Zara's POV
I was about to take out some shampoo, but before I could, he grabbed my hand.
"First wash my body, babe," his husky voice sent shivers down my spine.
I pulled my hand back and took out some body wash, starting to rub it onto his arm with my hand.
"Umm, it's not working. You should come inside and use your body to wash me. That would be great."
My eyes widened, and I quickly took my hand back. He was staring at me like he couldn't understand why I was reacting this way now.
I forced a smile and stepped into the bathtub. I didn't have any other choice but to obey him. He was my one and only hope, after all.
As I stepped in, my clothes got soaked in the water. He had already seen me in lingerie, so there was nothing left to hide. That's why I took them off, leaving only my bra and panties.
The moment I stepped in, he suddenly pulled me onto his lap. His hands gripped my waist firmly while my legs curled to either side of him.
Since he told me to use my body to wash him, I rubbed the body wash onto my chest. Grabbing his shoulders, I began rubbing my chest against his.
My bra was a bit small, and my breasts were getting pushed out, almost exposed. I was starting to feel hot doing this, but he kept watching me without blinking.
"Wash my face too—with your tits. And your bra's getting in the way, take it off."
I shook my head. No way I was removing my bra. What I was already doing felt like too much, and now he wanted me completely naked in front of him?
No, I can't do that… never.
"Lucian, please," I said with an innocent expression, hoping he'd pity me and take back his order.
Instead, he suddenly grabbed me and pressed his lips against my neck.
For a second, I thought he was going to mark me. His teeth were nibbling my skin, and my hands clenched tightly around his.
"Lucian!" I called his name. He groaned and stopped.
"Get out," he said coldly, clearly angry that I hadn't let him go further.
I quickly stood up, stepped out of the bathtub, and wrapped myself in a bathrobe.
But I was soaked, even my underwear, so I just stood outside the bathroom door, holding my new clothes and innerwear, waiting for him to finish.
A little while later, he finally came out. As soon as he did, I rushed inside, not wasting a second, and took my bath.
After getting dressed, I came out and saw the room was empty. I was alone.
I looked around before heading downstairs. When I reached the dining room, I saw Lucian having breakfast—and Cassian was there too.
Lucian hadn't noticed me standing there, so I took a step forward to catch his attention.
And finally, he did. "You're here? Come join us."
I quickly walked over and sat beside Lucian, finishing breakfast with him. Once he was done, he glanced at me.
"I'm leaving for work," he said and left.
Now only Cassian and I were left. He stared at me with those piercing eyes.
I stood up, intending to go upstairs until Lucian came back. But before I could even step onto the stairs, someone yanked my hair from behind.
In the next second, I was on the ground—and Cassian stood over me, smirking. I realized he was the one who pulled me down.
"This is your true place, bitch. Did you really think you could become my dad's mate?"
I stood up, brushed the dust off my clothes, and glared at him.
"Yes, I can. And show some respect, Cassian. I'm your stepmom now," I said with a grin.
There was no need for me to keep enduring hardships when I had done nothing wrong. I was going to stand up for myself now. I wouldn't let these people walk all over me.
Just then, I felt a sharp pinch on the mark on my back—it was still fresh. I turned quickly and saw it was the same servant from last night—the one who had used illusion magic on my soup.
So they were planning to gang up on me?
Very well. I wasn't the same Zara who used to suffer in silence. My father was dead, and the promise I made to him was broken. I didn't need to hide anymore.
I glared at the servant and blew softly from my palm. As I did, she suddenly spat blood, clutching her throat in agony. Minutes passed.
But no—I couldn't give her such an easy death.
I waved my hand again, and everything returned to normal. She was standing there with no blood around. She looked at me, thinking she was about to die.
It was just an illusion.
Yes, I know magic. I'm not a hybrid, but I have magical powers. I only know how to use a few spells because my father called it a curse. He made me promise never to show anyone that I had magic. He even said if I ever used it, he'd kill himself.
But now he's gone. So this was the first time I used my power.
I couldn't use it back in my pack either. There was a magic suppression barrier on all royal members.
So I know my magic powers aren't going to help me much since I don't really know how to use them—but from now on, I'll use my strength and my mind to take revenge.
Just as I was about to leave, Cassian grabbed my hand again to stop me.
"Hey, whore! You're a witch? You don't deserve to be here!" he shouted and called for the bodyguards.
"Throw this bitch out of the mansion right now! I don't want to see her face again!" he ordered, and the bodyguards grabbed me and threw me out of the mansion.