Chapter 11

LYRA 

My hands curled around my tiny frame that had been decorated by purple bruises. The metal lock of the belt echoed across the room as Rowan pulled it through his trousers. I could still feel his gaze on me and I pulled the blanket higher, almost covering my face. 

“Tonight is the ball,” He muttered softly and I nodded, too quick and desperate. 

“Your maid would be here,” He added as he stepped out of the room. He stopped at the doorway and threw a glance at me before finally walking out. 

The tears came quickly, flowing down my cheeks like torrents. My body shook violently as my heart wrenching sobs echoed through the room. 

“Mates,” I called softly, willing for them to appear and take me into their embrace.

But no one came, the door was still shut when I stood up with wobbly legs heading for the bathroom. My breath hitched in my throat as I caught sight of my body in the mirror. 

Purple bruises littered my skin and long marks that Rowan's belt had imprinted on my skin glared back at me. 

The door flung open and my eyes whipped towards the intruder. Mira. 

“Wow!” She whistled as she stepped inside. “What's this?” Her eyes widened in horror. 

“It's Rowan,” I choked out, tears blinding my eyes as I fell on her shoulder. 

She dropped the bag on the bed, her hands stroking my back soothingly. “What happened?” She whispered into my ears. 

“He came and I…” I choked on my breath. 

“It's alright,” She sighed and guided me to the bed. 

“You can't appear before the elders like this,” She winced as she gestured to the bruises. “God, he's brutal,” She added. 

She paced across my room before stopping at a cupboard and retrieving a balm I never knew existed. “You should shower,” She said and I nodded mechanically before walking into the bathroom. 

I emerged refreshed, steam clinging to my skin with a towel wrapped loosely around my body but the bruises still glared accusingly at me. 

“What would your mates say if they saw you like this?” Mira's voice sounded. 

I shrugged, even as my heart pounded faster. “I don't know,” I fell into the bed but I knew. Lucien would get so angry that he would want to fight Rowan and Cassien would be the voice of reason. I have gotten so accustomed to them. 

“The ball is about to start,” She said and stood up, tugging the towel away. 

My skin fell bare under her gaze and I hugged myself. “Don't be shy,” She chuckled, which only made it worse. 

“I'm not, “I flushed and her laughter floated into my ears again. 

The coolness of the balm pressed against my skin as she applied it carefully to the bruises. Every now and then pain would shoot over my body but I always succeeded in holding it back. 

“All done,” She patted my back softly before opening the bag she had brought with her.

She retrieved a long black gown with sleeves that perfectly covered my hands. 

“Get dressed, “She instructed and I nodded, pulling the gown over my body. 

The gown fitted perfectly, the sleeves falling over my hand. The neck took a V shape, giving out a little peek at my breasts, the gown covered my legs while the high heels that came with it fitted my slim legs perfectly. 

“Perfecto,” Mira gushed. 

“Thank you,” A blush climbed into my cheeks as Mira pulled me to the mirror. 

I let out a tiny gasp, my gown hugging my body perfectly flexing my curves. “I love it,” I breathed out. 

“Yeah, it's beautiful,” She said and pulled me down to take a seat. 

Her hands worked quickly but surely on my hair and soon it was a sea of black waves. My black hair cascaded down my back in silky waves and it brought with it a urge to run my fingers through my hair. 

“Your eyes,” Mira gasped suddenly. 

My gaze moved to the mirror. Silver. My emerald eyes were mixed with silverish flicks. 

“What's that?” She asked and I gulped down nothing, my face becoming pale. 

“I don't know,” I shook my head violently. 

“And this,” She gestured to my neck and I glanced at the mirror again. The constellation marks that had almost faded into nothingness were now glowing in blue light on my neck. 

“Mira,” I shuddered and she patted my back. 

“It's okay. I know little about the marks,” She said and I glanced at her through my wet eyelashes. 

She took a deep breath before sitting beside me. “They are called constellation marks,” She began and I nodded. My mates had mentioned it last night. Thinking of that, where were they? 

“It's said that the moon goddess brands traitors with it,” She said and I shuddered subconsciously. “But the truth is that, she gives it to people that she has chosen to carry a special assignment,” I turned to look at her. “My grandmother had it but it didn't end well. In the history of wolves, anyone with constellation marks ends up betraying their people and that's why it's said that they are traitors. No one had been able to control it,” She drew soothing circles in my palm.

“That doesn't help,” I breathed out. 

“You will get past it,” She assured me and I smiled tightly. 

“My mates have it too,” The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop it. 

“Then the moon goddess had chosen y'all and had granted the bond for a specific reason, I hope you achieve it,” She stood up. 

“The ball has started,” an husky voice from outside the door sounded. 

I turned to Mira to place finishing touches on my attire and that's when I noticed she was blushing.

“Whats wrong with you?” I chuckled amusedly. 

“Nothing, milady,” She replied, fumbling with the mask on the table. 

“Milady?” I arched my eyebrow in surprise. 

“We should be going,” She stated. I raised my lips in a knowing smile and she hurriedly placed the black mask over my head. 

“It's time,” She reminded me and I laughed before she opened the door for me to step out.