Chapter Twenty:
I woke up to a small shake to my shoulder. My body instinctively pulled itself up, ready to listen to my list of chores. When I realized I wasn't at my old pack, and Percyus was standing over me, I calmed down. "Good morning." I murmured, yawning the sleep from my voice.
"Good morning, Calla." He sat down on the edge of the bed, making my eyes shift nervously.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked shyly, wondering why he was sitting there. Who am I kidding, of course I am. Disgraceful slut.
"Today is a big day. I'm sorry for such the short notice, but by law, you must be coronated today." He spoke gravely, his eyes twitching back and forth.
My eyes widened. Coronation was a big deal, in front of the whole pack. I had to sacrifice my blood for the pack and address a large crowd. I wasn't ready and I knew it. My heart pounded in my chest, "Sir... please- I don't want to yet. I'm not ready."
I felt my chest tighten and my lungs constrict. My throat felt like it had closed up completely. I just shook my head vehemently, my eyes welling up with pitiful tears.
He looked away from my eyes, knowing if he stared any longer he would give in. "Calla, I have to. It's the law. I don't want to make you do this, but if I don't, you'll be turned over to the council sand put in dungeons."
I felt tears spill over my cheeks, "Why? Please don't make me, Percyus. I'll freeze and embarrass myself. I'm too scared."
I couldn't help but imagine all of the horrid possibilities of how the day would end. I would be booed, people would throw things at me, and kick me to the ground for trying to put my disgusting self in their pack. No one here wanted me to join the pack! I was a whore.
"You'll be tortured..." Percyus pleaded, grabbing my hands and staring into my eyes. "Calla, I hate to do this-"
I knew what he was going to do, and I tried to get up. He gripped my wrists in a firm but gentle hold, making sure I wouldn't bruise. I sobbed and tried to pull away, he cradled me, trying to soothe me.
"As your king, I command you to go to coronation." He spoke, knowing his words were final.
I couldn't resist now. As my king, his command was unwavering. I felt my heart drop, and fear ate up my stomach in painful butterflies. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry, baby." Percyus pulled me into his chest and stroked my hair, letting me cry.
I felt my heart completely plummet to my shoes, my face aching from sobbing. I clutched his cotton shirt in my fist and let my pathetic tears rain down onto him. He didn't seem to mind, stroking my hair and whispering soothing things in my ear, as if that would help the growing hole of fear eating away at me.
"I'm sorry, Calla. Those guards in the dungeons would... touch you, and beat you." He shook his head, his eyes glimmering. "I can't let that happen." He sounded so pained that I almost believed that he felt bad for me.
"Nobody wants me in the pack. I'd would be better if I just left them." I tried to reason, my voice thick through tears.
"No, Calla, no. Everyone loves you, even though most haven't even met you. Lorenzo has been talking about you nonstop, everyone loves you. They think you're the nicest person in the world, trust me." He said gently.
I shook my head, nearly laughing at the thought. "You don't have to lie to me."
He sighed and just dropped the conversation, knowing it was futile to try to change my mind about how I felt. "One of the pack ladies bought you a dress. Why don't you go shower and change. I can braid your hair, one of the old ladies taught me." He said with a small smile.
I only sobbed harder, my emotions getting the best of me. I would be slaughtered for crying like this in my old pack. I didn't want to put on a dress or have my hair done, although I had never gotten it done before. I didn't want to go to coronation. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry.
"Come on, Calla. I don't want to use my command on you again, I hated it the first time I'd hate myself even more to have to do it again." Percyus sighed, his fingers rubbing circles on my hand which I hadn't realized he was holding.
"Please don't." I whispered, pulling my hand away.
When I took my hand away he looked utterly heartbroken. His green eyes filled with so much hurt, I just had to give in. I took his hand again weakly. "Sorry." I mutter, though I doubt it meant anything.
He cleared his throat, though didn't meet my eyes again. "Why don't you take a shower and clean up. I'll get a dress for you, and afterwards, I will braid your hair."
I twitched my head to the side, confused. "I thought only girls braided hair?"
"No, Calla. Men can braid too. Just not as many know how." He let out a weak chuckle, turning my wrist over absentmindedly while he drew imaginary circles on my hand.
I smiled a little bit, feeling guilty, "Sorry, that was rude."
He just chuckled again and stood up from the floor we were sitting on when he tried to comfort me. He grabbed me under the armpits and lifted me into his arms, carrying me backwards. My feelings were mixed with fear and excitement, since he's shown no aggressive behavior towards me, I had no plausible reason why he would.
"Time to take a shower!" He nearly sang, his way of trying to ease the tension about the coronation, though I could see right through to his reasoning.
He set me down in the bathroom and started the shower for me, even though I was perfectly capable. A small part of me however wanted to do it myself, to show him that I was able to function without a babysitter. I nonetheless enjoyed the pampering.
He whisked himself away, closing the door on his way out to get the dress he had been talking about. I'd never really worn a dress, unless you count one year my garment had been an old kids dress-up gown which left too much to the imagination and a never ceasing itch.
I turned and twisted the know on the door, pulling it a bit open like usual. I just felt so claustrophobic when the door was shut. If I didn't leave it open someone might lock it and keep me in here to die. I took a deep breath and ignored the thought, stripping of my clothes, making sure Percyus hadn't come back so he wouldn't see my nude body.
I stepped into the shower and immediately jumped and shrieked. It was boiling hot. I hopped around a bit trying to find the easiest way to get to the nozzle to make it colder without being scorched. I stood in the corner of the shower, only a light sprinkle of hell water raining down onto me. I knew I would have to go through the water in order to make it cooler.
I bit the bullet and ran forward, biting my lip in pain. Searing hot water rained down on me as I reached for the handle, having been no space to stand close to the knob that would grant me no scorch. "Ah! Oh! Eee!" I cried like a monkey, trying not to swear.
I twisted the knob to where I usually had it, trying not to scream in pain. Eventually, the water cooled off to my regular lukewarm temperature, calming me. I could then wash my hair, using extra care to shampoo. I really wanted my hair clean so I didn't look like such a slob in front of five hundred royal wolves.
I pumped some conditioner into my hands after rinsing the soap. I rubbed my hands together and scrubbed it into my hair similarly to what I did with the shampoo. I didn't think I had been doing it right, but the pictures on the bottle weren't that in depth. It produced a good result, so I guess it didn't matter.
I rinsed it out thoroughly, knowing the conditioner didn't like to come out so easily. It felt almost slimy until you washed it all out. My long hair was no help. I shut off the water and wrung out my hair with my hands. I had to hurry, I had already taken too long,
I grabbed the towel I had set out and wrapped it around my midsection, making sure everything was covered up before I stepped out of the shower. I took a deep breath and opened the door, taking a peek out the door into Percyus's room. He was sitting on his bed, smoothing out a very pretty piece of maroon fabric.
"I'm done." I piped up shyly.
His head popped up and he smiled to see me, as if on instinct. I immediately felt all gooey inside, like I could melt into a puddle. I didn't know why I was feeling like this, as I would usually just force a smile and pretend I was happy. What was happening to me?
"Here's your dress," he handed me the fabric which I had been gawking at beforehand.
"This is my dress?" I asked excitedly, taking it from his outstretched hands.
He merely nodded, already smiling widely at my reaction. "All yours."
I couldn't help but let my mouth drop open when I unfolded it. The dress would go to just below my knees, a length I would definitely be comfortable in. The top half dipped in as if to show off a skinny waist, which I sadly didn't have. I brushed that thought away and kept looking. The dress was simple, nothing too flashy or formal. It didn't have any beads or sequins, just fabric.
"Thank you very much." I blushed.
"You're welcome. Now grab some pansies and get to it." He said playfully, shooing me.
I giggled and hurried to get some underwear, curtsey of an expensive store some of the teenagers always went to, and bought some for me upon Percyus's request. Percyus said we'd go shopping for clothes for me, but we haven't gotten to it yet. Walla said it was because he liked me in his clothes, but I deemed that preposterous. He just didn't think I deserved my own.
I changed quickly, slipping on the soft, slippery dress. It seemed very loose once I put it on, so much so that it almost fell off my shoulders. I turned around and saw the entire back was hanging open, causing the baggy mess. I grimaced as my back was exposed and all of my laceration scars were on display. Maybe they just wanted to embarrass me. Show everyone I couldn't even protect myself so picking on me is easy.
I was disappointed in how ugly I looked. The dress looked so cute before. I guess I make everything look ugly on me. My face had mostly healed up, the majority of my bruises gone. A few still lingered in my eye bags and across my jaw.
I opened the door to the bathroom, forcing myself to look away from the mirror. I stepped out, Percyus waiting on the bed expectantly. When he saw me his nose scrunched up, as if he thought I were ugly. I wasn't wrong about how gross I looked, even he thought it. Then he did something that surprised me.
He laughed. "Sweetheart, you've got to zip it up."
I immediately flushed. "Is that why it's so open in the back?"
He nodded trough a belly laugh. Standing up to his full height, "Let me help."
He stepped behind me to zip it, faster than I could protest. I didn't want him to see the scars, but it was too late. He gasped, unable to contain it. "Oh, my Goddess."
However he just zipped up the dress and came back around, a forced smile on his face. I was glad he didn't say anything about it. It's too embarrassing to explain what I did wrong to earn those scars. He would be disappointed in me, as I earned a majority of those by disobeying Alpha and Master when the council was there, almost exposing the secret of my slavery. He would be ashamed that I couldn't even follow simple rules.
He then proceeded to braid my hair, something I had never had done before. It was weird. He was gentle, but my scalp was tender and not used to braids. So I kept wincing. He apologized nearly a hundred times, before finishing. He tied it off with a yellow ribbon. I thought the color was weird, but I just shut my mouth, glad I had the opportunity to get my hair done.
"Do you want a sweater? It's a little breezy today." He asked, his voice still strained, most likely because of my scars.
I nodded, "Yes, please."
He pulled a cardigan off of a hanger that was resting on the knob of his dresser. "It came with the dress." I pulled the light grey cardigan over my shoulders and through my arms.
"Time to go." He said with a half smile, however my smile dropped.
——
We were situated in the first row, with easy access to the big stage that was situated in the middle of the courtyard. By we, I meant Lorenzo and I, as Percyus was already up on stage, giving the initiation speech, I had always been cleaning when events like this happened at my old pack, so I didn't know what to do. I just hoped I wouldn't embarrass myself.
"Today we will be coronating Calla, my mate." He gave me s glance, smiling lightly. "She's a little shy, so don't scare her please."
He motioned for me to come up to the stage. My eyes widened and my heart leapt to my throat. I gulped and stood up shakily, smoothing down the dress that down looked much more appropriate without the back hanging open. I was glad I had a cardigan to cover the scratches from Percyus.
I walked as fast as I could without running to the stage, feeling everyone's eyes on me. I felt so small and self conscious. Once I was on stage a lady told me where to stand, seeming a bit pushy, like she didn't like me. I wouldn't see why she would like me, so it was normal.
I whispered her a quick apology, bowing my head to her in respect. She went back to her spot next to a man almost as tall as Percyus near the side of the stage. Percyus talked for a bit more, explaining some pack history and such, telling everyone how it would be done. He had given me a recap of what would happen before hand.
It was now time for me to sacrifice my blood for the pack. I walked forward to the white bowl in the center of the stage, Percyus looking on with a straight face. It made me more nervous that he wouldn't smile, though I knew him smiling wouldn't be appropriate.
I stopped in front of the bowl, seeing a small, sharp dagger resting inside the clean bowl. I picked it up with my good hand, my other still sporting the fresh slice. I knew I'd have to cut my other hand, making them both cut. I hated that I didn't heal fast.
I switched the knife to my bad hand, hardly able to grasp it firmly. My hand shook as I brought it to meet the soft flesh of my palm. I pressed the dagger down, flinching when I'm pierced my skin. Tears burned at the back of my eyes but I refused to look weak in front of everyone. I drew the knife away and put my hand over the bowl. My blood dropped onto the white, staining it dark red. After enough blood was spilled Percyus gently took my hand and wrapped it in a bandage.
He took the pain away with just his touch, making me grateful. I thanked him quietly. He turned to the crowd, "Our newest pack member, Calla!"
The crowd suddenly roared with applause, making my eyes look with tears of joy. I had never had so many people be happy for me. Even if it was fake, though it probably was, I was content. Percyus pulled me into a hug, saying words I couldn't even hear over the sound of cheering.
I don't know what came over me, but I knew if there was any perfect moment, it was this. So I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him back.
~~~
Thank you for reading!
~~~