Shadows Of The Past
Aurora's pov
The moment we stepped into the beauty parlor, I felt out of place.
The air smelled sweet like flowers and something sharp beneath it. Soft music played in the background, and the space was filled with plush chairs, wide mirrors, and shelves lined with bottles and tools I didn't recognize.
Everything gleamed. Everything felt... expensive.
I hesitated near the entrance, suddenly very aware of myself of where I came from, of how little I understood about this world.
"Relax," Kiera said beside me, nudging my arm lightly. "You look like you're about to bolt."
"I just... don't know what any of this is," I admitted quietly, my eyes flickering from one station to another where women sat getting their hair and nails done.
Kiera smirked. "That's about to change."
Before I could respond, a, tall, petite woman with shoulder length blond hair and dark brown eyes approached us.
Her lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in it.
"Kiera," she said smoothly. "Didn't expect to see you today."
"Amanda,"Kiera replied back just as casually, though I noticed the subtle tension in her posture.
The woman's gaze shifted to me and a flicker of disdain swirled in them.
Her lips curved in a small, mocking smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"And you must be the human everyone's talking about."
"She has a name and it's, Aurora, Kiera said, her voice firm. "Alpha Roman's mate."
Amanda's expression didn't change but something colder slipped into her eyes.
I shifted slightly under her stare.
"Of course she is," she replied, "I was there when he made the announcement that he found his precious mate. I still can't believe he actually accepted a human as his mate."
I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly at my sides.
Kiera stepped forward, crossing her arms. "And why can't you amanda?"
Amanda's gaze swept over me again, slower this time.
Amanda huffed. "Seriously Kiera?" She said. "Are you willing to accept her as our queen and Luna?" She asked."I mean look at her, she not only looks weak and fragile but plain looking, she's not even pretty."
"You know what coming here was a mistake," Kiera said as she pulled me toward the door.
"Is there a problem?" an older woman asked as she walked toward us.
"Yes there is," Kiera said, glancing at Amanda.
"Amanda do you mind checking on the other clients?"
"Sure," Amanda huffed glaring at me before she could walk away.
The older woman smiled warmly at me. "I apologize for Amanda's rude behavior."
"It's okay," I said softly.
"I'm Rachel by the way, I'm the owner of this place."
"It's nice to meet you Rachel."
"If you guys are done talking can we please get started? I don't have all day," Kiera grumbled.
___________________________________________________
The soft chairs, the gentle warmth of the water as my hands were soaked, the careful attention as someone worked on my nails it was all new and strange but every now and then, I felt Amanda's eyes. She was watching and judging me and it made it hard to fully enjoy any of it.
By the time they finished with the facial, my skin felt soft and refreshed my reflection in the mirror was almost unfamiliar.
I stared at myself for a moment.
"See?" Kiera said from beside me, a satisfied smile on her lips. "Much better."
I let out a small breath, still taking it in.
"I feel different," I admitted.
"Different is good."
"You look beautiful luna," Rachel said.
"Thank you," I murmured.
She nodded. "I hope to see you soon."
"I doubt you would," Kiera cut in. "Especially with the way Amanda behaved with Aurora."
"I'll be informing the alpha about how you treated his mate."
Amanda didn't flinch.
"I don't care," she said calmly.
Kiera's eyes narrowed.
Amanda crossed her arms, her gaze drifting toward me again.
"Roman won't do anything," she continued, almost casually. "He wouldn't hurt me."
Something in my chest tightened.
"Not after everything," Amanda added, her voice quieter now but laced with something deeper. "He used to care about me."
The words hit harder than anything else she had said.
I froze.
My breath caught.
Care... about her?
I didn't realize I had gone still until Kiera's hand lightly touched my arm.
"Let's go," she said, her voice firm.
I didn't argue.
___________________________________________________
As we stepped outside the warmth of the sun brushed against my skin, the bright daylight almost too much after the tension inside.
Before we could walk any further I gently grabbed Kiera's arm.
She whipped her head around, facing me.
"Were they... together?" I asked before she could say anything.
Kiera paused just for a second and
that was enough.
"Kiera," I said, my voice softer now, but steady. "If you're my friend... you'll tell me."
She looked at me, her expression softened and then a sigh slipped past her lips.
"It wasn't anything serious," she said finally. "They hooked up a few times. That's it."
My chest tightened slightly.
Hooked up?
"Oh."
It shouldn't matter. It was before me.
Before everything but still the
thought of it, of him with someone else
"It didn't mean anything," Kiera added quickly. "Not to him."
I nodded slowly, though the feeling in my chest didn't fully ease.
"Okay," I said quietly.
We reached the car, and the moment I stepped into view a sharp whistle cut through the air.
I blinked, startled, as Darius leaned casually against the car, a grin spread across his face.
"Well, damn," he said, clearly impressed. "You're looking smoking hot."
My eyes widened slightly, heat rushed to my cheeks.
"Darius," Rynn snapped immediately, smacking the back of his head.
"Ow-what?" he protested.
"She's the Luna," Rynn said firmly. "You don't talk to her like that."
Darius rolled his eyes slightly but straightened anyway. "Yeah, yeah."
I stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure how to respond.
Kiera, however, just smirked.
"Get used to it," she murmured to me. "You clean up well."