eyes still fixed on me.

His words struck me like lightning. ‘Why was he asking about my love life?' I wondered.

'No," I replied, my voice barely audible. I could see the glitter in his eyes when I said that. It was as though his face lit up immediately.

His green piercing eyes made me uncomfortable, his hot breath sending chills down my back.

He looked at me one last time, before leaning closer. 'I want to own you, Ema," He growled, his lips brushing my ear. 'I want you to be my plaything," he added.

'Huh! Play thing?" I whispered, my eyes drooped. Maybe it was his words or the way he said it, but my heart shattered at that point.

'I don't love, Ema, I don't have a heart," he replied, staring into my soul as he brushed my hair backwards.

His hand on my face made my legs wobbly. I could no longer stand properly.

'Come here," he growled, his hand on my neck as he brought his face closer.

Our lips were only an inch apart at this point. I closed my eyes slowly as I gulped down an invisible lump in my throat.

My heart screamed caution but I threw it out the window. I knew what I was doing could come back to haunt me but I was ready for anything.

With a quick motion, he smashed his lips on mine, his tongue finding dominance in my mouth.

I was hesitant at first but he grabbed my ass cheek firmly. 'Fuck!" I moaned, allowing his tongue to slide into my mouth.

Then it dawned on me, Reta had just warned me. I gathered all the energy I could, pushing him off but he held me tightly to the wall.

'Stop, please," I muttered, biting his lips. He immediately set me free, holding his red lips.

'I-i'm sorry," he started to say but I was already gone.

Once outside, I held my lips, a small smile on my face. His lips tasted like a mixture of alcohol and strawberries.

'What just happened right now" I wondered, smiling sheepishly. 'The king just kissed me," I squealed, grinning from ear to ear.

'Someone seems to be in a happy mood all of a sudden," Rowan said, standing in front of me. 'What happened? Tell me," he added, his brows creased as he stared at me.

'Nothing, I just……"

'Emily, come here," Crystal shouted from behind me, interrupting me.

'I have to go now, we'll talk later," I told Rowan before running off. 'Alright then, have a nice day," he shouted after me, making me chuckle.

Apart from Steph, Rowan was the only person I could trust in the castle. I sometimes doubted he was even of lycan descent.

His kindness and thoughtfulness always swept me off my feet. 'I wish he would just pick Steph," I muttered, smiling sheepishly.

Crystal was waiting at the door for me, a wide smile on her face. 'Emily my dear," she muttered, holding my shoulders softly.

'Uhm, sorry I'm late," I stuttered, my eyes narrowed as I stared at her suspiciously.

'No, don't bother, come, I have a task for you," She muttered, holding my arm as she led me to the kitchen.

She was acting nice and it felt strange but I shrugged it off anyway. 'What's the worst that could possibly happen?" I thought.

'Here, take this to the king's chamber," she said, handing me a tray filled with cookies and snacks.

'Uhmm, the king doesn't eat sugary snacks," I muttered, my brows furrowed in confusion.

'Oh, you are right but don't worry, just take it to him," She replied, a sly smile on her face.

'Alright then, I will be back," I whispered before heading to the king's chamber.

After about ten minutes, I was in front of his chamber but unlike before, the entrance was slightly open with none of his guards in sight.

'Hmm, strange," I muttered.

With a wide smile on my face, I opened the door gently but the sight in front of me sent my heart flying.

Zayne and Reta were cuddled up, kissing passionately.