When I first walked in here I wanted to hide behind him, I wanted him to shield me from everything and everyone. I didn't even want to let go of him. I never even thought that I was capable of such feelings but I understood because this was a different environment with different people and he was the only one I knew and trusted - at least I already knew he was beyond redemption to say the least. I appreciated that he didn't force me to do anything. Within a matter of minutes being around them everything changed.

Another reason I was so nervous was because in majority of the books I have read there was always some beef between the mother and the girl and not that I had now resorted into using my sick pleasures to be my guides but - yes I liked to think I might be able to dodge some bullets. I didn't want any beef with anyone I was afraid of making him mad but I also deeply didn't want to associate myself with these people.

As we walked into the fancy room with three chandeliers hanging from above which I was guessing was the dinning room by the large table filled with people, I was already very nervous. I didn't let my eyes wonder neither did I keep them down I strongly felt like they could smell fear and fear made them excited. Lachlan lead us to our seats and then I was forced to look around at the smiling faces as they watched us. I felt small.

As I sat down I was immediately thrusted into the conversation and weirdly it was not about killing people and these people didn't seem like robots. I was expecting stoic dark persona'a with weird looks and glares from the mother and maybe a couple of other people. Welcoming smiles and conversations I didn't know how to handle because I didn't think it was real. I almost felt welcomed.

A weird thing to feel especially already having an idea of the type of people they were. Ironic wasn't it. I thought I would feel out of place and I thought the only thing that would flow through my mind was how I was sitting in a table full of murderers but that wasn't the case. Anyone would have been fooled easily as I watched the people sitting around me of course I was sitting next to the Viking man.

As much as everyone felt... normal I don't make a fuss about it I could feel his eyes on me as if analysing my every move it made me think maybe he was afraid of what I would say around his mother. Maybe she didn't know what he was doing because I knew it definitely wouldn't be his brothers they definitely knew and they didn't care it was none of their business but they loved seeing him - what they claimed as have life in his eyes. -

It was hard to believe that he cared about any ones opinion but then again it was his mother but still it still didn't match Lachlan. And he didn't have any fear in his eyes neither did he look nervous, I wondered if that was actually possible - I don't think he even knows those emotions but instead his eyes just watched me even as he interacted I could tell.

The hope of having something against him felt comforting in the depths of my stomach so I chose to think so. It even lightened my mood. I couldn't for the life of me imagine myself having laverage against the man. If he was keeping this from his mother - did he not want her to know that she raised a monster- did he fear she would also be afraid of him. My mind didn't stop. Bogus -but it didn't stop I found confit in the scenarios.

Even so I didn't know how that would work to my advantage because then if it was so I didn't trust anyone in this room and I would be damned if I started something that would only bring me pain in the future. Even if I had the right cards I had no idea which card to play or whether to play at all. I continued taking time with my food after the maids had served us as I listened to everyone.

They seemed like a some sort of normal family. It didn't make sense. I didn't know what I was truly expecting but it wasn't this. The minute I stepped into this place not even a single person made me feel like I wasn't supposed to be here everyone I have spoken too has made me feel welcomed even though there were comments that sent my stomach in a frenzy but they were all about the Viking man's intentions.

Even as the conversation steered into the dark side I realised no one tried to hide who they were or what they did instead they were proud. A lot of things I found alarming but it was very normal to them I was glad I wasn't forced to participate in the conversation even though they included me and made sure I was comfortable, especially his mother. I especially appreciated how everyone spoke English just to accommodate me, I remember Annie advising me to learn Gaelic because they were a family that preferred their native tongue even though all of them could speak English. Even if they weren't even speaking to me they spoke English.

Lachlan's father wasn't present- his mother had apologised on her husbands behalf, I looked at his mother not sitting far from us, her hair was as dark as blood with white strands in her hair that only made the red darker, her eyes the lightest shade of blue with darkest green speck I have ever seen, the colour was strong yet light. Her long dark ginger hair was braided down her back into a beautiful crown. She was ...beautiful she aged like fine wine. She smiled at me at every chance she got it was oddly -comforting and nerve wrecking.

I will admit once again that I was mind blown as I didn't even see this evening heading in this direction but I would not by any chance let my guard down. Even through observing her I could tell that she adored her children and deeply cared about them even though the men towered over her and were practically giants. She wasn't short either, she towered over me, at first this made me feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb not only just that but I chose to ignore everything else.

The men that sat around the table were the same men I saw effortlessly murdering people in a so called 'game' with new faces- two women who I had come to know were his sisters. I had to give it to this family with their beautiful genes not even a single person in this room looked like a normal person- they all looked like they popped out of a Greek mythology.

Even though I avoided looking at him I couldn't stop stealing glances at him. His hair cut suited him. I will admit that the few days I was given I was able to breathe but everytime his hand brushed over mine or our eyes connected I found it a little hard to breathe. His feature were sharper, the sound of his deep coated voice was like butter I had clearly missed him?. I realised I don't really recall the man ever shouting at me - he expresses himself - that's a big take on 'expresses' because in order to express yourself you had to have emotions. But he was always calm, his voice always butter it might change octaves but it never went high and he didn't need to shout or scream to get his point across when justspeaking alone he held everyone's attention.

I tried to be a little more comfortable seeing as I felt stiff and I was afraid they would feel it too.

Of all the brothers the crazy little one I have come to know as Lucan seemed easier to speak to -at times. He insisted he sits next to me which Lachlan didn't seem to mind. He didn't even take a minute before telling me if I wanted anyone to disappear he would be more than happy to help. As a way to apologise for the way we met. I just had awkwardly looked at Lachlan who didn't look phased before looking back at him and awkwardly letting out a no thank you. My uncomfortablity didn't phase him as he seemed like he had known me for years. It was weird how comfortable he was but it helped with unstiffening me.

Alcohol would have been my resort tonight-everything has changed reality was no more so why not but I didn't want them to think I was a drunkard not that I cared what they thought of me and I also didn't want to provoke him in anyway.

If anyone had met Lucan at this moment they would even swear on their lives that I was lying if I was to tell them what he had done -what he had done along with his brothers that night. He was cracking jokes- some times way too dark for me but he was genuinely being nice. - Terrible humor but the kind that was funny.

Even as I watched them look and act normal I didn't even think of seeking any help. I didn't trust them no matter how welcoming they were. Annie's voice rang at the back of my head. The home was radiant and felt like a ...home. I thought it would feel empty but everyone was at home, I could tell.

"So why him?" Lucan whispered making me look at him raising a brow, in the last thirty minutes he was really showing me that terrible sense of humour.

"How could I resist that murder-y look in his eyes, I mean it's every girls dreams to be 'romantically kidnapped'." I said lowly only for the both of us, I watched him laugh before looking at his brother. I knew he already knew because he referenced it in one of his dark jokes he was telling me which was terrible but I couldn't help but laugh. We had been having our own conversation not in a rude manner as everyone was distracted.

"You know what -I do see it. Quite hypnotising at that." He said making me chuckle with a heavy heart. One thing I enjoyed was the thick accents that graced the air -well they didn't leave me bothered as when the Viking man spoke- till this day from the first time I heard him speak. I guess to them I was the one with the accent.

"Isla I hope the food is to your liking." His mother said smiling there was just a way that she spoke that made me strongly feel like she was royalty, she did everything so gracefully. I noticed a few of my favourite dishes. Not that I have been around much but I have never felt so welcomed in a strangers home ever but then again I didn't really go out much.

"Yes. The food is amazing and once again thank you for the invitation." I said smiling back at her. I glanced at the Viking man wondering what happened to him, but then again as much as everyone was welcoming I didn't trust them- neither did I truly know them.

Lachlan interacted with his brothers but of course in his own way, it was quite the site to see, I watched him chuckle without feeling fear envelope me instead I was intrigued. All of the brothers -everyone seemed to get along just fine.

I had a terrible short memory I didn't remember all of their names. I just distinguished them with the darkness of their hair and their eyes.

"You don't need an invitation to be here I do hope I can see you here more frequently and spend more time with you." She said eyeing Lachlan.

"I would love to." I said giving her a tight smile. I still didn't know how I felt about that in all honesty because I would love to be away from Lachlan but the expression 'better the devil you know' rang in my mind but it didn't make much difference because there was no one who was worse than this man so no devil would even come close to the one I was sleeping with.

"Don't smother her mother." One of the brothers who seemed to be the light hearted one of them all -I noticed this because he was the one who liked joking around along with Lucan said. He seemed 'normal' more than Lucan and even though he seemed that way didn't mean he wasn't like him I knew better.

"I'm not smothering her, - you can't blame me -This is a joyous occasion." She said looking at Lachlan whose only focus was the food in front of him. A woman not far from her joined in agreeing with her.

"You surely have to understand why she is so happy- we never thought we would see the day where Lachlan was ready to settle down aye!" The sister who had her mothers eyes said chuckling. He was quiet but present.

"I have always told him he can't stay alone forever, he needs someone to take care of him and to make that house of his a home. " His mother said in agreement. Lachlan could perfectly take care of himself besides the questionable things he did but he was more than capable and no one would be able to turn that death place into a home.

"You lot do too. I'm not getting any younger you know, and I would like to see all of my children settled down and married." She said, I was starting to get uncomfortable but I have survived Lachlan so far I'm sure I could survive this.

"Isla I trust that you and Lachlan with make additions to this family very soon." She said almost making me choke and hold my breath. And she said it smiling before another conversation was brought up and just like that everyone was speaking about something else as if their mother didn't just basically tell a stranger she wants children soon.

I also noticed the woman with her mothers eyes wore a wedding band on her hand and from my observation she was the only one. Dinner went on and I tried as much as possible to keep to myself and say as little as I could, I didn't trust them but the person who seemed to never run out of horrible jokes was of course Lucan.

We retired to another room with Lachlan where he had to discuss something with his brothers, he would have dragged me along but I begged him to let me just be -well instead of be I asked to get to know more of his family and that's the only reason why he left me, I tried to avoid them as much as possible but I could only do it for so long.

Lucan had been on my side keeping me company and scaring me about his mother's expectations nevertheless I wasn't bored that was until he had to join his brothers and sister who seemed to be discussing a quick issue even though he was far from me I knew he kept his eye on me.

"Hey- I'm Aine." I looked to where the voice came from to find the young woman with green eyes introducing herself to me once more. She didn't know it but I really appreciated her for that I didn't want to seem like a rude person. I noticed the other sister was with them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Aine. I'm Isla. " I said politely, smiling at her. As much as they didn't make me feel out of place it didn't mean I wanted to be around them or get to know them better. I didn't want to associate myself with any of them, I would rather keep them at an arms length.

"Wow! How is it possible that you are even more gorgeous up close." she said making me smile and thank her.

"I'm sorry if my family can be a wee bit too much." she said chucking making me smile and deny it for the courtesy of being polite.

"Whatever you did to my brother I need your tips." she said with a raised brow as we watched the man shamelessly stare at me he saw that we were watching him but he didn't care after all I don't think Lachlan knew how to feel embarrassed or even knew what that emotion was. I laughed at her sentence a little too much because it was funny to me-the irony.

"In all honesty he was already like this when I met him." I said truthfully breaking his gaze seeing as I was the 'human' one. Plus I could never hold his gaze unless having no choice.

"I was hoping my sister and I could get to know you better over a drink or two you can just tell my brother we are getting pampered." she said making a face at getting pampered. I wanted to entertain the idea of going with them even though I knew I shouldn't but it was quite boring at home. It was the lying that I would not do.

" - come on before you cancel it out we will tell you stories about how your fiancé has always been a tad mental even as a child. Some of us grew into it but he - well as you can already see. And then we can actually pamper ourselves." I chuckled at her trying to control my facial expression at the term. Everything else seemed to fade away.

Fiancé. I didn't even want to ask her about it because I was scared I would blow up and the Viking man would have a field day with me. I tried so hard to control myself but I could not stop my brain from wondering what if he was planing that we would get married tomorrow here with his family.

"Fiancé. " I didn't even realise that it came out more of a statement then a question as I watched the woman before me. Not matter how many times the idea of myself marrying that man were brought up in my mind - I don't think it would ever not terrify me. It always brought about the feeling of being with him forever. No matter how many times it's brought up I never seem to get used to it. It always makes me emotional. The thought of being trapped with him forever.

Haven't I went through enough. Haven't I suffered enough. The only way I made it through each day was having a little hope. A little faith to be precise - faith that one day I could just look back at this as a terrible memory. Hope that hopefully one day I could recover from this traumatic experience.

"I'm so excited -"

"Aine." she was cut of by the presence of her brother, she looked at him before me before waving at me a genuine smile on her face and left us just like that. I knew I couldn't even accuse him of lying because he wasn't normal like other human beings and I knew that he wasn't lying in anyway this must be what makes sense in his mentally ill mind.

"May I please use the bathroom." I asked fear swallowing me whole. Was it too much to be considered a woman with rights in his eyes or just a human being at that. He allowed me before I knew it a maid was taking me upstairs. The first thing I did when I entered the bathroom I cried-broke down.

Serenity wouldn't be happy with me she taught me never to show vulnerability to situations that didn't favor you. Keep a straight face and don't let them know it affects you - in the eyes of monsters emotions make you an easy target. It makes you weak. After a second I realised its been a while since any of my sisters lessons came across my mind.

She wasn't here and I couldn't blame her for that. I was miserably failing. I was alone. I couldn't help the tears and now that I was alone without any eyes on me I couldn't help but cry- releasing my frustration. How was I allowing this to happen to myself - no I refuse to blame myself because of him. I was pacing around the bathroom trying to calm myself down.

I then looked at myself in the mirror telling myself I had to calm down I couldn't go back to people with red eyes they would know I was crying. I watched him enter from the full length mirror on the wall next to the sink. His entrance alone caused my heart rate to spike up. It was probably not for the best to be in the same room as him right now. He didn't even bother to tell me not that it would have made the situation any better but he could have at least told me.

"You are crying. Why?" he asked looking at me. I could have sworn I locked the door. I quickly wiped my tears away. Standing up straight and facing him.

"Did you hurt yourself?" It didn't even sound right coming from him because the question was normally a question of concern and he couldn't possibly be concerned about me. He analysed me after getting closer to me. I couldn't help but hold my breath. I pulled away from him making his eyes narrow.

"I just found out that I am your Fiancé." Nothing got a reaction out of this man.

"It just reminded me how much of a possession I am to you. I just found out that I'm getting married to you from your sister." I said chuckling trying to stop the river from my eyes. It's not just that it's the constant reminder that there was a huge possibility that I might never leave this man, that scared me more than anything. But I couldn't exactly tell him that.

"Did I not tell you more than once that you will take my last name?" he asked, I was spiraling and he was calm it only made me more frustrated because I could clearly see it in his eyes that as much as he wanted to know what the problem was he didn't understand that what he did was not right. It was like he lived in another world. It was different when he told me about having his last name but his family that was something else. It made me realise just how real this was.

That was scary to think about. I think I would prefer if he knew what he was doing was wrong but if he didn't think he was wrong in anyway and he saw nothing wrong in his actions just the thought of that terrified me. I have suspected it but I prayed I was wrong. How do you convince a man like that that he needs help.

"I feel like a bomb has been dropped on me, we didn't even discuss this properly Lachlan am I even allowed to be part of the conversation even though I will be the one standing in front of you on the alter tying my life to yours?" I asked moving away from him feeling quite stupid his eyes darkened.

"Don't make me hurt you." as mad as I was my body took his command as of it was oxygen to my lungs. I stopped still looking at him. There was nothing kind or inviting about him. I didn't want to fight him. I didn't want to get hurt. I would appreciate just crying the frustration away and then putting on my game face on.

"Why didn't you tell me. Am I not suppose to know anything should I just follow what you say blindly. You didn't even ask me."

"Normal people don't fuc-" I was about to raise my voice but the look in his eyes shook me back to my senses, he was waiting for me to mess up. I took a step closer to him tears still in my eyes despite every warning from my body but I needed to not lash out. I felt degraded to a mere possession that's why this cut so deep but I couldn't let myself forget how dangerous the man I was speaking to was.

I knew well enough not to make him mad. As much as I was angry I could not afford to get my throat crushed. He might have been silent and listening but there was nothing serene about him. I knew if I disrespected him in any way he would not hesitate to pounce on me.

"I am not trying to disrespect you in anyway. But please just listen to me. -" I knew he probably wouldn't understand but it was good that I got it off my chest even though I had hoped he would. I didn't want to end up breaking down in front of his family.

"What would you like me to do?" I was caught off guard I didn't expect it. For a minute I thought I was imagining things. His expression hadn't changed as he asked me but no longer was there blood list in his eyes.

"I-I"

"Why do you look so surprised?" He asked raising a brow.

"No it's just I didn't see this going like this. I thought you might end up making me cry even more."

"You didn't give me a reason to make you cry." Was all he sad, it was still sick and twisted but I was glad this took a different turn.

"I want us to talk - to talk about it. To discuss it." I said still in shock but grateful for not ending up hurt and glad I didn't take the option of telling him to go and screw himself and screw his family-yes I would have involved his family.

"Do you think it will change anything?" He asked amused making my face drop, deep down I think I did know but what I wanted was to feel like I wasn't completely just a possession. I felt like a fool in front of his family everyone knowing about my so called engagement aside from me. One step at a time Isla.

"But if that is what will ease your heart Mo Grá. then so be it." He said wiping a tear from my face. I was still very surprised yet helpless. I was still processing everything. I didn't see this conversation going this way as much as I had hoped for the best. Maybe I should try not losing my self more often.

"Let's go, mother is waiting for you downstairs."

"Please give me a second I want fix -my eyes." I didn't give him a chance to react as I took a generous amount of tissue and wet it under cold water and massaged it on my eyes to get rid of the redness.

His mother walked over to us smiling minutes after we entered the room, I had no idea where she came from because she wasn't here -minutes ago or had I been that out of it, I was frozen as I tried to smile at her. My heart was racing and palms felt sweaty. I was still astonished.

"She's breath-taking Lachlan." she said looking at her son approval in her eyes before looking at me. She always smiled at me. I at least appreciated that. Seeing as her son's smiles where twisted. Did she know. I couldn't help but wonder even though I had a bad feeling deep down.

If she was to know would she have him medically inspected. Would she force him to get the help he needed. I only entertained these questions in my head knowing fully well she would do no such thing to her son. She might even turn a blind eye.

"Aye." he said before saying something else in his native tongue, I could see the pride in his eyes as he looked at me before looking at his mother.

"I'm retiring early but I wanted to speak to Isla before I left." She then turned her gaze towards me as I clutched onto Lachlan's forearm afraid he would leave us alone together. Funny wasn't it. That the person I wanted most to get away from I still took comfort in above everyone else.

She held my hands after indicating for me to put them in hers but not before removing my gloves after asking for permission and giving them to Lachlan. She didn't seem to notice as she gently held my hands in hers while I was freaking out internally. She then said some words in her native tongue with both my hands in hers. I was beyond confused but I was more uncomfortable with my hands being exposed.

"Blessings for the wedding." was all she said smiling before I could ask anything. I forced myself to say thank you without shedding a tear plus I was too busy worried about my hands, it was hard. Tonight took a turmoil on me emotionally. She then analysed my hands before looking at her son.

"What happened?" she asked looking at her son- why look to her son if she was clueless . I couldn't help but glance at her son as my eye burned blinking the tears away. I knew I wouldn't be able to control my tears when it came to this. The day still lay heavy on my chest.

"Answer her Mo Grá." he said amusement in his eyes. I had a feeling that he purposely wanted to crush the little hope I had. My eyes were wide as saucers I understood what he was asking me. Why would he want me to tell her, I didn't understand. I didn't even want to think about that day.

"Uhm-" I was frozen because I was fighting tears and my mind. All of sudden I couldn't produce any words. I looked to him helplessly-I was afraid it was a trick. I didn't want to dissapoint myself either. I chose denial over for a peace of mind, he was about to take that from me.

"She doesn't listen." he simply said.

"You have never had the tendency of repeating yourself Lachlan even as a child, give her some time before you discipline her and go easy on her she will adjust in due time." She said looking at me with kind eyes making the tears in my eyes visible. I knew it deep down but hearing it out loud was different. What hurt me the most was that I was sure she could tell by my scars that a nail was driven through my hand yet that was all she could say. It was as if it was nothing. She wanted me to stay with her son knowing very well that he was mentally challenged.

"Heed his warning, he doesn't repeat himself. Listen to him lass and all will be well. Welcome to the family." was the last thing she said before bidding us a good night and leaving. I was left frozen. And this showed me that he felt no type of shame in what he was doing because it wasn't wrong in his eyes. I bet the entire family was fucking deluded.

....

Sorry for the long chapter.