Chapter 6 Six

  SOLANA

Alpha Roman was upset. I could see it in his eyes. It reminded me of Elric. And because of this, I froze, my pulse hammering in my ears. All that went through my mind was the possibility that he was much worse than Elric.

    I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the wetness on my face. He released me instantly, a storm in his eyes.

    "I-I'm sorry, Alpha. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cry," I croaked, hurriedly wiping my tears away.

    A slight crease settled between his brows.

    "You're apologizing for crying?" His deep voice was laced with disbelief.

    Worried that I'd only dampened his mood further, I proceeded to rise to my feet and reached behind me to unzip my dress with shaky fingers.

    The instant I took it off, I suddenly felt self-aware. I'd always thought my body was mismatched. It was small on top and wide at the bottom. A shape Elric had mocked more than once.

    His electric gaze slowly swept over my body, and I couldn't bring myself to make eye contact.

    "Solana, turn around," he ordered, and I tensed, startled by the coarseness of his voice.

    Slowly, I turned around, barely keeping myself from holding my hands to my breast.

    "Was it Elric?" He growled, and a shiver ran down my spine.

    "Alpha—"

    "Answer me," he hissed.

    I wasn't sure what he was talking about. But then I felt him standing right behind me. His fingers lightly traced the deep scars on my back, and I gulped, my heart pounding faster.

    "Why can't I feel your wolf? I didn't want to ask because it wasn't important. But seeing the number of scars on your body..." his voice trailed off. He sounded like he was physically in agony.

    "I'm sorry—"

    He sucked in a sharp breath, and I stiffened.

    "Look at me," he droned.

    Slowly, I turned to look at him, my gaze meeting his blank one.

    "You're forbidden from saying those words to me," he said. He meant it. Goddess, what if I accidentally said it again? I'd been conditioned to apologize for the smallest things.

    "Do you understand?" He asked, and I nodded.

    "Words, Solana. Use them."

    My throat went dry. "Yes, Alpha."

    "Tell me this one thing. I only want the truth. Why did you ask me to take you with me?"

    "I was tired. So tired of being treated like an animal," I confessed.

    "Then why do I smell wolfsbane on you?"

    My head hung low as I debated telling him about my terminal condition. What if he didn't want me anymore?

    "Elric used to poison me with it," I blurted out.

    "What?" He breathed.

    Slowly, I looked up at him, unsure of what to expect.

    "Solana, why would he—"

    I shivered, a gust of wind entering the room through the open windows. Alpha Roman sighed. Then he unbuttoned his shirt with quick fingers. I watched in awe as the fabric slipped off his broad shoulders. His muscles flexed as he slipped it off entirely.

    Alpha Roman's features stayed blank as he helped me put on his shirt. His fingers grazed my nipple, and a shiver ran down my spine.

    He froze. Then his eyes darkened.

    "You like that, don't you?" He asked.

    I bit my lower lip, my heart pounding faster in my chest.

    What do I say?

    How do I tell him that I don't even know what I like? Elric had made sure of that. Sex was pain and punishment.

    "I don't know what you're hiding, but I'll find out. And when I do, you'll understand what it means to cross me," Alpha Roman said and a lump formed in my throat. He released me then, shutting the door behind him.

    Tears pricked my eyes but I forced myself to smile. I was his wife now. Therefore, all I had to do was take care of him like a wife would. It didn't matter if he didn't trust me. I owed him this much.

    ...

    "What is my husband's favorite food, Anna?" I asked. We were in the kitchen and she was showing me around, just in case I craved something.

    She chuckled.

    "Your husband, eh? Looks like you're already warming up to him. Well, he rarely eats. You don't have to worry about feeding him," she told me and my eyes widened.

    How was he able to maintain such a powerful frame if he didn't eat?

    "Is he...part vampire?" I said and she laughed.

    "I'm definitely going to tell him that," she uttered, and my cheeks flushed hot.

    "Will you please just tell me what he likes to eat?" I mumbled.

    "Mostly soup. He doesn't taste it, though. By the way, shouldn't you be in your bedroom preparing for your wedding night? It's almost seven p.m.," she said.

    I gawked at her.

    "What do you mean? He can't taste anything?"

    She nodded.

    "He's cursed. All of his five senses are muted," she told me casually.

    My heart sank.

    That made sense. He was like a lifeless machine most of the time. He must be so miserable.

    Still, it was unnerving how casually she'd mentioned it.

    "Now off you go, sweetheart. Straight to the bedroom. Wear the lingerie I prepared," she said.

    Heat crept up my neck. "I've never worn—"

    She hissed, pinching my cheek lightly.

    "We're talking about your husband here, Sol."

    Anxiety sank into me. I hadn't been able to tell earlier if he liked my body or not. What if he disliked it, just like Elric?

    "But..."

    Anna arched a brow. "Are you a virgin? Is that why you're so hesitant? Sweetheart, it's okay. I'm sure you can talk things out with him. Just don't let him sleep alone tonight."

    I sighed, wringing my hands together.

    "You've got this."

    I nodded, giving her a smile.

    Squaring my shoulders, I left the large kitchen and headed towards the room. Alpha Roman's scent was so strong here, it filled my heart with warmth.

    The bed was especially large, and the room was spacious. Still, it felt lifeless. Greys and blacks were everywhere. I itched to do something about it. But what if he didn't like sudden changes?

    Heaving a sigh, I stripped and entered the bathroom. It was much more spacious than the previous one. I couldn't help but giggle.

    Never in my life did I think I would experience such a life. 

    Wife of the demon alpha.

    Did this mean people would be afraid of me now, just like my husband?

    They should be scared.

    After a long, refreshing bath, I grabbed a clean, folded towel, wrapping it around my body.

    Just as I was about to step out, I faltered.

    What if...

    What if my scars were a turn-off for him?

    I tightened my grip on my towel, a knot forming in my stomach.

    Uneasy, I stepped out of the bathroom only to freeze when I saw the woman sitting on the bed, waiting. She was wearing my lingerie.

    "What are you doing here?" She hissed, her pale blue eyes burning into mine.

    I blinked at her, confused.

    "Isn't that supposed to be my line? What are you doing in my husband's room?" I asked.

    Anger twisted her beautiful features. "Your husband? How dare you, you filthy—"

    Just then, the door creaked open and my muscles tensed.