Chapter 35 - A twisted game
2056 Words
Once the seven-course dinner finally was coming to an end, the room came alive with a stunning performance of an intriguing ballet, "Swan Lake." Chloe couldn't help but be deeply impressed by the dancers, their graceful movements leaving her in awe. However, her eyelids grew heavy, and all she could think about was snuggling up in bed for a well-deserved rest.
"Is this evening over now?" Chloe asked Iron, who seemed quite disinterested in the show. "I'm really longing to go to bed."
Iron wrapped his arm around her, shaking his head. "Not yet," he replied. "There's still the ballroom dancing to endure before we can slip away. But let's share a few dances, just to be courteous, and then we can find something more captivating to do." As he spoke, his hand trailed down her back, giving her a gentle squeeze on her lower back.
Chloe shrugged off his arm. "I think I'll pass," she shook her head.
“What’s wrong? “ Iron furrowed his brow with concern.
"Nothing," Chloe sighed wearily. "I'm just tired."
"I promise we'll leave as soon as possible," he assured her, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. "Besides, I have a surprise for you."
"Oh?" His comment caught her attention, instantly stirring her awake. What now?
"You'll find out later...” he gave her hand a little squeeze. “But I think you’ll appreciate it.”
As the final performance concluded, the audience rose to their feet, showering the dancers with thunderous applause. Once again, Chloe tried to catch Marcus' attention, as she had several times throughout the evening, but he continued to avoid her gaze.
Suddenly, a swarm of omegas flooded into the room, swiftly clearing away the tables to make room for the dance floor. Chloe hoped for some lively dances to lift her spirits, but to her disappointment, they began with a waltz – the dance she liked the least. Iron, of course, was the first to request her hand, and she reluctantly obliged.
"I really wish we didn't have to stick to these formal dance moves," Iron complained. "But it's what people expect from us."
"I thought you said you could do whatever you please," Chloe replied, offering him a wry smile.
"What I truly want," he whispered in her ear before twirling her around, "is to remove that dress and explore every inch of your body."
“Interesting,” Chloe nodded, feigning innocence with a polite smile. “Keep talking.”
“With my tongue,” he added with a naughty grin.
Chloe swallowed, her cheeks suddenly flushing as she imagined him following through with his words. However, the dance kept them at a distance, making more dirty talk impossible.
The next dance was a foxtrot, and as Chloe swayed from side to side with Iron, her attention was caught by Marcus, who was now dancing with Cassiopeia. The glum expression etched on his face stirred up a wave of guilt and unease within her, and she wished she would be able to talk to him, just briefly. However, as soon as the dance came to an end, Marcus swiftly made his way toward the restrooms, and Cassiopeia approached Chloe and Iron with a determined look on her face.
"I'm here for our dance... You promised me one, remember?" she gave Iron a daring gaze. "Last weekend, before you fuc.ked me, you told me how you longed to dance with me at the Winter's ball."
Iron emitted a low growl, his eyes briefly flicking towards Chloe, who had to clear her throat, sensing an uncomfortable lump forming.
“Say what?” she coughed. “I thought you considered Cassie too young to be your mate,” she frowned at Iron, who appeared pained.
"I..." he began, only to be interrupted by Cassiopeia.
"He thinks I'm too young to mate with, not too young to fu.ck," she stated coolly. "Am I right?"
Iron ran a hand through his hair, visibly disturbed. This was clearly not a conversation he wanted right now. “Cassie, we had a deal…” he muttered, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
"Okay," Chloe interjected with a forced smile. "I'll just go to the ladies' room, and you two can talk, or something."
"Chloe, wait," Iron grabbed her wrist, making her look at him.
"I'm fine," she raised an eyebrow. "But she doesn't seem to be." She gestured toward Cassiopeia, whose eyes welled up with tears. "I'll head to the ladies', and you both can sort things out," she continued with a stern voice.
Goddess! What a triangle of drama she had been thrust into! Chloe shook her head in disbelief as she made her way toward the restrooms, where she had seen Marcus disappear moments ago.
"A triangle?" her wolf scoffed. "More like a hexagon..."
Indeed, her wolf was right. Things were spiraling out of control. Maybe her original plan to leave would have been the smartest move after all… Perhaps she should push for an early departure in the morning, skipping the final evening of the Winter's ball? It was becoming increasingly clear that staying would bring nothing but trouble.
Deep in her thoughts, Chloe failed to notice footsteps trailing behind her along the hallway. It wasn't until it was too late that she realized she had become disoriented, not finding the restrooms but walking the wrong way. Just as she was about to turn around, she found herself forcefully pushed against the wall, a large, imposing man breathing heavily on her neck.
"Arnulf!" she exclaimed, trying to push him away. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to have a taste of you," he chuckled, pressing her harder against the wall.
"Let go of me," she snarled, struggling against him.
He grasped her thigh, pressing himself against her, and she could feel his unwelcome bulge against her thigh. "I'm going to take you, here and now," he growled, unzipping his pants.
"No," she declared with force, pushing him away once again. “What's wrong with you? And Iron's your brother!"
"Oh, that's precisely why I'm doing this," Arnulf sneered. "My brother despises it when I take his women. Once I'm done with you, he won't touch you, and he'll turn to Cassiopeia instead. Then I'll be a free man," he grinned.
"Cassie..." Chloe's eyes widened. She knew her cousin disliked her, but she never expected this from her.
"All she wants is Iron," Arnulf snarled. "She thought this plan was as brilliant as I did." With a swift motion, he pressed himself against her and licked her on the neck. “And I can’t say that I’m complaining. You do smell delicious…”
“Leave me alone,” she hissed, shoving him aside. “I’m not interested in playing your games.”
However, he swiftly regained his footing and, with a menacing snarl, he forcefully pushed her back against the wall. She tried to kick and shout for help, but he quickly placed his hand over her mouth, suppressing her screams. Damn it! He was much bigger than her and terribly strong. Yet, Chloe was not going to give up.
“If you can’t beat them, cheat them…” her wolf growled.
Allowing her claws to protrude, Chloe drove them into Arnulf's groin with force. "I told you, release me!" she wheezed, her fingers tightly gripping his balls, her claws piercing through his skin. He let out a howl, screaming with agony, and bent over, his eyes seemingly on the verge of bulging out of their sockets from pain.
Chloe's gaze bore into him with contempt. "That's what happens if you try to take a woman by force," she scorned.
The very next moment, someone sent him flying down the hall, his body crashing onto the tiled floor with a resounding thud.
"I'm going to fuc.king kill you, you piece of s**t!" Iron bellowed and kicked him forcefully.
"Iron," Arnulf growled, his fangs bared as he faced his brother. He was clutching his groin, his pants and underwear stained with blood from Chloe's claws. "She was the one hitting on me, and then suddenly she just went off the rails," he spat.
"Yeah right," Iron scoffed. "I'm not stupid, Arnulf."
"That bitc.h doesn't belong here," Arnulf continued, casting a contemptuous look at Chloe. "Even our father agrees."
"I don't care what you think," Iron loomed over him. "Now leave before I finish what she started." He glanced toward Chloe, who was observing the scene quietly, her arms crossed over her chest.
She had always wondered why Alpha brothers always ended up as rivals. It was the same story with her own two brothers - they had been constantly competing and despising each other. Was it their natural instinct for them to fight for dominance, even within the family? Some twisted game of love and hate had driven them to the point of losing their sanity, leading them to commit acts that no rational person would ever even consider doing.
"Come," Iron beckoned, gesturing for her to approach him. He took her arms in his, gazing at her with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I am," she replied, holding her head high. "Just tired of all this... I'm starting to get sick and tired of this place."
"Let's go," he said, wrapping his arm around her and leading the way. "I must say, I'm impressed by your creativity..."
"Where are we going?” she frowned.
“There are some things I want to show you," Iron kept walking, guiding her along with his hand at the small of her back.
“But I have to go tell Freya," she objected. “She must stay away from Arnulf.”
Iron chuckled. “After what you did, Arnulf is in no condition to cause her harm. He'll likely retreat to his room and wallow in self-pity.”
“No, but still…” she bit her lip. She really should go see Freya.
"Don't worry," he reassured her, his voice soothing. "I saw Freya with Marcus before I went searching for you... She'll be fine. Please come; I think you'll appreciate what I have to show you."
Silently walking together through the castle, gradually distancing themselves from the others, Chloe stole a glance at Iron. Could she trust him? She hoped she would be safe in his presence. Yet, one could never be too certain...
"I apologize for my brother," Iron sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "And about Cassie... Please, understand, it was before I met you."
"I don't care," Chloe shrugged. "You're free to do as you please."
It wasn’t entirely true. Although she knew he had been with numerous women before, something about him being involved with her cousin made her nauseous.
"But I want you to care," he growled, pulling her closer. "I want you to look at me the way I see you." His gaze was filled with longing and desire.
"We hardly know each other," she pointed out.
"True," he chuckled, his hand caressing her arm. "But I intend to get to know you much better." He leaned in, as if about to kiss her.
"What did you want to show me?" Chloe interrupted, diverting his attention. She was still feeling tense from Arnulf's attempted assault and wasn't really in the mood for intimacy at the moment.
Iron glanced longingly at her lips before straightening up. "It's right here," he said, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers.
They continued down the hallway in the west wing, coming closer to where Chloe's room was located. What could he possibly want to show her there? Maybe it was just a way for him to get her into bed with him…
She expected him to take her to any of their bedrooms, but to her surprise, they kept walking until they reached the very last door. Iron stopped, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Why...?" Chloe began to ask, but her question faded as he produced a set of keys from his pocket.
"I managed to get my hands on these," he grinned. "Do you want to see your mother's rooms and uncover her history? Are you ready to unravel the secrets of her past?"
Chloe's jaw dropped, but she quickly composed herself, a surge of excitement coursing through her.
Yes. She was more than ready.
- Writer
