5. THE SILENCED

~DAHLIA

I was trembling all over as I glared at my mother—

Hoping that she would back me up, hoping that she would understand and take me away from this hell hole. Hoping that she would save me from those terrifying triplets.

"Leave? Why would you need to leave now?" Viktor asked as a frown suddenly took over his face.

Almost as if I had succeeded in angering him.

"You do not like my hospitality? Is my house not to your liking?" His voice only dropped lower with every word and I unknowingly backed away.

Suddenly, my mother broke into laughter. "Dahlia got you good!"

I frowned in confusion as I turned to face her and the rest of the room did the same.

"Dahlia always likes throwing serious jokes around when I least expect it. I didn't expect her to pull one here. She must really feel comfortable with you, my love," she went on as she walked to Viktor and touched his cheeks.

Strangely, just like that, his anger vanished and he smiled at her as if she was a sort of light at the end of his tunnel.

"Indeed she got me, I thought she seriously wanted to take you away from me, after we just got married," he muttered before turning to me. "I'm sorry I lost my temper earlier."

All I could do was blink rapidly at what had just happened as I struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Dahlia," Mom called again when she saw that I had grown awfully quiet. "Don't you need help unpacking? Come, let's do it now."

Yet Viktor grabbed her wrist just before she walked away from him and claimed her lips. "Don't be gone too long."

He sounded clingy and I questioned myself again how possible this was.

"We'll come back down for dinner once I'm done with her, boys. Then you can get to know your sister better," she added.

Cassius chuckled. "Indeed, there's a lot I want to know about Dahlia. I cannot wait for us to get our alone time. . ."

Another chill scattered across my spine at his choice of words and when I looked at his golden eyes— like his father— they saw into my soul.

"You have more than enough time to do that," Viktor called before walking away.

Mother instantly grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs. I was too shaken to snap out of it. It was only until we were alone in my room that I released a heavy breath I had no idea I was holding.

"What the fuck was that out there? Are you trying to ruin this perfect marriage? Our perfect escape?" Mother scolded me.

I released a shaky breath as I sunk into my bed. "Mom, those men— the triplets— they are the same werewolves who threatened to come for me."

She froze for a split second and only glared at me before she snapped out of it. "They must have been toying with you. They like to play around."

"Mom!" I cried as tears filled up my eyes. "Mom, they are dangerous. I watched them tear vampires to shreds. I watched them do a massacre within seconds and there was no hint of remorse."

"They didn't massacre humans or werewolves, did they? They killed the vampires after you and they let you go. Do you really think that if they wanted to harm you, they wouldn't have done it immediately?" She demanded.

I stopped lamenting at that moment as I thought of her angle but it did nothing to take the fear I felt for them away.

"Either way, I watched them kill and they enjoyed every part of it. It was like a game to them. They are monsters and they enjoy killing." I wiped away my tears and looked into her hazel brown eyes. "We need to leave. We need to go. It's not safe for me— for us here."

Mother only pulled me into a hug. "I understand how you feel but I think that you are overreacting. I understand that you are scared but you need to know that Viktor will not let harm come to you. You're perfectly safe here. If they try to harm you like you believe, then you can just take the matter to Viktor. He will discipline his triplets."

She pulled away and I stared at her for a long time, realising that there truly was no turning back from this. I was already doomed to be stuck with them forever.

"You're sure King Viktor won't be impartial and favour his own sons?" I blinked at her as I waited for clarity.

"Not with me by his side waiting to use the power of emotional blackmail." She winked at me before smiling warmly at me. "You're safe. I'm your first protector and as long as I'm alive, I won't let anyone hurt you."

I sighed heavily as her words brought a level of assurance to my soul before nodding at her.

"Fine. Let's unpack already."

Mother smiled at my switch in mood and she led me to my bags which had already been brought to the room.

It took us a while to finish and by the time we were done, I was giggling again like my usual self.

A gentle knock sounded on the door and I gasped. Mother touched my shoulder as if to assure me that I was safe before answering the door.

"Come in."

A petite maid walked into the room. "The King asked that you both come down for dinner."

Mother nodded and the maid walked away. She corked her brows at me as if to ask me if I was ready.

I exhaled sharply and rose to my feet, changing into a dress my mother insisted I wear. It was almost as if there was a pressure in this castle to be well dressed for dinner at all times.

It was a red silk dress that flowed down my body and was my perfect fit. She led me out of my room, down the stairs and into the grand dining hall.

The hall  was enchanting and lit with dim and warm lights to give a romantic experience.

Viktor and his sons were already seated when we got there but he rose to entertain my mother and help her into her seat. I was going to find an empty seat close to my mother when Cassius suddenly rose and pulled a chair back for me to sit in.

It was between him and Orion who only washed his eyes over me for a split second before looking away.

I wanted to ignore him but Viktor was watching and I could not risk angering him for the second time. Mom couldn't keep saving me.

Cassius flashed me his charming smile as I reluctantly sat on the chair and he gently pushed it into place.

"Dearest Dahlia. . . The most fascinating person in the room right now," he whispered into my ear before getting into his seat.

The air from his mouth made my ear tingle and I tried to act unaffected by him as I looked before me but I was only met with Vladimir's piercing green gaze opposite me.

He was openly staring at me.

"I have an announcement, everyone," Viktor broke the silence.

We all turned to him, under the warm light of the chandelier above us.

"Camilla and I are leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow," he announced and my blood went cold.

Because this meant that I would be left alone in the house with these dangerous triplets.