The smooth, marble tiles muffle my steps as I head into the living room to find it empty. The house is immaculate with furnishings that ooze wealth and beauty, something I’ve grown up with, and so I’m accustomed to the stench of money. It reeks. As thankful as I am that I didn’t have to get a student loan for my studies, I also know just how much responsibility comes from having family money.
I wonder briefly about Lycan. He’s much older than I am, but I’m sure he must feel some heaviness from always having to be flawless. When you’re thrown into social circles all your life, it comes with the expectation that you’re perfect. But nobody can be, and that’s something my mother never understood.
Every inch of the house has been decorated with the utmost care, from the color of the fabrics to the paint against the walls. The floor underfoot is warm, and I wonder if there’s a heating system hidden from sight.
“Oh,” a soft voice of shock comes from behind me, causing me to spin on my heel. A woman, who looks to be about my age, stands before me, a silver tray in hand.
“Hello.”
“Hi,” she greets. Her eyes are wide, her mouth tilting upwards at the corners. “Are you…?” Her voice falters, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she regards me. “Are you here for Mr. Shaw?” The way she’s looking at me makes me feel as if she’s assessing me.
“I…” Honestly, I have no clue how to answer her. Am I here for him? Or am I a prisoner in his house? A bit of both. I’m not sure why Lycan wants me of all people. Surely there are a million women out there who would be better suited to him. “I’m not sure,” I finally tell her.
“Oh,” she whispers, setting the tray down gently. She moves quietly as she places the cup, small teapot, and plate on the setting at the head of a long, wooden dining table. The silver cutlery shimmers as the sunlight that’s now streaming through the patio doors brighten the space. Once she’s readied everything, she steps away.
“What is your name?”
The young woman glances at me with uncertainty on her pretty features. With long, chestnut hair tied into a ponytail at the back of her head and porcelain features, I wonder if Lycan finds her attractive.
Shaking my head to clear the stupidly jealous thoughts away, I focus on her. “I’m Scarlett. My family lives next door. Well, my grandmother does.”
“You’re the Bardot?” Her gasp is loud, her eyes even wider than before, the blue tinkling like sparkles in the sunlight. “I… I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
Confusion settles in my gut, my brows furrowed before I ask, “What do you mean?”
Her mouth opens as if to respond, but a moment later, she shakes her head and makes to leave me alone in the room with more questions than I have answers.
“Wait, please. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She glances at me from over her shoulder, her expression void of emotion as she looks at me. “My name is Aliana,” she tells me. “Please, don’t ever speak to me again. It’s best that way.” Before I can ask something more, she’s gone. The door to where I’m guessing the kitchen is hidden swings shut, and I’m alone.
What have I done to her to make her so angry?
The door I entered through opens, and there on the threshold is the man who brought me here. Dressed in a gray suit and black button-up, he looks like he’s ready for board meetings, and I wonder what work he does. I don’t recall him telling me, and I don’t remember if my father mentioned it at the dinner when we first met.
“Now, this is a sight I could get used to every morning,” Lycan says with a wolfish smirk, making his handsome face light up with amusement. “What are you doing here, little red?” He moves through the room as if floating on air. When he finally reaches me, I take in the dark stubble on his jaw, and for a moment, my hand tingles with the need to touch it.
“I… I was just exploring the house and found my way in here,” I tell him, omitting the fact that I met Aliana. The pretty girl seemed to not want me around, and to be completely honest, I wouldn’t want to be around here, but I know if I tried to leave, Lycan would find me before I made it next door.
“Well, sit,” he tells me before pulling out one of the chairs, which I slide into. Perhaps Lycan will give me answers. I can only hope and pray. “I’ll call your grandmother later,” he informs me, which has me straightening my back.
“Let me talk to her. I need to understand—”