Artemis stirred, rubbing her eyes as a ray of sunlight warmed her face. That sleep had been deeply needed. She shifted, only to find herself held in place by a firm embrace. She froze.
Her eyes fluttered open—and met smooth, pale skin. A bare chest. Her cheeks flushed a vivid red. Alexander's arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her against him.
Artemis panicked and shuddered.
He groaned, pulling her even closer.
"Do you always get this noisy in the morning, little bunny?" he murmured.
She swallowed hard. His grip loosened slightly, and she took the opportunity to wriggle away—only to tumble right off the edge of the bed and land flat on her back.
Alexander chuckled, opening his crimson eyes.
"You just couldn't wait to get away from me, hm, bunny?" he teased, propping himself up on one elbow to peer down at her.
Artemis glared up at him, flustered. He smiled.
"You should smile more, bunny," he commented, amused.
How cute. Innocent, he mused, his gaze lingering on her lips before looking away and rising from the bed.
Artemis stood, lips parting as though to speak—then closing again.
"What is it? You look like you want to ask me something," Alexander said, smiling as he crossed the room. Artemis couldn't help watching the way his muscles flexed with each movement. She'd never been in the same room—let alone the same bed—with a man before.
She swallowed as heat pooled low in her belly.
Alexander paused, sensing her stare. He turned—and caught the heat in her eyes. A smirk tugged at his lips.
Not so innocent after all.
Artemis gasped as he suddenly approached. She stood frozen in place.
He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Her eyes widened.
"If you wanted to know how it feels," he said with a chuckle, "you should've just asked instead of boring a hole through my back."
Dammit.
He'd caught her. Her cheeks burned as she tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firm.
"Who knew my little bunny harbored such thoughts toward her master?" he teased, tilting his head.
"What thoughts? I wasn't—"
"Oh?" he raised a brow. "So I'm wrong, then?"
"..."
Artemis looked away, swallowing her words.
He stepped closer, and she took a step back, finally freeing her hand.
"Well? Am I wrong?" he murmured, caging her in with his arms against the wall.
"You see…" he whispered, "…I don't just sleep with any woman in my bed." His voice was low, intimate. One hand slid from beside her head down to rest on her thigh.
She jolted.
"What are you doing?" her voice pitched in alarm.
"What does it look like?" he grinned, fangs peeking.
His hand inched upward, and her knees almost gave out.
"S-Stop it!"
His red eyes locked with her bright blue ones, and she froze. There was fear—but underneath it, something else. Something warmer, unfamiliar.
Alexander leaned in, lips brushing her ear.
"Tell me, bunny. Are you… expecting something?"
His hand slid further. Her breath hitched. She trembled.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about."
His thumb circled her hip bone, sending another shiver through her.
Oh no… I'm not wearing—
Her thoughts shattered with his soft chuckle.
He pulled back slightly, observing her. She was trembling, eyes wide, face pale—and it stirred something dangerous in him. She wasn't wearing anything underneath that gown.
His eyes trailed downward. She had squeezed her thighs together. He smirked and turned, striding toward the bathroom.
Artemis collapsed to the floor the moment he was gone.
What would've happened if he—
She shook her head, trying to erase the thought, but her body was still trembling. Then she felt it—warmth pooling between her legs. She froze.
Oh God… I'm a lost cause, she thought, burying her face in her hands.
A knock at the door startled her.
Alexander stepped out of the bathroom, irritation already clouding his expression. He opened the door—and Artemis's eyes widened.
A stunning woman stood there with confident grace: short, dark hair, dark red eyes, and a smirk that said she knew exactly what she was doing.
"Good morning, brother," the woman greeted, holding up a bag.
"What do you want?" Alexander said coldly.
Priscilla smiled, undeterred, and entered the room.
What does she want? Alexander grit his teeth, closing the door behind her.
Her eyes landed on Artemis, who froze.
"Oh my, you look pale, darling," she said with a teasing smile, approaching Artemis. "Are you alright? Did my big oaf of a brother scare you?"
She extended her hand. Artemis hesitated, then took it, feeling warmth bloom at the contact.
"I'm fine, my lady," she murmured, glancing toward Alexander, who still stood near the door with his arms crossed—visibly displeased.
He didn't like the way Priscilla looked at Artemis. He didn't like the way she touched her either. A surge of possessiveness hit him, hard.
Where is this coming from?
"You're quite beautiful, little girl. Call me Priscilla. What's your name?"
Artemis blushed. "My… my name is Artemis."
"Artemis, hm? Beautiful," she said, reaching for a strand of Artemis's hair—only for a hand to seize her wrist.
Alexander had appeared in a blur. Artemis hadn't even seen him move.
"State your business, dear sister," he said, voice clipped.
Priscilla smirked, withdrawing her hand.
Very interesting.
"I was worried the girl wouldn't have anything to wear," she said smoothly. "So I went out of my way to get a few things."
She placed the bag on the bed and walked to the door. Her hand paused on the handle.
"Don't scare the poor girl too much, Alexander…" She looked back at them, her red eyes gleaming with hidden power. Artemis felt it—the same weight she felt from Alexander. It made her insides twist.
"Pretty girls should be handled with care, don't you think?"
And with that, she left.
Alexander scoffed. Artemis exhaled shakily.
"Who is she to tell me what to do?" he muttered, striding toward the bag and unceremoniously dumping its contents onto the bed.
A dress, a pair of flats… and a certain few items of clothing caught both their eyes.
Artemis's face flamed. Nestled beneath the dress were flimsy black undergarments.
Alexander raised one piece between his fingers, amused.
How shameless, Artemis thought, frozen in place.
He turned toward her, grinning as the delicate underwear dangled before her wide eyes.
"Hmm…" he hummed.
"How helpful of my sister."