Chapter 40 - Do you understand this?

HADRIAN

The dining room is lavishly decorated with red drapes hanging from the wall. Red is always the color of choice for everything. Red candles, red drinks, red dresses. It signifies wealth and the lineage to the Blood Moon pack.

*I fucking hate red.*

Emma stops walking and I turn my gaze to her. I would rather look at her anyway. Emma is wearing a pale yellow gown. It reminds me of vanilla. She stands out from the rest. She always does.

The fabric hugs her curves and I have to actively stop myself from staring at the curve of her breasts like a horny teenager.

Emma has been on edge and it has me and Nero worried. I’d rather keep her away from these formalities, but those things aren’t for me to decide. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Emma squares her shoulders and walks into the dining room.

I follow her and a servant approaches with a tray of drinks. The crystal flute glasses are bubbling with moonwine. I turn to pick up two glasses. It only takes two seconds to get them, but Marius has managed his way to my mate. I inwardly growl and the stems of the glasses nearly snap in my hands.

“I have to say, Princess Emma, you look ravishing,” Marius says with a slick smile. He's wearing a maroon-red suit and opted out from wearing a tie.

My confidence always withers when I’m around her. I can’t help comparing myself to other males when it comes to her. Would she want someone smaller, more compatible? Or someone less complicated who makes her laugh? Would she want someone like Marius, who compliments her?

I wanted to tell her she looked beautiful, but it felt insufficient. She’s so much more than beautiful.

Emma rolls her eyes at him. “Your charms don’t work on me, Marius.”

He sends her a megawatt smile. “I can always try.”

She shakes her head and Marius offers her a drink, which she accepts. I’m left standing with the two drinks in my hands

“Are you going to attend the tournament at the festival, Princess Emma?”

“Uhm, I’m not sure yet.” Her gaze turns to me for a split second, but Marius is quick to recapture her attention.

“You know, the winner can ask for anything they want. A blank check if you will. I’m definitely asking for a kiss from our future Luna.” His eyes meet mine when he says that last part.

My blood starts to boil. Her lips tug as if she’s suppressing a smile and chuckles.

*She chuckled.*

The glass stems break under the force of my fingers. Shards cut in my hands and red liquid spills over the floor when the glasses fall on the marble.

The sound of the scattering glass travels through the room. It turns the attention of everyone to me. My eyes however are on Marius, who guides Emma away from the glass fragments.

My muscles start to vibrate when his hand touches her lower back. “Get your hand off my mate,” I growl. The command should make him crawl before me on his knees, but Marius grimaces for a second and shakes it off.

“Still haven't gotten those anger issues under control I see.” Marius takes his hand off Emma because he won’t be able to ignore my command.

Emma gasps. “You’re bleeding.”

I look down at my clenched fists. Blood trickles over my knuckles and down on the floor. The cuts will be healed in a minute. I leave the mess on the floor and walk out of the dining room. I know a handful of servants are already on their way to clean it up.

I navigate away from the dining room and to the kitchens. I pass through the central kitchen and enter the back room. Cecile is alone and she cocks her head when I barge through the doorway.

I start to open cabinet after cabinet. “I need a drink.” I know Cecile has an extensive collection of liquor bottles hidden somewhere.

“What happened?” She asks. Her cropped black hair covers her eyes.

*“Captain Marius touched Emma.”* Nero answers her with a growl.

“And he’s still alive?” Cecile squawks.

Cecile might not be able to see, but she’s stronger than most werewolves. Her parents are pure-blooded lycans and hid her away for her disability. But Cecile is still a descendant from the Blood Moon pack. Her senses are impeccable and she even has the ability to directly communicate with our wolves when we’re in human form.

*“I say we go back and bite off his hands.”* Nero says.

“I would love to see that.” She cackles.

I grip the edge of the counter. “Will you two knock it off?”

“Jeez Spice, looks like you need a drink.”

Cecile places a bottle of amber liquid in front of me and a tumbler made of cheap glass. I chug two fingers of the top-shelf whiskey and let the burn of the liquor calm down my nerve endings.

“Where’s Shortcake?” Cecile asks as she fills her own glass.

*“Emma.”* Nero says.

“In the dining room,” I answer and take another sip.

Cecile slams the bottle on the counter. “Are you crazy?” She shrieks as she hits me in the shoulder.

I move away from her and narrow my eyes. “What was that for?”

“You left her in a room with your bloodthirsty exes?”

“Uhm…”

*Shit I did.*

——————

EMMA

Hadrian has left the dining room and left me to fend for myself. I’m worried about his hands and I peek at the entrance for the umpteenth time. I hope that this time Hadrian will walk through it. Marius is trying to get my attention, but it’s getting on my nerves.

“Let me introduce you to the rest.” Marius places a hand on my lower back and a shudder runs over my spine. It’s a shudder of unease, but Marius looks at me with victorious eyes. I step away from him, but I follow him to one of the groups.

Eyes follow me when I walk through the room. There are a few women who seem to be in their late thirties. They eye me with disgust. There is a group of men who eye me with disconcerting interest. Finally, there is a group of women in their early twenties who look at me with ridicule.

*Great.*

“Well, if it isn’t our gray little mouse,” Gaia says. Her voice was so sweet and harmonious last time. Now it is grating and ugly.

Gaia is dressed in bordeaux red and I debate telling her that she blends in with the drapings. Her dress has a high slit that runs all the way to her hip. Her perfect chocolate brown waves are draped over one shoulder.

“Good one Gaia.” The girl next to her says in a high-pitched voice and the rest of the girls join in on the laughter. I even hear a deep chuckle from Marius.

Gaia tuts her bold red lips.“Goddess, what has become of this kingdom?”

Gaia looks around at her entourage and gestures my way. “Are we really allowing pets to rule this land one day?”

I narrow my eyes on her. “You’re just jealous that Prince Hadrian chose me.” I snap.

There are gasps around us. They probably thought I wouldn’t speak up, but staying quiet has never been my strong point.

Gaia lifts a hand to move a lock of hair. “Oh on the contrary. You don’t even smell like him. It’s only a matter of time before Hadrian comes knocking on my door again.” She shimmies one bare shoulder.

The girls giggle and they sound like a group of schoolgirls. I ball my free hand and eye the red liquid in the glass in my other hand.

*Don’t do it. Be the better person.*

“Look at her. She’s so fragile and small. I bet she’s too stupid to even understand us.” Gaia leans forward with mock concern. Like she’s talking to a little kid. “Do you understand what we're saying little mouse?” She asks with a pout of her lips.

I grit my teeth. “Yes, I understand.” I have never been one to keep my cool. “Do you understand this?”

I throw the contents of my glass in her direction. The red liquid splashes all over her face, her neck and soaks up into her dress.