Tension
722 Words
ATHENA
The middle-aged lady was practically beaming when I returned to the room.
"That was splendid." She smiled warmly. "You attracted very impressive buyers."
I forced a smile. The thought of being referred to as something people could buy still left a bitter taste in my mouth.
She walked towards a nearby drawer and pulled out a phone. "Alpha Falcon asked me to give you this."
My mood immediately soured.
Of course. Even from a distance, he still found a way to place a leash on my neck.
"You must never part ways with it." She added and I took the phone reluctantly and slipped it into my purse.
A few minutes later, two guards arrived to escort me outside.
The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin as we stepped into the parking lot. A sleek black Maybach was already waiting.
One of the guards opened the rear door for me and I stepped into it. The leather seats were softer than anything I had ever sat on. The interior smelled expensive and looked even more expensive.
For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax.
Maybe Scarlet was right. Maybe life under King Vladimir's protection wouldn't be so terrible.
The door opened and my spine immediately straightened. King Vladimir entered and settled beside me.The guard shut the door after him and the car got in motion.
The silence that followed was heavy. Unbearably heavy. I kept my gaze fixed outside the window while trying to stop myself from fidgeting.
Sitting this close to him made the stories about him flood my mind again. The feared ruler of the Therian territory that could order an execution before breakfast.
The silence stretched for so long that I almost convinced myself he wouldn't acknowledge my existence till he spoke.
"You danced well."
The compliment caught me off guard. I turned towards him.
"Thank you." I mumbled under my breath.
His expression didn't change.
"You will not leave my estate without permission."
I didn't see that coming. My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress.
"You will not create problems for my staff." He continued.
That sounded bearable so, I nodded slowly.
"You will conduct yourself properly."
Another nod.
His gaze shifted towards me and his expression changed into something serious.
"And most importantly, you will stay away from my sons."
My brows knitted together.
Sons?
Before I could recover from that, he added another line. "You will not attempt to seduce them."
For a moment, I simply stared at him. Then the question escaped before I could stop it.
"Are you threatened by your sons?"
The instant the words left my mouth, I wanted to throw myself out of the moving car.
Something dark flashed in his eye. Goddess! His look was intimidating.
I quickly looked away and cleared my throat. "Forget I said that."
The silence that followed felt even worse. For a second, I genuinely thought he might order the driver to stop the car and throw me out.
Instead, A muscle ticked in his jaw and he looked away. The conversation ended as abruptly as it began and the remainder of the journey passed in silence.
By the time the vehicle slowed to a stop, my nerves were completely numb. I stepped out of the car and my breath caught.
The estate was enormous.
Golden lights illuminated the massive structure while guards stood at every entrance. Calling it a mansion was a gross understatement.
This place looked more like a palace.
King Vladimir stepped out beside me and headed inside with long strides. I quickly hurried after him.
The moment we crossed the entrance, my jaw dropped in awe.
Marble floors, crystal chandeliers and paintings that probably cost more than my father's entire property. The place screamed wealth and power.
I barely had time to take it all in. I found myself lost for a moment, staring around like a lost sheep, till a deep, masculine voice cut through my daze.
"Your mistresses have their quarters. I hate seeing them around."
The familiar voice instantly froze me in place.
My brows knitted at first, then my heartbeat stumbled.
No–
"I think father got himself a new chick."
Another familiar voice added. The lazy amusement in that voice punched the air out of my lungs. My knees almost buckled.
- Writer
