Conflict

[Arissa’'s POV]

I stared at the woman staring back at me in the mirror. Who the fuck was she and how did she get

there? Also, why did she have my face?

"Could you please sit down so I can finish brushing your hair?" The sullen woman sighed, bringing

me back to attention.

"Only if you answer my questions,” I hissed.

My mind was whirling, and I was trying to figure out if this was real or a dream. Dreams faded so

much into reality for me these past two months that I've been imprisoned to the point I didn't quite

trust myself.

"This is Alpha Ivan Fredrickson’s estate.” The woman grumped. "He brought you here while you

were unconscious and asked me to clean you up.”

The woman's voice was so monotonous that I somewhat wondered if she was some type of

apparition.

"Why would he do that?" I asked, not budging. "I told him that I wasn't interested in his offer.”

This man had some nerve! Kidnapping me while I was unconscious and not even giving me a choice.

Who the hell did he think he was?

"Where is he?" I asked, beginning to scan the area. “I want to speak with him."

"He is busy right now.” The woman responded. "Once he is finished with his work, he will return.

Until then, will you please cooperate? He will have my head if I don't complete my task. *

I couldn't figure out if this woman was stupid or just didn’t care. Why would I cooperate with a

complete stranger in a place I didn’t even want to be?

"Just point me in his direction.” I sighed, growing bored of the back and forth. "If he thinks I'm

going to stay here, he is wrong."

"Oh yeah?"

I felt my heart skip a beat as the cold voice drifted to my ears. Trying to seem unphased, I turned

and faced the very man in question.

"How long have you been there?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips. "You should have said

something!"

"I was watching an interesting show.” He purred, beginning to move forward. "I didn’t want to

interrupt.”

Didn't want to interrupt?

The urge to smack him suddenly flared and I had to control myself. I was in his territory; if I tried

anything, I could end up locked up again.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked, deciding to get right to the point. "I vaguely remember

telling you that I wasn't interested in your ridiculous offer.” Not to mention, I didn’t trust him to not

be trying to pull something with my stepfather.

"Would you have preferred to stay in that cell and live the life of a criminal? * He appeared amused

Narrowing my gaze, I considered whether or not I could escape. I knew that this man was powerful;

his aura was plenty of proof. I could feel it even when he wasn't exerting it. He was definitely more

powerful than that bastard stepfather of mine.

"How about we discuss this more over a meal?" He tried, catching me by surprise. "I don't know

about you, but I'm famished.”

"Are you kidding? I'm not hungry! * As the words left my mouth, my traitorous stomach let out a

powerful growl.

Tilting his head back, Ivan let out a loud laugh that echoed around the room. If I wasn't so irritated

and embarrassed, there was a good chance I would be enthralled by the sound. It was so rich and

warm, nothing compared to the man that created it.

"Come on," he chuckled, reaching out a hand. "Let me feed you.”

"NO!" I screeched. "WHY DO YOU ALL ACT AS THOUGH I SHOULD JUST GO ALONG?"

I knew that raising my voice was dangerous, especially with this man, but I was growing increasingly

manic. What was going on? How was it possible for him to take me out of that living hell? Was this

some sort of ruse to kill me? I couldn't keep calm.

"SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON AND WHY I WAS EVEN BROUGHT

HERE?"

Fuck, I didn't want to play these ridiculous games. I had already gone through plenty of torture.

Why wouldn't these people just let me die already?

"How dare you speak to the master like that?" The woman hissed, lifting a hand just as Ivan reached

out and grabbed her wrist. "M-master?" She stammered, turning wide eyes on him. "Let me teach

this ungrateful bitch a lesson.”

"You are not to touch her." Ivan responded coldly. "No one in this castle is without my permission,

understand?"

For a moment, the woman stared at him dumbfounded, and I had to bite back a laugh. This was

amusing and almost helped calm me, almost.

"As for you," Ivan said, suddenly focusing his gaze on me.

Snapping my mouth shut, I felt my blood turn cold. His face held no emotion, and I wasn't sure if I

was going to be reprimanded or worse.

"You are to obey any and all orders given by myself and Christine.”

"Who is Christine?"

"I am." The woman snapped indignantly.

"And do tell me why I need to listen? I didn't even ask to be brought here! * I growled defiantly.

"I've told you that I will discuss this once we have a meal.” Ivan sighed. "Now come on."

"I don't want to."

I didn't want to go with him. I didn't want to eat. I didn't even want to stick around here. I just

wanted to go back to my cell and wait to die. My life was no longer my own, and I didn't want to

have to obey others anymore.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He said, suddenly drawing me from my dwindling thoughts. "I promise."

He promised. I almost wanted to laugh. How the hell was I supposed to believe the words of

someone who basically forced me into their domain against my will?

I couldn't trust anyone except myself. I learned that a long time ago, and I wasn't about to be a fool

and believe that I could.

"If you don't want to hurt me," I began, deciding to try a different tactic. "Then why won't you just

let me leave?"

"I will." he said, smirking.

"Really?" I couldn't stop the hope that was beginning to well up in me. "You promise?"

"Sure," he responded easily. "All you have to do is help me create an heir."