CHAPTER TWENTY THREE HAZEL I stared at my reflection in the mirror unable to believe my eyes. I wore the dress Darius sent to me earlier this morning. It was an emerald green floor length evening gown made with silk fabric, it has a subtle neckline and delicate straps that drape over the shoulder. The bodice is fitted, accentuating the curves with a low back design that dips down to the waist. It has a long train attached to it.Britney did my makeup and hair. Thankfully, she was able to cover the red marks on my face with make up. She packed my hair into a bun leaving a few strands on my face. “You look so beautiful, ma'am.” She gushed. “Thank you, Britney.” I replied giving her a small smile. “You should go downstairs. His Majesty is waiting by the car.” She said. I grabbed the green purse on the dresser and wore the high heels. I wobbled slightly as I made to stand up. “Careful ma'am,” Britney said as she steadied me on my feet. “Thank you.” I took one last l
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR HAZEL I swallowed as his deep grey eyes found us, and if they had been headed in another direction, they obviously didn't show it. Adam didn't even notice Darius at first. His cold gaze was left for me and me alone.I swallowed, reminding myself Darius was right next to me, and no matter how angry Adam could be, nothing would happen to me.Darius placed a hand on mine. “King Darius?” The woman in the couple we were talking to called softly, and cautiously, her brown eyes large as she hoped she was soft enough. Darius didn't even look at her as she spoke, “Mr. And Mrs. Chester. I believe I'll see you later.” Like that, he tugged on my arm gently, and we didn't wait for the trio to walk to us. We walked to them, and midway, we stopped. “Well, well, well,” Darius drawled, placing both his hands into his pockets,“King Darius.” Adam greeted, with a little bow, and turned to fix me a cold look. Darius' eyes narrowed, clearly hating the disdain in Adam
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE HAZELAurora was with her dancing partner, twirling and gracing the dance floor. I cleared my throat, “Shall—we?” I asked, a little hesitantly, my fingers feeling the need to fidget. Darius gave his easy smile, and swept me off the floor in a dance. Dancing was new to me. I'd only watched it in movies, thinking it'd be easy to repeat the steps, but no. It was not. It was as hard as a beginner walking on seven-inch heels. Darius chuckled when I faltered, and went red. “Difficult much?” He asked softly, with a smile. “Well, maybe. I haven't really danced much, so it's unfamiliar.” I replied, keeping a wary eye on Aurora. “How about we move? That end looks beautiful.” I offered, chuckling awkwardly. He cocked his head, raising a brow, before suddenly barking out a laugh. Wow… Did he have to be so handsome even while laughing? From close-up, he was simply breathtaking. “You want us to move to that end? To dance? Because it's beautiful?”“Yeah.” I rep
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXDARIUSI made my way across the crowd to the figure in a long white jacket. He was clinking glasses with a Luna from another pack, his grin a little flirty and contagious enough for the Luna to forget her husband was in the same gathering.Her smile ran down the moment she saw me, and she straightened up, dropping her glass. “Good evening, my lady. I'm assuming your discussion with Liam is over, as I'd like to take your place.” I said, without a hint of softness.Liam closed his eyes with a sigh, as the Luna shot him a little annoyed glance. She turned back to me, and forced a little smile. “As you wish, King Darius.”“And what do you think you're doing?” Liam asked me, immediately she left, and I took her drink, sipping it gently.“We need to talk. You know it too.”“I'd rather we talk with blades, bullets, and armor.”“I'd rather we use words. Trust me, your men want to live longer. Don't tell me you want to vanquish your Army in a little clash, and then when an
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENHAZEL{MINUTES BEFORE}“What exactly are you doing?” I asked, my voice rising by the second.“You're the one I've been looking for. So, I'm doing exactly what I want to do with you.”A shaky scoff left me. He must be joking. Turning on my heels, I made for the door, only to feel a hand close around my arm, yanking me backwards. I screamed, as he wrapped me in his arms.“I never thought— I’d want you. Being for the rogue King— makes it sweeter, I guess.” He rasped, pausing in-between his sentences to force kisses on my neck. My back was to his chest, and his hand had gripped my chin upwards as he pressed more kisses on my neck. My nails scratched and tore at his skin repeatedly, as I couldn't open my mouth to scream due to the force. Then he forced me into the wall, and bit my neck, letting out a loud sound of pleasure. I couldn't even try to knock sense or fear into him with words, as my breasts painfully pressed against the wall. Then he suddenly took me, and t
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTHAZELI let him drag me along without any issues. Anything I could do to make myself seem like the innocent person I truly was, I was eager to do it. Because at the moment, I was trembling vividly. The man's head had turned completely to the back as Darius' claws went through skin, tissue, blood, and bone.What if he would do the same to me? Those same claws had beheaded that man in the dungeon not too long ago.Melissa locked eyes with me, her expression unfathomable, like there were a million thoughts going on inside her head. Everyone followed after us, until we gathered back at the hall. Us in the center, with everyone else keeping a good distance away from us.The elders with grim expressions sat on high-backed chairs, looking down at us from where they sat. Darius stood firm, and confident, still giving the thorniest look I'd ever seen in all my life, while me, next to him, cowered, not wanting to think of his bloody hands holding mine so hard that there w
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEHAZELI love you. I love you.Those words resounded in my head as the breeze blew into the room, billowing the curtains in waves. Looking into Darius' eyes, no one needed to tell me it was the truth. He was sincere.His hands still holding mine burned, and my gaze fell to his lips, feeling my heart pound in the hollow of my chest. I wanted to kiss him. Even though he had brutally murdered someone, and the dried blood was evident on the face, my heart still moved for him. He was my mate after all, and I couldn't deny the magnetic attraction I felt for him. Darius left my hand gently, and rubbed his thumb across my neck. “You're hurt.” He said, and I winced. It was where that nasty man had bit me. “It’s nothing. What do we do about your punishment?” He led me to the bed, ignoring my question, and sat me on it, before moving around the room to get a first-aid box. Sitting next to me, he opened the box.“I bet they're so happy, and will start looking for punishm
CHAPTER THIRTYMELISSAMy glass hit the wall, and shattered into splinters, showering to the marble floor, while he stood by the window, his back to me, as he sipped wine.“So what are we going to do now?” I asked, running a hand through my hair. “Nothing.”“You can't tell me ‘nothing’!”“It was all your idea, Melissa. Fix your mess.”“How is it my mess? I certainly didn't think Darius would be reckless enough to actually murder someone at a place and time as scared as the pre-blood celebration.”“But you started this.”“Yes! Crane shouldn't have undressed her like that. Fine, her hair was rough, but he should have been the one with his chest in the open, and they should have been in a kiss.”“What sensible person would still kiss while the door was still being hit? Are you actually blaming Crane?” Jake asked, turning around from the window, with brows crossed. “You should watch the way you talk. My colleague is dead because of your stupid plan.”“Don't be sentimental. Crane wanted h