Aria's pov;
You know, sometimes…or more like everytime, there were days when you'd wish for the plane above you to come crashing down and end the whole world? And then, there were other days when you'd feel atop of the world, wishing not to die.
Then, there was the unique day of all, a day when you'd been in between, left with only two choices and wonderin how life would go if you were to pick the better option.
Now,as I stood facing the mirror in the bathroom, with Kael's scent in every corner, I had a feeling that my life was over and it would possibly be the end for me.
I hadn't thought things through up to this moment. Not for once did I dream of stepping into an Alpha's room and even going as far as using his bathroom.
It had never been part of the plan and now staring right back at my face that had been caked with powder and all sorts of colors I knew nothing about, things seemed to have gone ugly.
Cleaning up my makeup would only mean revealing my face to Kael and not only that, but my identity. He was already suspecting that and I couldn't give him more things to suspect by going out the bathroom door with my bare face.
Moreover, as newly mated werewolves, there was the known ritual to consummate the bind which happened to be the least and final stage in bonding.
No! I couldn't go out like this! Besides, I can just sprint out of the room the moment I realize he is intent on consummating our bond.
With a newly found strength and power I never had, I nodded to myself, choosing to leave the makeup on my face and just wash every other part of my body.
For the first time in years, I felt my muscles relax under the warm water as it trailed down every part of my body.
It wasn't until I was done did I realize that I had nothing to change into, leaving me with a towel….
Well… according to my short plan, this should go very well, I thought to myself.
Fifteen minutes later, as Kael whispered into my ear, his warm breath doing nothing to ease the thrumming of my heart, once again, a plan I had taken a part of had failed.
"Go to bed, mate. I will see you tomorrow when the thoughts in my head are no longer to have you writhing and moaning beneath me as I mark you on all the unholy places on your body…"
He left me in the room with these words that had my breath ceasing and an ache in my belly begged to be soothed.
Long gone were the water droplets on my body and in place was sweat, all coming from parts of me I never imagined to be sweating from.
My legs gave way, unsurprisingly landing on my butt and bringing a bit more clarity to my senses.
None of this should have happened. If everything had just gone according to the plan, I wouldn't be in Kael's room, sitting butt naked on the floor and trying to kill down the feelings that had risen from nowhere.
Feelings I never had to begin with and yet, in the span of a day, they had suddenly developed; as if having wings of their own.
Reality seemed to be laughing in my face, telling me of my failed plans and now, I was left to face the consequences of the steps I had taken.
Celeste!
All forms of strange feelings I had disappeared in an instant and now, dread began to eat at me. I hadn't seen Celeste again after the ceremony.
I didn't find her hiding amongst the crowd like she had been doing during the wee hours of the mating ceremony.
And I didn't need to have her standing in front of me for me to know the insane amount of hatred she'd probably be having for me.
Sighing to myself, I managed to stand up, heading straight for the wardrobe where Kael had asked for me to pick a cloth.
Five minutes later, I was finding it difficult to sleep in an unfamiliar room and every toss and turn of my body was starting to become difficult.
With a sigh, I jumped out of bed, choosing to walk around the castle instead. After all, it was always said 'enjoy it while it lasts'. It wouldn't be bad to put such sayings to good use now.
By the time my brain had processed a few things properly, I realized I was now in another wing of the castle, absolutely lost and too dumb to find my way back. Now, I should have just sat in the room and slept like I was expected to.
"It seems to me like someone didn't get her impure wishes from Kael tonight," the sudden voice of a female behind me had me almost screaming in shock as I jumped in fright.
One sniff in the air and I could immediately smell the sourness in her scent.
I had no idea who this was but there was only one way to find out and with this, I turned to look, my eyes immediately zoning in on the female that stood with her arms crossed in front of her.
One look at her and it was obvious she was just like Celeste, if not worse.
"..And who are you?" I asked frowning, giving her a once over before staring back up and of course, from the way she scoffed, right before glaring at me, I could tell she was not pleased one bit with my question.
"Who am I? Do you not know me?" She asked with so much pride and despite how dark it was, I could make out her flipping her hair as if to show more power about who she was.
None of this was fazing since I had been treated like this my whole life; I had been talked down on, used, abused and maltreated to the point where I had thoughts on whether I was truly their blood since it wasn't making sense.
But each reminder that I had killed the last of us was enough to clear my doubts.
Unfazed, I squinted, hoping to get a clearer face of this unknown lady. "Am I supposed to know you?"
Finally, my nonchalance seemed to have gotten to her as she finally stepped out of the dark, straight under the moonlight that kept peeking through the passageway window.
Immediately her petite face came into view, every frown that had formed on my face dissolved into nothingness, surprised to see the all too famous sister of Karl standing in front of me.
"Well, let me introduce myself to you. I'm Seraphina Vexley, Karl's f..friend," she said with an all too cheerful smile and I would have been instantly fooled by her words if I didn't know about her true relationship with Kael Draven, my mate.
Kael's voice cut through the silence like the strike of a blade.
"A friend? Or my sweet little sister?"
Seraphina's smile faltered for only a moment, barely a twitch, barely visible, but my eyes caught it
Turning slowly, I saw Kael stepping into the corridor, a tall silhouette backlit by a sliver of moonlight filtering through the high arched windows which I once had a fleeting thought had been too unnecessary but now, as I watched him step under the moonlight, casting a specific aura around him, now, I saw the use for it.
His shirt was undone at the throat, sleeves pushed to his elbows, his expression unreadable... but his eyes..!
They were as cold as steel, holding zero to no emotions and appearing almost lifeless
Seraphina who had been all too high up in her head immediately straightened, standing upright. "Kael…" she began, her voice all honey and silk, but he raised a finger, silencing her and doing much to my pleasure shutting her up.
"You're not supposed to be in this wing," he said, eyes never leaving her face. "I assume Mother's rules before she died don't apply when I'm not around?"
Seraphina scoffed much to my surprise but the innocent smile on her face never left, her pretty features twisting for just a second. "Oh, please. I just wanted to meet your… mate. Or what would you like me to call her?"
There was a venomous lilt in her voice when she said it, and the way she glanced at me, like I was dirt under her boots was anything but friendly.
"I see and I'm guessing I don't have to remind you that she is my mate, " Kael murmured. "Well, now that you've introduced yourself, leave."
Her jaw clenched, shock registering on her face, probably not expecting his cold and curt reply. "K…ael!"
"It's brother to you. Now, leave."
This time, it was his wolf speaking and not Kael. His voice held power, command; leaving no room for refusal. Seraphina's eyes flashed with unsaid fury, but she bowed her head in false obedience and turned on her heel with a flick of her dark curls. But each step she took, her heel digging into the floor board, I had a feeling that this was only the beginning…a beginning I might not get to see if Celeste got to me first.
Just before she disappeared into the corridor, she paused.
"Enjoy her while she lasts," she muttered. "They never do."
She was gone before I could respond, before Kael could respond because not that I knew what to say. My hands were clenched, my heart racing, but not out of fear.
It was jealousy and Confusing.
Something unnamed and shamefully raw.