“That is wonderful!” My mother clapped and Aiden ran to look at the car.
I observed the man, a glazed look on his face, who was supposedly the driver, “Is the Alpha providing the means of escorting the people? I didn’t hear about it, that’s why I was confirming.”
He stared at me unblinkingly for a second and replied, “You are Miss Avery Williams, aren’t you?”
My parents looked at me and my brows drew together, “Yes, why do you ask?”
“This is specially reserved for you and your family. Nobody else.” He spoke in a solemn tone and my frown deepened. This did not make sense at all.
“My apologies, it is very kind of the Alpha. But may I know why he sent us a car when nobody else received the same?” Dad asked what I had in my head.
“I am only following my orders, Mr. William.” The man said.
“But how can we take the ride just like that?” I asked.
“You can refuse if you wish to, miss. Then I would call and let the Alpha know.”
“Eh, no, no!” Mom spoke out and waved her hands, “Pardon my daughter, she doesn’t know.” She looked down at me with a glare, “We do not refuse the Alpha, Avery. Or else there will be consequences.”
I remembered my conversation with Jannet and Candice regarding Alpha Dark. I guess we had no choice but I still wondered what his motive was behind sending the car only to my family. There had to be something.
We stepped inside the sedan and a series of text messages kept popping into my phone.
In the chat group, Jannet and Candice were talking about a strategy they had developed. The fact my friends supported me was a relief, but I also felt awful for including them in my predicament. The strategy also did not ensure my freedom from Sam, but it was worth a try.
By now, Sam would be at the gathering and likely waiting for me. The problem was Natalie wouldn’t be at the party, which gave Sam easy access to mating me. I overheard them chatting about how Nat’s parents were against her being mated to Sam, which was odd, but the Boyle family was the ex-Lycan king’s family, so I believe they wanted a groom of higher rank, like an Alpha.
It was a mystery regarding why Natalie’s parents didn’t allow her to attend the ball and meet Alpha Dark.
Candice promised she would encourage Natalie to attend the party by making up a story about how much she detested me and wished to be a part of Nat’s popular group.
Although Nat initially wouldn’t comply, she wouldn’t turn down the chance to attend the party. If she was offered some assistance, she would make every effort to attend the celebration. Jannet would continue to update me while monitoring Sam.
Sam’s wolf senses had to be avoided until Nat arrived at the party, so I had to enter from a location outside of his line of sight.
Jannet’s text: The back door of the mansion. There is an open area at the back of the building here. Stay there until I signal you.
The car rolled up in front of a large metal gate with spikes pointing skyward. The gates opened, and we were guided into the mansion’s lovely garden.
Mom accompanied Aiden as soon as we stepped out of the car. They walked until dad realized I was absent and turned around.
“Are you not coming?” he asked.
“Um, I will wait for Jannet here. She said she would be coming.” I gave a nervous smile.
“Leave her. Let us attend the party.” Mom said and they stepped inside the grand mansion.
For the first time, I was happy that they were so ignorant of me.
There was a statue of a howling wolf with its jaws wide in the sky, and there were tiny streams of water pouring out around it in the shape of an arch. I gazed around the garden, its green hedges standing like the walls of a maze.
Should I sneak to the backside?
“Are you looking for something, Miss?” The driver asked, his face stoic.
“Um, yeah. I wanted to explore this beautiful mansion. Which I guess…is not allowed.” My voice trailed off in a panic. This place was reserved for the party. Why would they allow a stranger to roam around?
Jannet did not consider that. Shit!
“This is where the Alpha lives. " the driver said and my eyes widened.
“He does?” I looked back at the mansion which looked like it would put a palace to shame. Everybody knew about the ball invitation and that it would be held here, but there was no mention of the mansion being Alpha Dark’s residence.
“If you insist, I can give you a tour of the backside.” He said and I pursed my lips. As if reading my thoughts, he said, “I am sure the Alpha would not mind.”
I did not know if I could trust this person. He did drive us safely to the mansion, but from his muscular build, I could tell he was a werewolf of higher rank. I did not trust wolves.
“Thank you, but I think I will be fine by myself. I just want to look around.” I said and the man bobbed his head.
“Alright. You just have to take a straight route back to the entrance and then you can ask anyone out there where the main hall is. Is that alright?”
“Yes.”
“Very well then. I shall take my leave, miss. Have a great time.” He said with a short bow and walked away from there.
The guards did not stop me as I entered through the backdoor and stepped into a beautiful hallway with white marble walls.
Wow!
Golden light from the ceiling fell on the polished black marble floor, casting a mirror image of my red gown sweeping on it. Except for the sound of my heels clicking against the floor, there was dead silence. No furniture, and no pictures on the wall.
The Alpha must be minimalist when it comes to style.
The row of led lights on the ceiling disappeared straight into the darkness across the end of the hall. The only source of light at the end of the hall was a large, arched window. Moonlight spilled into the floor, bathing the area in a soft blue light.
I sauntered to the window and stared at the moon glowing like a lamp against the purple and dark blue gradient of the night sky.
On the full moon, the mating bond was said to be the strongest and that was why this ball was held today, for the wolves. It was also the sign of the Goddess coming to earth to bless the wolves with their mate, as we were taught in school. The wolves would find who their mate was on this full moon night but they had to be at least eighteen years old to sniff their mates.
At least the Moon Goddess was against underage mating.
I stared at the sky through the window when I felt a strange feeling crawl up my back. It was as if… I was being watched. I turned around but found nothing except darkness.
Wait, where did the lit corridor go? Did they turn off the lights?
My breathing turned shallow, my heart pulsing against my ears.
Fuck! I shouldn’t have been Dora the explorer and walked around a place I didn’t know about! I could not see anything in the darkness and—
Snap!
“Ah!!!” I screamed and ran in whichever direction my legs took me. Was it Sam? Did he find me? I pulled out my phone and turned on the torchlight.
No signal?!
This was the reason why I did not get any text from Jan. Shit! Shit! Shit!
It was all the same corridors. The feeling of being watched in the darkness made me dreadful and I ran even faster, turning the flashlight back to check if anyone was behind me.
Until I crashed with something hard yet muscular in the dark and looked up to find a pair of red eyes watching me in the darkness.
What the fuck?!!!!
******************************************
My body froze in place and the phone fell from my hand as I stared at the pair of flashing red eyes. The lights flicked on, revealing a man standing right in front of me in a corridor with wooden paneling on the walls. Light from the small crystal chandelier cast a warm glow on the tall intimidating dark figure standing tall with a pair of sinful obsidian eyes piercing into me. A shock weaved down my body as the cold fabric of his gloves brushed against my tender skin. His dark gaze held me in place as if hypnotizing me and perfectly matched his raven black hair slicked back. His angular cheekbones trailed down to a concrete jaw that twitched and I realized I was staring.But I saw red eyes in the dark. Was it an illusion? Why did it seem so familiar?“Running from someone, kitten?” His deep, enticing muscular voice caused a delicious tingle down my spine.But ‘kitten’? He was still holding my shoulders and I wiggled away, escaping from his hold. I gazed up and found his beautiful
My head was spinning. The attention of all the guests at the party was overwhelming, but not as much as the fact that I had spoken with an offensive tone to an Alpha! If he wanted, he could destroy my life in seconds. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked around for familiar faces until my gaze fell on my mother who stepped out of the crowd and walked toward me. She had a wary look on her face and I didn’t need to second guess the reason. It was not every day that my mother saw me walking along with an Alpha. “Avery.” She planted herself in front of me, her eyes expressing concern, and placed a hand on my shoulder. I knew she wanted to interrogate me but there was a more pressing matter ahead. A six feet tall, sexy one clad in black. Her gaze shifted up to the Alpha and she bowed to him, “Alpha Dominic. It is my utmost pleasure to see you. Did my daughter do something?”She shot me a small glare and I knew that she was wondering what I had now. A crooked smile shaped the lip
I breathed in and fell the gaze of others in the party on my skin like icicles. There was no way that I could reject an Alpha or who knew what consequences me and my family would have to endure because of his wrath. I haven’t seen him angry yet even though I believe I had offended him before, but one made no promises. I gave him a smile and offered my hand that appeared like a Lilliput in front of his giant palm. He took my hand, his grasp warm yet firm and sparks flew off the area where our skins met. He lead me to the dance floor, where some couples were already dancing to the slow music of the piano and violin. I didn’t like these kind of music but it sounded appropriate and perfect for the hall that looked no less than a royal ball of the Victorian age. The white walls appeared yellow to the warm golden light cast by the chandeliers, the candles on the candelabras and the small led lights on the decorated ceiling. We stood beneath what I would consider one of the largest chandeli
||DOMINIC’S POV|| Weather in Wilfair had its own taste, something I had never experienced before. The atmosphere always had a curse flowing in it, as if this place was forbidden and the fog danced in front of the tinted glass of my window. It was a good way to hide before I could unleash myself and put someone to their grave. Never had I thought that this dead town could be so interesting. And there was one person who made it beautiful, my sweet mate. I saw her walking in the line of other classmates. It was their P.E. class as per I knew what their schedule had. This was the time I could see her so I chose to sit in my car and watch my little kitten do the long jumps. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, the brown waves of her strands cascading down on her small shoulders like a waterfall. Her plump lips moved apart and closed while she spoke to her other friend who I had seen Sky dance with her at the party. I saw a bit of my own reflection in the window of my car, a smile adorning
I played Cheap Thrills on my phone as I got ready for the day. I was so happy! My mission was successful and Sam could not mark me. Now I could focus on my grades and make a plan to get out of Wilfair. With this plan being successful, I had some confidence and looked up to the brighter side of my future. “Av, have your breakfast.” My mom chirped as she slid the plate towards my side on the table and I was surprised to find waffles with chocolate syrup on it. Even my parents were in a good mood today. Last night, they interrogated me for almost an hour on how I met the Alpha and how lucky I was that I got to dance with him. My mom did not leave the chance to brag about it to our neighbors who surely were jealous. I didn’t care what our neighbors felt, but after such a long time I saw my parents being genuinely happy. I was slowly getting at their good side again. Maybe things would go back to normal as they used to. Once I was in Winterville, I met Jannet and Candice and we all la
My heart drummed in my chest. I already had a crazy day, I didn’t know if I had it in me to take more. Why did the Alpha of all people pay a visit to our house?What if he was here to punish us for how I spoke to him before I knew about him? But I did apologize!“Av.” My mother whispered giving me the eye that said, “Greet him back.”I looked back at Dominic and said, “Good afternoon Alpha. A pleasure to see you.”Dominic smiled at me and cocked his head, while Aiden looked at him innocently. “Are you? That is wonderful to know.”I frowned as I did not understand what he meant by his question. Did he somehow realize that I was uncomfortable in his presence?“We cannot believe a day would come when the Alpha himself would grace us with his presence. After all, we are just humans.” dad said with a smile but he was also uncomfortable and doubtful of Dominic’s visit.Humans were considered the lowest of all in the town and due to that, wolves tend to not interact with us. It was a matter o
There was silence in the room and my eyes were wide as saucers, gulping down what he just said.“I don’t understand, Alpha,” Dad said and Dominic’s mischievous smile only broadened.“It is quite simple. Avery will now live with me. When does a human girl come to live together with a male wolf?” he directed the question at my parents while I was frozen at my spot.My mom gasped and she clasped her mouth. Her green eyes turned wide and stared in my direction, “Is it really…true?”Dad had a look of concern falling on his face, “She is your mate?”The tray fell from my hand and made a loud thumping sound as it met the floor. My hands were shaking as I processed what dad was talking about.Me? His mate? The Alpha’s mate?!!“This can’t be true.” My voice trembled and the words came out like a soft whisper but from Dominic’s burning gaze on me, I knew he heard.“You think I would lie, Avery?” He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly as if challenging me to call him a liar.
There was silence in the car, with the sound of the tires and the drumming of my heart profound in my ears. I kept as much distance as possible from Dominic and kept my gaze away from him. Still, I could feel him looking at me and I gritted my teeth.Things changed so quickly. I was in my college, insulted in front of everyone and the next minute, I was declared to be the Alpha’s mate. Was this some kind of a bad dream?I pinched my right cheek hard in hopes of it being a nightmare, but when it stung, I realized that I was living the nightmare. I was taken away from my family and had to live with a person forever, pretending to be his soulmate just because of some stupid chemical bond.“You know, loathing about what happened will not make the pain go away.” His husky voice came from the back and I snapped my head at him,How dare he say that when he was the one who took everything away from me?!I glared at him, showing my point, and then looked back at the window. Suddenly, I felt his