I woke up groggily, my body sore and hot. Groaning, I pulled myself upright to study my surroundings. My head swam at the vertical position, my eyes creaking open to find the bedroom covered in bright morning rays.

A heaviness fell from my waist and I looked down to see a bare arm in my lap. I knew it was Darius' by the gold watch he sported. "Imported from overseas", he would say.

I slowly pushed his arm from my body, and stood from the bed, finding tatters of my favourite dress hanging lazily from my hips. My body ached with every step, tears pooling in my eyes as I made my way to the bathroom.

Not only had Darius stolen my life, but he destroyed everything I seemed to love. My privacy, my favourite things, my choices, my body...

Wincing, I pushed the bathroom door open and turned on the water to run a bath. I avoided looking in the mirror, not wanting to see the mess that I surely was as I grabbed a towel from the cupboard. I could feel the knots in my hair from where they pulled it, the bruising on my hips, jaw, waist and shoulders from where they held me a little too tightly.

Once the bath was half full, I pried off my dress, wincing as I bent over to get it over my thighs. Climbing into the bath, I sighed in satisfaction as the hot water ran along my skin. The hairless skin on my legs stung under the temperature but I liked the way it burnt slightly; it took the pain away from the bruising aches.

I relaxed into the bath, enjoying the way the water swirled and washed away my pain. I heard Darius wake and leave without disturbing me, making his way downstairs. Only when I heard the buzzing of the microwave, did I pull myself out of the cooling water. Once dry, I wrapped the towel around my chest as made my way to the mirror.

I physically flinched when I caught sight of myself. I could only imagine what I looked like before the bath, but I bet it screamed exhaustion. My hair was wet so flowed down my back out of the way, but it revealed the marks they left upon my skin. My neck was covered with bruising bites, I believe Darius called them love-bites, but they didn't feel very loving. I hated every time he put his teeth and mouth on my neck.

My shoulders had the faint outline of where fingerprints have been, my throat slightly darker from where they forced my mouth upon them, or my head into the bed. I shuddered at the memories, pushing them far, far away from my mind.

Today was the Spring Festival and I was going to enjoy it, no matter how sore I was.

Covering my skin with make-up, I dried my hair and got dressed into a high neck blouse and skirt. My legs had luckily not been covered in any marks, only aching with every step. I pulled some medication from the vanity and took some in hopes to alleviate the pain.

Making my way into the bedroom, I dropped my towel into the wash basket. I knew I would have to go down and face Darius. He seemed to be lingering in the kitchen, waiting for me. I descended the stairs, taking my time to admire the growing rays of sunshine through the large windows.

Walking towards the kitchen, Darius' voice floated through the air.

"Oh, there you are sweetheart, I wondered when you would come down." He smiled at me. "Have a nice bath?"

I was always sceptical of his mood changes. He could flip them like a switch. He was sated for now, so I would tread lightly in hopes of enjoying my day.

"I did." I nodded, coming around to stand across from him.

He grinned, moving around the island to pull me into his embrace. I tensed under his touch, even as his hands wove themselves gently around my body. I knew better than to relax so comfortably. I would in the past, and he would take it for granted. I could never trust him again, and now the one person I thought was kind to me, turned out to be just as evil as my so-called fiancé.

"I've made you a coffee, although it may be a little cold now since you took so long." He laughed.

I smiled in agreement, moving away to grab the mug that was beneath the coffee machine's spout. He was right though; it was cold, and I wasted no time in drinking it. I eyed the clock as we stood there in silence, keeping my eyes away from the way he stared at me. 10:55 AM.

"So, we need to talk about last night." He suddenly began, placing his hands on the island.

I flinched, my gaze snapping to find his eyes intensely staring at me. "What?"

He frowned at my rudeness, and I was quick to adjust my tone. "Sorry, what about last night?"

"You are to tell no-one. Not a single soul." He demanded, lifting his chin. "I own you, remember, the pleasures you provide me are mine and no-one else's. However, Ash took a liking to you, and I feel it won't be the end of his visits, but only whilst I am there, you hear me?"

I winced, my jaw clicking with how hard I was clenching it. "If I may, why the sudden interest in me? From Ash?"

He shrugged. "He's lonely and I always tell him about what we get up too, I suppose the flirty little smiles you give him made him want to try it too. Always whoring yourself around, aren't you? Just like your mother said you do. Your face is so innocent, but I hope you are satisfied now you got what you wanted."

"What I wanted?" I scoffed.

His eyes narrowed into slits as he approached me. "You wanted his cock, you enjoyed us using you."

I shook my head, looking away from him to not challenge him further. Stepping closer was sign one that he was about to lose it, sign two was his fists clenching.

"That's what I thought." He sneered, his hand coming to palm my cheek. "You did a great job at hiding those marks. Aren't you silly, falling over drunk last night?"

I stayed silent and he increased the grip on my jaw, my teeth aching with the force until I looked up at him.

"Aren't you?"

"Yes." I gasped. "I'm so silly, I'm such a klutz."

He grinned at me, releasing my jaw to smooth my make-up back into place. "Good girl."

I exhaled loudly when he walked away, the sound of shoes being pulled from the storage, filled the open-living area. Scowling into my too-cold coffee, I ignored his movements around the house as he prepared to leave.

"As your punishment, sweetheart, you are not allowed to join in until three o'clock."

I gasped, stepping forward with pleading eyes. "Please don't, I'll miss the parade."

"Should've thought about that before talking back to me." He sneered.

He was out of the door before I could retaliate, and I rushed to grab the handle as fast as I could. It clicked into place, the key turning on the other side just as I reached it. I tried anyway; the sound of his laugh muffled by the door. Glaring through the glass at his blurred figure, I pounded my fist on the door. I was locked in here. He always made sure everything was locked, day in and day out, and now my only escape was locked too.

I was going to miss one of my favourite parts of the day, and he knew that. I looked forward to this day every single year. I loved the blossoming flowers, the vibrant colours, tasty foods, and overall good mood the town fell into. Spring meant brighter and longer days, full of life and memories. And I was going to miss it all.

It wasn't until four o'clock when someone came to get me, the sound of their footsteps heavy on the small path. I had been so bored, staring at the little festivities I could see out the windows. I had to keep myself scarce though; I dreaded to think of the repercussions of being spotted inside when so many people knew how much I enjoyed today. I ended up retreating to read a book, keeping myself out of view.

I was already standing by the front door when I heard it unlock. I smoothed out my skirt, my shoes on ready and kept my face neutral as the door swung open. Ash entered; his hair pulled out of his eyes but his dark eyes studied me with appreciation. What I once would've gone bashful for, made my stomach churn with disgust as I remembered what a monster he was beneath his kind demeanour.

"Darius sent me to get you." He announced, not moving any closer. "Come, Ailia."

I clenched my jaw but passed by him with my head ducked down. I knew he watched my every movement but as soon as I was outside, I inhaled deeply, taking in all the smells surrounding me. Ash's hand came to settle between my shoulders, and I tensed, allowing him to lead me to wherever Darius was.

He was stood at a bar, no surprise there. His blonde hair was slightly sticky with sweat, and he seemed to be leaning too heavily on the bar side for support. My nose wrinkled in disgust as the smell of alcohol came from his breath. He grinned down at me, his arm coming to wrap around my shoulder in greeting.

"Ailia! Feeling better?" He cheered.

I swallowed nervously but nodded my head. "Yes, thank you."

"Good, good." He smiled, kissing my head.

I felt my lips twitch, wanting to frown, but kept them neutral as peering eyes watched the exchange before them. A lot of people were around, a lot of important and nosey people. I had to be on good behaviour, I couldn't expose Darius in fear of repercussions. Plus, with the display he put on, no-one would believe me anyway.

"I was just telling my mother how you weren't feeling too well, and she jumped to the thought of pregnancy!" He laughed. "Before marriage!"

His mother narrowed her eyes, but a wide smile stretched her lips. "I just know how much you love the Spring Festival! I thought it was strange that you missed it, I hope you are okay now, dear."

"I am now, thank you. I think it was just the excitement made me feel nauseous." I smiled tensely.

Keeping up pretences around people had only got easier as the months went on. His mother was a nice woman, but I knew better than to judge. Look at my mother, my fiancé, and his best friend, for example...

"Oh, I understand that! Why when Darius was little, he would get so excited over celebrations that he would make himself sick for a whole week with excitement!" She laughed.

I quirked an eyebrow, joining in with the laughter around the bar. Not once as the time went on, did Darius drop his arm from my shoulders. He held on loosely, but if I tried to move away, his grip would increase. He paraded us round like a horse, talking to everyone he could, showing off my engagement ring when he got the chance.

One good thing about Darius, was despite his far-from-loving touches and harsh words, he backed me up in public. If women tried to knock me down, or offer themselves up, he would always jump in to save me. He would boast about how I was the only woman for him, before apologising and escorting me away. He gave an odd sense of security around strangers that I did not mind. The fear of slipping up only grew when I had to speak, which wasn't a lot since he did most of it for me. It was normal in this town for women to be so repressed. After all, I was just a coin-bought wife.

The sun began to set across the mountain range and fires started to breathe life into the cooling air. Darius finally let go of me, to boisterously help with some heavy logs for seats. I watched silently as he dragged short but thick logs, with the help of Ash, to sit around the fire. It looked heavy, going by the redness of his face and the huffing of breath. On the third log, I felt a presence come up behind me that caused the hairs on my neck to stand on edge.

"Arabella." I commented, recognising the smell of her perfume.

"How did you know it was me?" She murmured.

I turned my gaze to her, raising an eyebrow. "You have worn the same perfume since you were twelve."

She blushed, dropping her head to stare at her shoes. Arabella was fifteen, a young girl coming into an exciting part of her life. Most girls her age would gossip about boys and what they saw on the television; most of which was news or history since the shifters took control. But she always had her nose in a book.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Mother wants to talk to you." She whispered.

I raised my head to scan my surroundings and found her on the opposite side of the plaza. I crossed my arms, lifting my chin to glare at her.

"Tell her, I do not wish to speak with her." I scoffed, watching as she frowned.

My mother could lip-read, her weird ability to know what me and Arabella used to whisper about shocked me at first. But it only added to her evilness even more. If she was on a gaming card, it'd be one of her special abilities.

"What?" Arabella squeaked.

I looked back to her, raking my eyes along the knee length blue dress she wore, to the tight ponytail on her head and eyes full of make-up. I scowled, not liking how old she looked like that.

"She has made it clear that I am no longer her burden." I shook my head.

"Maybe she just wants to talk..." She offered.

"Arabella." I sighed. "Mother sold me to Darius' family so you and her can live a happy life without me. Be careful when you turn sixteen, I would not trust her."

She didn't reply so I dismissed her silence by walking away. I strolled the opposite side of the fire, rubbing my hands on my skirt as I came up to Darius.

"Darius?" I asked sweetly.

"Yes?" He wondered, not lifting his head.

"I'm just going to the bathroom."

He turned this time, frowning as he studied me. "What's wrong?"

"I just need to use the restroom." I shrugged.

"In the dark?" He cocked his head, glancing up the hill to his house. "Want me or Ash to come with you?"

I shook my head, definitely not. "I'll be okay, I will be quick."

"Okay then." He shrugged, before pulling me close to whisper in my ear. "No funny business."

I swallowed and shook my head, taking the house key from his back pocket. "I'll be back in a minute."

Stepping away from him, I felt his heated gaze on my back as I walked up the road. Unlocking the door, I turned briefly to look down, only to find him still watching me. I gave him the briefest of smiles before pushing the door open, flashing the keys in my hand. Once I had left them on the outside, and he didn't like that; claimed people would rob and rape me. You know, like he did...

My eyes struggled to focus suddenly on the light change, and I swear I saw a blur of dark shadows in the far distance, right by my mother's house. Blinking to clear the spots from my eyes, I realised nothing was there and shook my head. Darius was no longer staring at me either, and I sighed before stepping inside.

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