Chapter Twenty Two
1173 Words
I got into the bathroom, dried up my hair and got into the black dress. It was beyond beautiful but it made me a little uncomfortable.
It clinged to my body like a second skin which made me wince at the sight. It showed off curves I didn't even notice I possessed.
I never did have the time to notice things like this.
I checked my back a dozen times in the mirror to make sure it was properly covered. I let my hair down in wavy curls just in case.
I head out of the bathroom and the two ladies gape at me in shock, especially Melanie.
I squirmed uncomfortably under their eyes.
“What.” I asked them not knowing what to do with my hands ands feets anymore.
“You look unbelievably amazing, that's what.” Melanie let's out a laugh like she just won a lottery.
“You look gorgeous Valerie.” Aria said more softly with a warm smile.
I gave them both a sheepish smile, feeling extremely shy all of a sudden. If I didn't know how to act in front of them, I wonder how I was going to handle standing amongst so many people.
“You don't think it's too tight?” I asked, looking down at myself.
Melanie grinned so hard, you would think she might collapse from that much grinning. “It is and that's what makes it even more perfect.” She groaned happily.
“God I can't wait to watch Mira lose her mind.” She said, sighing sweetly and I blinked.
“I don't want that.” I said in a small tired voice.
“Ignore Melanie.” Aria laughed, walking towards my closet and coming back out with a really pretty pair of heels.
“I knew you wouldn't be comfortable with anything too high. So, how about this, do you like it.” Aria asked me and I nodded.
It really was pretty, it had wedges but nothing too high, low enough that I could actually walk on it without falling over on my face.
“Thank you.” I said moving to collect it but Aria just shook her head. She pulled me to sit on the bed and then to my shock, she began buckling my shoes on like it was the most natural thing to do.
“No, no. You don't have to—I can.” She merely pushed my hand away.
“I want to, we are friends remember.” She gave me that charming smile of hers and went back to work.
“Now all that's left is just a little touch up.” Melanie said from in front of the dresser mirror. She applied something rosy on her lips and snacked them together in glee.
“You're extremely beautiful already but we'll just do a little glam up. Very light I promise. Pleaseee.” She blinked up cutely at me and I couldn't help the laugh that burst past my lips.
“Okay.” I told her, she was too cute to say no to, it would break my heart more than it would break hers.
Aria just shook her head at us as she continued to tie the cute ropes of my shoe together.
She momentarily paused and I looked down, half smile and laugh on my face. It disappeared the second I saw what had her attention now.
A large scar was round my ankle, it has mostly healed to being a faint mark but it was still there. She faintly moved her fingers over my scar and I flinched slightly.
“How'd you get this?” It was the first time I was hearing Aria's voice this tight.
“Uhh, my old pack. It's nothing, I was running through the forest and my leg got trapped in one of wild traps there.” I casually told her the same rehearsed lie I had told Luna Isla after I returned to the pack house, dragging myself against the floor like a leech, bloodied and bartered.
Aria hummed without looking up like she didn't believe a word I said but I was thankful when she didn't push it any harder.
After a few more minutes, we were all done and ready. I felt more refreshed and relieved from the pain.
It was only a faint, hollow burn but I was hoping it would be non-existent by the end of tonight.
I was now currently thankful for the distraction the ladies provided.
Although they have corrected me a dozen times. It still felt weird referring to them as my friends, even in my own head.
We were officially late as we walked through the packs fields that no longer looked like what I saw this morning. It was decorated with flowers and lanterns all of over.
My lips were left open in awe. It was magnificent.
“The older women of the pack are very creative when it comes to decorating.” Aria said from beside me at the expression on my face.
“It's beautiful.” I breathed and she nodded.
“Come on my queens.” Melanie said with a giddy giggle.
Both of us saw two entirely different things as we looked towards the crowd in front of us.
She saw family. I saw foe.
She saw smiles and grins. I saw people who drilled holes into my flesh for being different.
She saw people who treated her with utmost respect. I saw people whose patience with me was probably hanging by a thin thread.
I swallowed harshly and then pointed something out curiously.
“Why have you been extra excited today?” Melanie was always happy and giddy but she seemed even more happy, if that could even be possible with her.
She let out a loud squeal like a school girl like she'd been waiting for someone to ask. Aria shook her head at me like I just dug my own grave.
“There are other packs present today.” She said with a glint in her eyes, barely able to stand still.
“Yes.” I nodded c*****g my head, she told me that.
“Other different wolves are going to be present too.” She added, her eyes shining brightly as she waited for me to piece her bizarre puzzle together.
Now I'm very confused. “Yess, you told me that.” I said with an awkward laugh.
She pouted at me but then quickly she bounced back to her excitement.
“The bonfire nights are also meant for mate's to find each other.” She squealed again, giving us a twirl.
My heart clenched.
“I put in lot of effort with getting dolled up, I hope he's here somewhere tonight.” Melanie said still twirling and Aria laughed at her silliness. A warmth radiating off of her.
“I wonder who the poor fellow who'd end up being mated to you would be.” An unfamiliar voice said from behind us all.
- Writer
