CHAPTER FIFTY-NINEXANDERI looked at Darius, who didn't even notice Melissa and Hazel were too close. He was busy checking the wedding dresses around.I decided to do the ‘watching’ for him. Seeing Melissa so close to Hazel bothered me. Everyone knew what a snake Melissa could be. Hazel said something, but I couldn't catch it because their voices were too low, and I didn't want to use my abilities. It would mean eavesdropping.Hazel left Melissa's side, and I saw Melissa clench her knuckles, as she watched Hazel continue to gaze at the wedding dresses. I kept my eyes on Hazel, throughout, unable to stop staring at her. Each time, I'd ask myself ‘Didn’t I just look away now? How am I back to staring at her?’“Don't look too hard. King Darius can mistake it for something else. You know he's extra sensitive when it comes to Lady Hazel.” Falcon said, suddenly appearing next to me, and there was a leap in my chest.“When did you get here?”“Just now. King Darius said he might need me to
CHAPTER SIXTY XANDERWas she really serious about what she was saying?“Before I begin a lecture, how do you intend to do either of the two? Leave Melissa alone to walk the aisle, and think Darius would honor anything called protocol? He wouldn't give a damn, and would walk right out to find you. If he can't, do you think he'll return to the wedding? And if he does, do you think Melissa's feelings, which for some reason you're trying to protect, will stay unharmed?” Hazel sighed, and began to work on a can of tomato paste.“And if Melissa instead of you showed up for the honeymoon night, do you think he'll be so needy that he'll sleep with her? Or are you planning to drug him because even if you do, he'll recognize Melissa off the bat, and send her away. King Darius hates being seen as a fool, so if you do anything that looks like you are trying to make a fool of him, he might get mad, even at you.” She gave another deep sigh, and I sighed too.“Just do everything Darius' way. At t
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE HAZELI dressed myself in a short white dress with straps instead of sleeves. It was fitted to my waist, where it flared out in pleats.I looked at myself in the mirror. Already, it was the fourth time I was changing outfits. Although I knew it wasn't going to be the clothes I'd wear for the photoshoot, I still wanted to look good.“Should I try the yellow again?” I asked myself, moving to my wardrobe, but I turned around again, going back to my mirror, and patting my hair which fell around my shoulders and back in waves. “Just go with this, Hazel.” I cautioned myself, before walking out of the room, and closing the door gently behind me. When I got to Darius' room, I cleared my throat, and greeted the guards stationed around, before giving a brief knock. Then I pushed the door open, and popped my head in. Darius was seated at his desk in a midnight blue silk shirt, dealing with never-ending paperwork as usual. He lifted his head, and when he saw me, he smiled.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO HAZELDarius and I approached the studio where we were to take our wedding photos, and a thrill ran through me. I could barely wait for it to start. My back was up straight, as I looked through the window, staring at the way the place was colored up with neon lights. It would definitely be a thing of beauty at night. “Would they be the one to tell us poses to strike?” I asked Darius. “Of course. What happens if we have a blank mind, and don’t know what poses to strike? Would they allow the pictures to come out messy?” He asked, as the car slowed to a stop. My heart was pounding, and I could barely keep the smile out of my face. Even while the car moved, I pushed the door open, and Darius sat up to hold me back. “Chill.” I laughed, and stepped out, the minute the car finally stopped. “I would have opened the door for you,” he said.“That’s a lie. You’ve never opened the door for me, Darius.” I chuckled, and he came round the car to take my hand in his, while hi
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE HAZELThe shoot went on, and Darius and I were completely immersed in our poses. At first, it was hard for the staff to relax, and let down their guard, but as time went on, I caught them giving occasional smiles whenever me or Darius did something that appeared silly.Like when I fell into a pile of rose petals because I tripped on my dress. Darius had been too slow, and was apologetic, but he couldn’t help laughing as I fell with a strange ‘puff’ sound, and all the petals flew upwards from the crash. They had taken a picture, and when Darius commended them because he loved the picture, I felt the tension break a little.Unfortunately, I hated my expression which looked more like the scowl on a drenched cat, but Darius claimed it as his best picture.The scenes continued to change, giving us different backgrounds, and lovely pictures to take. With each minute I spent, my heart soared in joy like a jet. Looking into Darius’ eyes was the best. It was a sea of love
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR HAZELMelissa and I were dressed and attended to by experts. We were seated in front of a large mirror that showed the whole room. “No matter what happens tonight, you’re forbidden from taking all the shine. I will not be the first topic on the news for being a neglected bride.” Melissa spat.“How can you be a neglected bride? It’s a private ceremony. Darius said he invited only a few guests.” I replied.“And Darius has been so busy that he forgot to tell those guests they cannot bring other guests. I’ll tell you something. Half the people present at our wedding are reporters in disguise. They’re probably expecting Darius to shed some blood at his own wedding ceremony, and I can assure you that they want to be one of the first people to report such news.”I looked away from her, and blinked.“I’m just going to be a happy bride. It’s all up to Darius.”“And where’s your friend? Or should I say; lover?”“Who’s that?” I asked.“Of course, you know him—Xander.”“Xander
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE HAZELShe didn’t plan something with the dancers, did she? Soft music began, and the dancers split into groups of three. A man and two women, symbolizing me, Melissa and Darius. They danced in beautiful harmony, their moves practiced and perfect. It was a show people would pay dollars to watch. They formed art as their robes and satin scarves flew as they danced.Even without words, they communicated the strength of three in a marriage. Unfortunately, the strength wasn’t meant for ‘this’ particular marriage. Our marriage was bound for failure from the very beginning. But honestly, what was Melissa playing at? Were lies all she had now?After the dance, poems and songs were shared, delighting the audience, and I kept peeking looks at Darius, who was as impatient as hell. He looked like he just wanted to scream at them, and asked who the hell planned the whole thing, but each time his lips parted, he’d steal a glance at me, and keep quiet.Finally, and finally, it
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIXHAZELI froze, staring at the videos, as they overlapped with each other. Someone had taken the time to edit the video, and even add a soft song to it. Xander’s face was blurred, and let’s say that gave me just a teeny relief because I would not like to put him in trouble, or tarnish his reputation. He was especially careful around me, and it was probably for this reason. He didn’t want people misinterpreting our relationship. I hated the way the video turned out. I felt like a cheat. Darius couldn’t tear his eyes off the video. His jaw was clenched, but apart from that, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Melissa had her fingers over her mouth, as she stared at the video in utter shock. It made me think for a moment that maybe she wasn’t the one, but no; she told me herself that she had a gift for me. This was her gift. The bitch. The desire to launch myself against her, and hit her silly was strong. I wanted to just ditch it all, grab her hair, and slap her t
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINEHAZEL'S POV {One Year Later}I pushed the baby in the cot, hearing him moan and look up at me with twinkling eyes. “Sweet Dennis, you know you want to sleep. Don't give mom a headache. You know I should be with the twins, right? It's their birthday, and you had me with you all day.” I said, touching his cheeks, and he giggled. His giggle— my freedom.After Xander had been banished, and Melissa had been cast into the dungeon, I'd been so traumatized. She'd truly given birth to a baby, but it had been given to Xander. That was the last thing Darius could do to compensate him as a Beta as he sent him off to never return. As for Melissa? She remained in the dungeon. The moment she gave birth to the baby, she hated it. She complained the baby didn't give her freedom and seeing it made her remember Xander whom she painted to be a traitor and a snitch. Staying in the dungeon had broken her and the maids whispered of how she murmurs inaudible words,
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTMELISSA'S POV I yawned, stepping out of the room to get myself something to eat. Perhaps, it was just my intuition, but the house felt strangely quiet. The fridge light reflected on my face as I pulled it open, and I saw that Hazel's food for the day hadn't been given to her. “Are you planning to starve her now that we're going to kill her?” I called out, “Well, good riddance!”My voice bounced back to me in echoes, and I stepped back, “Xander?” My feet crossed the living room quickly to the room he usually slept, and I pushed open the door. He wasn't there. Did he really go to a hotel, or was he down in the basement with Hazel?Turning around, I went straight to the basement, and pushed it open, looking inside as I switched on the light. Hazel wasn't there!It hit me like a bolt of terror. “Xander! Hazel!” I called into the empty basement as if they would reply from some hiding place.“No, no! Stop thinking crazy thoughts, Melissa!” Quickl
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENHAZEL’S POV I couldn't believe it when Xander was loosing the ropes from me. I was finally free. My hands were so white, and devoid of blood, completely lifeless. After freeing my legs, he helped me rise to my feet, but I fell back almost immediately. He caught me, and we waited a while for me to be able to regain the feeling in my legs. Walking was strange and difficult after being tied up for so long, but after taking a few steps, I finally began to get the hang of it, my heart pounding in excitement as we left the house. Xander took me in his car to the mansion, and I rubbed my hands in anxiety. I would see my kids. I would see Darius. Night had fallen completely by the time we got to the mansion, and when the guards at the gate saw Xander, they gave a signal, and different guards came out from different angles, surrounding us with weapons trained on us. “Beta Xander, you have been…” A guard began.“I know. I know… just take me to the Kin
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXXANDER’S POV As Melissa walked past me, my hands balled into a fist, and shook so much that I couldn't even find a way to calm myself. She had crossed the line. She had done way too much. She had said way too much!My chest burned intensely, as a wild heat rampaged around, spreading deep within me, like a fire racing down a forest, burning everything in sight. Damn everything. Damn it all. I wouldn't let her have what she wanted. My baby! She was going to give it to Darius. And then killed Hazel? That was impossible. Yes, I'm mad at Hazel, but I still love her and wouldn't just let her die. The thought ate at me for hours, digging deep inside of me, probing me, disturbing me, until I finally realized I couldn't stay still. Hazel couldn't just die like that. I know it sounds crazy to not want her dead after everything she did to me, but for the sake of the past… perhaps just for the past…I stormed down to the basement where she stayed tied u
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MELISSA’S POV Yes, Three long weeks went past, and my life became so static, and stagnant. Seeing Hazel’s face everyday honestly made me want to puke. At times, I’d meet her praying for her kids, and that would anger me more. She’d become a kind of punching bag for me because I vented my full anger on her whenever I felt like it. As for Xander, I didn’t know how he was doing it. For the time being, there was no trouble even with Darius having the kids, so I guessed all was going well. Perhaps he’d been avoiding Darius, although that was almost impossible and risking.However, how he handled it wasn’t really my problem. The only thing he’d become useful for was pleasing my body’s sexual desires. When he wasn’t doing that, everything else he was doing naturally became annoying. That very morning, I woke with a fever; something that was very rare for me to have. I got up, took some water, but my headache only got worse. Eventually, I crawled back
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR DARIUS’ POV {Three Weeks Later}The last three weeks that passed were hectic. Azel was still so closed off, and wouldn’t talk to me. He would not eat, and get me worried so much that I’d have to ask Theresa to find out what he wants, and take care of him so he wouldn’t get sick. Recently, things got worse. Azella, who was the more receptive one suddenly locked herself up, and wouldn’t leave her room. It was what baffled me the most, and caused me sleepless nights. A knock sounded on my door, and Theresa came in, holding Azel, who had a lollipop in his mouth, and a scowl on his face. “Yes?” “You asked for my report. Azella still won’t come out, and keeps crying. She won't let anyone talk to her.” She said, and I pushed aside the hectic work on my desk, with a sigh, before rising to my feet. Damn. My men were all over, looking for Melissa now. She’d simply gone off the grid. Her phone was untrackable. All of her records were blank. How she did
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE DARIUS’ POV {The Previous Day}My heart stirred as I beheld the two children before me. My kids. Seeing the girl again, my resemblance was present in her shining face. And the boy… he was a combination of me and Hazel. They were really my kids—my heirs. They were… mine. The feeling in my chest felt tight. Like I couldn’t breathe. Just the pain of seeing them so close to me. I’d missed so many important things in their lives. Things I wanted to do with my heirs—take first steps, go out somewhere nice, hear them call my name. The girl smiled happily, her cheeks turning a deep pink as her adorable smile reached her ears. However, the boy had a deep-seated frown on his face, making him look more like me instead of Hazel. I raised my hand, and the guards following all came to stand behind me.“Take the kids in. Give them to Theresa. Food, water, clothes, a bed… give them everything they need.” I said, and they nodded, going to the kids. Azella'
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWOMELISSA'S POV Damn it. I was drunk.She was probably not in her right senses too. The silence was too thick, and my eyes fell on his lips. Firm, smooth, full… like a magnetic attraction, I was drawn to them, and couldn't take my eyes off them. And he made the move. He placed his hand behind my head, and bent to kiss me. It was when his lips touched mine that I knew it—my body ached to be loved. It ached to be wanted, wanted to be remembered. I'd spend so many years aching for Darius who never looked my way that I forgot what my body craved, and needed. My tears dropped as the kiss between me and Xander ran deeper, like we wanted to devour the whole of us, tongues gliding over tongues, over lips. My hands found the hardness of his chest, roaming around it as the feet seemed to pull out from underneath me. I fell against him, and he supported me, since the world was becoming unstable. My fingers ended up ripping his buttons, pulling his shirt
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONEMELISSA'S POV PRESENTLY “The kids are what?” I asked, shocked. “Missing for three days.” My whole world crashed on me. They were dead. Two malnourished kids on their own for three days. They were dead. What would I do? My hands slowly threaded into my hair. If Darius ever found out…What would be my plan? What exactly was the whole plan from the start. Darius was never supposed to find out. He found out, and ruined everything. His patience would soon wear thin. He would soon realize that I would never ask for anything, and all I wanted was their deaths. What exactly was my plan?My hands fell limply to my sides, and I turned away from my parents, feeling the devastation continue to creep on me, snatching my chest in its iron grip. “Melissa! Where are you going in that manner? You…”“Don't act like you care! You ruined me!” I screamed, without even looking back. I needed to think. There was no way I'd see the twins if I wanted to start search