DAPHNE

It's been three days since the confrontation with the Alpha, and I haven't seen him since he took my knives. He ordered the guards to lock me in my room, and they've made sure to follow every word. Maybe he plans to keep me here forever.

I've searched for a way out, searched for loose bricks, hidden doors, anything, but this room is as solid as prison cell. I even considered jumping out of the window, but from this height, I'd be dead before I could even try to find Natalie. If she's still alive.

I let out a deep sigh and lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling. It's become my only way to pass time while I wait for Caelum to bring my lunch and keep me company for a few minutes.

Just as I'm about to close my eyes and try to nap, I feel something off, like a presence. I open my eyes quickly and pause.

There, standing by the side of my bed, is a little blonde girl. She couldn't be more than six, her smile wide and innocent like she hadn't just appeared out of nowhere. I sit up immediately, heart pounding. I didn't hear the door open. How did she get in?

"Who are you?" I ask cautiously.

She waves at me cheerfully. "Hi! My name is Maria."

"You look even prettier in person." The little girl says, like she's seen a picture of me before.

My brows pinch together. "How did you get in here? Why are you here?"

Maria pouts her small lips. "I just wanted to see Big Brother Zeke's wife."

"Big Brother Zeke?" I echo, confused.

She nods with a big smile. "He showed me your picture and said you're going to be his wife."

My mouth drops open. Big brother Zeke is Ezekiel? He showed her my picture? And, wait, he has a sister?

I study her face, trying to find even a trace of resemblance, but there's none. Her features are soft and sweet, completely opposite of Ezekiel's sharp, cold edges.

"What did he say your name is again?" She mumbles to herself, tilting her head. "Daisy? Dally? Ah! I remember now, Daphne!" She giggles. "But why are you locked in your room?"

I'm just about to say, because your psychotic big brother put me here, when I hear voices outside the door. They sound like they're searching for someone.

"Are you..."

"Shhh!" Maria quickly places her tiny hand over my mouth, then ducks down and hides under my bed.

The door swings open. Two guards step in, followed by a woman with sharp eyes and a tense expression.

"Sorry to bother you." One of the guards says. "Have you seen a little blonde girl?"

I glance at the bed, then point beneath it. I'm not about to get tangled up in whatever mess this is, especially if it has anything to do with Ezekiel.

The woman crouches, peeking under the bed. "Maria, come out from there."

Maria crawls out slowly, then throws me a look that says I've betrayed her. Girl, I don’t even know you.

The woman lifts her up and leans close, whispering something in her ear. "I told you to stay away from her. Her kind is evil and brings nothing but bad luck."

"But she’s pretty." Maria says, now smiling at me.

The woman's expression tightens. "Let’s go." She carries Maria out, giving me one last look, the one full of disgust before leaving the room.

I turn to one of the guards. "Where’s Caelum?"

"He's busy." The guard says bluntly, then leaves with the other, shutting the door behind them.

And just like that, they left and I'm alone again.

I get up from the bed, still thinking about how that little girl managed to sneak into my room without the guards noticing. It doesn't make sense.

I walk over to the window and glance outside. The guards are patrolling like nothing ever happened. Then my eyes catch Ezekiel, he's hard to miss.

As always, he's dressed in black, standing tall with his hands shoved into his trouser pockets. He's talking with his red-haired aide, his expression unreadable as he listens. Even from up here, he looks calm, controlled and dangerous. But I don’t stop looking at him.

My mind drifts back to the first time we met, how he had snorted at me on our wedding day like I was some sort of joke. How he kissed me, teased me, played with my head. How I thought I was fooling him, only to realize he had been watching me all along.

Why? I still don’t understand. Why me? Why the games? Why the lies?

Almost like he can feel me staring, his head lifts, and our eyes meet. Even from across the courtyard, it feels like his gaze pierces straight through me. Like he's not just looking, like he's seeing.

But I don’t look away. I hold his stare, even as something cold coils in my chest. Ezekiel had uncovered one secret already. What else does he know about me? And more importantly, what is he planning to do with it?

I'm sure he's not even listening to whatever the red-haired aide is saying, his eyes are still locked on me. We're staring at each other like it's some kind of silent challenge, waiting to see who'll look away first. But it won’t be me, I won’t let it be me.

I want him to know I'm not afraid. Whatever twisted game he's playing, I'll play it too and I'll win.

The aide must finally realize Ezekiel's not paying attention, because he taps him on the shoulder. Ezekiel blinks, breaking the stare, and turns to face him.

I smirk, feeling a small sense of victory as I draw my curtain shut.

But as soon as the window is covered, the pride fades. The silence in the room wraps around me again, heavy and dull. I turn around, shoulders slumped, and drag myself back to the bed. I drop onto it, staring up at the ceiling once more.

And I wish time would just hurry up.