Word Count: 1575

~Sienna

I knock on Alex's door before stepping back.

She opens it a moment later, hair tugged up in a messy bun, a warm smile on her face. I swear she sports a grin even when she's alone.

"Hey Alex," I greet.

"Sienna, come in."

She holds the door open, letting me walk into what was one of the many guest rooms. She's done a decent job of converting the space to be her own. She shifted the bed and the armoire, and all sorts of personal items are scattered about.

It's likes she's manifesting a permanent place here. Good for her.

"I was wondering if you could help me with something." I give her a hopeful smile before batting me eyelashes.

She scoops a few loose pieces of clothing off the floor, stuffing them into the top dresser drawer like I didn't already see them.

"Sure, what is it?"

"You've worn the most beautiful dresses while you've been here," I note, motioning down to the one she wears now. "I was wondering if I could borrow a dress for tonight."

It's not like I don't have my own dresses, I'm just tired of looking at own stuff. Nothing seems fitting.

"Of course. What's tonight?" She immediately thrusts open the closet doors, running her hands along the options.

I swallow thickly at the array of colour, a little overwhelmed.

"I'm having dinner in my room with Kayn," I tell her, taking a seat on her bed, trying to avoid crushing her stuffed animals.

She raises her brows, her looking suggestive. "Kayn? As in Lexa's brother?"

"He's nothing like her, don't worry." Alex and Lexa have clashed multiple times already. Lexa is quite capable of making some awful comments when she's fired up.

I stay out of their drama. I'm not getting paid enough for that...

Actually, I probably am. I received an envelope of cash yesterday morning as part of my new weekly allowance since becoming Onyx's mistress and I nearly passed out.

I'm going to have to discuss my gross overcompensation with Onyx later.

"How exciting. I wish I could get the Alpha in my room." The scraping of coat-hangers along the metal bar accompanies her words. "It seems like he's interested in spending time with every other girl but me."

She lets out a tense breath, shaking her head a little.

I frown. If I know my friend, his actions don't usually translate to the obvious. Something else is going on.

"I'll talk to him," I assure her. "Trust me though, it's because he likes you the most, and he's scared that if he spends time with you, he'll actually fall for you."

"I wish he weren't so afraid," she mutters, flicking her golden hair over her shoulder before tugging out a black dress. "Here, how's this one?"

She turns around to show me. It's casual enough to fit the atmosphere of a dinner in my bedroom, but pretty enough to hopefully enamour him.

"Beautiful. Are you sure you're okay with me borrowing it?" I take it, laying it over my lap.

"Of course. You'll have to let me know if you get lucky." She wiggles her brows suggestively.

My throat immediately dries. I haven't thought about sex with Kayn yet. Most people would, when confronted with a gorgeous stranger.

It will be happen eventually...

"Oh...ah, for sure." I brush a wrinkle from the dress.

Alex notices my obvious aversion, giving me a sharp look. "You are planning on sleeping with him, right?"

"Honestly, no. I only just met him," I remind her coolly.

"I assume there's a reason he's coming to your room at night..." She looks genuinely bewildered.

I didn't even think of it like that. Rubbing my temples, I wonder to myself whether Kayn is thinking the way Alex is. Maybe he expects us to have sex tonight.

The thought makes my stomach pitch. Not because he repulses me, but because I hate being cornered like this.

"It's just for privacy," I insist. "This entire thing isn't about me and him, it's about Onyx finding his future wife."

Part of this is about keeping Kayn and I's beginning relationship away from Onyx's eyes. He needs to concentrate on anything but me, and I also fear he may chase Kayn off.

"You deserve to find someone too." Alex steps forward, patting my shoulder. "Now, put this dress on. We need to make sure it fits."

I smile. "Alright."

~Onyx

I stifle a yawn, walking down the hallway with Lexa beside me.

"Thanks for the walk and the conversation," she says, stepping ahead of me. We didn't go far from the manor, and we just talked, nothing else.

Unfortunately for the both of us, we have almost nothing in common aside from a wealthy upbringing. She's nice enough, though, and her short temper is interesting.

My hands glide into my pockets. "I'll see you at dinner."

She dips her head before striding off down the hallway. She seems a little dejected that our date didn't go positively.

I know her family as putting a severe amount of pressure on her to secure this marriage.

I continue walking a little down the hallway until I reach an open door. I glance in, knowing it's Alessandra's bedroom.

She's pulling her closet closed when she notices me. "Oh, Onyx, hey."

"Hello, Alex." I lean against her doorframe.

"Up to much?"

"Just returning from a walk."

I need to make more of an effort with this girl. She would fit perfectly in this world, and if I could see myself falling in love with her, I imagine we would both be happy.

The issue is I will never fall in love with her. It makes her difficult to be around. She looks at me with innocent doe eyes and speaks so sweetly it makes me sick with guilt.

"I feel like I've barely seen you," she murmurs, her blonde brows drawing together.

"Right." I rub the back of my neck, knowing I need to make more of an effort. "Allow me to take you to breakfast in the morning, in the town."

She perks up, her smile bright and effortless.

"Really? That would be great-"

The door to my right opens, Sienna emerging from the bathroom.

My breath catches in my throat. Fuck.

"It fits..." Her voice drifts off as she sees me. "Onyx. Hey."

She's wearing a black dress that clings to her body, accenting her generous curves, leaving me reconsidering every promise I made to myself to keep things between us platonic.

It would feel so good, so fucking good to have her beneath me, to have my hands, my mouth all over her. Looking at her now, I physically crave it.

My hands slide into my pockets, my fingers threatening to tighten into fists of restraint.

"That looks amazing on you, Sienna," Alex gushes, giving her friend a thorough once over. "Kayn is going to love it."

Any pleasant feelings are instantly demolished, stolen away by a cold breeze of realisation.

"Kayn?"

"We are having dinner tonight," she tells me, biting down on her lower lip like she can't contain her excitement. Even Alex sighs wistfully, basking in the romance.

My stomach twists uneasily.

"They are doing it in her room, for privacy," Alex tells me.

My eyes flare wide. "Doing it?"

"Eating dinner, she means," Sienna clarifies quickly, swallowing thickly.

I clear my throat, scratching my jaw. For a moment there I thought my mind would be permanently haunted by images of Kayn having his way with my best friend.

"You look very nice," I tell her before looking away.

I rarely see Sienna dressed in black. When I do, it stains my mind with deliciously sinful thoughts that tempt me to enact them.

"Thanks," she whispers.

"Onyx is taking me out to breakfast tomorrow," Alex cuts in, seeing nothing strange about our interaction.

"Finally." Sienna looks genuinely relieved as she looks at me. "You didn't hear it from me, but Alex is the best person here."

Alex tucks her hair behind her ear coyly. "Thanks, Sienna."

I shift on my feet, silently cursing myself. It's unfair to have improper thoughts about a girl who is just my friend, who would never see me like that. Especially when Alex is right there, perfectly good for me.

So why don't I want her?

"You two keep talking. I'm off to my room," Sienna says, grabbing the clothes she was wearing before. "Thanks for letting me borrow the dress, Alex."

I grab her arm, wanting more time to look at her. "Wait, can I talk to you?"

"You should stay with Alex."

"But-"

She pins me with a look so hard it smothers any protest. "Onyx. Don't."

I sigh, letting her go. She's right. Alex deserves my attention right now, even though I want to follow Sienna through the halls like a lost fucking puppy.

"Okay," I mutter.

She gives a departing smile before walking away, clutching her other dress. I watch her go before sweeping my gaze to am awaiting Alex.

Here we go, I guess.

💜••💜

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~Midika 💜🐼