Chapter 31 Chapter 31

Chapter 31 Chapter 31
Chapter 31

\- Aria -

I was seated in my room when Natasha came to me and apologised again for what had happened before

I told her it was fine. I didn't have what it took to drag anything with her after all

"I brought something for you," she said with a smile on her face and I squinted my eyes at her suspiciously

"What's that?" I asked

"It's nothing serious. Why are you looking at me like that? You don't trust me?"

"That's not it. I..."

"It's just a dress, silly," she stretched it to me. "A fine one. It's your size and it will fit you well."

I hesitated for a while before taking it from her

After the few incidents with her, I did not know what to think anymore

She gave me mixed signals that confused me, one time she was setting me up with the alpha and the next, she was speaking up for me when the maids disrespected me

I did not understand it

I took the dress from her, it was actually a fine piece of clothing and I loved it

The colour was my favourite too

"I can see you like it," she said. "This evening, the Alpha is having some guests around to have dinner with him. You should wear it. I would like to see you in it."

"It's fine. I will."

"Good. When someone gifts you something. They'd be very pleased to see you using it. You know that right?"

"Yes, I do."

"I'll see you at dinner then. I'll dress nicely as well. Let's see who'd be prettier." She winked at me and made for the door

When she left, I stood there, looking at the dress

I tried it, and it was actually prettier on me. It did fit me well

I wanted to take my mind off any negative thoughts as there was nothing bad about the dress or so I thought, but I was sceptical because of the things Natasha had done

How am I sure this is not yet another trap she's set for me?

But it's just a dress, I thought to myself. What could possibly go wrong with it

By the time it was dinner, I had not brought myself to decide what to do

Something tells me not to wear the dress as she demanded, but that was only out of fear yet I couldn't bring myself to think of one thing she could use the dress against me for

It's a very fine dress. I finally decided to wear it. Everyone would be waiting for me at the dining hall by now

I was right. Everyone had arrived. When I walked to the table, the maids stopped to stare at me with what looked like shock and I could not understand why

But as I approached the table, the stares and silence that suddenly enveloped the room got so uncomfortable and Lucian jumped to his feet, his face hard

I could not understand what was happening

I looked around their faces for any clues but did not get any

However, the look on Alexei, the beta's face told me I must be in trouble

Was it because I was a bit late? It's not a big deal right?

"I am so sorry I'm late," I said quietly

"Where did you get that dress from?" Alpha Jason asked coldly, and that was when it dawned on me that it was a big mistake wearing that dress, but I did not trust my instincts.

I should have known. Even though I didn't know what it was about the dress yet, I had mixed feelings about it and still wore it

"Alpha is anything wrong?" I asked and he cut me short.

"Everything is wrong God damnit!" Jason hit his fist on the table and I shook. "Why the hell are you wearing my late wife's dress, Aria?" He asked, pointing a hand at me. "Just why in the fucking hell did you appear here before my guests wearing Elena's clothes?"

"What?" I muttered, wide-eyed as I looked down at the dress. "I.. I did not know. I am so sorry, Alpha."

Everyone began to murmur, their eyes judging me. I looked like a stupid fool before everyone and Natasha just sat there like she knew nothing about it.

"This is unheard of. It is diabolical. Where did the Alpha get this kind of woman from?"

My eyes glistened with tears and my skin almost crawled out of the dress as I felt cringe

I was wearing the dead Luna's dress...

Definitely, Jason is going to lose his mind about that

Everyone was watching me, the guests, the guards and the maids as Jason shouted at me

I am sure they thought I deserved it. Because who could be so insensitive as to appear at a dinner party with the dress of a dead woman?

"I am so sorry," I cried. "I am so sorry."

I ran out blindly in shame and straight to my room, barely finding my way

When I finally got the room I began to hurriedly take off the dress

But then I thought that I couldn't afford to tear it, to avoid invoking more of Jason's wrath

I carefully took it off and slumped to the ground weakly

I buried my face in my palm and sobbed heavily

I do not deserve this. I have not done anything wrong for Natasha to do all these things to me

She knew this dress was Elena's, but she gave it to me, lied that it was a gift and I foolishly took it from her

Now I have been disgraced. Ever since I came to this pack I have been in one trouble or another

I thought of running away, but where to? And my baby does not deserve to suffer like I did. But have I not suffered enough? When does this end? When can I truly be accepted and happy?

I don't even know what to do. I don't know what to do.