Chapter Four.
The drive from the airport to Dominic's parents home was short but luxurious. He said nothing throughout the journey, just staring out the window.
Chloe found it a little odd but decided he was probably missing home, nothing unusual.
He said his father was rich, but what Chloe saw wasn't just rich, it was a massive mansion, set on a hill. They drove into the compound, stopping only for a butler to usher her and Dominic in, bowing low for them as they walked out of the car.
Chloe walked into the palace, her jaws open. She didn't believe it, just a few hours ago, she was at her desk in Manhattan, working her butt off on a boring Monday morning, now she was in this wonderland, the grandest mansion she had ever seen.
"Oh Dominic," she yelped, turning around to face him as he stood a little distance behind her, watching her intently, "It's beautiful, your family owns this place?"
He nodded, a curious expression on his face, it had gone cold, no trace of humor. "Yes," he said, "We have owned it for generations."
She walked up to him, smiling from ear to ear, "It's beautiful, I am so happy I came on this trip with you."
A humorless smile played on his lips, "Of course."
"So." She asked, sidling up to him, "Where are they?"
"Who?"
"Your parents of course?"
"You won't see them anytime soon Chloe." He said, his face stone cold now.
Chloe frowned, "Are you okay?"
He said nothing, just staring at her.
"Dominic?" She asked. "Where are your parents? What is going on?"
Dominic, now wearing a cold and distant expression, looked at Chloe with disdain.
"Meet my parents? Oh, Chloe, you're even more foolish than you look. I've deceived you this entire time. I'm a werewolf, a part of a royal lineage. Did you really think someone like me would stoop so low as to be with someone like you?"
Her eyes widened in shock, all color draining from her face. The weight of Dominic's words hit her like a sledgehammer to the chest.
"What... what are you talking about Dominic?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Dominic's icy gaze bore down on her, and as he smiled, Chloe noticed them for the first time.
Among his pearly white teeth, where the canines were supposed to be, were... Fangs.
He spoke, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"You were simply a toy, an amusement. But it's time to end this charade. You were nothing more than a convenient distraction, Chloe. Wake up and realize the reality of your insignificance."
Chloe's vision blurred, what the hell was he talking about what the hell was going on?
She staggered as she was hit by a sudden wave of dizziness.
"What?" She heard herself ask, "What are you saying?"
He said nothing, just watched her with a cruel smile on his face and suddenly everything went black.
The last thing she heard was the thud of her own body on the floor.
* * *
Chloe slowly opened her eyes and winced as a sharp headache reverberated through her temples. Confusion gripped er as her surroundings came into focus. She found herself in a small, dimly lit stone cell, the air stagnant and heavy. Fear began to bubble in her chest.
All that had happened before she passed out? Was it real? What the hell was going on? Where was she?
Panicking, she raised her voice and yelled as loud as she could, "Hello? Is anyone there? Help! Please!"
A guard, dressed in uniform, entered the cell, wearing an expression of annoyance at Chloe's cries for help.
"Stop screaming, human" he said gruffly, "You're giving me a headache."
Chloe's heart raced, her voice trembling as she plead desperately.
"Please, I don't know how I got here. I just want to go home. Can you help me?"
The guard's eyes peered at her, cold and cruel. Chloe shuddered, all these wolves, did they have that exact same wicked look? He rolled his eyes, his first show of emotion at all confirming to Chloe that he did infact possess them but his eyes remained stern.
"You're not going anywhere until you make a choice human," he sneered coldly, almost spitting out the last word with so much venom, Chloe recoiled, "The master will see you shortly."
Almost on cue, Chloe heard footsteps approaching, moments later, Dominic entered the cell, his demeanor icy and distant, a stark contrast to the man Chloe had fallen for.
"Are you comfortable?" He asked.
Chloe shook her head, terrified.
He walk up to her, squatting to look into her eyes, "Good, Chloe, you have two options. Either become a member of the royal maids or rot in this cell for the rest of your life."
Chloe's eyes widened in disbelief, Fear intertwining within her. She needed to try to plead with him to let her go.
"Dominic, please, this isn't funny anymore." She said,her voice cracking, "stop with the prank. I beg you."
Dominic's face remained impassive, his voice devoid of emotion as he addressed her.
"Oh, I assure you, this is not a prank." He said, his voice as serious as sin. "The choice is real. As a member of my family, you either serve us as a maid or spend your days in this cell. We have no use for humans who are not werewolves."
Chloe's voice trembled as she reached out one last time, searching for a glimmer of the Dominic she once knew, the one she had met and followed to this hell.
"But Dominic, don't you remember?" She pleaded, tears flowing now, "We shared something special. We liked each other. Please, don't do this. At the very least, let me go home."
Dominic's face cracked open with laughter, so deep and mocking it tore at Chloe until she wanted to shut her ears and bang her head against the wall, anything to make it stop.
"Those feelings?" He asked when he finally stopped, forcing her to look at him, "Those were a mirage, one you wanted to see. I am a werewolf of Royal blood human," he growled, his eyes shining dangerously, "Like I said earlier you are absolutely no match for me."
He stood up and gestured around the cell, "This, this is your level, your place. The fact that we are letting you serve us is a mercy."
He walked up to the door of the cell, "Make up your mind, you won't get another chance."
With that, Dominic turned and walked away, leaving Chloe alone in the cold, damp cell. Desperation washing over her, she collapsed to the floor, consumed by grief and anguish.
"How did everything change so quickly?" She sobbed, "What have I done to deserve this?"
Her tears flowed freely as she curled into herself, lost in the depths of her despair.