Chapter 2 2
Odette
I blinked when the red-eyed man pulled away. “W - wife? What is that?”
A deep chuckle rumbled from his throat as he watched me. “You're a funny one, wife.”
That word again. What does it mean?
Before I could ask him again for the meaning, the door interrupted us with a groan and her highness entered.
“Ah … Your Majesty, I see you've met your bride.” She smiled but it seemed forced and what does bride and majesty mean? Stop throwing big words around.
The red-eyed man dropped his large hand to my waist and pulled me close to his chest.
“Yes. She looks delectable.” His grip around me tightened and I swallowed hard. Why was he touching me there?
“Y - yes,” the Luna smiled again and turned to another person who was about to walk in.
I pinched my eyes as I watched the intruder enter with slow, measured steps.
When our eyes locked, my heart leapt to my throat. It was him.
I gripped the first thing I could touch and squeezed my eyes shut. It was him. It was the Alpha, the man who sent me to the cage.
The red-eyed man must've noticed how I trembled because he began to palm soft circles on my back.
Alpha Roman laughed that laugh that made my spine go stiff. I wanted to leave. I wanted to run then I remembered they were going to kill me.
I looked up to the man holding me and choked out a sob. “Please, kill me already.”
He didn't say a word. He didn't even look at me. All his attention was on the Alpha and his Luna.
“Your bride is the fairest in all the land. She is well-mannered and even a virgin,” Alpha Roman went on. “She would bear you as much heirs as you'd like. Isn't she what you expected?”
I didn't understand what they were saying. All I knew was I wanted to die and get this over with.
The red-eyed man pressed me closer to him and I yelped. “Indeed, she is.”
“Your carriage awaits, your Majesty—” Roman's voice was cut off with the sound of a sharp slice. Then came another scream that was instantly silenced.
The smell of blood filled my nostrils and I turned.
My lips trembled and my eyes went wide. I tried to scream but I couldn't. My voice was trapped and so was my mind.
Alpha Roman was now a lifeless heap in the pool of his own blood as well as the Luna. Her beautiful blue dress was dyed red with her blood and her eyes… they were wide with shock. Her eyes…
Bile rose to my throat and I looked away immediately.
“Have the men clean that up, Caesar!” The red-eyed man gave the order then he reached for me.
“No!” I screamed. “Don't touch me! Let me go!”
He didn't. He didn't listen to me.
One more attempt to run and he smacked the back of my neck. Stars exploded behind my eyes as my body tilted. As I fell to the floor, I wished I'd never wake up again.
The goddess was cruel because I did wake up.
I put my hand to my neck. It wasn't slashed. I looked around the room. It didn't look like heaven. Where was mama and papa?
I jolted from the bed and dragged my body to the door. Thankfully, I wasn't in that heavy dress and was dressed in a long, white shirt.
My fist rapped on the wooden door and I choked out a scream.
“Mama! Papa!” I sobbed. “Open up! Open!”
I did that for a few minutes before exhaustion ran through me.
Mama and papa weren't here. If they weren't here, that could only mean I'm in hell.
The door behind me rattled and I pushed away from it.
“Mama?” I asked as the door creaked open.
It fully opened to reveal a woman wearing a white petticoat over a black and white gown.
She gasped when she saw me and rushed to my side. “My goodness. What are you doing out of bed?”
“Mama?” I asked softly as she led me to the bed.
“Yes, child,” She said immediately. “Are you alright?”
I didn't wait for her to finish. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight.
“I missed you, mama. I really missed you.” I snuggled against her. She smelled like fresh roses with a faint hint of oranges.
She pulled away then patted my arm. “Come on. Let's get you warm. It's cold here.”
I wasn't cold. Matter of fact, I don't feel cold at all. Years of living in a dungeon without any warmth taught you that. But I didn't tell mama. I let her wrap me in a thick fur coat and even put a wool cap over my head.
“There,” she smiled. “That should do. Are you hungry?”
I was about to ask her where papa was when my stomach grumbled.
“I see,” mama smiled and got up. “Let's get you fed, sweetheart.”
I smiled and reached for her hand. “What did you make me, mama?” I couldn't help but ask.
She seemed to hesitate for a moment before she smiled. “It's a secret.”
Mama led me to a large room with long tables and deep-brown chairs made from the finest wood.
“Sit here.” She gestured to one of the empty seats and began to fill my plate. I begged her to stop but she didn't tell me there were six other plates like before me.
“Eat up, dear.” She said then stood beside me.
I reached for the spoon and scooped up the greens.
“Go on.” Mama coaxed me softly.
I nodded softly and brought it to my mouth. When the food relaxed on my tongue, I moaned in satisfaction. This was amazing. I grabbed another bite and another and another until I was full.
I leaned back in my seat and stared wide-eyed at the six empty plates.
“Oh you have such a healthy appetite, dear.” Mama nudged me playfully. “Are you hungry for more?”
“No.” I shook my head, embarrassed. I half-expected her to tease me but she didn't. Maybe, that's what mothers do. They never say bad things about you.
I smiled when she arranged the plates on a tray and gestured to another woman wearing a black and white gown to take them away.
That's odd.
Why were they wearing the same clothes? Did that woman steal mother's clothes?
I didn't get my answer because the doors parted and I felt him.
Mother along with everyone who'd just walked in, bowed their heads as he entered.
I swallowed hard as he asked my mother. “Has she been fed?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” She said with a nod.
Majesty, again. What does it mean?
The red-eyed man turned to me and grabbed my arm. “Let's go.”
“But your majesty, won't you have your bath?—”
“Leave me be. I'll stay with my wife.” He said, leading me out of the room
I frowned. What does this wife mean?