Chapter 25 Unplanned
Aria
Consciousness returned to me like a slow pull as if the darkness had been holding me underwater, then suddenly let go.
I surfaced, blinking, my eyes finding it hard to adapt to the light. Then, the world reassembled itself around me slowly.
The first thing I remembered was the mark on my neck. I reached out for it blindly.
It wasn't rough or smooth. It was just there as if the skin remembers everything before my mind could process it again.
Then, everything rushed in at the same time. I remembered the protest, the hindrance, the closeness, and finally, the mark of someone I didn't want.
I jerked up, my gaze taking in my surroundings. I'm still in my room.
But for no reason, everything felt different. It felt like I was growing or something.
My gaze searched around me again, like a lost soul. Maybe I am lost!
Then, I stood up and advanced toward the bathroom to examine the mark. However, it seemed a bit out of reach. I could only see its edge.
Hot anger surged through me. How could Lucian do this to his mate?
He truly was a monster.
I heard the room door opened and I turned towards the bathroom door as if I would see who it was.
Could it be Lucian? If he's the one, it won't even leave this bathroom because I don't even want to see him at all.
“Luna, your breakfast is here,” a feminine voice revealed.
Luna? A scoff escaped my throat. I can't believe all this is happening to me.
Ignoring the soft call, I continued to stare at myself in the mirror. I looked like the horror version of myself, and felt like a total error.
My hair was all rough from fighting too much, my eyes heavy with unshed tears, and my face rough with dried ones.
I cupped my face in my hands for a moment, as I tried hard to breathe. It felt difficult all of a sudden.
I was starting to panic, and it wasn't affecting me.
Focusing was hard. So, I ended up doing what Lucian had taught me the first time I met him.
After a few minutes, I was able to steady my breathing. A tear dropped from my eyes to celebrate my misfortune.
“Luna?” That same voice called.
I released a sigh and washed my face.
“Are you alright?”
Oh, bet I am after your Alpha forced his mark on me.
“Should I call the Alpha?”
Alarmed, I turned to the door again. Getting the Alpha here would be a disaster. So, I walked out of the bathroom. I met the maid almost at the door. Bet she would have walked right in if I didn't show up in time.
She seemed to release a sigh of relief. “I brought you breakfast, so I wanted to know if there's anything else you would want.”
“I don't want anything. Take the food as well.”
She gathered her forehead in worry. “But you need to eat.”
“I said I’m not interested!” I yelled, with rage.
The maid went straight instantly, turned as if she was being controlled by something invisible, then she walked to the door.
“And take your food with you!” I added quickly.
The maid turned sharply like someone without bearing. She took the tray and walked out.
Releasing a sigh, I stepped inside the bathroom again. Then I contemplated using the shower or the sit-in bathtub.
I stepped into the white porcelain bowl and sank down till the water reached my shoulders.
I relaxed and closed my eyes. Once in a while, I felt the water brush past the mark and give me the peace I was looking for. And making me realise it was still burning me somehow.
I went further into the water, so only my head is showing.
This actually felt so good. So I closed my eyes and tried to seek peace.
The knocks on the door jerked me out. I opened my eyes and looked up, wondering if the knock was just in my dream.
It came again however.
“Luna? The Alpha wants you to join him for breakfast.”
Again?
Ignoring her words, I started to wash myself.
However, she knocked again. “Luna_”
Anger coursed through me for the second time that morning.
“I said you should all leave me alone!” I yelled again.
“Alright, Luna,” the voice responded, and it was gone.
That was strange. How could they leave so quickly? I mean, the first maid wasn't so suspicious, but this time around, the maid wasn't even supposed to leave. Isn't Lucian their Alpha? They should listen to him, not me.
Well, I'm their Luna, aren't I?
Whatever! It's not like I care!
The water has gone cold now. So, I stepped out, wiped my body with the towel, and placed it back on the towel rack before I stepped out.
However, the hair on my back suddenly stood up and my legs felt jelly.
A man was standing in my room, at my bedside. He turned to me almost immediately, a smirk on his face.
He was too tall for me and his presence in the room suddenly made it look smaller. He was a definition of a mini gold.
His gaze shifted from my eyes and I realised with panic that I was naked.
“What the holy!” I yelled as I rushed back inside the bathroom.
But I slipped on the wet tiles. I felt myself falling until strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.
His hand stretched across my bare back and anchored me in place. His hand burned my back, and heat rushed into me endlessly.
My breath hitched, caught somewhere between my ribs and pride.
“I've got you,” he said, voice low and steady.
I tried to straighten, to reclaim some dignity but the way his fingers pressed into my skin stopped me short. I didn't want to leave him just yet.
But I'm supposed to hate him. I said I would hate him forever for the mark he got on me without my consent.
Then why is that so difficult to do?