Chapter 7 Cuss the prince
Terrified that he would finally drain the life out of for attempting to escape his grip.
“Can’t talk?” he asked again as he picked the lock using his sharp index finger, which was like a pointed knife.
The padlock fell to the ground, piercing the silence with a light, swift thud.
Valerio entered her cell, while Evyths dragged herself backward, trying to escape his wrath. This time, she heard the loud stamp of his foot, purposefully scaring her even more.
Evyths was sweating profusely as Valerio examined her carefully, reading every detail on her skin and expression.
He halted, and her heart pounded non-stop,
battling with the wolf that she was.
She feared the danger he exuded. At one point, she thought that Ryker was evil, but this man in front of her felt like evil itself.
“I’m—I'm sorry, your highness! Fo-forgive me, pl-please…” Evyths stuttered, her eyes brimming with tears while the prince smirked, enjoying the show she put on.
He bent down, leveling with her teary gaze. His fingers grazed her bare skin, moving from her neck down to her collarbone, tossing the strap of her dress below her shoulder. Gently, he scribbled imaginary things on her skin.
Each faint touch left an imprint on her—something sinful yet carrying a soft prickle that was… rare.
“How come you look so terrified of me yet you let me touch you?” he asked, his words sly and confusing.
How could she refuse him when her life depended on him? she asked herself.
Her head spun while Valerio stared intently at her. “Forgive me,” she pleaded, her voice losing its trail.
Using his sharp index finger, he tilted her chin a little upwards, giving her a half-smile—one that spoke volumes.
“Forgive you? For touching you—my pet dog or… trying to break free, Eva?” he asked.
Again, he called her ‘Eva,’ her middle name, the one her late father loved to call her.
“I-I won’t do it… again… I swear…” Evyths braved up, staring right into his dark eyes that weakened her limbs.
Unable to maintain eye contact, her eyes shut for a few seconds before opening again.
“Very well, I am thinking about punishing you, but I keep my word!” he said, rising. His towering figure made her feel tiny and harmless. “I will care for and protect you from bloodsucking demons… like me,” he added, his eyes shifting from her to the chest of clothes he provided.
He let out a dry, menacing chuckle as he sat in a chair that barely contained his entire figure.
“Rise,” he ordered, and Evyths sprang to her feet, adjusting the strap of her dress that he had shifted below her shoulder.
“Do you like the dresses I got for you?” he asked, his voice flat like plain ground.
She swallowed hard, hugging herself. Her curves formed a perfect silhouette that the vampire prince could not ignore.
“Yes, your highness!” she managed to say.
“Good. Grab the purple one. Wear it…” he commanded as Evyths searched through the chest of clothes, suddenly halting to stare at the prince, curious.
“How did you know about the purple dress, your highness?” she asked, forcing the words out.
“I picked them myself. Does it bother you?”
“N-no, I just- I didn’t know. Can you—with all due respect, sir—let me undress alone?” she asked, rubbing her neck shyly.
“I thought that you would not ask. Of course, go ahead! Undress; no one will lay an eye on you,” he snapped, as Evyths contemplated whether the prince understood her request.
Using the last shred of courage she had, she asked again, “I meant, your highness, can you excuse me, please?”
His half-smirk faded, and Evyths knew better than to ask again or defy his orders.
She hesitated before searching through the clothes to find the one he had requested. Once she found the purple sheer dress, she turned to him, hoping he would change his mind, but the prince said nothing.
Turning around shyly, her body shook in fear. Flashes of Ryker’s cruelty played before her eyes.
He had used her to satisfy his needs. Most times, whenever he had an argument with Selena, he forced Evyths to stroke or suck him, smearing his semen all over her face.
Once he felt better, he would send her away with evidence of his humiliation still stuck to her face, no matter how hard she tried to wipe it off.
Now, was this prince about to do the same? Use her? Exploit her? What was he planning?
By the time she undid the ropes, the dress was on the verge of falling to the ground when she felt a gust of wind, but something thicker than her cloth suddenly covered her body.
Evyths was startled, realizing that something unusual had just happened. When she turned to the prince, she realized he had been right behind her all along.
She felt shy and altogether thankful, despite the straight face he maintained. She wrapped herself tightly in his cloak while her eyes roamed over his bare upper body.
Strong, lethal, and mighty.
His muscles and abs were perfectly sculpted, and his scent was earthy, mingled with a hint of jasmine and the coppery smell of blood.
He leaned in, and Evyths’s eyes widened in shock. Gently, he placed his large hand over her cheek, giving it a mild rub.
Did he want to kiss me? Evyths asked herself.
“Who struck you?” he asked, snapping her out of the impossible thoughts swirling in her mind.
She stepped back, collecting herself as a scowl returned to his face.
“N-no one, Your Highness. I fell—”
“Are you lying to the prince?” His voice echoed, sending horrifying shivers down her spine.
“No! Forgive me!” she snapped back.
“Who did?”
“Lady Raven—”
“Get some sleep. Wear the purple dress before entering my laboratory,” he said, walking toward the cell door. He barely looked over his shoulder and continued, “I hope to get my cloak back. I hope a dog like you does not steal what isn't yours.”
With that final harsh statement, the prince left the dungeon, vanishing into the thin air like the wind itself.
Evyths sighed in relief, grateful to be free from the tight, chaotic situation she found herself in.
First, it was the dead veil hovering over her, and then it was his act of kindness with his cloak.
What drove his motives? Was it just for fun? A test, maybe? she wondered.
Evyths shut her eyes as she sat on her bed after dragging her dress up. She curled up in bed, her thoughts swirling around what the prince had done.
She sniffed his cloak. Although her senses weren't as sharp as those of others in her pack, he smelled different and bloody.
Who would have thought that the prince’s cloak would feel so soft and pleasant to her?
It felt like a betrayal to her true nature, yet it sparked a curiosity within her.
Her thoughts danced in her mind with a resolve to obey the prince instead of attempting to escape as she quietly drifted into sleep.
…
The next morning, the maid that the prince had appointed to her came, shaking the bars in a frenzy.
Meanwhile, Evyths had already prepared for the day. However, what the prince wanted her to do in his lab was still a mystery to her.
Without a word, Evyths walked to the door, taking the folded cloak with her. She stared at the rude maid who couldn’t even knock civilly.
The maid’s mouth dropped open, shocked by Evyths’ appearance. Not only was the dress too regal and pretty for Evyths, but she also looked beautiful in it.
Even Evyths knew the dress would attract more trouble than her presence already did.
Was it the prince’s plan to throw her into the cave of bats? Evyths contemplated silently.
“Are you looking for me?” Evyths asked.
The maid huffed, “Did you steal Lady Raven’s dress?” she asked pointedly, her gaze irritated.
“I did not steal it,” Evyths declared defiantly, a tight frown settling on her face.
“Oh, really?” the maid narrowed her gaze as she moved away from the door. The guard unlocked it as Evyths walked out, shooting the maid a contemptuous look.
As all three of them appeared in the hallway leading to the prince’s laboratory, the maid asked again, “You are not allowed to dress beautifully like this in the castle. It is for the prince’s mate…” Her tone carried an unusual wave of concern.
Evyths relaxed a bit, “The prince ordered me to. Trust me, I had no idea…”
The maid clicked her tongue, “Then the prince has indeed trapped you…” she said as they stood in front of the familiar, mystical doors. “Poor unfortunate werewolf, you are truly his plaything,” she added as they faced each other.
“I know—”
“You do? Interesting…” said the maid mockingly.
“How do you mean?” Evyths waved off her sarcasm and asked, but the maid was unwilling to say anything more to her.
“Here,” the maid handed her a small woven basket covered with fabric. “The prince asked me to give you this. Perhaps it contains your entire meal for the day… Wait here; he will come to get you.” The maid said, attempting to leave as Evyths grabbed her wrist.
“Am I in trouble?”
“What makes you think you're in trouble?” a different yet familiar voice sliced through the silence between Evyths and the maid.
Evyths snatched her hand, both of their faces turned down as they bent in respect.
“Good morning, Your Highness!” they said, unwilling to look him in the eye.
“Hana, leave! You too, Vance…” The prince dismissed both the guard and the maid. Hana ran off without turning back, leaving Evyths to ponder deeply.
“Indeed, I'm in trouble…” Evyths said to herself.
“Do you like the dress?” Valerio asked her.
“Y- yes, my prince. I do—”
“You do not look like it. Are you indirectly saying that a prince’s charity is a curse?” he blurted out as she reluctantly lifted her gaze to meet his.
He was dressed only in his golden sleeping robe and loose black pants. Evyths looked back down, unable to hold his gaze.
“I do appreciate your kindness, Your Highness. Forgive me!” she snapped.
“Well, we have so much to do…” Valerio said firmly, his cool demeanor shifting to one that she barely recognized.
Once he opened the doors, he led the way, and like before, he seemed to disappear.
The smell of metal and chemicals lingered in her nostrils.
Valerio approached his work table and pointed to a chair for her to sit in if she grew tired of standing.
“Based on my research last night, the cure for wolfbane will be extremely difficult to attain. I need a strong werewolf, not a mere... omega.” His gaze assessed her without care.
His statement was clear: Evyths was not the ideal test object he needed.
“I need a viable specimen to work with. I wonder if you can be of any use to me or this provocative project!” he snapped, a hint of irritation lacing his husky tone as he settled into his redwood chair while Evyths remained rooted in place.
He scoffed lightly. “Eat your meal. Afterwards, find a book called ‘Toxin Successful Experiments’ on the shelves,” he said, and before she could respond, he interrupted her. “My memory drifted; you cannot read. What, truly, was your use in your old pack?”
She remained silent, squinting in embarrassment and frustration. What had she done to rile him?
“Perhaps that lousy dog named Ryker did himself a favor by rejecting you. You are obviously useless and a burden I have to carry,” he said, a half-grin on his lips.
His words stung, and she wished they hadn’t, but they did. Just like her pack, he labeled her as useless and a weak link.
Evyths thought she could endure his insults, but bringing up Ryker was the last straw.
A surge of anger and frustration bubbled up within her; her lips parted, and the basket and cloak in her hands fell to the ground, catching Valerio’s attention once again.
“Your Highness, you have no right to say that to me. You know nothing about Ryker and me. And just in case you heard the rumor wrongly, I rejected Ryker because I could not bear to be with a man as evil as you, who makes me feel worthless over and over again,” Evyths exclaimed, her voice breaking. Being reminded of the torture Ryker had inflicted on her was unforgivable, and now the prince was using it against her.
Fresh air seemed to hang in the space as she exhaled, her breath shaky, while Valerio watched, baffled and furious.
The light breeze carried the prince toward her, his grip tightening around her arms. His face turned paler, and his fangs bared, ready to bite.
Although Evyths trembled at the sight, her fear of the vampire suddenly left; she felt on the verge of giving up.
“If it is my blood you want, then suck me dry. If it is my soul you desire, then take it. I would rather die miserably than have you commend Ryker for tormenting his mate,” she whispered slowly, her breath hitching as his grip around her arms grew almost crushing.
Death felt half a second away, and Evyths willingly prepared for it.