His Dark Obsession (Moonlight Muse)

EVANGELINE.

He let go of me suddenly, his blazing red eyes returning to normal as he stared at me with such intensity, I could feel my cheeks burning under his gaze. I felt scared, not knowing what was going to come next.

He turned away from me, pushing the files off the desk as he ran his hand over his head and down his face, exhaling sharply. Clearly trying to calm his raging heart.

Did he have a nightmare?

Nervously, I began gathering the files that he had just sent flying to the floor. “Leave them.” He hissed.

I froze, looking up at him. “It’s ok, it’s my fault… I… came in to ask you about lunch but then I shocked you…” I mumbled.

“Lunch..” He looked at the clock on the wall, frowning.

Something wasn’t right…

“No thanks, I’m not hungry.” He frowned. His gaze dipped to my neck before lingering on my bre*asts. I nodded, quickly placing the files on the desk and turned to leave when he spoke, making me stop in my tracks. “Where are you from?”

Sadness washed over me at the thought of the Silver Mountain Pack. Grandmother Philomena. Alpha Aeron Sinclair.. the staff… life as I knew it was gone…

“The Silver Mountain Pack…”

“I meant before they took you in.” I should have known he didn’t mean that. I turned back to him and shook my head.

“Before that… I don’t remember.”

“I heard Aeron found you in a village full of dead.. you were the only one living.. Tell me, how does one child survive a massacre?” He stood up, now circling me slowly. “How did you alone survive? How did you lose your memory? Did you even lose it or is it all simply a façade?”

My head shot up as I stared into those intense eyes of his. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I was being accused. No, not even felt. He was blatantly alleging that I had a hand in what happened back then. I held his gaze, trying to hide my hurt. I couldn’t believe he had just said that…

My heart was pounding as I tried to control my emotions while he simply watched me, waiting for an answer. He wasn’t even joking…

“I may not be perfect, Prince Zedkiel… but I am no monster. I was ten when that happened.” My voice shook and for the first time, not caring about being courteous.

My chest was heaving as I stared up at him, but deep down.. I knew it shook me because that was a question I too asked myself. Countless times… No one else had ever questioned that and deep down I never wanted anyone to, but it was a thought that always lingered in my mind. Fuelled by self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty.

How did I alone survive? I know I’m not evil, and I wouldn’t dare think of killing anyone, but. “Do I look like a murderer ?”

“Not everything that glitters is gold either… Looks can be deceiving, Little Mouse.” He murmured, his hand wrapping around my throat. My breath hitched, wondering what he’ll do.

I wrapped my hand around his wrist, my heart thumping as I braved myself to speak. “I know I’m just a nobody, but I’m no killer. I promise.”

Tilting his head, he applied more pressure for a second, making me gasp, his gaze dipping to my lips before he let go of me. “Maybe.. ” He wasn’t only a heartless monster… he was cruel, too. Our eyes met, but I said nothing. I saw his eyes flash with irritation before he turned his back on me. “Get out.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. Leaving the room I shut the door behind me with relief.

I am not a monster.

But who was I trying to convince? Him, or myself?

It was late in the afternoon, and I had gone to eat in the omegas dining room. It was almost empty. Only two other Omegas were there. As Zedkiel had ordered, I was wearing a backless dress. I didn’t like my skin being on show. He could have branded my arm or wrist, yet he chose a place that was so large. My only consolation was that I didn’t have to look at it.

Alistair had coiled my hair up into a braid and bun for me, with strands of my hair framing my face. I sighed, pondering over what Zedkiel had said, the sound of the fork scraping against the plate a little too loud for my liking despite no one seemed concerned.

Luckily, I had come to lunch late, and the place was deserted. There was an open time between 12pm to 4pm so anyone could grab food if needed, as it depended on when you got the chance. I had come just before 4 and managed to grab some leftovers. “Evangeline!”

I turned to see Lucia walking towards me. After the events of this morning, no one even approached me… I didn’t blame them.

“Lucia.”

She smiled at me, scanning me over, and looked relieved.”Thank the goddess, you’re ok.” She murmured in a quiet whisper before she sat down on the seat beside me. “Alistair asked me to take you shopping with me today, of course, after you ask the prince.”

Shopping? I would love to get out of here… even if it was just for a few hours. “I’d like that, I. if I’m even allowed.”

“You know, life isn’t bad here. In fact, we are treated better than many Omegas who live like servants.” She said gently. “Us chosen Omegas are treated so well.”

I nodded although I didn’t believe her. I mean I was living not knowing if I’ll even survive a week. His hot and cold moods confused me and his latest accusation.

“Yeah, of course.”

She looked at me sympathetically, and I was sure she knew how I was feeling. “I’ll ask the prince.” I stood up, needing a few moments away, and quickly left her at the table.

“If he agrees! I’ll be waiting by the back side door!” She called out after me.

Hurrying back to the room, I wasn’t sure he’d allow me … not after me trying to escape. But still.. I wanted to ask. So gathering my courage, I entered his quarters.

He was still in his office, so I made my way there, knocking lightly on the door.

“What is it?” His cold voice came.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. He was standing staring at the wall that held maps, notes, and pinned images of what looked like pictures of bloodied, dead bodies. I shuddered, and it took me a second to realise that this wasn’t there earlier… There was a bookshelf here before, wasn’t there?

“What do you want?” He asked, making me blink and turn to him startled.