MADELINE’S POVMadeline's ears perked up as she overheard the gossip from the two maids beside her. They were all in the kitchen, washing dishes together, and the maids appeared to be conversing without her. She didn't mind that they hadn't included her; instead, she raised her shoulders protectively as she listened to them discuss Lord Darius's impending arrival. Lord Darius's arrival in two days was no longer breaking news to her, but it was rather unusual that he was arriving so early. The last time he’d gone on a business trip like this one, he’d spent so much time, so why was he returning earlier? Well, maybe he'd finished his business and dealt with whatever had prompted him to embark on the journey in the first place. So it was right for him to come back to his mansion. With a sigh, Madeline’s thoughts continued to run wild. She wondered what would happen if Lord Darius discovered Brielle's disappearance. Most importantly, she began to anticipate when he would personally
DARIUS POVIt was already evening when Darius arrived at his mansion, and despite feeling tired after the long journey, he was relieved to have arrived safely. He should have taken a flight; perhaps he wouldn't have felt so exhausted, but he had reasons for using his vehicle convoy, right? His phone beeped, signaling an incoming message from one of his business clients, but he turned it off and slipped it into his pocket. Darius would avoid taking any business calls or attending any appointments or meetings he had missed for the rest of the day and into the weekend. Inhaling sharply, as the cool evening breeze flowed into the car, he cleared his throat and winded down his car window. A honk brought him back to reality; Darius watched as the gigantic gate that housed his mansion drew open, and his jeep entered the compound with lightning speed. Darius looked around the compound through his window glass. His car convoy was right behind him, the vehicles housing the security team th
MADELINE’S POV Madeline walked down to Lady Delilah's room, her feet hurriedly passing through door after door. She had her hand pleated behind her, her gut shaking, as she walked briskly, wanting to answer the summon by Lady Delilah and go to her room and rest. Lord Darius had arrived today, and while she was relieved to see him after such a long time, Madeline couldn't deny that she was uneasy knowing that Brielle was no longer present and that he would soon begin his questions. Madeline shuddered as she considered the questions she would be forced to answer. He'd probably ask her about their most recent activity together. The last night Brielle was alive, and even though Madeline would spill her carefully crafted lies, she was determined to sound truthful so he could believe whatever she said. Madeline was aware that the upcoming interrogation was also the reason Lady Delilah had called. She stopped in front of the large steel door that housed the mistress's room, lifted her
BRIELLE’S POVBrielle's eyes flew open as she felt a piercing pain shoot from her skull to her forehead. Groaning slightly, she blinked furiously, her chained wrists touching her forehead. She wanted to cry, she could feel it, but at the last moment, she stopped herself. Sniffing instead, she tried to make sense of what was going on around her. She had been sleeping, as far as she could remember, but something seemed to have woken her up, and she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She looked around the dimly lit room before closing her eyes.Maybe if she closed her kids for a few minutes, she'd be drawn back to the fruitless slumber she'd awoken from, and for a brief moment, she wouldn't be here, in this dungeon. It didn’t even take the next second for her to finally come to terms with the noise that had woken her up because no sooner had she shut her eyes did she start to hear the groans and whimpers of a man and woman nearby.Someone was having sex openly and close to wher
DARIUS POVDarius was unable to sleep at all. It was late, but every time he closed his eyes, an image of a smiling Brielle flashed through his mind, and he was reminded once more that he hadn't seen her since he arrived. Now he had decided to take things into his hands.He might be missing her, but then he would need her services tonight, and the thought of burying himself deep in her warm tight home that was all his, had him anticipating their meeting already.Feets padding away from his room, a smile on his face, Darius began to wander the corridors of the silent castle, his legs leading him to the hallway where Brielle’s bedroom was. It didn't take him long to arrive, and he soon stood before the door. 'Should he knock?' He pondered, his hands raised in that gesture, but at the last second he changed his mind, placing his hands on the doorknob and turning the lock. The door flew open, and Darius was immediately met with darkness and a chilling silence that made his hunches ri
BRIELLE’S POV"Wake up, you pathetic bitch!" Brielle felt heavy kicks to her stomach, and in an attempt to defend herself, she tried to clutch her stomach, but one kick sent it flying away. Painstakingly, she tried to drag her poor body upright, the chains on her wrists rattling heavily, and her swollen eyes fluttered open immediately. Yesterday had been peaceful, with no visits from the cruel men, but today she was awakened by the sounds of their strange language and cold water pouring on her. She had slept peacefully last night, relieved that none of them had come, but this morning she had woken up to this horrific situation. Brielle couldn't take it anymore, and at the same time, she felt like vomiting all over the floor. Another blow landed on her back, and she lurched forward as if to vomit, but nothing came out of her mouth, and she cursed inwardly. "Where is the lass?" Brielle felt a chill run down her spine when she heard the boss's familiar voice from afar. "What the
DARIUS POV If there were a word to describe Darius's feelings this early in the morning, it would be shambles. He hadn't been himself since he arrived yesterday, and Brielle's absence only worsened matters. Already awake due to the resurfacing of his bad feelings, the news from Rocky about the strange happenings in the mansion after his absence and the report from the servants had him restless already.Darius was prancing around his room, his eyes red and swollen from lack of sleep, and he couldn't get his head straight as he wondered where the fuck Brielle was. Brielle's room had been empty and cold the night before, and his wolf awakening had made it clear that she hadn't been in that space in a long time. Her scent was barely perceptible, and to make matters worse, the room appeared neat, untouched, and bare. Darius's hunches had been raised when she didn't come outside to greet him upon his arrival earlier, but he’d decided not to overthink it.But then the last straw fell o
MADELINE’S POVThe entire room was so quiet that Madeline was confident that if a pin dropped right now, the sound would echo around indefinitely. Lady Delilah, who had only arrived a few minutes before, was already being bombarded with Lord Darius's waning questions, and Madeline watched as the mistress looked both amused and horrified. Lord Darius's feet tapped restlessly on the marble floor while Lady Delilah shook her head, flipping a lock of red hair over her face, trying not to look too scared, but fear was written all over her face. "Are you freaking deaf? Would you answer me?” With a growl, Lord Darius broke the unruly silence, and Madeline, along with the servants and guards gathered around her, looked directly at Lady Delilah, waiting for her to say something. "Lord Darius... We can discuss this better elsewhere and not in the presence of the...""Fucking respond to me right now." Lord Darius growled, and Madeline shuddered as she saw the expression on his face. This wa