Chapter 2: Sudden Invitation

I had a dream; I saw myself standing in a grassy field. I've got my wolf; it has pure white fur and beautiful long, curly hair. I strode across the meadow, the reeds brushing across my face, brushing against my nose. After being tired, I went to the stream bank, took a dip below, and climbed onto the grass to enjoy the afternoon's cool breeze.

Suddenly it was dark, and I heard another wolf growl. I feel danger and its power. I stood up, took a fighting stance, and got ready to pounce on the enemy. A black wolf appeared before me in the thick of the night. I thought it was a male wolf, and he was twice my size. He has jet-black fur; each hair is soft and smooth, which makes me want to get close to him and run my hand through it.

The black wolf looked at me, then slowly walked in front of me as if he didn't intend to attack me but wanted to befriend me.

“Erza, Erza…”

Suddenly I heard someone calling me; that low voice pulled me out of my dream. I was a little annoyed; I almost got a good look at that black wolf.

I looked up and met a pair of emerald green eyes looking at me tenderly.

Bewildered and stunned are two words that describe me; I can also imagine how silly my face is now. The one in front of me is Gray, Alpha's son and will be our pack's next Alpha.

“Do you mind if I sit down here?” Gray asked.

As if lost in spirit, I nodded instinctively.

Gray smiled and pulled up a chair next to me; he watched me for a moment, then spoke. "I don't think there's one in our pack as beautiful as you."

Gray's smile was so warm that it made me fall in love for a moment. It made me emotional and choked up because it was the first time someone had treated me so gently in this school.

"Do you know me?" Gray asked.

I nodded mechanically.

Although I've never been this close to him, I've heard of Gray's reputation. Although relatively young, his strength soon surpassed Alpha Nathan, his father.

“Um, I know you too. You are very famous.” Gray laughed again.

I forced my lips up, I wanted to laugh, too, but I couldn't smile in this situation. Gray is right; I'm famous because I'm the only one without wolves in the school and the pack.

“I will have a party at the weekend; I want to invite you. Can you attend?” Gray rubbed his nose. “As my mate.”

I looked at him in surprise, then asked, confused. “Your mate?”

Gray smiled and nodded.

I lowered my head self-deprecatingly; how could I match him?

“I don't have a wolf, you know?” I asked with the hope that he would regret it and leave.

But Gray didn't show any surprise; he still nodded calmly. "I know. I told you you're famous, and I don't care about anything else."

“Becoming the future Luna of the pack is a big deal,” I muttered. "There's no such thing as a Luna without a wolf; that's funny."

Gray raised his eyebrows, looking at me sincerely. "I do not care. I just wanted to ask if you would like to agree to be my mate?”

“I…” I was so awkward, I wanted to agree, but I didn't dare.

"Okay, I'm not forcing you. You go back and think. If you agree, then I look forward to seeing you at my party.” Gray stood up and shoved the piece of paper into my hand. “I wrote the address on the inside; see you soon.”

I subconsciously clenched my fists, treating the piece of paper as a treasure. I couldn't concentrate on anything the teacher said during the following lessons. But fortunately, they see me as the air, so it doesn't matter if I focus or not.

As soon as the bell rang, everyone rushed out. The more rebellious one jumped out the window. I slipped my books into my bag and stood looking out the window. It's snowing, and this shirt isn't enough to keep me warm. All I need to do is run home as fast as possible before I freeze out in the open.

Running home, I stood before the door, brushing off the snowflakes on my shirt. Then I cautiously entered the house. Blake hated his house getting wet; if I wet the floor, he would beat and starve me.

But I suddenly realized I was overthinking; Blake won't be back soon because today he will take Erina and Alfine out to eat, as he said in the morning.

I thought that I breathed a sigh of relief. After taking a hot shower, I feel a little better. I climbed into bed and began to remember Gray and his invitation.

For some reason, I felt strangely elated. I darted out of bed and went to the closet, trying to rummage through something that might fit Gray's fancy party.

I saw a black dress in the corner of the closet, it was Erina, but now she didn't like it anymore and threw it back to me. I took the dress out to look; I thought it might fit.

A knock on the door interrupted my train of thought, and I jumped and threw the dress back in the closet. Quickly climb into bed and hug the book as if reading a book.

Erina glanced at me and then climbed into bed; she kept rambling on about how delicious today's food was while my stomach was rumbling with hunger; I ate an apple and endured starvation, resisting until now. Before, I only thought of Gray and didn't feel hungry at all, but now I feel a bit uncomfortable.

I sighed and covered my ears, trying to force myself to sleep to forget the hunger.

Even though I closed my eyes and pretended to be dead like Erina still wouldn't let me be peaceful; she kept mumbling about today's barbecue that was so wonderful as to provoke me.

As a result, I couldn't sleep that night because hunger haunted me.