Derek
"Melody, you and I need to talk."
Honestly, I had nothing to say to her but to find out what exactly happened to her. Malcolm wouldn't tell me, and neither would anyone from the Wayne family.
So I thought I could hear it from the horse's mouth.
"Your majesty."
I didn't realize where I was going until I heard the guards' greetings. Only then did it occur to me that I had brought Melody to the guest chamber. The same place I occupied the night that I....met that woman.
"Why have you brought me here?" She asked, but I chose not to answer.
I do not even know why. I don't know why my legs brought me here when I had Melody in my arms.
Was it because I was thinking about that night? Or is it because Melody was slowly taking that woman's place in my heart?
"I...Uh..." I tried to think of an answer. A king shouldn't stutter.
"This is the place I mostly occupy around here, so, I...." I paused as I noticed how strangely she was staring at the place. So I quickly added, "Besides, this place is closer to the study than your chamber is."
That is a blatant lie and I know it. It was the opposite.
"Do you realize that I am not a child?" She asked, making me raise my brow.
Who better than me knows this?
I have been haunted day and night by her adult beauty and refinement. I can barely stay away from her. Why wouldn't I know?
In fact, I am well aware of how well she's grown. Her hips, curves, breasts and...
Oh, stop it, Derek! I chided myself.
I wonder what has come over me.
"I think you will recover here faster than in your chamber." I lied, another blatant lie.
"Why? Is there some healing magic here?"
She caught my lie immediately. I don't know what else to say.
"No. I mean, you'll be able to rest here without being disturbed." I lied again.
At least this time it sounded believable.
"Oh, but I... My kids. They'll...."
Melody paused as she seemed to have realized what she had blurted out.
Were they hiding the kids? Did the Viscount ask her to make sure no one saw them?
"Kids?" I pretended like I didn't understand what she was saying.
"It's okay, your majesty." She stood up. "I'll be fine." Then she managed to curtsey. "Thank you so much."
She limped away from me, but I caught her arm and pulled her to me, bringing her so close that her hands landed on my chest.
"I didn't say you could leave."
"Your majesty, I...."
I didn't know what came over me, but I suddenly leaned closer to Melody and sniffed her body, starting from her neck.
No. No way.
My eyes widened at my latest discovery.
Melody's scent. That intoxicating scent from that night...was there. Though it was faint, it was there.
"No. I am not that man." I screamed in my head. "I am not him!"
'The earlier you accept this and amend things, the better for you.' Jay was back again.
I'm sure this wolf of mine will bring about my death someday.
'Keep quiet!' I wanted to yell, but I couldn't.
This was too much to take in. I couldn't believe that I...
I just can't believe that the woman whom I hated for most of my life was the same one I spent five years yearning for.
How on earth am I to accept that the woman whom I rejected was the same one I have come to love so much?
No. This can't be happening to me right now.
This must be a nightmare.
"What are you doing?" Melody pushed me away from her.
I wanted to apologise, but something in me wanted to be sure. I have to be sure that it was...
Once again, I didn't know what prompted me, but I kissed Melody. This time she made sure to have both her hands pinned above her head.
My hand moved all over her body as I familiarised myself with her body just to double-check. However, I became numb as every part I touched felt the same.
I vividly remember everything about that woman because I spent five years fantasizing. I am familiar with every part of her body.
This isn't a dream. I screamed to myself as I was immersed in the feeling of euphoria as my whole body rejoiced at the familiar frame pinned under me.
This felt like deja vu.
I didn't know how sexually starved I had been since that night here in the shadow pack. No woman has been able to fill the void left in me by that woman.... Melody.
I raised her leg and caressed her lap and she squirmed. She was struggling to get out of my hold. I became conscious of what I had done and I immediately stepped away, letting her go.
"You have no right!" She yelled and slapped me. "My father might think that I'm a slut, but don't you dare think the same and treat me so."
I felt no pain from the slap because my heart was in too much pain. Besides, she was right.
I have no right whatsoever. I lost all my rights to her when I rejected her before.
I know that I must appear like a psycho, but I just couldn't help it. This is what I have become.
What do I do with all these discoveries? How do I deal with all these feelings? It was all too much to bear.
I wanted Melody and that's for sure.
I was doing all I could to stay sane. Pushing back my emotions and fending Jay out of my head was becoming too difficult.
I opened my mouth and closed it like a fish, but no word came out. So, I chose to stay quiet. I took Melody to the couch and made her sit. She struggled to no avail.
I didn't let go.
I will not let her go, ever.
I sat on the floor and took her injured foot. Disregarding my image and pride, I placed her foot on my lap.
Her leg was swollen and I noticed that there was a hole in it. I wanted to ask how she got injured because I know that this wasn't done by me. At first, I thought that I probably injured her leg when I stepped on her earlier. But the wound looked like a woman's heel had been cruelly dug in.
Who could have done that to her?
However, I intended to ask one thing but ended up asking another.
"Do you know the man who raped you?"
As soon as I said that, Melody's eyes widened and she gasped, taking her leg out of my hold.
She tried to get up, but I didn't let her. "What will you do when you find him?"
Melody's eyes were fixed on her hand. She wasn't speaking. She probably wasn't expecting me to find out.
I got closer to her and hugged her. Setting my crown on the table beside the couch, I whispered my confession, "Melody, what if it was.... me?"