JULIETTE

By morning, I freshened up and changed into one of the tight slip dresses heavily loaded in my wardrobe. I styled my hair in a tight bun, preparing myself for any task Darius had planned to toss my way.

I waited for the usual knock of a guard or maid carrying Darius's orders to me. And I wasn't disappointed, a knock greeted my door minutes later.

I opened it and met the tall woman from a week ago. I had not seen her since the morning she tossed extremely cold water on my face rather than waking me up like a normal being.

“Alpha Darius sends for you.”

I closed the door behind me and followed her, she took me to the palace terrace.

Darius was sitting with an equally broad and tall-looking man. They were dressed almost identically, in black leather pants, but different t-shirts. Darius was a little bit extra, leaving two of his buttons open.

“Good morning Alpha Darius.” I bowed, and turned to his companion, bowing as well.

“Beta Cole.” He smirked, pointing in my direction, "Meet my new pet.”

This was the infamous Beta, never seen in the media, and even when caught, he was always in a mask. He was handsome with sharp features and cold blue eyes that glared unprovokingly at me, “I expected better.” He remarked, his tone giving off a strange energy; it was clear he didn't like me.

“It doesn't matter.” Darius waved it off, he pulled out a black bag and tossed it at me.

“Your dress for tonight, you will be watching me have dinner like the obedient pet you are.” He said casually, like he was updating me about the news.

“You can leave.” Darius dismissed me and I hurried off.

My skin crawled at the thought of Cole hating me for being an Omega, I could see it in his eyes, how he judged and degraded me.

I ought to have been used to these stares and tones, but I had spent only a week and a few days here, and each one felt fresh, consuming my reserves.

Two ladies blocked my path as I turned to the corridor that led to my room. A petite lady with brown eyes and dark hair, and another who was taller by an inch, with curly, almond colored hair and black eyes, both had pale and rough looking skin. Their gazes were neutral, nothing I should be scared of, but a part of me didn't want to relate with these ladies.

“Excuse me?” Oblivious to their intentions and not giving a dime, I tried to pass through the other space, but they blocked that as well.

“You are just like us,” the curly-haired lady spoke up first, “Why is he treating you differently? Why are you in these quarters rather than those of the servants?” She continued to rant and the other kept nodding in agreement.

“I don't understand what you mean, no one is treating me differently, I can assure you.”

“Liar!” The petite lady barked, and I took a cautious step back.

“Lower your tone lady, I don't know who you are and I certainly don't understand what you both are saying. But if my guess is right, then this is about Alpha Darius, and my reply to that would be, Don't be deceived by what you hear. You have not the slightest idea what he has done or is doing to me. If you truly think we are alike, then you would understand what I am trying to say.”

They scoffed, scowling at me. They didn't believe me, which was a little bit funny.

“You are seducing him aren't you? Selling off your body to gain sympathy from the Alpha. You think your pussy will save you from seeing the real Alpha, you think it will save you from your debts.”

“Let her be Ria.” The curly-haired cut in, “She's a worthless slut.” She spat at me, and I lost it. My hand flew across her face swiftly, colliding hard on her ugly face.

The sound echoed, and Ria or whatever gasped. “Stacy, are you alright?” She asked, checking on her friend who had her palm glued to her reddened cheek.

I clenched my jaw, pointing my finger at them, “Don't you dare call me names from that filthy mouth of yours. I may be an Omega, but I'm definitely not a weak and insecure fool like both of you.” With that said, I stormed off. Racing back to my room before another encounter would burst out from nowhere.

****************

I remained in my room all through the day. Darius didn't bother sending for me after the scheduled task he gave me this morning and I was grateful.

I had another shower, a quick one, and changed into the dress he assigned to me. Beneath the bag were golden jewelry and another collar was a part of it. It had words engraved in it.

“Darius’s Pet.” I gritted my teeth and tossed the collar back into the bag.

My blood boiled, recalling the silly encounter I had with those omegas, it was so disappointing to see them trash me all for a slightly different treatment.

But they knew nothing of what Darius was doing to me, they weren't being humiliated at every given point, or paraded in a collar, they weren't being sexually tortured or punished at the slightest disobedience. They knew nothing of my pain but chose to rub theirs in my face.

A tear slipped out of my eyes as I picked up the collar again. I felt truly alone at that moment, I didn't even bother to wipe my tears, I placed the collar around my neck and clipped it in place.

I wore a ballet flat and stepped out, heading towards the dining room.

I sat stiffly at the long dining table with Darius, we were the only ones there.

Silver platters overflowed with roasted meats, and glistening fruits and pastries I hadn’t seen since childhood.

The rich scents of these delicacies curled into my nose and settled into my empty stomach, and it growled, rumbling from the tightness of starvation.

I was too caught up in my misery to fetch myself some food today, and now I sat in the midst of delicacies, unable to touch them because I had to wait for some silly permission to be bestowed by Darius.

I clenched my jaw. I would not beg.

Beside me, Darius sat comfortably like the king he was, one arm draped casually across his chair, his other hand resting near his goblet.

He turned his head toward me, his voice soft, a stupid calm before the storm. “Eat, Juliette. Or I’ll feed you myself,” he said like a warning and a promise.

I stared straight ahead, my eyes fixed on the candle stand, “I’m not hungry.” I said confidently, but my stomach chose to do otherwise, growling once more.

Darius chuckled and I felt my cheeks flush.

“Not hungry,” he repeated. His gaze sharpened. “Are you refusing me?”

I turned to him, slowly, meeting his eyes. “I would rather starve,” I said, my voice steady, “than take anything from you.”

Silence stretched heavy in the air. Then his lips curled into a smile.

“Brave,” he murmured, leaning closer, “but stupid.”

My breath caught when his hand slid beneath the tablecloth, grazing my thigh, and once again my body betrayed me, heat surged low in my belly, flooding through me so suddenly it made me grip the edge of the chair.

No! I have to stay strong.

Darius's smirk deepened, a predatory glint in his gaze.

“Interesting.”

“How about we continue this lovely interaction in my chambers?” He said and my heart skipped a beat.