Alpha's Cruel Addiction

"Truly, you know nothing of a lady's heart," Elena chided her older brother whilst jutting him out of the way with her hips. She had grown up by this man's side and could read his temperament like the back of her hand. That was the only way she could make herself useful in this world where sons were preferred over daughters.

"I don't need your help—" Everest began.

"Ophelia?" Elena calmly interupted, her voice readily lowering everyone's defense. She smiled at the silence, for it was better than shouts for her to leave.

A second passed and Elena saw Everest's accusing glare. Elena was glad she came at the right time, for her brother was losing his patience. She had never seen him this bothered before. He was always calm and composed, in control of everything. Seeing this humored Elena, making her even more intrigued by Ophelia.

"My irritating brother can leave," Elena teased from outside the door. "Before my party tonight, why don't we have a ladies' spa day?"

Another round of silence.

Elena was worried her plan was failing. Then, she heard it. The slow unlock of the door. Elena shooed Everest away, who scowled at her behavior. He roughly seized her by the wrists with a warning glower. She met his indignation with an unfazed smile of her own.

'I have it handled.' Confidence was written all over her face.

Ophelia opened her door in time to see Everest storm off. She nervously glanced down the hallways. Suddenly, he came to a stop. She froze in fear, worried she had offended him. Instead, he sharply turned around, offered her a wry smile, then left. Her heart skidded like rocks across a pond, wondering why he was this friendly to her.

"I-I do not want to take up your busy schedule," Ophelia murmured to the Princess. "P-please excuse me."

"No."

Ophelia's head snapped up to Elena who stared her down. Elena's face held no malice. She bore no ill-intent. That much was clear. Elena's attention swept across Ophelia's slightly red eyes.

"You've been crying."

Even Janette overlooked that. Her head snapped to the lady. The puffiness was barely there, but Ophelia's gaze was rimmed pink. She was stiff with shock, her hands lingering on the door.

"Boy problems?" Elena mused. "Tell me about it."

"Y-you wouldn't understand."

"Oh please," Elena humored. "With a brother like mine, I'd rather have boy problems."

Ophelia was confused. Everest seemed like the perfect brother. Elena's mouth elegantly twisted into a smile as she offered her hand.

"You could use a spa day. Come, let's undergo my usual treatment together, so you'll be glowing at the dance tonight. I'll make you the star of the ball," Elena eloquently explained.

Ophelia was reluctant, but glanced at Elena's appearance. 

Elena's skin was pale, but not in an unnatural manner like most vampires. In fact, Elena was glowing with glamor and grace, her makeup perfect, her complexion glowing brighter than pearls. There was not a single flaw in sight. Elena was perfect in every way from her bright blond hair to her red-as-apple eyes.

Ophelia could never compare to the magnificence of a vampire. At tonight's ball filled with aristocracy, the majority of whom hailed from the supernaturals, Ophelia would stick out like a sore thumb. Her human appearance would never live up to those people. She would embarrass Killorn the minute she walked in.

"I-I haven't even selected a dress," Ophelia reluctantly said.

"Really?" Elena sharply gasped. "Oh my, that is my fault, I invited you too late!"

"N-no, it is quite alright—"

"I must make it up to you," Elena insisted. "Let's head to my palace immediately. I always have unworn custom gowns laying around and two new ones arrived yesterday! They're from the trendiest seamstress in the capital. You must see them."

"I-it's fine, Killorn ordered ready-to-wear dresses for me," Ophelia interjected. "It would be r-rude to not accept them."

"You simply can't adorn ready-to-wear gowns," Elena reprimanded in a gentle voice unlike that of a headmistress. "You are Duchess Mavez, soon to be leading high society with your fashion sense. If you wear clothes like some low-ranking aristocrat, what would the people say?"

What would the people say? Ophelia was stunned with fear. Before she knew it, Elena had taken her by the arm and was already dragging her outside.

"Nyx!" Janette scolded, watching as the dog ran down the hallways.

"O-oh, please c-catch him," Ophelia gasped, running forward, but Elena tightened her grip on her arm.

"The maid can do it," Elena insisted. "You should not be dashing off like that, Duchess. If someone was to see…"

Ophelia realized she had been too relaxed. All these days, she did as she pleased whilst forgetting the virtues of a wife and woman. Her shoulders slumped in shame as Janette turned to her.

"Please don't be burdened, my lady, and enjoy your time with the Princess. I will have Nyx waiting for you immediately on your return," Janette rushed out.

"T-thank you, Janette," Ophelia stated, just as Janette dipped into a bow and dashed off.

"You thank your servants?" Elena humored.

"Y-yes, don't you?" Ophelia returned.

Elena thought Ophelia had the guts to mock her. But when Elena saw Ophelia's naive expression, she realized it was a genuine question. Elena didn't know if she should be amused or offended by Ophelia's behavior.

"You're kind enough to be the protagonist of a fairytale love story," Elena said as they bristled down the path leading to her palace.

Ophelia was blown away by the pavement leading up to Elena's castle. Her eyes widened at the beautiful archways of roses hanging over their heads. Bunnies hopped on rows of green grass and tumbled into bushes, birds flew overhead, and the sound of running water from fountains could be heard.

If Killorn's palace was the epitome of his brute and masculine personality, Elena's estate was pure femininity with freshly watered flowers, fluttering butterflies, puffy clouds, and servants elegantly curtsying at her presence.

Before Ophelia knew it, they were within Elena's pink and white palace. She was in awe of the elegant and tasteful decorations, from the shimmering pearl chandeliers to the white marble flooring, and the beautiful paintings on the walls. Silver is trimmed to the ceilings, highlighting the immaculate crystal windows. 

"If you are too kind, people will walk all over you," Elena murmured. 

Ophelia tensed at Elena's words, for this was the exact thing happening to her.

"You must learn to be gentle, but gallant. Dazzling, but deadly. You are to be sugar and spice, never too much of one thing," Elena instructed whilst the maids hurriedly prepared for their presence.

They began with a nice soaking in a bathtub of milk and flower petals. Ophelia was nervous around the vampire maids, but was surprised to see there was a mixture of humans upon them. The vampires tended to the princess, but the humans stuck strictly to Ophelia.

Everyone was kind to her—especially the human servants. Ophelia remembered what Janette said about gratitude. Ophelia only had to move her wrist in the wrong way for the humans to hurry over and cater to her with bright smiles and eagerness to please her.

"If there is one thing you remember about our conversation, Ophelia, it is this advice," Elena murmured whilst waving her hand to excuse everyone.

Ophelia shyly glanced over at Elena, who had poured an abundance of bathing gel into her tube. She was grateful Elena didn't force her to undress. Ophelia wore a sheer bathrobe that'd allow her to soak in the full benefits of the bath.

"A-and that is?" Ophelia asked.

Just then, maids entered and Elena's lips curled in irritation. Who sent them in? When she saw the tiny sigels on the collar of their shirt, she stiffened, knowing they were Everest's people. She reluctantly got out of the bathtub and was accompanied by Ophelia, the two were dried and dressed.

"This dress will suit your complexion," Elena stated the second she held up the bright red and fiery gown to the pale woman.

Ophelia's eyes went wide when she saw the rubies and pearls adorning the priceless dress. She understood immediately that this wasn't just something the Princess would've ordered on a whim. Was the royal family really that rich?

"U-uhm—"

"Take it," Elena insisted, pressing it into her hand.

"I-I'd stand out too much," Ophelia whispered, whilst nervously glancing at the maids who were equally as shocked by the proclamation of the expensive gown.

"Ophelia," Elena said in a firm voice. "You are Duchess Mavez and no longer some random heiress hidden by House Eves since birth. I know the rumors about your sickly nature and that's why you seldom were present in high society. But you're not that girl anymore—you're meant to stand out now."

Ophelia swallowed. Just how much did Elena know about her?

"Ophelia," Elena calmly asserted. "You are now Duchess Mavez, wife to the most ruthless wolf, Alpha Mavez."

Ophelia stiffened.

"Your husband is related to the royal family by blood. Your husband leads the strongest pack in the world. He commands the soldiers in the palace and he trains the strongest of warriors."

Ophelia was dizzy of Killorn's accomplishments, for she was once again aware that she could never measure up to his status.

"And you?" Elena sharply declared. "You are his wife, the woman that will soon birth his heirs. You are the wife he chose, the one he married, and the Luna of his enormous pack. One day, you will lead high society—no, you'll rule it. Everyone except the royal family will have to bow to you."

Ophelia's breath hitched. She had never thought of it that way.

"So, Duchess Mavez," Elena turned to her with a pointed stare. "Will you continue to let people walk all over you? The very people that mistreat you, gossip behind your back are behind you for a reason. No one should dare to walk in front of you."

Ophelia tensed. She was beginning to realize just the exact power her name and status held.

"If there is one thing you'll remember from today, it is not your flaws, your stammer, no, never let it be that. My one and only advice for you is to repeat to yourself one phrase and never forget it."

Ophelia swallowed hard.

Elena jutted her jaws out in the manner that Ophelia should have done so the day she met her. She placed the dress's hangers into Ophelia's hand, sauntered forward, curled a finger under Ophelia's chin, and forced her to lift her head.

"I am Duchess Mavez and everyone else will never measure up to my worth," Elena coldly said.

Ophelia's eyes widened at the statement.

"Repeat it."

Ophelia didn't think she could. She was met with Elena's pointed stare, which almost seemed to judge her on the spot. 

"I-I a-am—"

"Again."

"I-I—"

"Again."

Ophelia swallowed hard. She breathed through her nose, held it, then released it through her mouth. She cleared her mind, gripped the red gown in her hand and  looked Princess Elena of Helios Empire straight in the eyes.

Ophelia opened her mouth and uttered words that she'd one day go by. "I am Duchess Mavez and no one will ever measure up to my worth."