Chapter One_ The Prom Night.

Nerissa’s POV

“You're pulling my hair,” Selene, my step sister grumbled as she slapped my hand away from her hair.

“Sorry..” I whispered.

Slowly, a second later, Vivian came in the room with a dark green dress that matched her dark green eyes. As soon as she saw me, she frowned with disapproval.

“Why you so close to her?” she snapped. “Honestly Nerissa, every time I look at you, I feel stressed.”

I dropped my head right away. “It was just helping her to get ready.”

“Well, hurry and help faster,” Vivian said coldly.

Selene smirked at me through the mirror, but made no comment at all.

I took deep breathes before I spoke again. “Well, I wanted to…”

Vivian crossed her arms. “What?”

I hesitated. “Can I please get some money for a dress.”

The whole room fell into a dead silence.

Then Vivian laughed, the kind of laugh that made me wish I had shut up.

“Well, a dress,” she said again. “For what exactly?”

“For prom,” I replied in hushed tones.

Selene laughed out loud.

Vivian came closer and glared at me disapprovingly. “You seriously think, there is a gown in this world, which fits your body?”

My fingers clenched on fabric in my hands.

“I just wanted something simple,” I whispered.

“Simple?” Vivian taunted. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Look at Selene, look at yourself, one daughter is graceful and elegant and the other one…had the body even a mother can not love!”

My chest started to feel tight and hurt.

All these years later, those words still hurt so much.

Vivian came even closer. “Your mother died in childbirth, why…you were too fat and she suffered serious injuries…now you want money for a gown?”

I clamped my lips shut to not let my sobs come out.

Selene sighed dramatically. “Mother, please…”

Cedric walked by the open bedroom door at this moment. I felt relieved as soon as I saw that.

“Dad…” I whispered quietly.

He stopped briefly.

I had gained courage and was quickly filled with it. “May I go to prom as well?” Please?”

Cedric took a long look at me.

Vivian replied for him before he was able to say anything.

Vivian replied coldly, "She will attend. “As Selene’s helper.”

My heart dropped.

Vivian added, “Who will take Selene's extra shoes and make up bag?”

Selene smiled proudly.

I looked at my father desperately, desperately, hoping that he would say something.

Anything.

But Cedric just tightened his cuffs, tiredly.

“Do as Vivian says,” he mumbled before taking his stroll.

As soon as he left, I was struck by the embarrassment, which hurt my eyes so much.

Vivian scoffed. “Stop standing there looking so miserable and get on with it and help your sister. You know what…get out.”

I quickly made my way to my room after a few minutes.

As soon as the door slammed shut behind me, I cried.

Sitting on the edge of my little bed, I cried silently into my hands.

I didn't understand why I was going on keeping my hope for things to change.

They never did.

Although I would try to stay out of the spotlight, I would always end up being the family embarrassment.

A while later my bedroom door opened quietly.

I just quickly wiped my wet eyes.

Selene was carrying a dark blue gown bag as she walked in.

“I brought you something,” she said sweetly.

I was immediately on my guard. Selene was only nice when as she needed to be and wanted something I return.

She put the bag on my bed. “You may wear this tonight.”

I looked her suspiciously. “Why do you want to help me?”

Selene shrugged lightly. “Because I'm not always evil.”

I slowly unzipped the bag.

The inside of it was a surprisingly beautiful navy blue gown.

Simple.

Elegant.

Not flashy.

I ran my fingertips over the soft fabric, slowly... I looked up at her. For a second, she appeared to be being genuine. Almost.

Nevertheless, I was well acquainted with Selene. Behind all her smiles were some things fake. Still… I had no other choice.

I whispered "Thank you.

Selene smiled. “You’re welcome, sister.”

We arrived to the Royal Lycan Academy ballroom hours later. The whole area was stunning. The entire hall was lit with golden lights, and students were dancing under the glittering chandeliers. Every corner of the room was covered with expensive gowns and suits, and the music was played beautifully in the academy.

And then I saw him.

Kaelen Draven.

I froze and stopped breathing.

He was near the center of the ballroom surrounded by strong Alphas and nobles. The black suit was a perfect fit for his tall frame, and his silver eyes made him seem even more menacing than usual.

He was noticed by all when he comes in a room. Including me. But unfortunately… Kaelen didn't notice me. When Selene came in next to me, he was still engrossed in his thoughts.

Of course it did. As he walked toward us Selene beamingly smiled at him.

“You're so gorgeous tonight,” Kaelen said to her.

Selene blushed immediately. I was standing behind her awkwardly holding her purse like a servant. Kaelen didn't even look at me. Not once. A sense of pain settled on my chest but I managed to keep my composure.

This wasn’t new. I slipped away from them and made my way towards the table of drinks. Sadly, this only made matters worse. Suddenly a group of girls surrounded me. All of them were well known to me. Academy's most popular girls.

Girls who enjoyed embarrassing less capable girls.

“Well, look, who decided to go to prom,” another girl laughed.

Another girl snorted. I believed the ballroom put a weight restriction on the ballroom.

The others burst into laughter. I resisted and walked away, but one of them prevented me from leaving. Another girl said mockingly, “Hey!don't leave! It's all about having fun.”

I didn't have time to think before I was handed a shot glass.

“Drink.”

I shook my head, for I didn't want any alcohol.

“Aww,” said one girl in a mocking tone. “Does the fat girl fear?”

More laughter followed.

Then another girl came closer. “Well… I just want to know, What is the amount of alcohol that it takes to make a person of your size drunk?”

The laughter broke out freely among them once more. Humiliation caused my face to be in flames. I looked around a room frantically, until my eyes located Selene. I felt relieved as soon as I saw this.

I softly called out “Selene…”

She turned her head to the side. At that moment I thought she would come in handy for one silly moment.

Rather, she grimaced.

“Sorry sis but I want to know the answer, too,” she said.

The girls were laughing out loud. One of them pushed it towards my lips once again.

“Drink.”

I didn't want any more embarrassment. So I drank. Then another. And another.

I was making more and more of a fool of my self while the girls were still laughing. Finally, my head started spinning.

I could hardly see the light in the ballroom, and there was a strange sound of voices around me. The girls eventually began to get bored and they decided to walk away. I pushed my way away from the crowd and through the hallways of the academy, attempting to clear my mind.

I felt the whole world had turned upside down.

I then heard some groaning sounds in one of the private rooms close by.

I at first ignored it. However, another groaning came. Louder this time. I was instantly concerned. I opened the door just a little bit. As soon as I walked in, I tripped and fell on top of someone.

It was a strong hand that at once seized my waist.

A deep voice barked out, angrily, "Watch where you're going.

My eyes widened.

Kaelen.

He looked terrible.

He had sweat on his forehead and his breathing was irregular and labored.

“You?” he snarled angrily. “Get out.”

Before I could say a word, male voices could be heard outside of the room.

“Where is Kaelan! the drug should have been effective by now.”

“If he loses control, his reputation is ruined, “

My stomach dropped.

Kaelen was drugged, and I think he knew this as he pulled me close and pressed a hand over my mouth.

“Let's get you to the clinic,” I whispered urgently the second he let me go.

He growled again, "I said leave!

However, his voice was strained now.

Painfully strained.

He gripped the seat of the sofa with his fingers and his breathing became more labored.

I walked up to him slowly. “You’re not okay. You need a doctor.”

“I need to fuck this drug out of my body, thats what I need.” He corrected harshly.

“Oh…” I mumbled, trying to stand still because the room felt like it was spinning.

“I’ll pay you.” Kaelan said , breaking the silence.

I froze.

“What?”

“I will give you money,” he repeated.

My chest clenched and it felt like it was going to crumble.

He thought that money was sufficient even today…

“I…I don’t…,” I whispered but after a while… I decided to accept.

Kaelen’s jaw hardened. “strip…”

I did as he instructed, letting one piece of clothing drop after the other…whilst Kaelan watched me.

“Come here.” He ordered and I obeyed.

There was a strange way his fingers warmed my flesh.

All was hazy after that.

The room.

The heat.

His hands.

My racing heartbeat.

Then I was soon overcome by Kaelen's lips, pressing against mine, desperate.

Yet, knowing that this was a wrong thing to do... I kissed him back, I arched my back as he slipped in and out of me.

Just when I felt it was all over , Kaelen suddenly bit down hard.

I gasped loudly. Pushing him off my body, I rushed to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.

Mate mark. I was totally stunned.

Then, before I could even get a breath of relief, the mark dimmed in a gradual manner.

Then disappeared completely.

As if it was not there.

I stood there, alone in the bathroom, and looked at myself with shaking hand trembling at my neck, just seconds later.

The mark was gone.

Completely gone.