It is an hour later, and we are in the town centre. Lucia is shopping, but I realised she isn’t buying clothes in her own size, but I don’t ask why or who they are for. I look at the tag on a few items with those prices, but none called to me. Nothing is worth that price!
“This would suit you,” Lucia says, holding out a long red dress.
“Backless too,” I murmur, but I don’t want it. Just being out here in the fresh air is enough, walking along these streets.
What exactly do I even want to buy anyway? Hmm, I can’t remember.Oh, I missed being here. The last time I was here was with Sinclair.“Ah, I need those nightdresses,” Lucia murmurs, pointing to a rather raunchy lingerie store.
Or more like a sex store! Goddess, must I go in there?Yes, I must because Lucia is pulling me along while the guards decide to wait outside, for the first time not following us inside. Thank the Goddess for that, at least!
“Lucia, sh-shall I stay outside with the guards?” After all, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to be outside a shop like this with men? No. No. No!
“No, no, I will pick out an item for you, too.”
With no room to argue, I am suddenly surrounded by the flimsiest, sexiest lingerie I have ever seen. Just imagining myself in this stuff is making my face burn. I see Lucia caress a pale blue slip, a sad, gentle smile on her face. “This one’s perfect.”
I look at it, realising it is not her size again, and I cannot stop myself from asking her. “Who are you shopping for?”
She looks up from her basket, where she had carefully folded the night slip into. “Oh, Alpha Prince Chasyn’s mate.”
I stare at her in shock, not expecting that answer. Celia’s words about omegas having sloppy seconds comes to the front of my mind, and I find myself frowning. I get that I should be okay with that, but it doesn’t sit right with me. How are omegas and even chosen lunas meant to be okay with this?
“Does it hurt?” I ask softly.
She smiles gently and shakes her head, but her eyes and face say otherwise. “I’m used to it. When Prince Chasyn found his mate, he stopped being intimate with me because he didn't want to hurt his Luna. But he still visits me, and we talk. He tells me his troubles, and I listen. Sometimes, he falls asleep in my quarters. This bond we have is far more beautiful than before.”
But you will die alone, without even being able to find your own love, yearning for a man who will never come to you. His selfish claim tied Lucia to him, and now he will just cast her aside. This isn’t the life I want.
“Here, now go try this on. I’m sure Prince Zedkiel will love it.” She doesn’t give me a chance to reply, gently nudging me towards the changing room.
“Lucia, I really don’t think that-”
“Please, for me?”
I couldn’t refuse her, and when she pushes me into the small cubicle and shuts the door, I am about to sigh when I freeze, realising that I am not alone. The shadow of a man merges with mine against the white wall, and I spin around, my heart thumping in fear.
But when I lay eyes on the person before me, my heart skips a beat, unsure of what to think or how to react. A flicker of excitement and happiness rushes through me, yet it is mixed with panic and fear of being caught.
“Angel.”
“S-Sinclair…”
My heart races as I glance at the door behind me and then up at the man before me, feeling completely confused. “H-How did you get in here?”
What if the guards see him?“By luck, I was out here getting some things for Grandmother, and I saw you shopping. You look happy,” he says softly. My head is spinning far too much to focus on his words. “I know Omega Lucia always stops by this shop, so I thought I’d wait here. How have you been, Angel?" he asks, stepping closer to me.
The room is far too tight for two people. I step back, hitting the door behind me, and stare up at him. A thousand emotions course through me. Shock, happiness, confusion, fear, worry.
Nervously, I chew on my bottom lip, “Y-you shouldn’t be here,” I whisper. If Zedkiel found out, he’d kill him!
Raising his hands, he cups my face, “But I missed you,” he says softly, looking down at me. My heart soars, and I can’t help but smile softly at the man I had loved for so long. His eyes flash as he takes in my clothes. “Has he hurt you?”
I shake my head, reality settling in, and tug free from his hold. I look away from him, remembering the mark on my back. He caresses my neck, and remembering Zedkiel’s touch, I move away. I don’t know why, but Sinclair touching me makes me uncomfortable. All I can think of is Zedkiel’s rage and those piercing gold-green eyes.
“You should go. You know the rules, Sinclair. I’m his now,” I murmur, slowly turning around and lowering my jacket, letting him see my back, which is now scarred by Zedkiel’s mark.
I hear him swear. Closing my eyes, I can feel his aura rage around me.
“He marked you." His voice is low and menacing, but the truth is he can be as angry as he wants, but nothing will change. I belong to Zedkiel for life. That sounds like an awfully long time, but it depends on how long I survive.
Fixing my jacket, I turn and look up at him. “I’m his now, his property. He can do what he wants with me. What do you want, Sinclair? Why are you even here?”
I thought I’d be happy to see him… but I just felt uncomfortable and scared right now. This is wrong. I feel like I am doing something wrong.
“Angel, I thought you’d be happy to see me?” He’s frowning in concern.
So did I.Shaking my head, I look down. “No, it isn’t that I’m not happy. I just don’t think meeting me in secret like this is safe. What if he finds out?” I whisper.
His gaze softens, and he cups my face, stepping closer. “So, you’re worried about me?" he asks, his voice sounding dangerously flirty.
My heart is thudding, and I stare up into those beautiful eyes. “I am worried. I don’t want you getting hurt. He kills people first and doesn’t even ask questions later. You need to go.”
“No, I’m going to help you get away." I look up at him, shocked. “I mean, not right now, but when the time’s right. I’m going to save you, Angel.”
He was… he’d help me escape? A hope I had long given up on now ignites within me, and I stare at him. “You mean to get away from here?” I whisper.
“Ye-” A knock on the door makes us both freeze. I didn’t even hear anyone approach.
“Evangeline? Have you tried it on?” Lucia’s voice comes as Sinclair places a finger on his lips.
Omegas are silent, after all. Did she overhear?“It’s fine, it-it fits well! I’m just going to take it off now,” I call back, praying she didn’t hear anything.
“Oh, okay. Perfect,” she responds. “I’ve chosen some other items for you.”
“Thank you!” I call back. “Could you get me some more… nightwear?”
“Really? Did you like it? Oh, of course, right away!” Lucia’s footsteps retreat, and I look at Sinclair, who is staring at the fabric in my hand, frowning deeply.
I look down at the string and lace fabric of some sort that Lucia had given me and quickly hide it behind my back. “Where will I go where he won’t be able to find me, Sinclair?” I ask quietly. “He’ll hunt me down to the ends of the earth.”
“I’ll find a way,” he replies confidently.
Would he? “I don’t know, Sinclair, I’m just about learning to adapt. Maybe it would put us both in danger if we did something,” I reply hesitantly.
He shakes his head, scoffing, “Tell me, Angel. Tell me that your heart hasn’t already changed, and you are enjoying being his whore?”
I blink at the sudden change in him, his words stinging. “You can tell he hasn’t mated with me. Why would you say that?” I whisper, not caring that he can see how hurt I feel. How dare he?He closes his eyes, exhaling sharply. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to end up dead. I will take you far from here, some place where I will take care of you. You will live in secret, yet you’ll be safe. You care for me, right, Angel?" He strokes the strands of my hair that frame my face, making me frown deeply.
Live in secret. What kind of life is that?“Of course, I care. But we can’t talk now. Nothing is making sense right now. If they find out-”
“I know, Angel, so here I got you a phone. Just keep it switched off unless you need to call me or text. I’ll always have my phone close. I will also text if I have a plan or anything, okay?" he says, taking out a small, slim phone. He holds it out to me, and I take it with trembling fingers.
This feels so wrong. But why? I don’t want to be here, tied to the castle, right?“Evangeline?” Lucia’s voice comes, making me quickly shove the phone into my pocket as I cast Sinclair one last look. I am about to grab the door handle when he takes hold of my upper arm and spins me around, pressing me up against the door.
My heart thuds, my eyes widen, and shock flits through me when his lips meet mine. I freeze as he kisses me. His taste, the feel of his touch… pleasant, yet… I cannot bring myself to kiss him back and gently push him away, “I need to go.”
His expression is unreadable, but there is one emotion I can read, the flicker of annoyance remains there as I quickly open the door and step out.
Lucia is looking at me intently, and I wonder if she heard something.
“Finally, was it hard to take off?" she asks, taking the flimsy fabric from me and holding it up. Well, held up like that, it looks like a lacy slip dress with many strappy strings along the back and chest area.
I nod quickly, taking it from her, not wanting the entire shop to see what we are purchasing. “I-I’ll go pay. Come on,” I say hastily.
“Oh sure, here are the rest of the items I picked out for you." She holds out the basket, and I take it, not even bothering to argue. My mind spins, and I just want to return to the castle. I can’t believe I actually want to go back there.
It’s a while later, and we had spent the last hour at a fragrance store before we headed to a body care store where I purchased some items I wanted. My head now feels funny with the number of scents Lucia had sprayed on me, and insisted I purchase a few so Zedkiel could choose which he preferred.
“Is it okay if we stop for a hot drink before heading back?” Lucia now asks the guards, who took the bags from us.
“Of course, miss,” one of them says instantly, and I realise she indeed holds power. Is this what they meant, omegas of status?
We enter the café alone; the smell of coffee and hot chocolate fill my nose, and I realise I needed this. Lucia sighs in relief, her smile faltering.
“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.
She nods, pointing to the menu board above the counter. “What would you like?”
I tilt my head, pondering over the options for a few moments. “A hot chocolate is fine.”
“Take a seat. I will go get our order,” she commands before hurrying off.
“Yes, ma’am,” I whisper, sitting in the darkest, most secluded corner possible, ignoring the few glances that came my way.
Sinclair’s words keep returning to me. The phone in my pocket feels like a terrifyingly enormous burden, almost as if it alone weighs several kilos. His visit had been risky. How long had he been watching us? What if someone had spotted him?
That kiss…
Frowning, I touch my lips just as Lucia returns, placing the tray on the table and sitting down.
“Evangeline, may I say something?" she asks, taking one of the chocolate concrete cake and custard plates from the tray and putting it before me.
“Hmm?” I ask as she places the large mug of hot chocolate in front of me, one topped with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.
Oh, yummy!“Who was in there?" she whispers, mixing her latte slowly.
I freeze, my heart thumping as I look up at her slowly, my face draining of colour.