The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34: 034: Blood Moon Ceremony

~ Roselle ~

It’s been three weeks since I’ve come to this pack, Blackshadow. Two weeks ago, Dr. Elias said I’ve improved. I’ve already been assigned a therapist, a speech therapist... and no one told me it’s a moment where you bare down all your thoughts and let go of every worry forming in your head.

Not like I would want to.

The thought of someone knowing I’m a murderer, or some sort of cursed child who killed her mother during birth and set her father ablaze makes shivers creep down my spine.

I’ve been on a healthy diet, with Celeste ensuring my meals arrive on time and Ronan checking in from time to time. He’s always there for me, ready to feed me, listen attentively to everything I say, or read a book to me.

He’s sweet, and I’ve been the biggest fool for thinking he was doing all of that as some sort of facade.

Even though he told me I’m too innocent for him, and that he’s scared I’m too perfect for him, I want to know what his darkness is... what he’s hiding... what makes him think he’s somehow less than the man I see every day.

When he had asked me to come up with a punishment for Mara, I couldn’t do it... I just had to let it pass, and even then, he didn’t let it go.

Instead, he stripped her of her rank, which I think is worse, and I still can’t believe he did that for me.

Warren never stood up for me when I got bullied by Nova. Instead, he blamed me for it, somehow making it my fault every single time.

The door opens, and Celeste steps inside with two other women accompanying her.

"My Lady," Celeste says with a warm smile, "I hope you’re ready for the Blood Moon Ceremony. These ladies are here to help you prepare. Alpha Ronan personally asked that they attend to you."

I glance at the two women. Their smiles brighten the moment our eyes meet, and they both dip into respectful bows.

"It’s an honor to assist you, My Lady," one of them says.

"We’ll make sure you look absolutely stunning tonight," the other adds with a grin.

I’m nervous. I haven’t been to a proper ball since I was a child and was asked to play princess. I don’t know what it’s going to be like, and I’m worried.

As if reading my mind, Celeste smiles.

"You don’t have to worry about how it’s going to be," she says reassuringly. "You just have to show up and be yourself. That’s all. It’s going to be filled with a lot of people, and I have a feeling you’ll like it."

Gosh, Celeste has become more than just a caretaker. She’s been a source of moral support, a friend, and one of the few people who always seems to know exactly what to say when my thoughts start spiraling.

I smile and then sign a thank you to her as I head to the vanity table for the ladies to do my makeover.

A few minutes later, staring at the woman in the mirror, it’s almost impossible to recognize that I’m Roselle. I’m this beautiful...

I don’t know what sort of magic they pulled, but I look elegant, poised, and graceful. The woman staring back at me looks like she belongs in a fairy tale, not the broken, frightened girl who arrived at Blackshadow weeks ago. I’m wearing a beautiful silver gown adorned with lace and tiny sparkling details. Around my neck rested a pearl and crystal necklace that looked like it belonged to a princess. My hair was swept into a soft, curly bun, with a sparkling tiara perched delicately on top. Long silver earrings with pearls dangled from my ears, completing the elegant look.

For a moment, I could only stare at my reflection, hardly believing the woman looking back at me was really me.

The ladies complimented my appearance before finally giving a respectful bow and taking their leave, leaving only Celeste and me in the room.

"You look stunning, My Lady. I doubt the Alpha will be able to take his eyes off you."

My face burns a deep crimson at her words. Would he really do that? I can’t help but wonder.

Celeste lets out a soft laugh at my reaction.

"The Alpha has changed so much because of you. I don’t know what you’ve done to him, but even I can see it." She shakes her head in amusement. "Honestly, I never would have believed it if someone told me he’d visit a woman’s room every single day."

She moves behind me, adjusting a loose strand of hair.

"And, you know... he’s never been like that with the others."

I blink. Really?

We’re suddenly interrupted by a knock on my door. My eyes widen, and Celeste and I exchange a look.

"That must be him," she says with a knowing smile.

The door opens, and it’s almost like the breath is knocked straight from my lungs.

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