Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty

I had never seen anything like this place; it felt more... alive. This had been all I wanted, and here I was. Free of the castle and out in the open. The world was far bigger than I could ever know-far more diverse too. I didn't realize I was smiling until I noticed his eyes on me. His attention was no longer on the road ahead of us. "It's beautiful," I said after a moment.

"I would have done this sooner if I knew how happy it would make you."

"Daemon, thank you for doing this," I said, and for a moment, our eyes locked. I reddened and looked away." Where are we going?" I asked to fill the silence.

"To watch a movie. It's a rewrite of Romeo and Juliet," he said.

For some reason, I couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" he questioned.

"Who would have thought? The Demon Overlord watches movies."

"I like to see myself as a normal person at times."

"But there is nothing normal about you."noveldrama

“I've been good since we arrived here. That should win me some points in normality, shouldn't it?"

#1

"Yes, I guess. But let's not forget the car was stolen, and of course, you didn't look very normal when you were compelling' the innocent human man to unlock the door for us."

"Two points gone, but I'll make up for it."

He sounded so... relaxed. I had only known one side of him the mysterious, dark side. Seeing him this free was something I didn't want to end.

We arrived at the movie theater, and I was surprised by the crowd. I wasn't used to being this close to so many people. Back in Aureonna City, I only faced crowds during public announcements and events-and even those

were rare.

I noticed the women practically drooling over Daemon. I had always known he was a very good-looking man, but the way they stared at him-it was as if they had seen an angel. I was sure that if not for the intimidating aura surrounding him, they would have crowded around him, asking for autographs and pictures.

Daemon was oblivious to the attention he was receiving.

Everyone took their seats, and the movie began; the theater fell into complete silence. I was surprised at how such a large crowd could organize itself without being told to. Still, I noticed a few women straining their necks for a better look at Daemon. The familiar sting of jealousy threatened to tarnish what had been a perfect night. But I managed to focus on the movie, and by the end, I was in tears.

"He really died." I whispered to myself.

"Who?" Daemon asked, and I wondered if he was even watching the thing.

"Romeo."

He said nothing, but the indifferent look on his face said everything.

"Did you like the movie?"

"It's difficult to say," I said, quickly wiping away my tears before he could notice- but of course, he did.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty

"I shouldn't have made you watch this."

"No, I wanted to. It just made me realize something... I haven't been around a lot of people I deeply care about, so I never truly thought about the pain of losing a loved one.” said, my eyes once again meeting him. I recalled the pain I had felt when I thought he was going to die in the pit-or the time I had shot him. It had taken everything in me not to run back to his aid, despite all he had done. I still cared.

"Can I call this a... date? I mean, this is what people do on dates-they watch movies, sneak into museums, steal cars..."

He laughed. Like, actually laughed. And there I was, staring at him, completely dazed.

I knew about dates from the romance books I read, but I was also pretty sure that stealing cars and touring museums at restricted hours weren't things couples typically did on a date.

Too soon, the beautiful sound of his laughter faded. I knew what came next-we would leave this place and return back to his home.

"Trian." I called, and that got his full attention. "I don't want this to be over yet. Can we stay a few more hours?" I said, giving him my cutest look; of course, I didn't think that would affect him; he barely seemed to notice when women were practically throwing themselves at him, but to my surprise, it does work.

"We could stay till the morning."

I grinned. “Thank you, thank you..."

And then, I was hugging him. He went still, clearly unused to such contact. I

started to pull away, wondering if I had gone too far-but then, slowly, he patted my back.