Chapter 9 CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER NINE
ZARIA’S POV
It has been almost a week since I got married to Max, and to be honest, I am handling their criticism well, it could have been worse.
I stood outside my palace, waiting for my court ladies. I might have threatened one of them the other day and right now they fear me, even though I would have preferred their respect.
“What is taking them this long, I need to go with them to meet the pack’s market women,” I groaned, getting impatient.
I heard Gwen’s chuckle from the side and turned to look at her.
I always ensure Gwen is wherever I am, giving her no excuse to be anywhere else. I need to monitor all her movements.
“Is something amusing?” I asked, glaring at her.
“Yes, poor Zaria, I am…”
“Your Grace, you will refer to me as Your Grace if you wish to keep your tongue,” I growled, making a fist.
I know fear when I see one, and right now Gwen was in fear, I could see her feet trembling.
“I am your stepsister, I get exempted,” I snapped, with trembling feet.
“No, you are my assistant, you work for me, not with me,” I warned. “I won't tolerate you calling my name, or even laughing in my presence without permission.”
I enjoyed the look of defeat in Gwen’s eyes, my heart felt heavy, like I was doing something bad, no matter how I tried to ignore the feeling, it still stung.
I am in her position and I'm treating her with disdain, which is unfair, even if she deserves it.
I straightened my dress and looked ahead like nothing had happened.
Within a few minutes, my court ladies were already on their way. Just two of them though, I assigned a different work for the rest.
“You are late!” I scolded coldly.
“I am sorry, Your Grace, it's Lady Ava that delayed us,” Lady Catherine said with a bow and I turned to Lady Ava who had her head bowed as well.
“I am sorry your Grace, my daughter fell ill and I had to rush to get help,” She said and I just gave a slight nod of my head.
“I hope she gets better,” I said.
We got into our carriage and headed to the pack’s market. The last time I was here, I had come to buy stuff and now I am coming to inspect.
Soon we reached the marketplace, and did a thorough inspection, met with the pack’s market women, and closed down shops that sold illicit substances.
After that, I went back to the palace and the court ladies went to their respective homes.
Upon getting to my chambers I saw Max sitting on the reading table, signing some letters but I ignored him.
“How was your day?” he asked after minutes of silence.
I huffed, so he finally recognized my presence.
“Wonderful,” I said, ending the discussion as soon as it began.
I am still angry that he made me late for my first court meeting, and he had barely apologized for it, so I had every right to be angry.
Soon I heard a knock on the door.
“It is Gwen, the Luna’s assistant,” She yelled.
“Let her in” Max commanded and immediately the door opened.
Gwen walked in with a letter.
“A pigeon sent this letter from Crescent Pack,” She said, with disdain in her eyes.
I see how she catches a glimpse at Max every time, to see if he would notice her but I chose not to object, He belongs to her and not me.
I took the letter and opened it. It was from Ethan. He must have been worried sick, since he didn't see me in class the other day, I never miss class.
“Where the hell are you? Come see me when you get this letter” After reading it, I folded it back into the envelope and placed it inside my drawer.
“Set the Carriage, we leave for Crescent Pack in five minutes,” I said, and Gwen gave a bow and was about to leave.
“You would not go to our rival pack, that is an order,” Max warned, “Don't set any carriages, go back to whatever business you have”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Gwen said, with amusement in her eyes.
Immediately she left the room, and I turned to look at him, with disgust and anger.
“You can't restrict my movement, you did it once but I won't tolerate it,” I growled at him, ignoring the fact that Gwen might be listening, through the door.
“I can restrict anybody’s movement, you walk on my land,” He said, without looking away from the letter he was signing.
He has some nerve, fucking piece of shit, I sincerely wish I could do something hurtful to him.
“You own the lands and not my feet,” I snapped back.
“I own the land and I own your feet, we are fucking married,” He chuckled, like it was amusing.
He is laughing while my blood is boiling, how rude!
“I need to go to Crescent Pack,” I said, trying to act cool.
“You want to go to Crescent pack so badly, because of Ethan?” he asked with a scoff.
“How…how did you know that?” I stuttered, he hadn't seen the letter, and they were still sealed when Gwen gave me.
“It's obvious, you don't have many friends, the only friend you have is from Crescent pack, even a dumb person would know that,” He said, turning to look at me for the first time since we started talking.
His green eyes stared into my soul, making me a bit uncomfortable, but still pleasant.
“Then why would you restrict me, when you know who I am meeting with?” I yelled at him.
“Be…cause he is a man,” Max Stuttered, “And you are married, it is obvious he loves you,”
“He doesn't love me, why do you even care about that?” I asked, and Max diverted his gaze to something else.
“Are you jealous, Max Blackwood?” I asked with widened eyes.