Chapter 21 20
Soraya's POV
“And you?” I spoke, glaring straight at her, “you don’t seem like you have a mate to me.”
Emily’s fist clenched. “What did you say to me?”
I tilted my head, unbothered. “Am I wrong?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Look, this is not about me. It’s about you and I hate you to bits.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Listen, Emily, your hate means nothing to me. I don’t like you. You don’t like me. Fine. So why can’t you just let me be?”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “I will let you be the moment you leave this house.”
“Hm. Whatever. So, the moment I leave this house,” I repeated, r
I rolled my eyes, looking at her directly. “Whoever trained you didn’t really do a good job. Because you have a really bad character. Brat.”
Her teeth ground together. “Did you just call me a brat?”
I took a deep breath. I was already done with this nonsense. “Listen, Emily. We’ve been at this for too long, okay? You’re the one who’s been such a brat. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have stomped on my feet and refused to let me pass. You come from a reputable home, so why do you act like a wild dog?”
Her face twisted with rage. “Really? You talk to me like that? You’re not even better than the maids that work here!”
I lifted my chin, refusing to let her words get to me. “Listen, Emily. I won’t stand here and watch you talk to me like that—”
“What would you do?” Emily cut me off, stepping closer. “Hm?”
The next thing I knew, she raised her hand, ready to slap me. But before her palm could even brush my cheek, a strong hand came from nowhere and caught her wrist midair.
“Stop this nonsense, Emily,” Darius said, coldly.
“Darius, really?” Emily snapped.
He let go of her wrist.
“Yelling at me?” she continued bitterly. “You didn’t even ask what she did.”
Darius inhaled deeply, visibly trying to keep calm. “Look, I heard part of the conversation. And the fact that you wanted to raise your hand at Soraya… that’s what I could not take.”
Emily shot me a look of disgust. “This is not over,” she hissed, before flicking her hair dramatically and stomping off down the hall.
I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. When I turned my gaze back to him, I realized he was looking at me. He was home early today, it was barely two in the afternoon.
I turned on my heel and began walking away, but before I could get far, I felt his hand catch my wrist.
Was it because I didn't say thank you?
I turned slowly, pasted on the fakest smile I could muster, and arched a brow at him. “Oh, thank you, Prince charming, for saving me from your arrogant little cousin.”
Then I yanked my hand out of his grasp and spun around again.
But he caught me once more. “Won’t you hear me out? I have something to say.”
I froze, then turned, glaring at him. “What? That I’m from a brothel? That I’m not good enough for anyone? That I should get out of your house? What else do you have to say, because I would gladly leave.”
His expression flickered, he let out a soft sigh. “Can you just relax?”
He stretched out his hand, and I blinked when I noticed the five shopping bags dangling from his grip.
“What is this?” I asked, surprised.
“I got them for you,” he said. “To apologize for what I said two days ago. I was really agitated, and I’m… sorry.”
I shook my head. “Mm. No. I don’t want them.” I turned to walk off, but he quickly stepped in front of me, blocking the way.
“Look, Soraya, I’m really sorry for what I said,” he said, eyes searching mine. “I just felt… annoyed about how my own wolf listens to you, how I might be independent on you, and how you might take advantage of it. That’s why I said you being my mate doesn’t mean anything.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Okay, fine. I’ve heard you. Can I go now?”
“Please accept the gifts,” he urged, pushing them toward me. “It took a lot of help from Sam to get them. And I’m not sure what you like. Just accept them. If you don’t accept them, it means you don’t forgive me.”
I stared at him, studying the stiffness in his posture, it was clear this wasn't something he was used to doing. But he was putting in effort.
Darius Dovenia. A werewolf Alpha. A CEO. A powerful man everyone feared and respected. And yet here he was, apologizing to me.
I glanced at the bags again. They looked expensive. Things I had never even dreamed of touching before. Was he really giving this to me?
“Take.” His voice broke my train of thoughts.
I swallowed, then slowly reached out. Three bags in one hand, two in the other. They were heavier than I expected.
“Thank you,” I muttered.
I shifted the bags in my grip. “I should go now.”
Before he could say anything else, I turned and walked quickly. Even though I wore this ‘I don’t give a damn' expression, and kept my face as stoic as I could, my heart was pounding so fast in my ears.
What could possibly be inside?
The minute I got to my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned on it for a moment, breathing out. Then I carried the bags to the bed and sat down. T
They looked so expensive. And right there, written across them, was Shines and Beauty—the kind of store I’d only ever seen in newspapers.
I bit my lip, then reached for the first bag. My hands trembled as I pulled it open.
This bag contained sleek, shiny black loafers. They looked like something straight out of a glossy magazine. My mouth almost fell open.
I opened the next bag and found neatly folded dresses, tops that looked too expensive to be worn by me.
The third bag held a small box. Slowly, I lifted the lid, and found silver bracelets with matching earrings.
And then, tucked carefully at the side, I noticed a letter.
My heart pounded as I picked it up.
“To Soraya,
I’m really sorry for the things I said to you. I know I can’t unsay it, but I can at least make things better.
– Darius.”
Heat rushed to my face and a blush crept up my cheeks.
Why was I blushing?
“Why are you blushing, Soraya?” I whispered to myself, pressing the letter to my chest. “Stop it. Stop this nonsense.”
But no matter how much I told myself to stop, I still smiled.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
I jolted so hard the bracelet almost fell. Slowly, I rose from the bed and walked to the door.
When I opened it, “You?” I blurted out.
Darius stood there, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
“Did you like the gifts?”
I hesitated, then answered softly. “I liked them.”
“It wasn’t your idea to get the gifts, was it?” I asked.
He raised a brow. “Hmm, why? Do you think I wouldn’t get you gifts?”
“Well… I don’t think it’s something you’d take the initiative to do.”
He smirked. “Hmm. You’re right. Sam suggested the idea. But I bought them. I wanted to appease you, and he said gifts might help.”
He started slow steps towards me.
My brows furrowed. “What are you—”
Instinctively, I stepped back. But he stepped closer. I moved again and he followed, until my back hit the wall. My heart thudded wildly as his tall frame loomed over me.
“Darius,” I breathed, his really nice scent filled my nostrils. “What are you—”
Before I could even finish, his hand lifted, bracing the wall beside me, and then his lips crashed onto mine.