ARIELLA'S POV

IN this kingdom, time flies very fast. I had been here for two months but luckily, I wasn't bored. Every single day, I would spend at the gallery. I discovered that Sylaq was artistic, he knew how to paint. I enjoyed looking at his fabulous paintings. His artistic creations were full of life and hope. I took pictures with my camera while he preferred to draw. He would always paint me in different places. Once, he drew me sitting on the beach, admiring the ocean. The depth of that painting just made me realize that I was way too hard on Sylaq Steel. He was attentive and patient, and above all, he protected me from harm.

I became very alert and paid attention to every little detail. Every piece of information was vital for my escape. But I hadn't gotten to know the mystery behind Sylexia Steel AKA Lexie.

Thank God that I became friends with Tyler and Dorothy, I still remember how I walked in on them creepily making love. I mean, a wolf licking a human's neck is....creepy to me. Dorothy was a vampire, she was Tyler's wife.

"Everyone's talking about how Jenny has been following Sylaq like a lost puppy. You should put her in her place," Dorothy told me when we were dancing to songs from one of our favorite K-pop bands, The Seventeen.

We were both in skimpy shorts and short tops.

"Well, Jenny and I have never talked before. Besides, Sylaq wouldn't cheat on me," I sounded confident. I was so sure of that.

Wait, if Steve could cheat on me then why not Sylaq? Ugh! I don't care, I don't love him.

I spent the whole day with Dorothy trying not to think of Sylaq but it was an epic fail.

SYLAQ'S POV

Being on the terrace has always calmed my mind and helped me to relax. At least, Ariella had started softening up a little, I knew she would.

"Sylaq," a familiar voice called out my name gently. Fuck, it was Jenny, she had been stocking me.

"I don't give a fuck about how you got here but just get out or else I'll break you into pieces," I groaned.

Her brown wolf-skin gown came into vision as she walked closer to me.!"You can't kill me even if you wanted to," she confidently said.

"Get the hell out of here," I shouted but stayed still.

"I'm sorry for what I did. It was a big mistake. You know how much I love you," she expressed with strong emotions.

"Shut the fuck up!"

"Don't you miss me? We had so many memories together," she whined. Jenny never wanted to accept that I never loved her. "Don't you feel the mate bond between us?" She asked me, leaning me in for a kiss.

"DON'T. YOU. FUCKING. TOUCH. ME. I don't feel the dammed mate bond," I was exasperated. Instantly, I pushed her away from me.

"Stay away from me 'cause next time you will not live to tell the story," I warned her, looking dead serious. There was no fucking way that I would have kissed her back. My senses were telling me that Ariella was close by, I could smell her scent but....it must be my imagination. I dashed out of there and went straight into my room.

I became worried when I didn't see her in the room. "Ariella!!" I called out multiple times and even checked the bathroom but she wasn't there.

Dad and Bela were the only ones who posed threats to Ariella's safety.

Did my dad really put an end to her?

Could Bella be attacking her?

They wouldn't dare touch her!

My heart began to beat faster and faster as I rushed to my dad's chambers in hopes that I would find her in good condition.

ARIELLA'S POV

Excitement took over my body as I watched Sylaq reject Jenny. I almost thought that he would give in to the kiss but he proved me wrong.

Dorothy had seen Jenny entering the castle so we followed her. The terrace had stairs at opposite ends. We watched how she tried to seduce my husband. Did I just call Sylaq my husband?

"She has always been a bitch. I hate her," Dorothy said.

"She has no right to get close to him. I'll teach her a lesson," I bold my fist.

"She's a vampire. If you attack her then she will kill you in a heartbeat," Dorothy reasoned with me.

"Not if you help me," I asked Dorothy to watch out for me as I made my way to that bitch.

"Hey! You bitch," I boldly said while standing gallantly in front of her. The shock in her eyes was visible.

"Stay away from Sylaq, my husband," I clearly said, sending her deadly glares.

"Oh! That's right I forgot that Sylaq is married. The thing is that I don't acknowledge your role and presence in Sylaq's life," the bitch had the nerve to mock me.

"No one gives a fuck about your acknowledgment, you fucked up bitch," I said in a fit of rage.

"Jump off the terrace," she rolled her eyes and they turned red.

"Why the hell would I do that?" I crossed my arms.

"What? It didn't work on you," she was confused but I understood why her compulsion had zero effect on me. It's all thanks to the bracelet that Sylaq gave to me.

"I get that you're his mate but I'm definitely his wife. He married me and we share a strong bond so go ahead and fuck yourself," I boldly declared. Even though my and Sylaq's relationship wasn't like any normal married couple's relationship, I still wouldn't let this Jenny try to harass my husband and even though, I don't accept our relationship, I still wouldn't let her trash it.

Jenny's temper flared, she grabbed me by my right arm, trying to feed from me but fortunately, Dorothy was quick to rescue me:

"Let her go!" Dorothy attacked Jenny from the back.

Dorothy and Jenny grappled with each other, their bodies twisting and turning as they fought. Jenny's face was contorted in anger, her fangs bared as she struggled to get free from Dorothy's grip. Dorothy's eyes were dark and fierce, her muscles tense with effort as she held Jenny in place. The sound of their breathing was harsh and ragged, and the smell of sweat and fear filled the air. But Dorothy cut the fight too short as she flung Jenny down the roof, earning endless gasps from me.

Dam! Not gonna lie, that was epic to watch.

"Will she die?" I asked out of little concern. Dorothy assured me that she would not die.

"Thank you so much," I appreciated her but she politely brushed it off with you're welcome grin.

It's really late and Sylaq must be looking for me.

.
***************

Hi, Sweeties and Hotties 💗

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and what do you think of Dorothy?

Love y'all 💕

Aduke ❤️