My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Apphia

After Nicholas and Blade leave, I stare at Lily. She has an amused look on her face. I squint my eyes; it’s like she’s reading me. I heard the royal family has unique gifts–they all do. What gift does the first princess have?

“Telepath,” she answers. She elegantly gets up from her seat and walks over to me.

“I can read thoughts, put thoughts and images in people’s heads, too,” she explains; I’m stunned and unable to say a word.” However, I can’t read yours, Apphia, and I have tried. It is the first time I’ve been unable to read someone’s thoughts. How are you doing it?”

“But you answered my question before I could ask,” I murmur.

“I just guessed you were thinking it because you realized we were royalty when Nicholas was on the phone.”

I bite my lips in thought. How come Lily can’t read my thoughts? Not that I’m displeased with that.

“Are… There are people whose thoughts you can’t read?” I ask slowly.

“There are a few strong alphas who guard their minds, yes. But it isn’t easy discipline to block your thoughts from me,” she answers. However, I’m not like those alphas. Even though I have the alpha blood, I’m weaker. Unlike my brother, he inherited my father’s strength and has a lycan counterpart, while I have a wolf, like my mom.

I think about my pack; they must have realized I’ve been missing since I do most of the chores and cook. Is anyone worried about me? Or are they happy to have the freak finally leave the pack?

Nevertheless, my heart aches thinking about my brother. Will I ever see him again? Will he miss me at some point in his life?

I close my eyes, and tears roll down my face. My fingers reach out to touch my necklace, but I realize it’s not there. My eyes widen, and a whimper escapes my mouth.

“What is it, Apphia?” asks Lily, concerned.

“My necklace, it’s gone,” I croak, tears streaming down my face.

“What does it look like? I’ll tell someone to find it,” she says, panicking, probably because I’m crying for good like a child. That necklace is essential to me; my mother gave it to me, and I’ve never taken it off.

Hyperventilating, I describe the cameo necklace to Lily, and she promises to have people find it.

I don’t know how long I sat in bed, crying. I only stopped when a team of doctors entered the suite. They want to remove the machines around me since I’m completely healed. They are still amazed by my recovery. Apparently, I wasn’t in good condition.

Late in the afternoon, I decided to take a shower. I stripped off my hospital gown and got in the shower. I opened the warm water and let it cascade down my body. It was so soothing. I could stay here forever. I

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wash my hair with shampoo, massaging my scalp.

I reach for the body wash, spout it in my hand, and rub it all over my body. It smells good, like strawberries. I close my eyes, savoring the water against my oversensitive skin.

Lily knocks on the door, startling me. “Apphia, you are good in there?”

“Um… Yes,” I answer. I must have spent so much time without realizing it. I get out of the shower and grab a towel. I put it in my hair and then grab another to dry myself.

I find Lily in the room. She smiles at me and leads me to a mini walk–in closet. It has a large mirror opposite the racks of clothes, which I avoid looking at.

“What are you going to wear?” Lily murmurs as she inspects the racks full of clothes. There are about three, one of which contains silk nightwear. So many.

“I’ll help you with your hair before you get in your dress and shoes,” she says, pointing to a high–back revolving chair before the mirror. I hesitate. How do I tell her I don’t like looking at my reflection?

Come, sit,” she says gently. I shake my head. Lily frowns.

“You don’t want me to help with your hair?”

“The mirror, I don’t like staring at my reflection,” I tell her quietly. It takes a moment for her to process my words, and then her face falls into sadness.

Apphia, were you bullied because of your appearance?” she asks, gauging my reaction. It feels like a trick question; if I say yes, she’d know I remember my life and only missing some parts. I haven’t been forthcoming about what I remember because I’m not ready to answer the questions they might have. Am I prepared to put my pack through the hassle? If they find out which one it is, they will demand answers, and if they learn the truth, there will be dire consequences for the ivory moon pack. Even though Nicholas seemed gentle, his aura slipped when I couldn’t tell him who had hurt me. It was murderous and oppressive; it made me shiver with fear. And there are rumors about the Crown Prince being ruthless and dangerous. Even Lily isn’t as innocent or kind as she is towards me. After all, she belongs to the most powerful family in the world.

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