Aria’s POV
I couldn’t believe it.
Just two weeks a
age, I was still invisible. And now, I had somehow become Alpha Grayson’s “precious thing”
The stunned silence lasted a few seconds. And then a reporter stammered out a question:
5–So what happened Alpha Grayson? Why did you have to leave to look for this lady? Was she kidnapped?”
“Someone hurt her behind my back, Someone I once trusted. They’ll pay for their betrayal very soon.
With that, he wrapped an arm around my waist and led me toward the walling car. The security team closed in around us as Troy shouted at the crowd, “Back up! The Alpha won’t be taking any more questions!”
The car door slammed shut, cutting off all the noise
My heart was still racing.
My palms were soaked with sweat.
from outside.
“Why did you do that?” I turned to him abruptly and asked.
“Do what?” He looked completely calm and chill like nothing had just happened.
“Why did you tell them I’m your… precious thing? That’s not like you. It’s…weird”
Weird was the only word I could come up with.
He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need a reason for what I do. I said it because you are.”
“Precious how? Like a precious sex slave?” I snapped.
His eyes darkened. “I don’t like you using that word Aria.
“Then what word do you prefer? Mistress?” my tone was sharp. “It’s not like I’m your girlfriend anyway. People will still think I’m some girl you’re keeping on the side without commitment.”
“So what is this? Are you asking for my commitment?” he narrowed his eyes.
“I wouldn’t dare,” I snorted. “I just don’t like being called a slut.”
“They won’t. I will make sure of that,” he growled.
“Not in front of your face, sure. But behind your back? You bet they will.” I turned away and looked out the window. “So stop doing meaningless things- Letting people know how close we are does me no good. AT ALL”
He suddenly grabbed my shoulders and turned my back to face him.
“Look at me,” he ordered, voice hard. “So you don’t want to be associated with me. Because you still want to be with some other man?”
“You are paranoid!” I shouted.
“You should start getting used to it,” he said coldly, like he wasn’t even ashamed of his dark soul. “Now answer the question.”
He stared straight into eyes. There was no escape.
Chapter 62
Honestly, I kind of missed the old version of him the rold, distant one. At least that one was masier to deal with.
“So what if I did want that? it’s not like you’re ever going to commit to me. If I do want marrings or kids, I’d have in find another
His grip on my hand suddenly tightened, “You can get that stupid idea nut of your head right now. Because your’re already tied to me for t
I clenched my teeth. “You don’t have the right
“You should’ve figured out how much right I have right now. Especially after your failed titla escape “He smirked. 1 just stay by my side. Marriage and titles are useless for you anyway.
I was so angry I wanted to rip his arrogant face off
“Just because you don’t want to get married doesn’t mean other people don’t I want something exclusive, which means literally any other man out there would be better than you you arrogant, cold, controlling
He pressed a thumb to my lips, silencing me.
“Enough, I don’t want to argue you today he hissed
1 jerked my face away and slumped back into my seat, fuming and heartbroken,
Before I met him, my dreams were so simple. I wanted to get married before I turned 26, then have two kids–a boy and a girl. i’d give them the kind of happy family I never had.
But Grayson shattered that with a single sentence.
He sure wasn’t going to marry me.
And he wouldn’t let anyone else marry me either.
Now that he’d publicly claimed me, no man in their right mind would dare go against the powerful Alpha Grayson.
I was trapped.
It was so fucking frustrating
“You let your ex–wife go when she wanted a divorce,” I muttered. “Why can’t you do the same for me?”
“You’re not her,” he said darkly.
I looked down at my twisted fingers. A sour, swollen feeling sat heavy in my chest.
“You let her go because you loved her. You loved her enough to hurt yourself just to give her freedom. But you’re more than willing to trap me in this dar
hell
“Zane fed you that bullshit, didn’t he?” he snapped “I don’t like anyone discussing my last marriage. And that includes you. Got it
I didn’t say a word. Screw him.
He swore under his breath “I’m taking you home. And you’ll stay there. No leaving without my permission.”
Sure. Like he hasn’t already taken every piece of freedom from me. What’s one more lock on the cape?
The car dropped me at the mansion gates and drove off without a second glance. I dragged myself through the front door, back to this bellhole i’d just run from.
The only thing looked forward to was seeing Mrs. Jones’s warm, kind smile.
Chapter 62
But she wasn’t there.
Among all the servants lined up to great me, her familiar figure was misting
“Where’s Ms. Jones?” asked the servants, frowning
They all bowed their heads and stayed silent.
“Did you not hear me? Where is
“Mrs. Jones has been dismissed,” said a cold, elderly valce behind me,
1 turned around sharply.
Aman in a tailcoat came down from the grand staircase. His hair was pure white, his face carved with deep lines knife marks, and he had the coldest, most judgmental eyes fid ever seen.
The kind that made you feel like he saw you as a bug under his shor
The kind that reminded me of Grayson’s parents.
I instantly hated him.
“Hello Miss Collins, My name is Tarry. The new head butler of this estate,” he announced smugly
“What do you mean Mrs. Jones was dismissed?” I snapped.
He walked closer, hands clasped behind his back, chin tilted high.
“Mrs. Jones went against the Alpha’s direct orders. You were strictly forbidden from using any phones while at the hospital, yet she let you her personal cell. That call gave you the chance to escape. It was a serious breach of trust.”
“She didn’t know who I was calling” I said quickly. “Ilied to her. This isn’t her fault. I want her back.”
“Impossible,” he said with a sneer.
“Why? I already explained. And I live here now, I should get a say in this.”
“You’re merely residing here. Not the master of this house. And you have no right to dictate how it’s
He stepped closer, his cold eyes scanning me like I was some uncivilized animal.
“With all due respect, Miss Collins, your arrival has brought a great deal of disorder into this century–old estate. Mrs. Jones enabled that chaos–your casual behavior, your lack of discipline, your ignorance of the etiquette. That’s why she was let go. From today on, you and everyone here will be held to a much higher standard. Under my supervision.”
WIF
I glared at him icily.
Did he think he was my school principal? Or my goddamn father
et me just tell you this. I won’t be held by any of your stupid standards,” I said to him very clearly
“Let
His face dropped. “I’m the butter of
“Yeah yeah I heard you. But despite your sharp tus and obnoxious attitude, the butler is still a servant. So go mop the floor or something and stop minding my
fucking business.”
Chapter 62
Wow it felt so damn good letting it all out.
And this Tarry guy’s expression was absolutely precious.
