Chapter Three.

Kiara's POV.

For several seconds I stood frozen on the spot as I stared at the most handsome man I've ever set my eyes on while I pondered over what he just said.

He can't be serious right?

I mean he's not the....

Wait, what?

"You... You are...

"Hyde Montero," he quickly cut in.

Oh my God.

It's really him, my supposed husband.

"And I'm certain that you are Kiara Ezra," he added, seizing me up from my face down to the toes. 

I was still wallowing in confusion.

If he was truly Hyde Montero then why haven't anyone ever said anything about his looks? Everyone spoke about him like he had some sort of horns on his forehead to support his demon king title. 

Only his heinous crimes were listed but absolutely nothing was said about his appearance, not even the tiniest little bit. 

I couldn't stop wondering why he appeared to be different from everything said about him, he looked a little too good looking for a devil.

Well except the cold look in his eyes, the dark tides hovering around it was beginning to make so much sense to me now. 

Why wasn't I scared of him as much as I thought I'd be? Or maybe because there was something about the way he looked at me.

Before I could say any more word, a group of female housekeepers walked towards us. They all drooled and adjusted their dresses as they approached. 

"And why aren't you in your room getting ready," One of them suddenly turned towards me with a huge scowl on her face.  "This is not a day for you to display your clumsiness," she added.

I opened my mouth to respond to her but nothing came out. My esteem has always been trampled upon by everyone, the servants inclusive, that I lost every will to defend myself. Father has placed the mantle in their hands anyways. 

Suddenly, Hyde turned swiftly towards them, a deep scary growl erupting through his mouth, his eyes has quickly dimmed so dark that even I was scared to look at them.

"You dare speak to my wife that way?" His voice came out like a roaring thunderstorm causing them to recoil in fright. 

I was frightened as well, but I couldn't help the cold shiver that trickled down my spine as he referred to me as his wife.

It was the first time someone would defend me, aside Helene.

"It's the last time you'll do that, now run off before I change my mind and decide to have your hearts for lunch," he growled and they scurried off. 

He turned back around to face me with a calm look on his face. How was he capable of doing that? Switching moods so easily? "Well, maybe I can reconsider your request to ride with me out of the pack now," he blurted,  surprisingly stretching forth his hand towards me. 

For a moment, I was numb to the happenings around me, my mouth felt too heavy to utter a word, and my body, unable to move an inch.

I couldn't understand why he was hostile towards others, yet unusually different towards me. 

I was quickly snapped out of my chain of trance as soon as Helene walked towards us. Immediately Hyde turned around to cast her a look, she dragged her gaze to the floor, her body evidently quivering in obvious fright.

"Alpha Ezra seek your presence now for the rites," her gaze was still glued to the floor as she spoke. 

I casted him a quick glance to see his hands still stretched forth towards me, an indifferent look on his face. 

As scared as I was, I couldn't resist the strange force lifting my hand voluntarily upwards, until it rested on his. 

I tried to shut away the cold shiver trickling through our entwined hands down my nerves. It was a feeling I never felt before and it was purely strange and at the same time soothing to me.

His hand closed gently against mine as he started leading me away.

Stealing a quick glance at Helene and noticing the gloomy look registered on her face, I knew father has turned down her offer.

"You spoke with him already, didn't you?" My lips trembled as the words left my mouth, despite knowing the outcome already. 

"Someone need to keep an eye over here dear," she mumbled, her gaze everywhere but my face. 

I could tell that those were the exact words of my father to her. 

I managed to nod slowly, trying to mask my disappointment and flashed her a small smile. "Goodbye Helene." 

With that, I clutched tightly onto Hyde's hand and hastily followed him out.

*

"Oh, you truly located her," my father beamed with smiles as he sighted us approaching. "Isn't that a a good thing?" 

Despite how hard he tried to maintain a big smile on his face, all I could see was cruelty and viciousness.  I have always wished that at some point, I'll finally be able to confront him and throw all his horrible actions towards me to his face. 

 Hyde fixed his piercing gaze intently at him without batting an eye as he made tiny jokes hoping to evoke a reaction which never happened.

I could tell he was getting quite uncomfortable with Hyde's unflappable stance. I watched as he twitched steadily on his seat. It was the most satisfying scene to behold. 

In my twenty years of existence, never have I seen my father in such situation. He truly was frightened of Hyde.  

 "I suppose it's time for the rites? We have a long journey ahead of us, time is of essence," Hyde suddenly blurted, cutting into my father's dry jokes.

"Oh... Uhm... How could I have neglected that," he chuckled nervously. 

As embarrassing as it looked, I was in fact having the best moment. Seeing him throw my father off guard effortlessly soothed my soul in ways I never thought possible.

I wasn't conscious of what awaited me at the other side of life, but somehow I could tell being away from father entailed a whole new episode of life.