Chapter 9
1034 Words
Arlenna's POV
“I'm settling with it!" Nimara said.
Her voice was so rich with satisfaction as she held the dress close to her chest.
Her eyes sparkled, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but think how everything she touched seemed to suddenly belong to her.
It almost felt like she was collecting little pieces of me without even knowing. First Orion. Now this dress. My dream dress.
"It's not like you would be needing it anytime soon," she teased, laughing lightly.
I smiled faintly. She was right.
"You know what? Yes... it's perfect," I said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Since you like it, I know Orion would definitely love it on me." Her voice carried no malice, just excitement.
And that, somehow, made it worse, cause I was dying with guilt. She hugged the dress tightly.
"Why not try it on?" she added, turning to me.
"Oh... no... no..." I said quickly, waving my hand. But she was already walking toward me with the dress in hand.
"I want to see how they would look on me through you," she said with that same eager smile and gently handed it over.
I sighed. I didn’t really have a choice. So I changed into it.
When I stepped out, Nimara gasped.
“Wow! This is it! They look so perfect on you, Arlenna. I'm sure wherever your mate is, he would be dying to have you right now."
I gulped, unsure of what to say.
The mirror didn’t lie, it was beautiful. I looked like the version of myself I had always imagined. Soft. Dreamy. Loved.
But I couldn’t enjoy it. Not for long.
I peeled the dress off quickly. The second it left my skin, a huge wind of nausea hit me so hard I barely made it to the bathroom in time.
"Arlenna!!" Nimara’s voice chased after me as I staggered, almost ruining the dress with whatever was about to come up.
I leaned over the sink, my stomach was twisting. I washed my face with cold water the minute I was done.
When I stepped out, Nimara looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"Ye... yes. My stomach was just a bit upset," I replied quickly.
"You look pale though," she said, reaching out to touch my arm.
"No, no... I’m fine," I dismissed her.
We got back into the car, and I didn't feel like saying anything. I leaned against the window, watching the trees pass by. Everything felt distant.
Nimara eventually broke the silence. "I love Orion so much," she said softly. "I have always loved him. I've waited for this moment for almost forever."
I didn’t turn. I didn’t respond. I just kept staring out the window.
"I think we were meant for each other," she continued. "And I know he loves me too."
Still, I said nothing.
"Arlenna? Arlenna!!" She called my name, and I didn’t hear her until she tapped me.
I flinched and turned, startled.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her brows pulled together in concern. "It felt like you weren’t even listening to me."
"Oh... no... no... I’m just tired," I murmured.
"You look really pale, Arlenna. I saw how you rushed to the bathroom at the store. Is there anything going on with you?"
"N... no..." I stuttered.
"You can tell me anything, Arlenna. You can trust me."
But I stayed silent.
She leaned in closer. "You threw up... you look pale... your lips are dry... are you..."
Before she could finish, something outside the window caught my eye.
"Alpha Erik!" I exclaimed, nearly shouting.
There he was. Right there in our compound, walking toward our front door.
I panicked the minute I saw him. If he went in, mother would definitely know I hadn’t met him that night.
She would know I lied and I stood him up.
"Stop! Stop!" I yelled to the driver.
The car hadn’t even come to a full halt when I jumped out and ran toward him.
"Alpha Erik!" I called again, louder this time.
He turned, surprised, his hand midway to knocking.
"Arlenna?”
“Alpha Erik!” I called as I reached him.
He turned around with a soft smile resting on his face. "I... I was just here to see you," he said.
"Oh," I breathed, gulping. My throat felt dry. I could already feel the questions coming.
"Is everything alright with you?" he asked.
"Yes... yes," I answered quickly, maybe too quickly. I was tired of everyone asking that question.
Couldn’t they see I was fine, even if I wasn’t?
"I was expecting you some weeks ago," he added.
"Oh..." I started, looking for something to say, something that wouldn't sound like a lie or an excuse.
"No one stands me up, Arlenna."
I lowered my gaze. "I'm... I'm sorry, Alpha Erik. Something came up and I... I—"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're all I need in a bride. You're a virgin and—"
I cut him off. "Is that all that matters to you? Just being a virgin? What about love? Doesn’t that count for anything?"
"Every other thing will fall into place.”
"I'm hosting a little dinner at my place tomorrow. I want you there," he said.
"I... I don't think I can—" I began, already trying to pull away from the conversation.
But before I could finish, the front door swung open.
"Alpha Erik!" Orion’s voice called out.
Alpha Erik turned slightly. "Orion," he said with a slight nod.
Orion stepped forward, his gaze moving from Alpha Erik to me and back.
"What brings you here by this time?"
Alpha Erik smiled, "Oh... Arlenna, of course. I don't think anyone would dare take their eyes off such a valuable treasure."
The words struck a nerve in me.
That’s all I was to him, valuable because he thought I was untouched. It stung. Like my worth began and ended with that one thing.
Orion cleared his throat. "It's quite late to be seen talking to her at this time, Alpha Erik."
"It's not too late to see my future bride."
My heart stopped.
"Arlenna isn't marrying you.” Orion said without any single hesitation.
- Writer
