Chapter 33 033

Chapter 33 033

Ria's POV

Light flooded into my room,I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, trying to hold onto the last threads of sleep. But the damage was done. My brain was already waking up, dragging me back to reality.

The reality where my best friend was a traitor and my mate was sleeping with her surged through me.

"Wakie! wakie!!"

That voice. That cheerful, bubbly voice that used to make me smile. Now it made my stomach turn.

I forced my eyes open. Anna stood by the window she had just thrown open, her face lit up with that bright smile of hers. The same smile she probably wore when she led my father to his death. The same smile she had on her face before Dante kissed her last night.

"Come on, sleepyhead." She bounced on her feet like an excited puppy. "Today is the second trial. You cannot afford to be late."

I stared at her, trying to reconcile this Anna with the one I saw last night. How could she stand there acting so normal? So innocent? Like she had not spent hours moaning my mate's name while I was knocked out from whatever drink she gave me.

"Ria?" She tilted her head. "Are you okay? You look pale."

"I am fine," I managed to say as I forced a smile on my face.

Anna walked over to the bed, her footsteps light and carefree. She sat down right next to me, the mattress dipping under her weight. Then she reached out and grabbed my hand.

I wanted to yank it away. Wanted to scream at her to get out. But I could not. Not yet. I needed to know what she knew first. Needed to understand the full extent of their plan.

"Listen," Anna said, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. "I have been thinking about today's trial. I came up with some ways we can trick Silas."

Silas. She was still trying to pin everything on Silas. Still trying to make me believe he was the enemy while she played the loyal friend.

My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. I forced myself to relax it before she noticed.

"We can—" Anna started.

"I am hungry," I interrupted. The words came out emotionless. "I do not want to have this conversation until I have eaten."

Anna blinked at me, surprised by the interruption. But then that smile was back. "Oh. Of course. You must be starving after yesterday. Let me go downstairs and ask the maids to prepare something for you. You should go ahead and take your bath. We do not have much time."

She squeezed my hand once before standing up. I watched her walk to the door, her steps light and bouncy. Like she had not a single worry in the world.

The door clicked shut behind her.

I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding. My whole body sagged against the pillows. How much longer could I keep this up? How much longer could I pretend around her? Every word felt like swallowing glass. Every smile I forced onto my face made me want to scream.

But I had to. Just a little longer.

I slid out of the bed, stretched out myself since I was certain that today was going to be a very long day.

I shower, humming a song as i didz the water drizzling through my skin, towels wrapped around my body. Despite how painful it felt to me about what Anna had done.

But it was some sort of a closure for me. I knew at least I found out something, something about what happened to my father.

But now, I needed proof and the names of everyone involved in the Kate Alpha a d beta's death and once I do, I would humiliate them in the best way possible.

They would feel every ounce of pain that I did until their bones were crushed.

When I finally got out, I stood in front of the wardrobe for a long moment. Staring at the clothes Anna had picked out for me over the past few days. Soft colors with original fabrics Dresses meant to make me look sweet and harmless.

Not today.

Today I needed to look like what I was. The daughter of a beta. Someone with warrior blood running through her veins.

I pushed past the pastel gowns until I found it. A dress I had brought from home but never wore.

Dark emerald green silk that would hug my body in all the right places. The neckline was modest but elegant, showing just enough without being inappropriate for a trial.

Long sleeves that ended in points over my hands, giving it a regal look. The skirt fell in layers that moved with each step, the fabric catching the light as it flowed.

I pulled it on carefully, adjusting the fabric until it sat perfectly. The dress fit like it was made for me. The green brought out the color in my eyes, made them look less red and swollen from crying. The way it moved made me feel powerful instead of delicate.

I braided my hair loosely, letting a few strands frame my face. No elaborate styling today. No trying to look pretty for anyone. This was about looking strong.

I moved to the mirror and stared at my reflection. The girl looking back at me was different from the one who arrived at this castle weeks ago. That girl had been soft. Naive and too Trusting.

This girl had harder eyes,. She looked like someone who knew how to fight and How to survive.

I was the daughter of a beta. My father might be gone, but his blood still ran in my veins. His strength was still part of me. The blood of a warrior ran through me, and today I was ready to prove myself to everyone.

Once I was done getting dressed, there was an ounce of satisfaction in me. I wasn't yet sure about what the trial would be or how to face it, but whatever came my way, I would face it head on.