Beauty Without Thorns

Aria’s POV

‘I’m in t-trouble,’ I could see the fear in the eyes of my twin sister as she ran into my room and crouched down beside me.I had to drop the puzzle I was deeply engrossed in, giving her my full attention. 

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked. 

‘He is coming. I’m so scared. I didn’t mean for it to happen’ she let out the statements in short breaths and I needed no soothsayer to tell me that she was referring to my uncle. 

I placed my hands on her shoulder, ‘don’t worry, you’ll be fine’ 

‘I won’t’ I watched her lips tremble in fear as she let out those words. And almost immediately we were startled by a loud sound as the door to my room was flung open. 

My uncle stormed towards me and grabbed me roughly by my arm, my heart threatened to burst out of my chest as his fingers pressed against my skin, turning it reddish. He pulled me up harshly and dragged me towards the doorway. He then stopped and turned to my twin sister, ‘you! Wait here till we return. Take a step outside this room and you will regret the day you were given birth to’ 

‘Uncle…’ I could tell my twin sister wanted to mention that she was the person who committed the crime but I gestured to her—a sign she understood so well—that I was fine taking the punishment. 

We were so identical, uncle never found out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later, 

‘What is it?’ I mumbled groggily, I had just retired to bed a few minutes ago, when I felt taps on my leg. 

‘Wake up! Hurry!” I heard my sister’s voice, once again laced with fear. She pulled my duvet and dragged me by my arm, leading me down the hallway and to the front of our uncle’s office. 

I gave her a look of confusion. I wondered why she led me here knowing fully well that uncle gets riled up just by laying his eyes upon us. 

My confusion heightened further w hen she pushed the door apart and motioned for me to be quiet, placing a finger in front of her lips, before walking further into the office. 

She led me behind our uncle’s office desk and my eyes widened in horror when I saw uncle laying on the ground with blood oozing out of a large slit across his neck. 

‘I-i don’t know what I’ve done, ' she let out in a whisper. And my gaze darted to the small pocket knife, stained with blood, on the ground just beside our uncle. 

I crouched down, with my heart beating rapidly against my chest, I picked up uncle's arm which at that time was already cold. I knew deep down that there was no way he could survive that much blood loss, but I still hoped for a pulse. A sign that he was alive. 

I couldn’t bear the thought of news getting out that uncle was murdered by his own niece, my sister. That was the only reason I hoped he was alive—just that. 

But, just as I had expected, he didn’t survive it. 

************

I could feel the gazes following my every movement as I strode down the cobblestone walkway that led to the ancient looking building where I was headed. It had been five years, I bet I hadn’t changed that much because these people could still recognize me even after such a long while. 

I could hear hushed voices, I knew they were talking about me. The chatters came from the few wolves who lined the walkway that led to the pack house. They were probably surprised that I was back after the incident that led to my disappearance. 

I kept a straight face and continued my journey down the walkway with my head held high and my back straight giving off the impression that their acts had little to no effect on me— which was true because in the years I had been away I had managed to work on myself to an extent where I wasn’t deterred by things like this. 

My time in the human world was well spent. I saw my life crumble before my very eyes when I was exiled to the human world. I never imagined that I would be able to survive this long. Till I found a purpose there, a reason to keep on going and one that led me to gaining so much respect in the human world. 

I became a doctor and that is what I did till I found a reason to return here. I spent my last few days in the human world gaining a broad knowledge of werewolf medicine. 

I took the turn that led to the deserted road which signified that I was getting closer to my destination. I walked further, and  soon the voices of the merchants faded away and all I could hear was the soft howling of the wind. 

The chilly breeze raised goosebumps on my skin and I rubbed my palm against the pocket of my jeans as I was suddenly hit with a memory of one of the many nights I spent outside the pack house— a form of punishment issued by my uncle. 

And here I was, five years later making my way into the pack house. I waited in front of the huge bronze gate. And a few minutes later the gate was opened. My grandmother’s dying wish was to see me one more time. I’m sure they were all aware of that. 

I entered into the pack house and the first person I spotted was Sage, my twin sister. It had been five years, five long years. I walked up to her with a sober smile on my face. She must have been aware that I would be arriving today too. 

I tried to embrace her but I was taking aback when I felt a strong force that threw me to the ground. Sage had just pushed me away, “don’t come near me, you this criminal!” She said, a hint of disgust in her tone. 

I couldn’t hide the expression of hurt on my face, “Sage?” I had to call again, because I couldn’t believe my sister would treat me this way. It was impossible for her to forget me, the resemblance was so striking. 

“Don’t mention my name. And don’t you dare look for me or come close to me or I will call the guards on you. I wouldn’t want to be seen associating with a criminal” she issued a firm warning before walking away. 

“I can help you find your way” I heard a deep voice. I raised my head and saw his arm outstretched towards me. I grabbed his arm and helped myself to my feet. 

“I’m Lucas, the alpha’s son” he said, sparing me a glance for a moment before turning his back, “follow me” 

My heart warmed at the display of kindness from Lucas. And it didn’t help that he was also really handsome, which added to my admiration. 

He led me to my grandmother’s room and walked away. 

During the evening gathering organized for my grandmother, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the instinctual scent that I knew belonged to my mate. And I felt the urge to trace the scent.

It could only mean my mate was around. This could end my suffering. I traced the scent and found that it was stronger when I got close to Lucas and I even felt a strong feeling of attraction to him. 

I got closer to where he stood and took his hands in mine, causing him to turn his attention to me, “you are my mate” I declared confidently. 

I couldn’t miss the look on his face as he withdrew his hands from mine. “I am not your mate. I would rather have your sister as my Luna, you really don’t know your place” he thundered. “I reject you as my mate. I was only nice earlier because I needed to show you the way around. Don’t mistake my kindness for something else” he issued a warning. I felt a deep pant as I heard the words ‘reject’ 

“But, it just has to be” I tried again, there was no way I could be wrong. The connection was so strong.

It was at that point I realized that almost everyone present had their gazes on me and they threw me looks of mockery and disgust.

“Guards!” Lucas shouted and in a few seconds we were surrounded by a few pack guards, “Arrest her and lock her up in the prison.”