Penelope sank into the warm, scented water, and bubbles surrounded her body. The flickering candlelight cast a soft glow around the opulent bathroom. The walls were lined with ornate tiles, and the marble floors gleamed underfoot. It was a luxurious space, one that Penelope enjoyed spending time in. The sound of water trickling into the tub added to the calming atmosphere, and Penelope closed her eyes, letting herself drift off into relaxation.
She had spent the evening orchestrating the chaos that had erupted at the banquet, and it had been a success. The way things were going, she would come out of this situation victorious. But there was still work to be done. Elijah was a wildcard, and Penelope couldn't predict what he would do next. She needed to be ready for anything. As she soaked in the tub, Bridget entered the bathroom, carrying a tray of refreshments. She placed it on a nearby table and bowed before leaving the room, leaving Penelope to enjoy her bath in solitude.
Suddenly, Penelope heard a rustling in the room.
“Bridget?” She called out her name, but no answer came.
She sighed as she walked out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around her. The soft glow of the candles illuminated the room, casting shadows on the walls as Penelope took cautious steps. Her wet hair stuck to her back, and droplets of water trailed down her glistening skin. The towel clung to her curves as she moved, the only thing keeping her modesty intact.
As she entered the room, Penelope felt a sudden chill. She looked around but saw no one. The candles were still burning, casting an eerie glow in the room. She took a few more steps forward and heard the noise again. It sounded like someone was shuffling through her belongings.
Penelope's heart raced as she realized someone had broken into her room. She couldn't see anyone, but she knew someone was there. She quietly moved towards her closet and reached for the hidden dagger she kept there for emergencies.
Suddenly, the intruder appeared from behind the curtains. Penelope gasped, clutching the dagger tightly. The intruder was a man, tall and well-built, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore a black cloak, and his face was hidden behind a mask.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Penelope demanded, her voice shaky but firm.
The intruder chuckled.
Penelope stood frozen, unable to take her eyes off the man standing before her. His piercing blue eyes shone like jewels in the dimly lit room, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of enchantment as she gazed into them. His tall, muscular frame was emphasized by the fitted suit he wore, and Penelope couldn't deny that he looked incredibly handsome, even with the mask obscuring the upper half of his face.
"You're even more beautiful than I imagined, princess," he said, his voice deep and smooth. The sound of his voice sent shivers down Penelope's spine, and she felt a blush creep up on her cheeks. His words were bold and assertive, yet there was a hint of romanticism in the way he spoke, and she couldn't help but feel swept away by his charm.
As he reached out to touch her face, Penelope's heart skipped a beat. She had felt this same touch before, on the dance floor at the ball. It was as if they were the only two people in the room, and now, standing here alone together, Penelope felt the same magic between them.
As he ran his finger along her face, sending chills down her skin, Penelope couldn't help but close her eyes and revel in the sensation. She felt as though she was in a trance, lost in the moment with this mysterious man. His touch was gentle yet assertive, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
Penelope opened her eyes, gazing up at him with a mix of curiosity and adoration. She wanted to know who he was, what his name was, and why he was wearing a mask. But at the same time, she didn't want to spoil the magic of the moment. She wanted to keep this moment alive, to stay lost in this atmosphere with this mysterious man.
As he leaned in closer, Penelope could feel his warm breath on her skin. She closed her eyes again, anticipating his kiss, but he pulled back at the last moment, leaving her wanting more. He smiled at her, and she couldn't help but feel frustrated. Soon, she regained her composure. After all, she knew nothing about him and one wrong step could cause her life.
"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice firm and assertive. She didn't want to show any signs of weakness in front of the Lycan, and she hoped that her tone would convey her confidence.
"I came to congratulate you," the Lycan spoke casually.
"For?" Penelope frowned.
"The show you put on at the banquet earlier, of course," he chuckled.
Penelope’s eyes widened in disbelief. He knew it all. She was quick to hide her emotions. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together how he knew about the situation at the banquet. Had he been eavesdropping? Had he followed her? She couldn't let her guard down in front of this stranger, no matter how charming he seemed.
"I don't understand," Penelope said, keeping her voice steady. "What do you mean, the show I put on at the banquet?"
The Lycan smiled slyly. "Don't play coy with me, Princess. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Your little display with Elijah and Isabella. It was quite entertaining, I must say."
“Who are you exactly?” Penelope questioned. He was watching her all along, let alone, he knew about her plans. Those piercing blue eyes could see through everything. She started feeling uneasy in her stomach but her heart was telling her everything was fine.
“You will know when the time is right,” he gave her the same response.
“What do you want from me?” Penelope stepped back, clutching her towel, as she asked.
Suddenly the Lycan before her eyes disappeared. Penelope quickly scanned the room in fear when she felt warm breath over her shoulder. His husky tone brushed her neckline, “You, princess. I want you.”
His voice carried passion and lust. Penelope closed her eyes, controlling her urges. She felt foolish and exposed in front of this stranger.
You're not welcome here," Penelope said, trying to sound confident. "You should leave now."
The Lycan's smile widened. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Princess.”
His finger gently touched Penelope’s shoulder, drawing a line around her arm, sending sparks. She shuddered, trying to push him off, but her body reacted otherwise. The touch was soothing, comforting, and warm. She longed for such companionship in her past life which led her to Elijah. Would it end in the same way this time as well? She closed her eyes again, trying to hold back her tears. She had always been alone, fighting, away from comfort and warmth. No one ever cared for her except for Bridget. Then What did this stranger want?
The Lycan smiled, amused by her reaction. "Don't worry, princess, your secret is safe with me. I won't tell a soul," he assured her.
She felt him moving away, which created a void in her heart. Was he gone? She wondered. Her heart melted again as she felt his hand, wiping her tears. Slowly she opened her eyes. Penelope could hardly contain her emotions. He slowly leaned over her forehead. His nose touched hers, sending chills. Penelope had never felt such comfort. Her heart wanted more and seemed like the mytrerious man was aware of it. The Lycan's lips brushed against Penelope's, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. She gasped, surprised by the intensity of the feeling. His hand moved from her shoulder to her waist, pulling her close to him. His other hand tangled in her hair, holding her head gently but firmly in place. Penelope's heart was racing, her mind overwhelmed by the sensations flooding her body. She was filled with a mixture of desire, fear, and confusion.
The Lycan deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance into her mouth. Penelope hesitated for a moment, but the feeling of his lips against hers was too intense to resist. She parted her lips, allowing him to explore the depths of her mouth. Their tongues danced together, caressing and exploring each other.
The Lycan's hand moved from her waist to her back, pulling her even closer. Penelope felt the hard muscles of his chest against her own, and she moaned softly into the kiss. She felt his other hand move down her back, tracing the curve of her spine until it reached the towel wrapped around her body.
Penelope’s breath hitched. She could feel the heat emanating from his body, the desire in his touch. His hand trailed down her back, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine, sending shivers down her body. She couldn’t deny the arousal building up inside her, the fire that was ignited by his touch. Her body responded to his with an eagerness that she had never known before.
As his lips parted from hers, his hands explored her body, caressing every inch of her over the towel. She could feel the hunger in his touch, the need to possess her completely. And yet, he held himself back, teasing her with gentle touches and soft whispers, “you have no idea what you mean to me, princess.”
Penelope’s mind was racing with thoughts and emotions, her body consumed by the passion that he had ignited within her. She had never felt this way before, never been so thoroughly taken by someone’s touch. It was as if he had unlocked a hidden part of her, a part that she didn’t know existed.
The Lycan’s lips trailed down her neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. She moaned softly over his lips. She forgot all about her pain and her problems and gave in to the sensation. But her senses were snapped back when the Lycan stopped.
“f**k!” He groaned loudly, cursing.
His skin was covered in sweat. Penelope stared at the mask he was wearing, which ended just over his nose. His eyes were closed. She couldn’t read his expression. Slowly his eyes opened. They stared right into hers, making her lose her thoughts again. Those pair of eyes held so many emotions. Every night since her rebirth, she fought against her fate alone, but those warm gazes made her forget all about her pain, her struggle.
He slowly leaned his forehead over hers again as he murmured, “you don't have to fight alone anymore, Princess. I'm here for you.”
How did he know she was fighting alone? Penelope opened her eyes only to meet his black ones. Was his beast surfacing?
“Why do you care?” She asked.
He cupped her face. A glimpse of possessiveness flashed in his eyes as he spoke in a clear voice, “Because you are MINE!”