Seven.

Aria's POV

He doesn’t return again and I end up crying myself to sleep. When I open my eyes, I’m in bed properly. Wrapped up in the blankets, the door closed and Ryan was nowhere to be seen. Hung on the outside of the wardrobe was a long black dress. With thin spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline with a leg slit that probably went as high as my panty line.

It wasn’t anything that she would have chosen for herself, it was far too revealing for me and yet I couldn’t help but run my hands over it. The material was silky smooth as it grazed over my skin.

“It’s yours to wear tonight” his voice makes me jump.

“I’m not going” I whisper as I reach out and touch the dress again. It was far fancier than anything I had ever worn.

“You will be there, it’s not a request, it is an order.”

I catch his gaze in the mirror, it was the first time he had really looked at me and I felt it, the twisting knot in my stomach, the one I had felt in the dungeons. Why did it have my stomach turning this way?

Until it was time to get ready, Ryan didn't let me out of his sight, keeping his eyes on me the entire time.

“You don’t have to do this Ryan!”

“I have told you why I am hosting this Moon Ball Aria. It is for one purpose and one purpose only!”

Ryan makes sure I eat and even watches me when I shower. He had seen me naked before so there was no point trying to hide myself from him. As I am about to pull some panties on, he tells me not to because he wants a flawless look. Instead holding the dress out to me and helping me slip into it.

The material was soft against my skin, but as I look in the mirror, I am disgusted by what I see. The bruise on my neck was hideous, the purple had already turned to a sickly shade of green.

Ryan holds out a long thin piece of black material that matches the dress, he loops it around my neck and lets the ends drape down over my back, hiding the bruising.

Kneeling down in his black suit, Ryan fastens the straps of the shoes around my ankles. Any other time, it would have been quite romantic but all I wanted to do was knee him in the face.

He stands in front of me, for a moment it looked like he was admiring me before holding out his arm. Reluctantly, I take it, wobbling slightly as I find my balance. An odd tingle spreads down my arm, one that I had never felt before and I quickly tug my arm away. I briefly wonder if Ryan had felt the same but as I looked at him, I just knew that he hadn’t.

Annoyed, Ryan pulls me towards him, reminding me to be on my best behaviour unless I want to be punished. I gulp as his scent hits me hard. It wasn’t like before, it was different, more like a sweet vanilla teasing my senses.

Ryans eyes were straight ahead as he led me down the hallway. His hand gripped mine, stopping me from unlinking with his arm. The air of the Alpha dominance was strong as people stepped back to let them pass.

The glares were horrible, I could feel how everyone looked at me, it was as if they all hated me. Most of the stares were coming from those who were trying to flutter their eyelashes at Ryan. 

I was getting more and more annoyed and a part of me wanted to attack them, warn them away from Ryan. Why was I feeling like this?

As we walked I hoped my gut feeling was wrong and that it couldn’t be true and for a moment, I am distracted.

Seren’s arm was linked with the Beta, she had been busy laughing along with him, her high-pitched laugh that could be heard anywhere. Seren’s arm immediately drops when Ryan stops us in front of them and starts speaking to Anton. 

My sister stares at me, pure jealousy written on her face as her nostrils begin to flare.

Ryan lets Seren pull me aside, easily letting me go which seemed odd. Especially considering how he had his grip on me.

“Stay away from the Alpha Aria, I’m warning you” she mutters beneath her breath.

“Trust me, I am trying” Deep down I was pissed. She had her mate and now she was trying to take someone else's. 

Her lip curls up at me, pure disgust on her face as her eyes run over me.

“I may be mated to Anton, but trust me, the Alpha is mine!” Seren turns her head slightly, winking at her mate and shooting a smile in Ryans direction.

“You can have him Seren, if that is what you really want, just leave me alone” I shove my sister away, but I didn’t intend for Seren to lose her footing so easily and let out a laugh, much to Ryan and Anton’s dismay.

I fall silent as I watch Antons eyes glaze over and turn to see Ryans eyes are glazed too. When their eyes return to a normal colour, Anton hurries Seren away.

“You shouldn’t have done that Aria!” He tugs my hand and locks it against his arm as he guides me down the stairs. We walk in the direction of the music, Ryan slowing his pace so that I can keep up in these stupid shoes.

The room was packed, wolves everywhere, some had already found their mates and were all over each other. Some moved around, desperate to find their partner, and a few were drunk already. I watch as Ryans eyes glance over the crowd.

“I want you to move around the room Aria. See if you attract any attention!” He pulls my hand away from his arm, stepping away from me. Sitting on a chair that was clearly designated for him.

There were so many people and anxiety floods through me. The noise was deafening and I wondered how anyone could hear anything. I look back to Ryan and he shoos me with his hands. Maybe this would be my chance to escape!

I quietly step away, trying to follow my nose. Though the further I moved, the weaker the scent was getting. I greeted a few men in passing, their eyes instantly running over me. Rolling my eyes, I was grateful that they were not my mate!

Losing my balance in these stupid shoes, I fall forward and thankfully someone grabs me, stopping me from hitting the floor.

“Are you okay?”

I nod my head, taken by surprise at the brilliant blue eyes shining at me.

“Thanks” I mutter with a smile, straightening myself up.

“It’s not a problem” he smiles at me and turns back to the man at the bar. 

His scent hits me, that sweet vanilla and I turn to see him standing right behind me.

“Is he your mate?”

“Who? I ask confused as Ryan’s scent washes over me and dread sets in.

“The guy that you were speaking to?”

“No, he just helped me when I tripped!” I turn to point him out, but the guy is gone and I hear a low rumble coming from Ryan.

He grabs hold of my hand, an instant tingle making me stumble. It just couldn’t be true, it just couldn’t.

Ryan really was my mate!