Chapter 8
It has been a few days since I arrived at the palace and if I were to say Kiara was anything short of smitten with Jaxon then I would be a liar. Ever since she found out about lycans she has been asking me a million questions a minute and I have tried my best to answer them all but sometimes it has been hard. My jealousy towards their bond had simmered down into a kind of understanding and although it still irked me whenever she chose him over me, I had come to a point where I didn’t quite hate it so much.
Since we arrived, I hadn’t gotten the chance to explore the palace and I decided to do that instead of sitting in *my room all day. Being in one place got tiresome really quickly and Jaxon was always busy attending to pack
business. The few times he wasn’t, I tried to avoid him like the plague because he was being unnecessarily nice and I hated it. I knew it was a fake and I knew it was a font and I was not going to allow myself to be deceived.
I was on the third floor of the palace, I wasn’t exactly sure where I was because the hallways were large and confusing but then I found two large oak doors. The handles were a bit dusty so I pushed it open and I was stunned to see rows and rows of books lining the walls. It was like stepping into a dome or a book heaven. I looked around to see if anyone was watching and once I was satisfied, I stepped in.
I could see fairy tales, history books and even romance novels. From cook books to self help to fantasy books, whatever you wanted could be found there and I was absolutely stunned. I wouldn’t say I was the greatest reader but whenever I had the chance back home, I would read because it was my way of getting my mind off things.
I reached for one of the books on the shelf when I heard a sound behind me. I turned and saw Aiden standing there. He was in a simple t shirt and jeans and he was watching me carefully. I acknowledged him with a small nod then turned my attention back towards the shelves.
“I’m curious as to how you found this place,” he began slowly and I heard his footsteps move closer to me. “It’s * very hidden and most people don’t even recognize it or want to stay after they know what it is.”
“I was exploring the castle,” I spoke without looking up at him. “Can I take a book out of here?”
“I don’t know,” he responded slowly and unsure as if he had never been asked that question before. “The library belongs to Jaxon. Technically, it belonged to his mother so if you want to know that then you would have to ask
him.”
As the words left his l*ps, it was like I had been burned and I quickly took a step back from the books. I dropped them faster than anyone could speak and I wiped my hands on the bottom of my jeans. I could feet Aiden’s amusement rolling off him in waves and I turned to him with a harsh glare.
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Chapter 8
“Can I know what exactly is funny?”
“I take it that you’re not Jaxon’s biggest fan,” he drawled. “Which is ironic considering you bore his child and he went through all that trouble just to find you. He had to buy you off your family so they wouldn’t come for you.”
“What trouble?” I asked but he didn’t respond. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I didn’t ask him to find me; that was his problem. If he didn’t want to lose his money then he should have never paid for me in the first place. I am at person and not a commodity.”
His smile deepened. “It seems like you have some hidden resentment towards him for that. Let me tell you something Freya, in this world you are either predator or prey and from where I’m standing, you are not the predator. Instead of being upset why don’t you use it to your advantage?”
“How could I possibly use being sold to my advantage?” I asked but he didn’t respond.
All he did was shrug and walk away but before he crossed the threshold I heard him say. “Have a good day
Freya.”
I was annoyed that he had ignored my questions and frustrated that he had gotten under my skin like that. In a momentary act of defiance, I picked up three books and walked out of the library with them. It took me a while but I finally made my way back to the second floor corridor where our rooms were. I checked Kiara’s room first because one of the books I took was a book of fairytales for her but she was nowhere to be seen.
As I began to search for her, I tried to remind myself that we were in a place and there was no way someone would have taken her. I asked a few of the maids but none of them seemed to be able to respond to me. I was starting to lose my mind when I heard a giggle from a room. At first, I thought I had misheard but I heard it again.
I instantly rushed towards the source of the sound and I
Shed the door open. To my surprise, both Kiara and Jaxon were in the room. It was a private living room of some sorts with beautiful couches and hand crafted tables. They were both seated on the floor despite the number of available seats and there was a box that had the picture of a doll house on the front and pieces of said dollhouse on the floor.
“Kiara I was looking for you,” I said completely ignoring Jaxon even though I could feel his eyes on me. “Why didn’t you tell me when you left your room?”
“Daddy wanted us to build the doll house together,” she was practically floating with excitement as she spoke. “Look mummy, it’s so pretty but daddy doesn’t know how to build it.”
“Yes I do,” Jagon argued. “I can do it perfectly well, you’re the one who doesn’t know how to build it,”
She giggled once more and the sound warmed my heart but I still couldn’t bring myself to look at Jaxon. I knew
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she wouldn’t pay attention to the books in my hand seeing as there was a massive doll house which is something she has always wanted but I have never been able to afford. Instead of bothering her, I just smiled and took a step back.
“Enjoy your dollhouse,” I began. “When you’re done I have a new story I want to read to you.”
She nodded eagerly and I smiled at her and began to leave when I heard hurried footsteps behind me. Jaxon caught up to me after I had walked out of the room by grabbing my upper arm. I could feel sparks flying from where he held me and I quickly jerked my hand out of his grip.
“What do you want?” I asked in the most nonchalant tone I could muster.
“You could join us,” he offered. “The doll house is a bit confusing and the more hands we have on deck, the merrier.”
I hated the fact that he was pretending to be bashful as he spoke. I hated the fact that he was acting soft hearted when he was anything but. His words from four years ago were still ringing in my ears and I wanted to scream and tell him to cut the pretense because somehow it hurt more than the actual words.
“Can you cut the fucking bullshit?” I sneered at him and he took a step back in shock. “I understand wanting to play nice in front of Kiara but when she isn’t here you can stop the act. I remember what you said and I know who you are so the sooner you stop pretending, the better it is for us.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know I’m just a bitch who put out and a girl you paid for with your money. I know about your other women and I don’t care. All I ask is that you stop the pretense and stop trying to string me along for some stupid ride. I’m not interested in your games Jaxon.”
Awareness filled his features and he at least had the decency to look ashamed. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and the air stretched thin between us.
“Freya allow me explain,” he reached out to me but I pulled my hand back almost immediately, “I know I said those things but you were never supposed to hear them. I didn’t mean it. As for the other women, I can’t-”
I scoffed. “So you just happened to lie about that? That’s a funny excuse but let’s assume that I believed you. Who is to say that you aren’t lying right now?”
“Freya,” he began but I cut him off.
“Have a good day Jaxon and leave me out of your bullshit.”
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