Evangeline
“In wh-where?”
She tilts her head, giving me a gentle yet firm look and I look down, knowing I’ve been caught. “I swear I didn’t know he’d be there,” I whisper, terrified.
What if she told Zedkiel?“I assumed as much. You must realise that you can’t do this, Evangeline. You are Prince Zedkiel’s now, and if he found out-”
“Please don’t tell anyone,” I beg, reaching over and taking her hand.
She shakes her head, “Oh honey, I won’t. But although I took you to the fragrance store, an alpha’s nose is far superior to that of an omega’s.”
So, she knew, and that was why she took me to the fragrance store.
“You must shower when you get home, just in case he finds out. When you stepped out…” she looks around the café casually. “I could smell him, and as an omega, we can tell the difference between an alpha’s scent and an ordinary werewolf. If the Third Prince smells another alpha on you… things can go bad, fast.”
I know that. Goddess, I do. I really do.“He let you out, and life can get better if you carry on like this. Look, you are alive. He’s taken a liking to you, and no woman comes out of that room alive. Just please don’t try anything that might upset him. Okay?" she whispers, placing her free hand over mine. “Please?”
“Okay,” I say, forcing a smile as I pick up my mug. I remember the Prince’s ritual and look up sharply. “Can you tell me about the ritual?” I speak barely above a whisper, although there only seems to be humans around. We still have to be careful.
She sighs and nods reluctantly. “What we speak of remains here.”
I nod, “I promise.”
“Well, years ago, everyone thought the Third Prince would be the next Alpha King, even though his mother’s truth has always been a secret. He was clearly the best in everything, but then, on the night of his ritual, everything was dark and chaotic instead of the moon glowing down upon us. A clear sign that he never should have entered the Chamber. After all, he isn’t a full Lycan, but the Prince and King still had faith he’d succeed.”
She seems to hesitate, and it is obvious she doesn’t want to have this conversation.
“Please tell me. I need to know since I am stuck with him for life; I want to understand him,” I urge her, and she nods as she sips her drink.
“Well, there’s not much, but the moon hid away that night. The Moon Goddess turned her back on him, and from that day… he changed, becoming less human and more beast.”
An ominous silence falls between us, and I wonder what he really is.
“We should really hurry. We need to get back." Her words signal the end of the conversation, and I know I won’t get anything more from her even if I push.
I can tell she is regretting even speaking of it. “I won’t tell anyone, I promise, Lucia.”
She gives me a small smile and looks a little relieved. “Thank you.”
-----
Despite Lucia’s warning about Sinclair, I don’t get rid of the phone. I bring it back to the castle. No matter how hard of a burden it feels like, I can’t just get rid of it.
When I return to the Prince’s quarters there is no one there, to my relief, and so I quickly go to shower, making sure that any trace of Sinclair is gone from me. Then I search for a place to hide the phone.
That proves far more difficult than I thought, what with the Prince constantly destroying things I don’t want him to find it accidentally. I end up making a tiny cut in the fabric of the underside of one of the sofas in the lounge and slid it in there.
There, perfect!Returning to the bedroom, I look at my shopping. I had purchased some bath and massage oils, and I now place these in the bathroom. I was just bundling my dirty clothes into the wash hamper, deciding to unpack everything, including what I had from before and maybe place everything to the side of the wardrobe, when the door slams open, making me jump.
Zedkiel steps inside, drenched in sweat, wearing only black jeans and boots. His eyes run over me before he scans the room, looking at the bags of clothes. Not saying a word, he enters the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Wow.I could get used to the cold, ignoring attitude, but I need to ask him if he is okay with me using a part of the wardrobe. Mustering my courage, I walk over to the bathroom door, pressing my ear against it.
When I think I hear the water running, I decide it is safe to knock. At least he won’t open the door and inflict me with that burning glare. “Prince Zedkiel?”
There is a moment’s silence before the door is suddenly pulled open, making me scream when I come face to face with a very naked and wet Zedkiel. I quickly cover my face and turn my back on him. “Did you call me to scream in my face?”
“N-no! I was just going to ask if- You didn’t need to come o-out! I just needed to ask if I can use the wardrobe! Just a small section… for my stuff,” I mumble, my heart thundering.
“That was something stupid to ask. The wardrobe is there, use it,” he growls before the door slams shut, leaving me alone.
I exhale in relief. OK Evangeline, make yourself at home.Home…
I don’t let anything dampen my mood and instead focus on positive thoughts! Positive thoughts!I walk over to the wardrobe, pulling open the doors, I enter the walk-in closet. On both sides are wardrobes. Right ahead are shelves of shoes and drawers for items. There is enough space, so I begin moving the Prince’s stuff to make better space for mine. Humming a song, I look at the shelves. They aren’t very well organised. Zedkiel’s clothes are everywhere, like he had rummaged in them to find something.
I know Antonio, or someone, came to clean up, the damage after he broke things, but I don’t think anyone really organised stuff in here properly. That or the Prince doesn’t like his stuff touched, but if I put the sweatpants together, his workout tees here…
I rearrange the stuff, go out into the bedroom and pick up the tablet. There is an app where we can place food orders and other things that need doing. Although many use the mind-link, it is easier to have it noted so anyone from the kitchen can pick it up. Alistair had added himself and Antonio so I could contact them if needed. I quickly place an order for a hot drink for the Prince to be brought up since he had just come back from a workout.
Smiling, I look at the order that reads ‘delivered.’ I feel like I am doing something right. Maybe things will get better.
I turn to the bags that were still left to organise. Alistair had delivered many bags of clothing. I realise most are rather revealing, all in colours I don’t usually wear except black. I miss my hoodies.
I stare at the dress I took out of the bag. It is a halter neck, and it is so short… I look up when a shadow blocks the doorway. “My Prince,” I whisper, moving back as his sharp gold-green eyes scan the closet. My gaze dips to his perfect body.
Oh Goddess.He is absolutely perfect, water droplets trickled down his chest and those killer abs, making his body glisten enticingly. A towel is wrapped dangerously low around his hips, and when he steps closer, I quickly look away.
“I just arranged the stuff, so it’s easier for you to take what you need,” I mumble.
He places two fingers under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Like I’ve said, you’re not here to clean up after me. Keep working on that confidence. At least you're able to talk without stuttering.”
My cheeks burn under his somewhat of a compliment. “Thank you… I’ll try,” I whisper, my gaze dipping down only for me to scrunch my eyes shut when I realise I am staring at the front of his towel.
No, Evangeline, do not look there!I feel him step closer, forcing me to back up against the wardrobe behind me. “I prefer when you look me in the eye, Little Mouse,” he whispers huskily. My heart is thundering as I slowly look up at him through my lashes, biting my lip.
“Yes, Prince Zedkiel.”
“I hate that title. I’ve already told you that,” he says, his eyes suddenly cold.
Nervously, I swallow. “Then what can I call you?” I ask softly.
“Zedkiel or Zed works,” he says, suddenly moving away from me.
I couldn’t call him that.I see his eyes flash red, and he pauses.
Mind-linking?
His frown deepens, and I busy myself, placing the lingerie in the third drawer. The top two are occupied, but the bottom two are empty. I almost yelp when Zedkiel reaches over, picking up one of the items Lucia had purchased for me. To my horror, it looks even worse than the tiny night dress.
His eyebrow cocks up, and he tilts his head. He was about to speak when I snatch it away and bury it in the drawers. “T-that’s not mine,” I lie.
He raises his eyebrow even higher but says nothing as his eyes glaze over again.
“Fucking hell,” he mutters, grabbing some boxers and sweatpants and leaving the closet.
I wonder what is going on, but I don’t dare ask. I give him a few moments to get changed before I step out of the closet when I think it is safe.
A faint knock on the door out in the lounge makes my ears perk up.
Oh, that must be Antonio with the drink!“Thank you,” I say. He nods slowly, looking me over once before turning and walking off briskly.
He is an odd one.I close the door and carry Zedkiel’s coffee to him. He is sitting on the bed, lost in thought, a deep frown on his face. “I brought coffee,” I whisper, suddenly wondering if he would get angry.
His sharp gaze now turns to me, “You seem happier.”
I freeze, not knowing what to say, as I place the tray down on the bedside table, only for him to take my wrist and pull me onto his lap, making me yelp. My heart is thudding as I look into his eyes. He is waiting for an answer.
“I enjoyed the outing,” I mumble softly. “Thank you for allowing me to spend some money. I have placed your card in the bedside table drawer.”
His gaze trails over me before he nods slowly. “Do it more often,” he says, his cold aura surrounding him again as he becomes lost in thought. That sharp, cunning expression is clear in his eyes. He refuses to let me move. His grip on my thigh is relaxed but firm.
It doesn’t scare me so much, almost as if I know as long as I don’t upset him, he won’t kill me.
He downs the scalding coffee, making me stare. When I feel the huge flare of his aura, his anger is back. It rages around him like an inferno, and I realise he is mind-linking again.
What is going on?I slide off his lap, my heart pounding as I wonder what to do with myself. I am about to head out into the lounge when he suddenly throws the cup across the room, letting it shatter into a thousand pieces, making me jump in fright.
Standing up, he clenches his fists, turning his burning red eyes on me as he suddenly grabs my upper arm painfully tight.
“You're attending dinner with me tonight. Dress appropriately, and don’t embarrass me,” he snarls, making me flinch.
I nod quickly, that fear of him returning full force. All of a sudden, he is cruel again, but I don’t ponder on that much. Instead, I am more scared about the dinner that he wants me to attend. I know for a fact this is a dinner with the royal family.
And that means Prince Alcazer will be there too, after he lost his Luna because of me.
Why does he want me to go?“Be ready in two hours. Ask Alistair to help you get ready,” he snarls before he leaves the room, and I hear another door slam. He has gone to his office, leaving me feeling utterly panicked!