almost died,” Duncan paused, eyeing me and Bashful together. “He likes you.”
“I never imagined you were a pet person,” I said casually. Not that wolves were actual pets, but they looked very domesticated. Dangerous and beastly, yes. But quite gentle.
“I’m not,” he shot back.
I smiled. Two of the wolves curled around at his side. Sleepy had his huge head on Duncan’s lap. Oh, he was so a pet person.
Bashful laid next to me and I petted him, rubbing my fingers through his thick fur. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Your mother said you liked animals since you were a little girl. I know it’s boring to be stuck in your room all day. So, I thought you’d like to spend some time with these beasts.”
That was actually sweet.
I eyed Duncan suspiciously. “It’s been four days since we’ve known each other and I know there has to be something you want in return. You never do anything for the sake of being nice.”
He smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. It chilled me. “You judge me too hard, Little Snow.”
“But am I wrong?” I asked quietly, hoping he’d say I was.
“No, you’re not,” he said, his voice low. “I do want something in return.”
“What is it?”
His face darkened for a moment, but I blinked and the expression was gone too quickly for me to be alarmed. “I’ll tell you when I’m ready to take it,” he grunted.
Arrogant, pompous jerk!
“Always with the suspense and your stupid riddles. Just say it,” I snapped.
Duncan shook his head. “Patience, Little Snow. Count down the days and when the clock strikes, I will take what I want.”
I wanted to snap, but I chose to ignore him instead and went back to petting Bashful. Dopey and Doc came to my sides, bumping their snout against my arm. Soon enough, all seven wolves were at my side, asking to be petted.
Okay, they were not so scary anymore.
These big, beastly wolves were actually littles babies who just wanted attention.
Duncan stood up and I peered up at him, waiting to see if he’d say anything else. He didn’t.
There was a moment.
Our eyes met.
His were just as cold as ever.
There was a single heartbeat. One shuddering breath.
And then he was gone.
Chapter Six
Snow
Today marked two weeks and one day since I had been living at the King’s Estate. And it was my birthday. I honestly didn’t expect anything big. Didn’t expect a birthday celebration. I didn’t even think I’d get a cake.
In fact, I thought my mother would forget.
But I was wrong.
For my eighteenth birthday, everything was different than the last five birthdays I celebrated alone and without any family.
Mother took me out for lunch and then to the theatre. She said Duncan had booked the restaurant for us and had gotten the tickets to the movie. So, I quickly figured that my mother actually forgot it was my birthday and it was Duncan who remembered and wanted to make it special.
When we came back from the movie, I didn’t see Duncan. So, I went to take a nap. Only to be woken up now by a knock on my door. “Miss White,” George called. “Please come downstairs. Your mother and step-father are waiting for you.”
“Give me ten minutes, I’ll be right there!”
After brushing my teeth and quickly putting my hair into a messy braid, I went down to see what other surprises was awaiting me for my birthday.
What I didn’t expect was a path of red roses…
Leading down the stairs and to the dining hall.
Candles were lit alongside the path and I blinked, once and twice, to take everything in. Mother and Duncan were both waiting for me by the dining table. Duncan wore his usual black suit, but this time, he was missing his tie. Mother wore an emerald gown, a shiny necklace around her neck and her hair was twisted up into a perfect bun. They both looked like they had just walked out of a vogue magazine. The perfect, filthy rich couple. For a brief moment, I noticed how well they complimented each other.
They were closer in age. Both held themselves up like the rest of the world was beneath them. They were both gorgeous.
And I was… just me. Plain Snow White who spent the last five years in boarding school. I wasn’t even dressed for the occasion. No one told me to dress up. I was wearing a simple, midi-length pink dress.
If I didn’t realize how much I didn’t belong here before, this was the moment