057
1147 Words
~iris
The corridor upstairs was quieter, the noise from the hall below fading into a dull hum. The lights were softer here, the air cooler, but none of it eased the knot sitting in my chest.
I guided Alice into one of the guest rooms, closing the door gently behind us. She sank onto the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples.
“You disappeared,” she said softly, looking up at me. “I was worried.”
“I know,” I replied, guilt pressing heavy on my shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
She studied my face for a moment, her brows pulling together. “Something’s wrong. You’ve been tense all night.”
I hesitated. There was so much I couldn’t say. Things she didn’t know. Things I didn’t even fully understand myself.
“It’s just… a lot,” I said finally. “Tonight’s been overwhelming.”
She nodded slowly, accepting the half-truth. “Well, you deserved that award. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
Her words grounded me more than she knew.
“ Oh my God, you need to see the look on Eunice face.”
“ I saw it.” I said.
After making sure she was settled, I stepped back into the hallway, leaning against the wall as I let out a long breath. My reflection stared back at me from a nearby mirror,composed on the outside, unraveling within.
Then I felt it.
That subtle shift in the air.
That familiar, unsettling awareness.
I straightened instinctively.
“Iris.”
His voice came from the end of the corridor.
Alpha Duncan stood there, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. The distance between us felt charged, like the space before a storm breaks.
“You should be with your guests,” I said coolly, lifting my chin.
“And you should be celebrating,” he replied, eyes narrowing slightly. “Yet here you are, running.”
“I wasn’t running.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “You always do.”
I crossed my arms. “If you’re here to gloat, don’t bother.”
He took a step closer, then stopped,respecting the line, or at least pretending to. “That award wasn’t a game,” he said. “You earned it.”
I searched his face, trying to find mockery. There was none.
“That doesn’t change anything,” I said.
He smirked.
“ I thought you would agree when I said I wasn't coming to your place.”
“ I just want you to get your gift that's all.”he said and I scoffed.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs, and Duncan stepped back, the mask sliding into place.
“Ten o’clock,” he said evenly.
Then he turned and walked away, I stayed where I was long after Duncan disappeared down the corridor.
Ten o’clock.
The words echoed in my head like a ticking clock I couldn’t shut off. I pressed my palm against my chest, steadying my breathing. I wanted to end these, I wanted to be normal again.
I pushed myself off the wall and returned to the room.
Alice was already lying back, shoes kicked off, dress slightly rumpled. She smiled when she saw me.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes,” I lied easily. Too easily. “Just needed air.”
She nodded, eyes fluttering shut. “Wake me when we’re leaving.”
Leaving.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the plaque resting on the dresser. My name gleamed under the soft light.
Outstanding Student.
I should’ve been proud. Instead, it felt like a brand.
Downstairs, the event wrapped up quickly after the awards. Laughter, music, polite goodbyes. I helped Alice to the car when it was time, my mind working overtime.
“Dad didn’t even noticed I was drunk.” she muttered sleepily as we drove.
That was a small mercy.
When we got home, I waited until Alice was settled before retreating to my room. I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, finally allowing the tension to show.
Why was he doing this?
Why now?
I checked the time.
9:17 PM.
I told myself I wouldn’t go. That I’d text my aunt, make an excuse, pretend none of this had happened.
But deep down, I knew better.
Avoidance had never worked with Alpha Duncan.
At 9:55 PM, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.
I didn’t dress to impress. No effort. No invitation. Just simple, controlled, defensive.
This is about a painting, I reminded myself. Nothing more.
The driver arrived exactly at ten.
Duncan’s house loomed quietly under the night sky,grand, intimidating, silent in a way that felt intentional. The kind of silence that watched you.
I stepped inside.
The door closed behind me with a soft click.
He was already there.
No suit this time. Just a dark shirt, sleeves rolled, posture relaxed,but his attention snapped to me instantly.
“You came,” he said.
“I’m here for the portrait,” I replied. “Nothing else.”
A pause.
“Of course.”
He gestured toward the living room. The painting stood against the wall, covered with a cloth.
My stomach tightened.
“Uncover it,” he said.
I hesitated, then reached out and pulled the cloth away.
It was me.
Not perfect. Not idealized. Not polished.
Me,focused, distant, guarded. A girl caught between defiance and restraint.
I swallowed.
There's really a portrait.
He stormed towards me, “ you know, I thought you wouldn't come.”
“ I didn't have a choice.”
His eyes lingered on mine, And straight to my lips, then back to my eyes.
I fisted my hands slightly in a ball. Wanting to stop the wetness pooling around my thighs.
Wanting to stop how drawn I felt to his eyes and his sexy physique.
His hands came on my face, he tucked the strands of hair that had fallen on my face behind my ears.
The simple touch made me more wet. And I had the urge to press my body against him and just let him dominate my body the way he did that night and other nights.
Let him f**k me till my senses were all shut off, and I couldn't tell right form wrong.
I swallowed hard, this was crazy. Inappropriate, and very wrong.
I have told myself that I would not have anything to do with this man again.
Yet,I couldn't help it, I couldn't help how my panties wet just from his intense gaze. I knew he felt the same thing, I knew from the hard bulge in his pants.
However, it still didn't make right.
“ Can I go now?” I asked.
He swallowed hard, “okay.”
“ Okay you can go.” He Said.
I was surprised, I didn't expect that.
I left anyways.
- Writer
