Ariel's pov
I removed the painting from the canvas and folded it, keeping it at the end of the room where no one could easily see it. I checked the clock nervously; it was already a few minutes to eight. I entered the bathroom to take my bath, my thoughts on the drawing.
The water from the shower hit my gold hair before reaching the rest of my body. I soaped my whole body when the soap fell from my hands. The water from the bathroom was already slippery, making it hard for me to bend. Strangely, I collected it from mid-air, my hands shaking because no one was in the bathroom with me. I took the soap, my heart pounding amongst my ribs, as I showered quickly, almost tripping on the tiles.
I breathed a sigh of relief after taking my bath and took a towel to damp my already wet body. Probably, it was my imagination, I chuckled, remembering what happened in the shower. I removed my towel, standing naked before the mirror. I could see scars on my abdomen where Laura had hit me. The images floated through my head; I knew I wasn't going to be at peace unless I took revenge.
Step one would be to be in the good graces of the Alpha king. I stared at myself in the mirror. I scanned the whole room, looking for the wardrobe. It was hidden underneath a layer of books. Why would anyone hide their wardrobe? I opened it, picking a dress for dinner with the Alpha king. Strangely, each dress was exactly my fit as I tried them on. When did Derek take measurements of my body that I didn't know of? I whispered in the room, half-naked.
When I heard the creaking sound of the door, my heart jumped as I stared at the door, expecting to see a creature. Everything happening around here wasn't normal, I pondered in my heart over and over again.
Derek stared, amused by the look on my face. "You look like you have seen a ghost or something?" he said.
"Ghosts? I don't believe in them," I said, suddenly remembering that I was in my underwear. I threw clothes at Derek's direction. "Get out! I am still dressing!" I fumbled with my dress.
"I can help you if you don't mind," Derek shrugged, his eyes showing a glint of concern.
"No, thank you. I can do it myself," I replied.
I scrambled to wear the dress quickly. "But you do know that I have the right to see my wife," Derek said, moving closer to me, not backing down.
"I am not your wife," I flushed, my cheeks getting red.
"You are, remember?" Derek helped me zip up my clothes, his hands leaving a tingling sensation.
"Okay, I am all set. Let's go downstairs," I mumbled under my breath, my cheeks starting to get hot.
He looked every inch handsome with his toned muscles; his hair was messy, giving him a more playboy kind of vibe. I swallowed hard; this was not the time for this.
"Uhmm, I will follow behind you," I obliged, smiling weirdly. Everywhere was starting to get hot around here.
I saw his outstretched hands towards me. "What are you doing?" I asked, looking at his hands.
"We are going as a couple, remember?" Derek replied.
I linked my hands to his, my heart racing. What more could his hands do under the sheets? Gosh, I was having insane thoughts. I shook my head, clearing it away.
We arrived at the dinner table on time, like the perfect couple, without any trouble. I glanced around the table; there were lots of foods that I could hardly imagine were eaten by werewolves.
Finally, the Alpha king graced us with his presence, followed by Ray, who carried himself with an air of arrogance. Everyone was seated for dinner. I glanced around the table; I could feel the tension coming off the two brothers.
I just kept my head high, not wanting to enter any more drama than I could handle. "Ariel, could you say the grace before we eat?" the Alpha king looked at me.
I held my gown in my hands nervously. "Father, she doesn't know our custom yet; she can't possibly pray like us," Derek intervened.
"She hasn't said no yet," Derek looked at me.
I knew I had to do this, at least to show that I was capable and to be on his good side. "In the name of the moon goddess," I closed my eyes, clasping my hands, and prayed exactly the way I was taught to.
When I opened them, everyone was staring at me, including Derek. What did I do wrong? I whispered to myself.
Ray scoffed. "I thought you were a rogue wolf; you just prayed like royalty."
"I-I-I learned it from my mother," I lied, as...as the maid scooped food into our plates generously. "So, which part of the rogue wolves are you from?" Ray probed again.
"Leave her alone, Ray. She doesn't answer to you," Derek responded hotly.
"Brother, it was just a harmless question. Even Father is curious to know too," Ray said, looking at their dad.
"Silence!" the Alpha king turned to both Ray and Derek. "Let's eat; the food is getting cold."
I had a hard time eating; many thoughts crossed through my mind. Did I just blow my cover? I scooped a large amount of rice into my mouth as Ray watched me, amusement dancing around his eyes. I swallowed it all at once; Derek's eyes met mine, a look of surprise across his face. I coughed.
"Here, take water," both Ray and Derek offered.
I looked at both outstretched hands and took my own water. After sipping my own water, I could feel the way Ray looked at me; it was a gaze filled with curiosity and a glint of attraction. While Derek, on the other hand, was good at hiding his emotions.
We had all finished eating; the maid cleared the plates, and Ray immediately left the table. I stood up to leave with Derek.
"Derek, I want to talk privately with Ariel," the Alpha king said.
My heart skipped fast as I watched Derek climb the stairs without me.
"Who are you, really?" the Alpha king came towards me. "Where are you from, and don't tell me you are a rogue because I know one when I see it."
I gulped hard; there was nowhere I was escaping this. I held my hands together, inhaling deeply.