Three

Aria’s POV

I ran the comb continuously through my hair while I stared at the mirror.

My reflection was showing a calm, normal girl who’s preparing for her regular day. But my insides were too chaotic and far from normal.

I was back at my Father’s house after giving away my virginity to a random stranger in the woods.

I came home first thing at dawn. The stranger was still asleep when I left. I returned home unnoticed and I’ve been hiding out in my room all morning. Not because I was terrified that my Father would scold me for disappearing last night.

But because I fear he might see through me. Just one glance at me and he might figure out what I did last night. That’s what scares me. That’s why I didn’t go out for breakfast.

The sudden knock on my door made my heart almost jump out of my skin. I pray that’s not Father.

“Aria! Open up!”

Ivy. What does she want?

And just like that, the painful memories of last night came running back into my mind. I still can’t believe I caught her having sex with my boyfriend. And even worse, that they’re both fated mates. That still feels like a dream. A real nightmare.

The ache in my heart returned instantly. The harsh reminder that I got brutally betrayed by the two people I cared about the most.

“Aria!”

I swallowed a deep breath. Took a couple of more breaths before going to unlock my door. She was dressed in a blue dress, looking very radiant and sexy. A slim beauty. Unlike me, who’s unattractively chubby.

“How long does it take to open a door?!” She yelled in my face. She pushed me aside and stepped inside.

I shut the door and turned around. “What do you want?” I asked dryly, crossing my arms around my chest. But God, my insides were shattering. I can’t even be mean to her.  

After what she did to me, I still can’t bring myself to hate her. If she apologizes to me right now, I fear I would actually forgive her. And that makes me feel even more miserable; the fact that I suck at holding grudges.

“Where did you go last night? Father wouldn’t stop asking me about you. Like I was your chaperone or something.” She scoffed, playing with her hair.

“None of your business,” I replied, going back to the mirror to continue brushing my hair. This time, seeing my reflection broke my heart. Because tears were lingering in my eyes.

“Father already knows about Jaxon and me. And guess what? He’s not mad at us. Matter of fact, he gave us his blessings!” She squealed dramatically, dropping onto my bed.

I took a deep, shaky breath. I’m not gonna cry. Don’t you dare cry, Aria.

“Congratulations,” I said, wishing we’d end this conversation. It was clear she wanted to torture me even more. But why? She already has Jaxon. She won. Why doesn’t she just leave me alone?

“Thank you, dearest Sister.” She grinned dramatically. “But why does it feel like you’re not sincere about it?”

“Ivy,” I breathed out, briefly shutting my eyes. “Would you please go play somewhere else? I really don’t have the time for this.”

“Oh, you’re such a bore.” She scoffed and got off my bed. I waited for the door to open and for her footsteps to follow. But none of that happened.

I couldn’t see her reflection in the mirror. So I turned around and found her scrutinizing my back.

“What is it?” I asked defensively.

“No, wait. Stay that way.” She turned me around and gasped. “What the hell is that?!”

“What?” I asked nervously, trying to see my back through the mirror. My eyes widened as the reddened, zigzag mark lay a little below my shoulder blades.

What is that?

“Did you get marked?” She asked in astonishment. “You’ve found your mate?”

“Marked? No. I didn’t.” I shook my head vigorously. “Maybe I got scratched by something…or someone.”

“Girl, be for real. That’s not an ordinary scratch. Look at this.” She shoved down her blouse and showed me a mark around her nape. “See that? Jaxon gave it to me last night.”

For a second, my heart hurt knowing he already marked her. That means they’re never breaking apart and he’s never leaving her.

“Except mine doesn’t look as wild as yours.” She added cautiously, “It’s like you got marked by some beast.”

“What beast? Stop that.” I snapped, pushing her off me. My heart was pounding heavily and guiltily. She was making it all worse with her nosy scrutiny.

She squinted her eyes. “Where did you go last night, sister? What wild escapade did you get involved in?”

“Not…nothing.” I stuttered, tears welling up in my eyes.

She scoffed, shaking her head. “And I thought I was the wild one. But look at you.  Just one night of being single, you already got involved with someone else.”

“No. I didn’t. It’s not what you think…”

“If you’re not gonna tell me who he is, then I’m pretty sure you’re gonna tell Father.”

“No, Ivy please!” I grabbed her hand but she pulled her hand out of my grip and ran out of the room.

I held my breath, staring at my reflection. I turned around to stare at the mark. The door opened just at the same time, and I gasped as Father’s reflection stared in the mirror.

I tried turning around but his growl kept me still.

“Don’t move!”

I sucked in a sob. “Yes, Sir.”

I could see he was staring at the mark. And then he hissed. “Who is he? And you better not lie to me, or I’m gonna disown you right now. What bastard did that to you?!”

“I…I don’t know him. I met him in the woods.”

Father’s eyes held so much rage and wrath, that I feared he would come over and strangle me.

I let out a sigh of relief when he turned around and left.

“You’re such a whore,” Ivy snorted and left too, banging the door.

My legs got weak and I slumped to the floor, bawling my eyes out.

What’s gonna happen to me?