Chapter 30 Never the same
After spending a lot of time in the room, I finally stepped out. It was six in the evening when I did.
For no reason, everywhere seemed quiet. Additionally, I haven't seen Lucian since he visited my room that morning.
Lucian isn't avoiding me, right? Not that I care, though. I like the fact that he's not disturbing me.
I walked into the living room. There are no maids here.
It looked like they all disappeared. That reminds me, where was Lucian?
“Go, ask the Luna what she would like for dinner,” a voice asked suddenly, somewhere close by.
Almost immediately, a woman stepped out, and upon seeing me, she was startled.
“Luna,” she readjusted. “May I ask what you would like to have for dinner?”
“Where is Lucian?” I asked instead, ignoring her question.
“He left for somewhere important.”
Oh, I guess that's why he hasn't come back to disturb me like he used to. If he hadn't marked me, I could have used the opportunity to escape. But I can't do that now that I'm being monitored at every point.
“What about Susan?”
The maid hesitated briefly as if thinking about it. “I saw her outside a few minutes ago. At the garden,” she responded eventually.
Good. Best time to ask her about this before Lucian gets back.
“What about dinner?” The maid reminded me.
I looked up at her, with a smile. “Anything is fine,” I responded.
The maid bowed slightly and walked away.
I stepped out of the house as well. I had no idea where the garden was but I guess I can always find it.
The air that hit my skin the moment I stepped out suddenly made me relax. I have underrated how much I needed to feel the breeze on my skin.
And I must say, this feels so good.
I looked up and stopped almost immediately. Susan is standing far away and has the same expression I have on my face right now.
Then she turned around to leave.
I hurried closer while calling after her.
She finally stopped but she didn't turn to look at me.
“I need to talk to you, Susan.”
“Don't try to use_”
“I'm not!” I cut in quickly, with a sigh. “I just need your help desperately and I promise, I’m not going to use my power on you.”
She sighed and finally turned to me. “What do you need?”
I regarded her for a moment. Her expression was off. She didn't look happy or sad. Her face did something in between. And somehow, that bothers me.
“Are you ok?”
She lifted her arms in a slight shrug. “What do you think?” She sighed and looked away. “I'm not, but it's alright. Tell me what you need me for.”
I hesitated briefly. “I need you to tell me how to get rid of the mark.”
Her eyes widened for a split second. “What!”
I folded my eyes in front of my chest and fixated my gaze on her. “The little thing you can do to make me forgive you.”
“To go against my Alpha?”
“So, you will rather go against your friend. Is that it?” I taunted.
She went silent as if the words actually hit a nerve in her.
I hurried closer to her. “I don't want to be here. Please, help me, Susan, for old time's sake,” I beseeched softly.
She reached for my hands and this time, I didn't pull back.
“You don't understand, Aria, and you can't fully understand now. You deserve to be with the Alpha.”
Her words irked me so much that I yanked her hands off me. I thought she was going to help me, but she's obviously still delusional.
“Aria, please listen to me.”
“Listen to you! That our friendship is gone like that? You will rather I stay where I don't like?”
“This is for your own good. You have to trust me on this.”
I can't believe this. I was thinking she would at least be ready to make a break with me, but she's still solely behind the Alpha, her Alpha.
I should have guessed. Aren't packs always loyal to themselves? It's all futile.
“Aria!”
“What!” I yelled back, trying my best not to include my power. “You want me to believe that you truly want the best for me? By pinning me forcefully to someone I don't want? Someone who makes me have feelings against my desire!”
I can't believe this, that there's no way out for me. I'm stuck.
Tears streamed down my face before I could stop them.
Susan caught my hands again and gently rubbed them. She was also on the verge of tears.
“I promise, I'm not lying. You will be in trouble if you step out of this place.”
Could she be right? Could I be in real trouble if I leave here?
I regarded her for a moment. “What kind of trouble do you think you are protecting me from? Making you think I'm better off with Lucian.”
She looked away.
“You can't tell me?”
“I can't but_” She looked up at me again. “You just have to believe me and well, trust the Alpha.”
I can't believe I was almost believing her.
For the last time, I yanked her hands away.
“You liar! You manipulators! You are all the same!” I snapped at her. “You won't tell me the reason but you expect me to believe you?”
“I can't,” she shook her head briefly. “It_complicated.”
I scoffed. “What's more complicated than this?”
I adjusted back slightly, and I'm slightly grateful that she didn't stress it, or I would be forced to actually use my powers on her. And I don't want to do that.
“Aria,” She called softly, as more tears cascaded down her face.
She's lying, I know she is. She only wants to keep me here because she can't afford to go against her Alpha.
“Just so you know I will never forgive you. And my words still stand, you are not worthy to be called a friend, you this manipulating traitor!” I yelled and hurried out of the garden.
“Aria!” She called after me, but I ignored her and ran even further, even though I had no idea where I was going.