Chapter 7 New Identity

• ~DAPHNE~
• I stared at myself in the mirror, my fingers tracing the dark circles under my eyes, the tangled mess of my hair, and the pale complexion of my skin. I looked like a mad woman, a shadow of my former self. I placed a hand on my stomach, feeling the emptiness within, and then I let out sorrowful laughter, thinking about my cruel life.
• It's been a week since I saw Dane getting married to Alexa, a week since Zephyr saved my life and gave me a new room and purpose. All that was left was a new identity. Ever since entering the room, I had been unable to go, drowning myself in my thoughts, thinking about how I had fallen. I could not face anyone, and the only person I spoke with for that week was the servant who brought me food and clothes and prepared my bath.
• By the end of today, I knew that Zephyr would want me to provide him with answers, but I still had no idea what to say. I had always been Daphne Edward. It was hard to develop a new identity, to become someone else.
• ‘’Daphne,’’ I muttered my name and rubbed my pounding forehead. My mind wandered to my mother’s last words. ‘’Run, don’t look back.’’
• A lone tear streamed down my face, and I rubbed my eyes as I sniffled. I didn’t deserve any of this. If only I had been strong like Zephyr had said, and if only I could become powerful.
• The door opened, and the same servant who had been coming for over a week walked in. ‘’My lady,’’ she muttered, announcing her presence.
• I turned around and looked at her, my eyes looking from my head down to her white dress and tanned skin. Then I looked up again until my eyes locked with her blonde hair. ‘’Is this your natural hair color?’’ I asked the question out of the blue.
• She shook her head in response and placed a hand on her hair. ‘’I dyed it.’’
• That’s what I thought. ‘’your hair is pretty,’’ I commented and looked back at the mirror. I ruffled my dark hair and then closed my eyes, imagining myself in different hair colors until I found the perfect one.
• " My lady," the servant called, and my eyes fluttered open, meeting hers. " Is everything alright? Would you like me to serve you lunch now?"
• " Get me scissors and a dye." Yes, I wanted to dye my hair. Zephyr had told me to find a new identity, and seeing the servant’s blonde hair inspired me to imagine who I could be.
• ‘’ A scissor?’’ The servant eyed me. ‘’is everything…’’ she trailed off, giving me a questioning look. ‘’I mean, what will you do with a scissor?’’
• I smiled and repeated the same request. ‘’A red dye and a scissor,’’ I repeated. Red. I had picked that color because it signifies danger, and becoming a dangerous woman meant that I was leaving behind my identity and becoming someone else.
• When she noticed I wouldn’t change my mind, the servant bowed and left the room.
• ‘’Mum,’’ I muttered and brushed my hair with my fingers. ‘’you always told me that my hair was pretty, but now, I don’t think I enjoy seeing my hair again. I want to become someone new,’’ I paused momentarily and brushed my hair backward. ‘’I am going to make them all pay for your death and my child’s. I will trample on them for what they have done,’’ I grinned at my reflection, glad I had decided to be somebody else.
• The door opened, and the servant walked in with a box in her hand. She handed it to me, saying, ‘’I got it all from the store. Do you mind telling me why you need it?’’
• I took the box from her hand and then smiled at her. ‘’Thank you,’’ I muttered and headed towards the bathroom. There was no point in telling her what I wanted to do because everyone would soon see it. Once I reached the bathroom, I undressed and stared in the mirror, looking at my scars from the beating I had endured from Dane, the wounds from the arrows shot at me all because of Dane. Today, everything was going to be in the past.
• "Daphne Edward is dead," I muttered to my reflection in the mirror. I picked up the scissors, placing them at the tip of my long hair. "Goodbye," I closed my eyes as I cut my hair, the blades slicing through the locks like a liberation. When I opened my eyes again, I had cut everything- My long, dark hair now lies on the floor, a reminder of the past I was leaving behind.
• I stared at my new reflection, my hair now a short, choppy bob. I felt a sense of freedom. I was no longer the same Daphne, no longer the victim. I am reborn.
• I reached for the red dye and rubbed it into my dark hair, the color staining it a deep, fiery red. I had a new identity. I smiled, ran a hand through my new hair, and then stepped into the bathtub, the warm water enveloping me like a soothing embrace. I was finally free, and as I laid back, letting the water cover my face, I closed my eyes and thought about my new identity.
• What would be my new name?
• Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I heard someone knocking on the door. ‘’open up!’’ The voice shouted from outside. ‘’ Open this door! Are you in there?’’
• The voice sounded just like Zephyr’s. Instead of coming out, I remained still, submerged in the water, hoping that he would go away so I could think about my new identity. But he persisted, and the knocking grew louder.
• " If you are in there, I need you to answer me right now!" suddenly, the door burst open, and a firm hand reached in, grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the water. I emerged, gasping for air, and faced Zephyr’s piercing golden eyes.
• ‘’what the hell do you think you are doing!’’ he yelled at me and grabbed my hand. ‘’Are you trying to kill yourself?’’
• I frowned and yanked my hand from his and then wrapped it around my body. ''why will you say that!'' here I was, naked and having my moment to myself while thinking of the name that I could come for, and he felt that I was trying to kill myself.
• Zepyhr looked around and pointed to the scissors and the stained red dye on the marble floor. " You... " he said.
• I quickly shook my head at him. ‘’It is not what you think,’’ I shouted, pointing to my hair. ‘’ I…’’
• ‘’you dyed your hair?’’ Now he noticed.
• ‘’yes, I did because…’’
• ‘’You cut your hair too!’’ He didn’t sound pleased. ‘’what is this about?’’
• I raised a brow in confusion. Had he forgotten when he said I should change my identity a week ago? ‘’Alpha Zephyr, this is my new identity. My name is now Sapphire Brown. I came up with the name when I cut my hair.’’
• Zephyr eyed me but didn’t say anything; he grabbed a towel for me. ‘’Sapphire, you picked a good name, and if you believed that cutting your hair would make you a new person, then it was your decision, but you should know that your long dark hair was beautiful and…’’ He liked my dark hair; it was hard to believe, but it had terrible memories, and I was not too fond of it.
• "Dress up, and the servant will bring you to me. We are having dinner, and I want you to be there, Sapphire... " he turned to leave.
• Sapphire. The way he called my name felt foreign, but I liked the sound of it.
• ‘’I…’’ he paused again as he reached the door. ‘’ I am glad that you decided to be a part of this,’’ he muttered, walking out of the room.
• Once he left, I let out a breathy sigh and submerged in the water again, holding the towel in my hand.
• Sapphire Brown.
• It is a lovely name for someone who wants to become powerful and get revenge on those who have wronged her. I picked the right name because it was derived from my mother’s middle and last names
• : Anabella Sapphire Brown.
• ‘’My lady, are you in there?’’ Another knock sounded again. It was a soft knock, unlike when Zephyr knocked. ‘’It is I, Felicia. I have come to get you for dinner.’’
• I emerged from the water, and as I stepped out with a towel wrapped around my waist, Felicia gasped.
• ‘’is it that bad?’’ I referred to my hair.
• Felicia shook her head and smiled. ‘’No, you look different. Yet, pretty.’’
• ‘’Thank you, Felicia,’’ It was the first time I had called her by her name. ‘’ I am glad that you liked it. I have not properly introduced myself to you,’’ I stretched forth my hand. ‘’The name is Sapphire Brown; let us be friends.’’
• She stared at my hand and then looked at me. I nodded and grabbed her hand, shaking it gently. ‘’it's a pleasure to meet you, Felicia.’’
• ‘’i…’’ Felicia just stared at me and then she smiled. ‘’of course, my lady.’’
• A few minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror in a stunning black dress with long sleeves. Felicia had helped me brush my hair backward and applied brown lipstick on my lips, making me look different. ’’ This dress is pretty, ’’ I admired myself. That was the first time I had something that beautiful.
• I laughed, feeling a sense of happiness; I felt free. ‘’I have never felt this way before,’’ I smiled at my reflection and heaved a deep sigh. It was now time to face Zephyr and see his plans for me.
• Felicia led me to the dining hall, where Zephyr awaited me alongside Silver. A dark-haired woman was beside Silver, and another man, whom I didn’t know, was opposite Silver. When I reached the table, I bowed my head and introduced myself: ‘’I am Sapphire Brown.’’
• Zephyr came behind me and placed a hand around my waist; his touch sent a shiver down my spine. My heart raced, and I wondered why I was acting that way. We meant nothing. It was a contract thing that would benefit us, so I quickly brushed the feelings aside and focused on what he was trying to say.
• ‘’Everyone, this is Sapphire Brown, the woman who will become my Luna.’’
• Luna? Unlike Dane, I would become his Luna, who regarded me as such. I expected them to speak, to criticize me as everyone in my previous pack did, but they all nodded, and the woman beside Silver introduced herself with a smile. ‘’Hello, I am Cassandra, the female beta. It is a pleasure to have you here. At least I won’t be the only woman around here,’’ she rolled her eyes and chuckled.
• She was being sincere.
• ‘’hello,’’ I waved at her.
• The other man also introduced himself. ‘’My name is Tristan, and I am the Gamma. It is great to have you here.’’
• He was also sincere.
• They all were happy to have me there, and I felt a sense of belonging around them. It felt surreal that I was in the midst of those who would accept me for who I was.
• ‘’Please sit,’’ Zephyr lead me to the seat beside him.
• ‘’Thank you.’’
• The dinner was the best that I have ever had. Not only was the food great, but Cassandra and Silver made passing comments about themselves, and Cassandra ensured she included me in it. The rumors were wrong. The Blood/War Pack members were not cruel but welcoming, making me feel at ease. I was no longer Daphne Brown, the weak and naïve omega. I was Sapphire brown, the woman who would become strong and take on the role of the Luna of the war pack.