Chapter 32 Chapter 32
Chapter 32
\- Aria -
I did not know how long I was there on the floor for, till a persistent knock woke me up.
I stood up slowly, painfully and looked at the door
I did not want to talk to anyone, and that someone could be Natasha as she was fond of coming back after the damage she had created, to say she was sorry
What excuse would she bring up now? That she did not know the dress was Elena's?
I wanted to ignore the knock, but it kept coming, calm but steady
"Who's there?" I asked.
"Alexei." Came the reply. It was the beta
I opened the door slowly and stood there looking at him
"May I come in?" He asked calmly. I did not reply but left the door open for him
He walked in and looked at me with some concern on his face
"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded. He sighed, his hands behind his back
"I am so sorry about what happened," he said. "But what I don't understand is how you got that dress. What were you thinking Aria? Did you go rummaging about for that? I mean, there are so many clothes for you to choose from and wear. Why did you do that?"
I couldn't speak. The words could not leave my throat. Tears just fell freely from my eyes
"I didn't know," I finally said when he kept looking at me, waiting for an answer
"Are you trying to get on the nerves of the Alpha? In just a few days, you have done so many unintelligent things. What's going on?"
"I didn't mean to," was the only thing I could say
"No Aria, this is getting out of hand. And I somewhat don't want to believe these were just mistakes. Maybe once, but twice and three times? It's either that you are intentionally doing these for a reason or that something or someone is making you do it. But a mistake? I doubt it."
I sniffed and looked away. I couldn't tell him. That all the while it was Natasha whom I was blindly listening to.
She was the one who made me do it all. I couldn't tell him because I did not want to get into any more trouble.
"Aria?" He called. "I need you to talk to me. I can help you but only if you tell me what exactly is going on."
"It's nothing," I muttered. "And no one is making me do it. I guess I am just dumb. Maybe I don't deserve to be Luna. Maybe Lucian made a mistake."
Alexei looked at me thoughtfully for a while
"Tell me, which maid brought the dress to you?" He asked and I immediately knew he would get me there. It was not a maid who gave me the dress
And if I told him it wasn't a maid then who did? I will have to mention Natasha in the end
"I.." I stuttered. "I did not get the dress from any maid."
"So you mean to tell me you got the dress yourself? You mean to tell me you went up to the secret shelf the Alpha stored her belongings in and picked the dress?" He looked at me with something that looked like disappointment.
I did not do it. I would never cross my boundaries and do such a thing
"I am sorry," I said quietly
"That is really outrageous. I hope you know that," he said with a frown. The tears kept falling from my eyes
"I was wrong. I am sorry."
Then he sighed deeply and his face relaxed
"I know you have been through a lot and perhaps you are still overwhelmed by it all. Seriously, I must tell you I did not expect this from you. But I cannot be harsh on you, seeing you've not been long here, and well, maybe you are just nervous and trying everything you can to..." He paused, looking for the right word. "Maybe stay relevant here. But you don't need anyone's approval to stay relevant. You are Luna. That is all you need."
"Not everyone acknowledges me as Luna," I said.
"Who cares? Does that change the fact that you are? Well, except you act like one, you'd never get anyone to acknowledge you, and then at the end of the day, maybe you are not Luna after all. If you continue like this, I am afraid it would not be the best end for you."
He turned around to leave.
"Alexei?" I called and he stopped.
"Can you speak to the alpha for me?" I requested. "I know he must be really upset and he might not want to see me now. Please, speak to him on my behalf. Tell him I am sorry."
He nodded.
"I will do that. But make sure you don't repeat any of this any more."
"Thank you so much, Alexei."
"You are welcome."
I sat on the bed. Alexei reminded me of Beta James
He had been my safe space in the past. I discussed every concern with him and he always had kind words for me
But James betrayed me in the end.
He stood in the council with the evidence that held my prosecution
He stood with everyone who was against me. He stood with Sophie
I don't know what made him do that. I can never understand it
The only person who stood by me was Doctor Mills and she met her death because of it
I was alone. No one is my friend, life has taught me that the hard way
I wiped my tears. I could use Alexei's kindness for now while it lasted
But I will not put any hope on it. If I must survive here I will have to handle things on my own and not wait for any saviour because really, there was no one coming to save me
I have to do this to survive, if not for me, but for my little one.