Her hands trembled against the firm chest beneath her palms. It was warm, like the ocean's depth, and undeniably alive. Frederick. The name struck like lightning. He stood firm like a shadow in the dim room. Emelia's breath caught in the moment. Her eyes adjusted to the location of her palms.
"How… how did you…? She stammered, stepping back quickly. "I never left," he said nonchalantly, tilting his head to the side.
"I didn't know it was yours," her voice choked.
"It was," he said. "Now, it's yours." Silence stretched between them. Her heart pounded so loudly she was certain he could hear it. She turned to leave.
"Going somewhere?" His cold voice whispered, sending shivers down her spine. Emelia quickly doubled her steps backwards, creating as much of a gap as possible, but the feeling of her hands against his bare chest did not go down her throat; it lingered like a lasting taste of her favorite ice cream. But then she dared not lose composure.
"Why are you naked?" she half yells, but the man before her pays no attention to her fright and screams. He walks over to the next door ever so casually. Emelia did not stop to rethink her decision before barging in, and there he stood, all naked and fully unclad before her.
"Sweet goddess!' She cursed, turning away almost immediately. "Why don't you wear clothes around the house?" She laments, her cheeks heating up.
"Says the lady who handpicked me for a groom." His cold whispers were rather driving her crazier than she had anticipated. Emelia did not know how long it took, but dashing out of the dressing room was harder than she had pictured. She walked over to the balcony, letting the fresh night breeze blow through her jumbled-up thoughts.
This was a night she had long prepared for; she had waited years for tonight and unlike the dream honeymoon she had anticipated for herself, she was standing all alone and married to a man who looked like a murderer every damn time. Thinking of him, her mind effortlessly drifted back to his captivating physique: broad chest and a tattoo.
"What the hell am I thinking?" Emelia quickly slapped herself. She heard the door open and footsteps approaching. She turns to face the man behind her. Just as he had been dressed for their wedding, he was wearing yet another black tux and had both hands in his pockets.
"Don't wait up for me…" He turns to leave. "The ritual?" Emelia could not help but ask. It was an obligation that every bride looked forward to. She did not want to be the one to recreate history by not having her own.
"It's only for formalities reasons and we won't do it again," she added, trying not to sound desperate. "Kelvin will take care of that," he announced, walking out. Emelia wanted to slap herself in the face.
"Kelvin!" Her head turned. "You want your secretary to sleep with me?" Her voice rose with every word. Her pulse skipped, but he was gone, like a ghost who had never been there.
"If he thinks I am some plaything… then he is in for a surprise," she hissed, walking into the bathroom. She needed a long bath, but the view before her was unexpected. "Oh, my sweet goddess! This is his room." She held her hands over her mouth quickly, storming out before more damage could be done, but unlike the empty room she had been expected to walk into, Kelvin stood with a little parcel in hand.
"Oh dear!" Emelia jolted, meeting the frozen figure, who smiled awkwardly. "Your room is on the right, just next to this one, but tonight is an exception, and you are to sleep here." He informed her, extending a little package to Emelia, which she took with trembling hands.
"I assume Mrs. Fredrick knows what this is for?" Kelvin asks. Emelia glanced; soon enough, she understood what it was meant for and how to use it.
"Sure, um… I will move into my room tomorrow," she stammered, trying to make the situation less awkward.
"Hmm," Kelvin hummed, turning to take his leave.
"Oh... before I forget, your items are arranged and the sir made everything available, just in case we couldn't get your things on time." Emelia could only smile, watching the back of the man retreat. She quickly dropped the parcel on the table beside the bed and hurried to the next room. The door was open, and she wasted no time walking right in. Unlike his room, which was very spectacular and carefree, this room had life.
It was not only painted in her favorite lavender color, but it also had a little touch of white to lighten it. Like his room, the decor was simple but carried a touch of her home. Emelia walked out the balcony door and saw his balcony from hers. The area was spacious enough for stargazing, a fun habit. Tired and sleepy, she went straight to the bathroom. Hers had every product she could ever need, with white and pink towels folded neatly displayed on the shelf.
Emelia was too tired to appreciate the effort put into making her room feel like home. She swiftly had a warm bath and headed for the connected dressing room. If her home had everything she needed, this was nothing less than a beauty, clothing, and fashion house all in one. She shovels through the multitude of charming nightwear, picking out sweet red lingerie with lace frontals. It was not only sexy but also a good honeymoon package. She wore a t-shirt over the lingerie.
Lying on his soft bed, she let it all lie to rest. Her weary bones and aching eyes begged for rest. Not dwelling much on her new life, Emelia closed her eyes, letting slumber take over.
Deep in the forest, Mark stood with his hands in his pockets. He was drunk to a stupor, but his drunken self was not sufficient to enlighten the rage bottled up within him.
"Young alpha, they headed for the dark mansion." A guard reported. Mark took his hands out of his pockets, his claws visible.
"I did get news of Fredrick's dealings, but why haven't you gotten evidence of it? Why are you so damn slow?" Mark roared angrily. He wanted something to nail his brother; he wanted the alpha position, but something within was unsettling.
"Young alpha, the chosen ceremony is only a day away, and you will be announced as the next alpha and officially introduced to the pack. I don't think your brother will do anything on such short notice." Mark was not satisfied with these conclusions. Fredrick has been on top of his game since the last time they meddled.
"If he is my brother, then underestimating him is something we shouldn't… I want answers, and I want them by dawn."