Chapter 42: Humiliation

To Hazel, the guard whose name she just found out to be Ryan, was a very funny and interesting man. All of Damien's men that she had seen were either too strict, cold or disdainful towards her.

Ryan was the first to ever strike Hazel as someone she could ever be friends with. Most women were unwilling to be close to her because she was Damien's sex slave, a position they wanted.

Hazel never admitted that she felt lonely, but inwardly, she knew she did.

But right now, finding someone who shared almost the same interest and experience with her, though of the opposite gender, Hazel was inwardly happy.

She can't even remember the last time she had smiled this widely. It seemed like ages ago.

Moreover, Ryan certainly knew of her status and yet, he could still act freely towards her.

“Well, what I've heard about youis that you are sharp-mouthed, cold and unapproachable. Turns out that rumors can really deceive.” Ryan said with a shake of his head and Hazel chuckled.

“Well, it's true that I am unapproachable.” She replied.

“Of course not. You don't seem so to me.” He replied in denial and Hazel smiled.

Just as she was about to say something else, a deep voice interrupted coldly.

“Seems like you both are having a pleasant conversation.”

Both Hazel and Ryan turned at the same time to see a dark-faced Damien standing a few steps away, his whole being emanating a cold and gloomy aura.

The both of them had different reactions seeing him.

Ryan's eyes widened in both shock and surprisingly, excitement. It was as though he was thrilled to see Damien even though Damien's expression does not seem to be so good.

Hazel on the other hand did not understand why her heart skipped a bit. It was the first time she would experience something like that seeing Damien and that feeling was unpleasant, making her visage turn grim and cold.

“What is the Alpha doing here? Are you so less busy that you have the time to listen in on the conversation between two slaves?” Hazel asked with a cold smile and Ryan almost tripped in shock.

He turned to glance at Hazel, unable to believe that she could speak in such a manner to the Alpha he had heard so much about.

Ryan feared Damien and at the same time, he considered Damien his role model. That explained why he was so excited seeing him.

But Damien was feeling something else.

A dark primal emotion that threatened to eat him whole.

Seeing Hazel speaking to another man gave him the sudden urge to shed blood. She even smiled at him, Damien gritted his teeth at the thought.

“As my slaves, what secret can you possibly have? Moreover, I can remember telling you to wait right there for me, but you had to leave to talk to a man, do I have to show you who you belong to?” Damien spoke calmly, but the edge in his tone could not be hidden in the slightest.

The sight of her smiling evoked that unpleasant feeling that gnawed at his innards, making him clench his fists so tight that his knuckles turned white.

He had seen how her head had tipped back to laugh, how close the both of them had stuck together and how she had even held his wrist to check something there.

She had never smiled like that towards him.

The sight of her wide and genuine smile burned him.

He did not like it, not one bit. He would prefer if that smile was directed to him and not anybody else.

That thought rose, strong and dark.

And almost savage.

He did not know what it was, but he felt like his territory had been invaded by something foreign and it made his Alpha’s instinct flare up hard.

Ryan was about to speak when Damien turned to him, his gaze cold enough to make Ryan stiffen.

“That will be all. You can leave now.”

Ryan lowered his head slightly to show his respect. “Yes Alpha.”

He turned to leave, already stepping back.

Ryan felt that if he stayed here any longer, the Alpha might really have his head for dinner. Although both parties, Damien and Hazel, were staring at each other with sparks flying in their eyes, Ryan could detect something else in the air around them.

Something that did not allow another person between them.

But Ryan knew his survival was the most important thing at this point.

But then, a soft voice stopped him.

“Wait.”

It was Hazel.

“We are not done discussing. We can continue while you show me around the pack lands since I am not familiar with anywhere yet.” Hazel said, her chin slightly raised towards Damien in both defiance and provocation even though she was talking to Ryan.

Ryan went rigid, his heart skipping a beat in fright as he felt Damien’s murderous gaze on him. Ryan did not know whether to laugh or cry at Hazel’s suggestion and stood still, his palm clammy with sweat.

“I…Uh…I…” Ryan stammered stiffly, unsure of what to say under the immense pressure of Damien's presence.

Meanwhile, something in Damien went cold.

He turned to look at Hazel, his eyes burning with fury and undisguised possessiveness that he did not notice.

For some reason, Hazel’s stomach tightened and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

“You will leave.” Damien said, this time sharper, each word dripping with cold threat.

Ryan no longer hesitated, he bowed deeply, murmured a silent apology to Hazel before retreating fast like he was being chased by some monster.

Hazel watched him leave and pressed her lips into a thin line.

“What, can’t bear to watch him leave?” Damien asked through gritted teeth and Hazel turned to him.

“Yes, I can’t. So? What can you do about it?” She spat, increasingly annoyed.

What in goddess’ name does he want from her?

She can’t make friends and she can’t leave the mansion.

“You forget yourself and who you belong to.” He suddenly said and her fists slowly clenched.

“I belong to no one.” She replied.

“Do I have to remind you what is at risk here?” He asked once again and her next words faltered.

“You…”

“Move.” He said quietly, his voice having no intonations. “To my chambers. You will remain there unless ordered otherwise and you will do so right now while I am being merciful.”

Her nails dug into her palms, breaking through the skin but she didn’t seem to notice.

A few maids had already gathered at a corner, watching the scene.

Hazel felt humiliated so much that her eyes burned.

She said nothing for the first time and merely turned to leave.

Damien watched this and something flickered in his eyes.

He had seen it.

The tears that welled in her eyes. And he also didn’t like it.