Alejandra's POV
"Miss... don't worry about what Jeremiah said. He must have seen it wrong," said Ramia as we were on our way home. I couldn't stay silent. He had insulted me by accusing me of killing Lex and then saying that Lexy was still alive.
If he intended to play a joke on me or make light of Lex's death, it wasn't funny at all.
"How about we go to someone else? While we're still here. Surely there are other psychics who can help," she suggested, but I had lost interest and trust.
My granny was right when she said that races other than pure humans are manipulative creatures. I had proven it now.
"Let's just go home," I replied without stopping. Ramia didn't answer, but then tried to match my pace.
"Okay. It's getting late. I'm afraid Alpha Kyle is back from the office."
We quickened our pace and arrived at the mansion sooner. I couldn't find Kyle anywhere, so I thought I would be safe for tonight. At least, the torture he had given me for the past week wouldn't happen today.
However, I was wrong. Not long after I cleaned myself up and put on my nightgown, he came in, staring at me intently and approaching the bed.
I slid up and moved backward.
"What are you going to do?" I asked, swallowing slowly so he wouldn't know that my heart was about to burst out of my chest.
His hand reached out, handing me a large box.
"Change your clothes. There's a party at the company today and I have to introduce my wife to them," he said, once again, and perhaps forever as long as I remained in this state of torment, leaving me confused. "Why are you silent? Do as I say."
"You... what are you really thinking, Kyle?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You think being my mate is a curse, you accuse me of killing Lex, then you marry me by force and continue to torture me, which you think is punishment for my actions in taking Lex's life, and now..."
I shook my head, but didn't look away from him, who was frozen in place with an expression I couldn't read. Was he plotting another evil plan?
Would there be more punishment or torment when I got there?
"Just do it and don't talk so much. Don't get a big head just because I'm going to introduce you as my wife," he replied. "You are my wife, but don't ever dream of becoming my luna. You don't deserve that."
Well, I don't want it either.
If you think I'm going to beg for that position, you're wrong, Kyle.
Even though Kyle is my mate, whom I once desired so much, since becoming his wife, those feelings have changed. I no longer feel the same way I used to.
I no longer long for him so much that I can't stop thinking about how charming he is.
Now, thoughts and memories of Kyle bring me pain and fear.
He is a nightmare and someone I want to avoid, but I don't know how.
I got up and immediately changed into the dress he gave me, dressed myself, and stood stunned in front of the mirror. My eyes... I would probably be the subject of ridicule when I arrived at Kyle's office party later. What should I do?
I turned slightly toward Kyle, who was still frozen in place. "Can you give me some time to get ready? I need Ramia right now," I said. He didn't answer but immediately left, and before long, Ramia entered the room.
"Do you need anything, Miss?" Ramia asked, looking startled when she saw me.
"Does it look bad, Ramia?" I asked, but she quickly shook her head and smiled.
"Not at all, Miss. You look gorgeous." She came closer to me, tidied up my long hair a little, then smiled as she looked in the mirror. "Perfect!"
I slumped down at her compliment. She must be lying. No one had ever complimented me before. They preferred to praise Alexis, and now she was gone. Was that why the compliments were finally directed at me?
Was it true what one of the elders said, that twins are yin and yang? That between us there is a devil side and an angel side?
When Lex was alive, of course she was the angel. Everyone believed that I was a curse.
"I want to disguise the color of my eyes. They would definitely be scared if they saw me like this," I said, which made Ramia look shocked.
"No, Miss. That's not true. Heterochromia is a rare disorder that actually makes its owner look special. Moreover, your two eyes are a combination of two colors typical of wolves. Amber and silver."
That may be true. However, sometimes I feel that I am indeed a defect.
Alexis has eye color every wolf in the pack admired—clear amber, the mark of a chosen future luna. Meanwhile, I only got half of that blessing. One of my eyes is the same amber glow as Lex's, while the other shimmers in a pale silver. A cold and unfamiliar color, one that pack members always whisper about with fear.
"Do you know what that color means in our race?" Ramia asked as she combed my long hair. I shook my head. "Amber is a symbol of stability, strength, and self-control, while silver... can be interpreted as great untapped potential, great power, and leadership."
I remained silent. However, she continued, "But you don't have to force yourself to accept everything right away, Miss. I don't know you very well, but I can see the deep wounds in your eyes. I just... want you to accept the fact that you are very beautiful, just with a uniqueness that makes you different."
For a moment, I was silent. For so long, I had tried to accept my shortcomings, but all I got in return was tragedy. They accused me of killing my twin sister just because our lives had taken different paths. They thought I was jealous of everything Lex had.
"I want you to put soft lenses in my eyes. Choose the best hazel color," I ordered. For a moment, Ramia pursed her lips and looked disappointed, but then she nodded obediently before leaving, returning shortly with what I had asked for.
I stepped out of the room and saw Kyle standing with his back to the door. He turned when he heard my steps and froze for a moment.
The gaze that was usually cold towards me softened instantly. He stepped closer, stood in front of me and looked at me for a long time, unreadable, then smiled crookedly.
"Apparently you know how not to embarrass me," he said. "We're leaving now. But there's something you have to do when you get there."
He didn't continue his sentence right away, as if he was deliberately waiting for my reaction.
"What is it? As long as it can make you stop torturing me, I'll do it," I replied.
"Don't get too close to me, but you can't interact with anyone else. Remember, you are my wife and only I can do whatever I want to you. So, do it, and I'll give you one day without torture."