Hayley
The meeting ended without any positive results. As expected, Zion had refused to change his decision. He continued to argue that he didn't want to be the reason for a war outbreak between Conrad and Damian. And while everybody seemed to be invested in his little lies, I knew he was just playing at our faces. He clearly wanted to tell me that he would cause problems for me no matter where I was.
I had excused myself a few minutes towards the end of the meeting, I couldn't sit and act like everything was fine anymore. One little mistake and I would have lost myself and did something I would regret later on.
Damian returned to the room after thirty minutes, and he didn't seem pleased with me one bit. Although I hadn't actually done anything out of line, I knew that without Damian constantly holding me back, I would have lost my manners. He was clearly disappointed that I didn't have the decency to control myself without him being there.
"I..I'm sorry.." I whispered but Damian didn't exactly reply to my words. He simply stared at me, his eyes conveying a mix of disappointment and concern.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. "Zion will likely be spending the night here, he's going to have dinner with us." He walked closer and held me compassionately. "I'll try to sweet talk him into changing his mind, so please let's try to keep our emotions in check, okay?"
With a nod of my head, I replied. "I understand." Perhaps it was best to tone down my hatred just a little bit for Damian's sake. It would be difficult, but I would do whatever I can to remain calm.
Finally, Damian smiled at me, and only then did my worried heart come to rest. I couldn't live a day with him being mad at me, it was impossible. I was grateful for his kind heart, but sometimes it could be infuriating.
Mirroring the smile, I immediately started getting myself prepared for dinner, both mentally and physically. I knew Zion would try to pull my strings one way or another, and I had to learn to just ignore him. It was probably the best thing to do for both myself and Damian.
After half an hour of preparation, Damian and I walked into the dinning hall hand in hand. Zion was already seated before our entrance, and I could see his face twitching in rage at the sight of me and Damian. I could tell he was deluding himself with the fact that I was his mate, and he definitely still despised Damian for taking his slave away.
Dinner started off uneventfully, the conversation polite and superficial. Zion and Damian discussed their matters, the underlying tension palpable with every argument that ensued.. I focused on the food, trying to keep my emotions in check.
But Zion, ever the provocateur, couldn't resist pushing my buttons. "I've missed your cooking Hayley, it's been a while since I've had anything quite like it. This is good, better than the one back home, but nothing could ever beat your cooking. Perhaps one of these days, you'd make me something, just like the good old times."
I clenched my fists under the table, struggling to maintain my composure. Damian shot me a warning glance, his eyes pleading with me to stay calm, but it wasn't as easy as he imagined it was.
"Excuse me," I whispered before rising from my seat. I had lost my appetite, and would certainly lose my temper if I spent one more second staring at the smug on Zion's face.
"Don't listen to him..." Damian tried to stop me, but it was late. I had already broken free from his grip before he could tighten it, and had exited the room with a practiced smile on my face.
Outside the hall, I took in deep inhales of air to calm myself. Giving in to anger was what weaklings did, and I was no longer a weakling.
I returned to my room, and without wasting another second, fell on the comfort of my bed. I needed some rest, I needed to clear my head from all of this madness, and the best way to do so was to sleep.
*
*
I woke up in the middle of the night with a slight headache. Damian was fast asleep by my side with his hands wrapped around me protectively. I had been so tired that I had no idea when he had joined me in bed. However, now I wasn't so tired anymore and couldn't sleep anymore.
Gently, I slipped out of bed and grabbed myself a glass of water. To tire myself out, I decided it was best to stroll around the castle.
The quietness of the corridors offered a reprieve from the tension in my head, and I hoped the walk would tire me out enough to sleep soundly.
As I rounded a corner, I saw Zion leaning casually against the wall. I had seen him first, but before I could evade him completely, his predatory gaze fixed on me. I tried to ignore him and walk past, but he stepped into my path, blocking my way.
"Going somewhere, Hayley?" he asked, his voice dripping with mock concern.
"I was just taking a walk," I replied coolly, trying to sidestep him. "If you'll excuse me."
Zion didn't move. Instead, he stepped closer, his expression darkening. "You know, it's a shame you're wasting your time here, Hayley. You and I could do great things together."
"Get out of my way, Zion," I said firmly, my heart starting to race. It was already late, the last thing I wanted was to create a scene here. However, Zion on the other hand was in for all the drama.
He smirked, and reached out to grab my hand before I had enough time to react. "Don't be like that, Hayley. Don't pretend like you weren't obsessed about me a few months ago. I know you've always wanted to know what I taste like, you can get it now. I promise not to tell Damian."
Appalled, I slapped him across the face, but he reacted with his other hand to push me against the wall. Panic surged through me, but I fought it down, refusing to let him see my fear.
"Let go of me," I demanded, struggling against his hold ferociously.
"You've grown wings, Hayley," Zion said, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can slap me because you're no longer in rags? It doesn't matter what you're dressed in, you're still a slave, and don't you dare try to hit me ever again!"
His grip tightened aggressively, but just before he could make a move, a familiar presence intervened and yanked the unsuspecting man off me.
"You're crossing your boundaries, Alpha Zion. Hayley is queen here, any acts of violence against her is punishable by death regardless of status." Ethan warned before walking to stand defensively in front of me. "Are you hurt, Hayley?"
I shook my head to answer his question, but I wasn't satisfied that Zion was getting off with just a warning. He would have molested me if Ethan hadn't intervened, and I wanted him to be punished for that.
"You're going to let him walk away?" I questioned with rage as Zion casually stepped away from the scene like nothing had happened.
"I'm sorry Hayley, but I don't exactly have authority over Alphas. I'll report this issue to Damian in the morning, he'll decide what to do with Alpha Zion—"
"Forget it." I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. "There's no need telling Damian about tonight. I don't want it to ruin his chances of getting Diamond pack back on our side."
Ethan glared at me with an inquisitive look, his eyes full of uncertainty for the words I'd just spoken. "Are you sure?" He asked, and I nodded to reply.
"Goodnight, Ethan." I concluded before stepping away. I was angry, not at Zion, but at myself. I had the opportunity to finally do something for the years of torture, and all I could afford was one stupid slap that didn't even seem to faze him. I was disgusted by my own weakness. If I ever wanted to get back at him for what he'd done to me, then I needed to get stronger, one way or another.