Chapter 4
Arielle's pov
People react differently to grief.
Some break quietly while others shrink piece by piece until there's nothing left but a hollow shell of the person they used to be while the others just shatter loudly and violently and when they do, there is no putting them back together.
I reacted to grief but I didn't know which one I was.
Tonight, I was going to find out which.
“You disgust me!” Marcus's loud voice cut through the air like a blade as he banged his fist on the dinner table.
He continued. “How could you embarrass our family name! How dare you!”
I couldn't reply. Not because I couldn't speak but because my voice was trapped in my throat. My food sat in front of me untouched not because I couldn't eat anything but because I couldn't stomach it anyways. I was numb and not because I wanted to be.
“Answer me!” Marcus thundered again and this time I flinched.
Mother who sat beside him, took over the conversation. “How could you throw yourself at Damian like some common whore, Arielle? Even after that, he still rejected you in front of everybody. They all know what you are now, Arielle, a slut!”
My fingers moved for the first time since dinner started and I swallowed hard.
“I never meant for any of this to happen.” I wanted to say but couldn't.
Marcus pushed back his seat, regarding me with cruel, wicked eyes. “I let you live under my roof, gave you a name and this is how you repay me? By bringing shame and embarrassment to our family, Arielle!”
Live under his roof?
Gave me a name?
He spoke as if I didn't have a name or a roof over my head before my mother married him. He spoke as if I hadn't spent years enduring his twin's torment just to survive in the so-called roof he had placed over my head.
I was sick and tired of the way I was being treated but no matter how I tried to endure, it was never enough.
“If you are not going to speak, then get out of my sight!” Marcus hurled his goblet across the room and it clattered to the floor.
I rose to my feet and walked out of the room only to see Vanessa waiting for me.
Of course, she did.
I barely made it past the hall before her voice slithered into my ears.
“You really thought Damian wanted you? I thought I was delusional but honey, you're way worse.” She let out a laugh, twirling a strand of her golden-blonde hair with her fingers. “Damian must've seen how desperate you were and thought, why not get into her pants?”
I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off, pouting mockingly. “I mean, you did spread your legs for him so easily, didn't you?”
My nails dug into my palms as she began to circle me like a predator.
“First, Asher, then his brother. You can't really decide, can you? Do you know what that makes you, Sweet Arielle?” She smiled. “A one-for-two special.”
Laughter erupted from behind me and I froze. It was Rowan, my personal nemesis.
He placed one hand on my shoulder and made me face him.
“Ah, don’t tell me you want to cry? You weren't crying when you opened your legs like a whore for a man that doesn't want you.” He said with a look of disgust over his face.
“Let her cry. She deserves all the shame coming her way. She is nothing but a cheap slut.” Vanessa hissed and they both began to laugh.
Shame pricked my skin like cold sweat and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying.
I refused to give them that satisfaction.
Instead of a retort, I turned and forced my feet to move, forcing myself to walk away.
That night, I made a decision.
No one was coming to save me. No one was coming to my aid. And if no one was, the only person that could save me was myself.
I waited until the dead of night before I made my move.
I picked a few clothes and folded them neatly in a small leather pouch.
I couldn't stay here any longer.
Not when Damian had rejected me. Not when mother and Marcus didn’t care or when the whole pack had turned their backs on me.
I was done playing the girl who tried to belong where she didn't fit in.
I was going to leave and never look back.
The windows creaked softly as I pushed it open and I cast one last glance around the room I had lived in for seven years. With a deep sigh, I climbed out of the window.
People react differently to grief.
Some break quietly,
Others shrink piece by piece until there's nothing left but a hollow shell of the person they used to be,
But people like me —
We run.
I had gotten to the courtyard when I realized something was wrong. Night was usually silent but this time, it was too silent. Only the crunch of my footsteps echoed in the air. I shook my head, telling myself it didn't matter. All that mattered was me getting out of there.
Just a few more steps and I'd be free. But when I took another step, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.
No, no, no.
Panic clawed its way to my throat but I pushed it down. It was too soon to be caught.
I screamed, thrashing against the stranger's hold. “Let me go!”
“Arielle.”
I didn't listen. I kept hitting him.
“Ari.” He said softer this time.
Ari? The only person that …
He let go of me and spun me around.
My breath got caught in my throat as I looked at my captor — Asher.
“Asher…” I took a step back. “What are you doing here?”
“Ari…” he murmured.
I shook my head, swallowing hard. I didn't want to hear anything he had to say. Not now. Not after everything.
He regarded the leather pouch and the red cloak hiding my face. You're running away.”
“I have to. There's nothing left for me here.” I whispered.
“There is.” He said, reaching for my hand.
“What?”
“I am, Ari.” He said. “I know I failed you and I know what my brother did but Ari, I'm sorry.”
“Asher —”
“I should've defended you when you needed me but I didn't and I hate myself for it. Ari, I'm so sorry.” His voice cracked.
“Asher, don't —”
Without warning, he pulled me into his arms and just like that I shattered.
“I waited for him,” I choked out a sob. “I thought he would come back and —”
“Shh. It's okay.” Asher buried my face in his chest. It took me a second to realize he was trembling as I was.
“You matter, Ari. If not to anyone, to me.” He placed a kiss on my hair and tightened his grip around me.
We held ourselves for what felt like hours. I, sobbing in his embrace and him, comforting me.
We pulled away and suddenly a prickle ran down my spine.
Someone was watching us.
My eyes trailed forward and landed on Vanessa.
She stood beside a pillar watching me with disdain.
For a second, I thought she would move or scream like she always does but she didn't. Instead she turned away quietly like she was never there.
“Are you okay now, Ari?” Asher cupped my face making me look at him.
“I am now.” I lied.
“I'm glad.” He pulled me into another hug, burying his face in my neck. My heart were beating fast against my chest as images of Vanessa’s fierce gaze filled me.
Vanessa's silence wasn't withdrawal. She was preparing for war and her enemy was me.