Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, the familiar comfort of her used blankets a small solace against the gnawing unease that wouldn't leave her.
Outside, the sky was a bruised purple, the first hints of a new day bleeding into the night. But inside her, the storm raged on.
She knew Jason's words were a warning, a chilling reminder of her powerlessness. He was her mate, he had claimed her, and the bond was stronger than any willpower.
That night, she had no appetite.
No desire to eat, no desire to sleep - only a constant, nagging fear.
She decided to use the bathroom. She studied herself in the mirror.
She looked really spent and exhausted. That was when she observed a small mark on her neck.
She hasn't really observed herself these days. She pulled off her shirt and moved closer to the mirror.
She had a mark there - the mate mark.
Not only did that bastard rape her but also forcefully marked her.
She was still afraid of the madmad .
He can just do anything as he pleases. She had lost so many things in just 2 weeks.
Amelia walked back to her bed , deep in thought. She couldn't even sleep. What if he came again? What if he goes harder ?
She finally managed to sleep a little.
-------------
Amelia woke up with a dull ache in her head and a heavy feeling in her chest. She had managed to drift off for a few hours, but her sleep had been restless.
The memories of Jason and the terrifying power of the mate bond had continued to haunt her dreams.
She got up, her body aching, her mind a storm of emotions. She needed to find her strength. She needed to find her way.
The doorbell rang.
Amelia jumped. She hadn't expected any visitors. Not today.
She quietly walked to the door in her pajamas and opened the door slowly. A stern looking guy stood on her doorstep. He looked serious.
She was confused!
"Hi, can I help you,?" She said calmly.
He didn't reply.
He raised an eyebrow and scanned her from head to toe.
"You are to report to the Palace immediately," the messenger said.
Before Amelia could ask him anything, he turned around and walked away like he was being chased
Why would the Alpha summon her? Did Jason do something? Was it a prank? So many thoughts ran through her mind at that moment.
Neithertheless, She quickly freshened up and went to the Palace.
She wore a dress that perfectly hid the mark.
At the Palace, Amelia was ushered into the Alpha's private chamber.
She quickly greeted the Alpha and bowed her head. The Alpha replied with a simple "Good morning".
"Um.. Alpha is there a reason you called me?"
"Yes Amelia, there a big reason I called you. You know that Lily has been complaining about her teachers and she doesn't get along with any of them, so I need you to be her nanny"
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "What? I won't be a nanny. I'm not going to be stuck in this house my entire life… I want to work.
I...I want to be free. To be my own person"
" You know that she doesn't agree with any of the teachers and tutors. I'm so tired of paying toms of money when Lily isn't even learning anything. Please Amelia you're the only person she chooses right now and she wants you to be her nanny and her tutor. Her mom would have done it but you know it's not possible" He pleaded.
Amelia knew that The Alpha should not be begging her. It's not proper.
But there was Jason. If she works in the palace then, She'll be much closer to Jason and only God knows what he'll do to her.
But she couldn't let a man older enough to be her father beg her.
So, she agreed..
......
Amelia stood in the hallway of the Palace, her heart pounding in her chest. She was a prisoner in her own life, trapped by a bond she couldn't escape and a responsibility she felt she couldn't refuse.
She had taken a job as Lily's nanny, a task she had reluctantly accepted.
Lily was a sweet, frail girl, and Amelia felt a pang of empathy for her. But the thought that this job would place her in closer proximity to Jason filled her with a cold dread.
She also needed to find a way to avoid Jason.
"She needs to be loved, she needs to be cared for." Amelia thought, reminding herself that Lily is to be cared for.
Amelia decided to meet Lily - to spend more time with her— to see if she could understand her better than she already did.
She gazed over at her old room which was next to Lily's feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over her.
As Amelia made it to Lily's room, she was stopped by a familiar voice. And she instantly recognized the scent:
"Amelia," Jason said, his tone disdainful.
His eyes - dark, intense, searing - were a constant reminder of the power he had over her.
Amelia wanted to run. She wanted to hide. But there was nowhere to go.
Her heart pounded in her chest, but she wouldn't let her fear overcome her. She needed to find a way to break this bond— to find strength, to find a way to escape.
She reminded herself that she had a responsibility now - to Lily.
She opened her eyes and looked at Jason - a sense of determination filling her. She needed to appear confident.
Jason watched her with a smirk, his eyes burning into hers. He knew that she was afraid.
"I will be coming to you again, Amelia,. To fuck you again" he said. "You can't hide from me."
He took another step closer, his scent strong, his power terrifying.
And with that, he turned and walked away. Amelia stood there, her body trembling, her heart pounding. She felt unreal. She was not going to be defeated.
Suddenly, the gentle sound of a tiny giggle broke the tension - it came from the inside the room- She could see Lily, dressed in a flowered silk gown— a little princess— beautiful and fragile. Thankfully she didn't hear Jason.
"Amelia! Come play with me." Lily said, her eyes shining with a child's innocence and excitement.
Amelia felt a wave of relief. Thank Goodness! Lily didn't sense Jason at all.
"I'm coming," Amelia said.
Amelia followed Lily into the big spacious room clearly made for a princess.
Lily skipped ahead, her laughter filling the silent room, and her happy spirit warmed Amelia's heart. Amelia felt bound to this little girl, a connection that made her feel a sense of purpose and love.
They walked deeper into Lily's room, the walls painted a pale pink, and decked with dolls and toys.
Amelia was struck by the child's innocence and the fragility of her world.
Gosh! Her room was bigger than Amelia's entire apartment.
"I want to play with my dolls," Lily said. She pulled a box of dolls out of a chest and held out the most beautiful one, a doll with long, flowing blonde hair.
"This is my princess."
" Whoa she's so pretty, just like you," Amelia said playfully pinching Amelia's cheek.
Lily's eyes lit up, and she smiled – it was a genuine smile, and a sense of comfort washed over Amelia.
" I want to have a tea party." Lily pouted cutely
" That's so cool. Ok let's have one" Amelia replied
Amelia watched Lily set the table for their tea party. The little girl, with her bright blue eyes and a gentle smile, was a bright spot in a world that had grown dark and uncertain for Amelia.
Suddenly, Lily stopped. Her expression changed from smiley face to sad face. Amelia froze.
" What's wrong sweetie"
"I miss my mommy," Lily said, her voice small. She put down her cup and looked at Amelia - an innocent look in her eyes.
" I never met her. Every one has a mommy but I don't Amelia. They said she didn't make it. I really want her in my life" Lily's eyes glistered with unshed tears
Amelia felt a wave of sympathy - her heart aching for this little girl. She reached out and took Lily's hand. "I know you do," she said. "But you have me now."
Amelia knew that she couldn't replace Lily's mother, but she could be there for her.
" Can I call you mommy"? Lily asked still pouting
"No! You can't. I'm not married to your father " Amelia replied with a shocked expression.
" You treat me like your child. Can't you just let me call you mommy? I promise I'll tell daddy about it" Lily said already crying.
Amelia quickly reached out and wrapped her hands around Lily. Patting her head.
"Please don't cry, fine, you can call me mommy. But promise me you're gonna talk to your daddy about it and don't call me mommy in the public. I don't want people spreading rumors" Amelia said softly.
Lily pulled away from the hug , her eyes shining brightly. Then she smiled.
"Thank you mommy " Lily said sweetly.
"Now let's continue" Amelia asked, trying to divert Lily's attention.
" I don't want to have a tea party anyone mommy"
" Ok, tell me, what do you want to do?"
Lily was quick to answer "Let's play princesses!" She picked up the doll with the long blonde hair. "This is my princess. And I am the queen!"
"You're a beautiful queen," Amelia said to Lily. "And I'm your faithful handmaiden."
"Yay!!", Lily squealed...
--------
Amelia spent the next few days caring for Lily.
Her routine was simple. She would come before Lily had woken up, take care of her, teach her, read her stories, played games with her, and tried to make her laugh.
She found herself growing fond of the little girl - her sweetness, her innocence, and her fragile spirit.
Amelia found that Lily was a quick learner - she could tell stories that made Amelia laugh.
.......
"They were funny," Amelia said to Lily. "You are a great storyteller."
"No, I'm a princess," Lily said giggling.
...,...
As the days went by, Amelia tried to find a way to break free from Jason's grip - to get away from him.
He was always acting like the madman that he is. And it's funny how no one always see when he comes.
So on that day, she was really tired. So she slept really deeply and overslept.
NEXT MORNING....
Amelia groaned softly as her eyes fluttered open. That was one hell of a satisfying sleep. Surprisingly, she didn't have any nightmares of Jason. She quickly glanced at the clock.
What!!! She was late.
"I guess good things never come free" she muttered and ran to the bathroom.
She brushed her teeth and had her bath as fast as possible.
She wore a casual shirt and a gorgeous black skirt.
She didn't eat anything. She picked up her phone and hurried to the door. The second she opened the door, a figure burst in which sent her stumbling backwards. She quickly regained her composure and looked at the person.
It was none other than Jason.
She tried to act casual and look him straight in the eye.. He just smirked at her.
" What do you want , you madman?" She quickly asked.
" I came to fulfill my promise you, scardy little wolf "
" Jason leave the way. I'm already late"
"I am not going anywhere. At least not until I fulfil my promise"
" Fine, what is it"
His smirk grew wider. He moved closer to her and caress her cheek. She flinched at his touch.
"I want to fuck you" He grinned.