Alpha Valerius

Chateau & Trepidity

There was only one thing that took my mind off of Valerius.

It was the sheer size, aesthetic and location of his home.

Whilst I was preoccupied with my omega problems, and the heated seduction that is Valerius, we had reached our destination. When I exited the car, I took the liberty of turning around and looking at the second gate we had passed. Its massive size was domineering, spreading in a circle around the house. The front yard was carefully taken care of. The pavement, carved stones shed around us in a circle, until the edges reached the same shaped lawn of grass. There was a couple of trees, each growing at same distance as the last one.

It was dark, but I could make out most of it. There was no way I would miss the looming figures of wood and the barricade that was the main gate to Valerius's home.

Turning back towards the direction I originally was supposed to follow, I stared at the house. It was more of a mansion, with two separate wings and two floors. Gigantic, coated in strange contours of shadows, it instilled a specific flavor of fear. Irrational fear.

If I were to come alone here, for the first time, I would certainly think that this place is haunted.

Though I couldn't deny that somehow that didn't surprise me.

Following the driver, that politely escorted me out of the car, my eyes stared up and up, until I had to crane my neck backwards so I could determine the actual height. As much as I could make out, even though my night vision was better than any human's, I couldn't quite piece together the architectural design.

It was...rather strange.

"My lady?"

The driver inquired in a worried tone.

"Yeah, uh, sorry."

I replied and urged myself to keep my mind in this world. This was no time to be distracted, even though each and every detail of this place led to that happening.

We soon entered the lobby.

Around us, numerous candles were lit. Even though a big, crystal chandelier hung above our heads, the candles seemed to be a much better source of lighting. For some reason, that only enhanced the creepiness of this place.

"My lady, your luggage will be carried up to your room. My lord is requesting that you meet him at the dinning room."

The driver explained. Before I could protest, he walked away, leaving me in the dimly lighted lobby. I released an exasperated sigh.

The only thing I wanted now was to explore some more and then retire for the night. Right now, talking to him and seeing him was the last on my list.

For several minutes, I stood in the lobby, unsure of where to go. The mansion was huge, full of rooms and turns I didn't know of. There was no way I could find the dining room on my first try.

Though, if Valerius was there, I could just follow his scent.

The second that thought ran through my mind, I was already dismissing it. Smelling him right now was like looking for another dose of a fatal drug.

Taking a couple of steps from my original spot, I looked around the lobby. There was nothing in particular, except for the candles and windows, vases full of flowers and a couple of stray chairs here and there. As if it was a waiting room.

Though, I wouldn't be surprised if Valerius kept his guests or visitors waiting in the lobby.

As much as I've heard, he hates strangers roaming around in his home.

And yet here I am.

A stranger about to move in with him and defile his precious home.

If I weren't his mate...how would he feel?

Sighing once again, I decided to take a seat on one of the chairs. However, just as I approached it, a woman, possibly in her mid 30's approached me. She wore a long dress, with white apron, her hair neatly tied up in a bun. Her hands were covered with gloves and the tips of her shoes were barely visible.

"My lady, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

She noted, giving me a graceful bow. I returned it hesitantly, unsure of what to say.

"My name is Viola. I will be serving you from now on."

She introduced herself, a hint of a smile placed graciously on her lips.

I recognized the sharpness of her features. The way her shoulders were aligned with the straightness of her back. The way her arms elegantly fell in front of her belly, one hand over the other. Reserved and gracious, her gestures weren't that of a maid or a servant.

The way she spoke, the tone of her voice, the glimmer in her eyes, the gentleness of her gaze. Those were all traits of a lady. Not someone who grew up as a servant.

How strange. Why would she be a servant?

It had been only a couple of minutes since I entered this house, and already so many questions were swarming in my head. Beginning with the home itself, the addition of Viola's mysterious grace was very tempting.

I decided I stalled my introduction for too long. Giving her a semi-bow, I replied to her words.

"Rosalie, the pleasure is all mine."

My lips stretched into a smile, which she instantly returned gratefully.

"Come, my lady, the lord is waiting for you in the dining room. He has requested that you dine with him for the evening, as a compensation for leaving the party before the main feast."

Main feast? On the contrary, if we didn't leave that early, I would have probably went nuts with the amount of anxiety in my body.

She led me away from the lobby. Only several doors later, after we passed the stairs that went up to the second floor, we reached the door to the dining room. She opened it and entered, with me following her suit.

Valerius was already seated there, as if he was waiting for a genuinely long time, resting his head on his hand. His golden eyes flickered to our forms and he acknowledged our presence when we reached the table.

"Bring us wine, Viola."

"Yes, my lord. My lady, please take your seat by my lord's side, I will be back shortly."

She bowed and left the room within seconds.

I hesitated. I could clearly see, by his serious expression, that he was not in the mood to accept a no for an answer.

Swallowing thickly, I took a seat where another plate was prepared. As he was sitting at the head of the table, I was on his left side.

"I'm sure you're famished, eat."

Stern, his voice once again cut through the silence sharply.

It was true that I didn't eat for most of the evening, but I wasn't even close to hungry. My appetite was gone the moment I heard the news.

Yet, I was afraid. The way her used his tone, I no longer had the power to refuse him. So I complied.

Taking the fork, I made sure to put a bit of everything on my plate. With my throat dry, I ate in silence. I could feel his eyes raking over my form, watching my every move and taking note of my every bite. It wasn't until I was halfway through my plate, that the atmosphere shifted.

He seemed to relax a bit and the scary vibes I was receiving from him subsided. I felt my muscles slump in relief.

The amount of pressure his sole mood swings had was chilling. Just by that, I could see how powerful he was.

And also...his stares didn't help my irrational nervousness. When I felt like I couldn't eat anymore, I lowered the fork and took a peek at his face. He was watching with a hint of a smile on his lips. The sight was serene. The light that illuminated the room did him good, his features looking softer and a lot more...attractive.

Involuntarily, I felt a blush spread across my cheeks.

"Please stop staring..."

I muttered out without thinking.

Once again, I caught how his eyes flared. But he immediately regained control over his own emotions.

"I can't."

Huh?

"Why not?"

We stared at each other for a couple of silent moments, before his lips finally moved.

"I finally have you here. I simply can't resist."

A respectful bit was offered to me, but then my face exploded into a furious blush. I covered my mouth with a hand, looking shamefully away from the man.

So honest, direct. It was something I would have never expected. The rumors always spoke of how heartless or cold he was, how he was mysterious and reserved, spoke very little. He was a man of a few words.

The redness continued to grow. Frankly, I had no idea why I was so embarrassed. It was just that, the genuine attraction he felt towards me was exposed and I somehow...felt bashful about it. The pitter patter of my heart indicated that the attraction was mutual, but the violent butterflies in my stomach were telling me I somehow...felt happy.

Not a chance.

I corrected my thoughts, dismissing the feeling and attempting to compose myself. A low chuckle escaped Valerius, the sound lingering in my ears. It was pleasant, somehow endearing, but once again, I shrugged it off.

How on earth could I laugh with him?

With the man who bought me like a sack of potatoes and now wants to eat me alive.

"Did I hit a nerve?"

He questioned, still leaving his eyes to glide over my form, as if he had missed something. As if there was more than it seemed. I didn't reply. There was no need to.

I didn't want to waste my breath...on such a man. No matter what bond we have.

At my lack of answer, his mood shifted. I could tell he was guarded and that he was confused. There was more words he wanted to speak, but something was holding him back.

During our little session of staring and blushing, ignoring and trying to figure out what the other was thinking, I didn't even notice that the wine was already brought to us. The maid, Viola, worked in such silence and stealth, that I didn't even hear the door open and close.

I realized I was so out of it that I forgot my surroundings.

"I'm finished."

I stated the obvious. As much as I didn't want to anger him, I couldn't stand being near him any longer.

"May I go to my room now?"

He left the question to hang above our heads for a certain amount of time. I grew impatient as the seconds ticked by. When I finally looked at him, my whole being froze.

The glare he was giving me injected a fatal dosage of fear inside my system. It wasn't just that. The anger was seeping out of him in extensive amounts of vicious pheromones.

My breath ran short. My hands collected the sweat on my dress. I couldn't feel my legs as the paralysis spread fast all over my body. My heart pumped the blood fast, veins straining from the tension in my muscles and limbs. Mouth dry, lips chapped, throat tight and becoming tighter. I sat unmoving, unblinking, capturing every detail of the angered state of my mate.

I was petrified.

Valerius, although remaining in the same positing, was prominently glaring daggers at me. Gold swam in his eyes, blazing brighter than the light in the room. Once again, his scar seemed to burn, as if it came alive every time emotions got the best of him.

I could make out a certain vein popping on his forehead and his neck. Proof of just how much he was trying to restrain himself.

The bloodlust was real.

Fearful of my future in the next few minutes, I could no longer think. I did and said whatever, just so I could... get out alive.

"D-did I say something wrong?"

I stuttered over my words. My voice was quivering, giving away the terror in me.

"Your attitude towards me leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Of course it does.

The little voice inside me reacted. Both his eyes and mind widened for a fraction. I certainly knew who made that little statement and dug our grave. The one thing that made me who I am.

I begged it to stop. I begged it to not say another word. It was futile. The air was frozen around us. I couldn't breathe.

It's what you deserve when you buy us like slaves.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Leave. Before I change my mind."