The formal dinner

Chapter 4

Carmilla 

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The morning after the wedding, I woke up feeling disoriented. For a split second I forgot where I was, then it hit me like a wave. I was in Alpha’s Reed house.

 My new home.

 I nearly puked on the mere thought of that. 

I looked at the big space surrounding me on the bed. It was empty. Of course it was. He had proved that this marriage meant nothing to him. Not that it meant something to me anyways. I pushed the thoughts away and climbed out of the bed.

A knock came on the door which startled me. A maid walked in without waiting for my response, not that I cared. She carried a dress on her arm ,a mini box and a bigger box which she held in her right hand. “Luna, Alpha Evans requests your presence at a formal dinner tonight. This is your dress for the event.” She said avoiding my eyes.

Luna.

That title felt foreign to me. I wasn't their Luna. I was just a girl who was forced into a marriage she didn't want.

I took the dress and boxes without saying a word. The maid left hurriedly leaving me alone. My fingers traced the fabric lines– it was an elegant, short, pretty shade of purple with silver embroidery across it. 

I observed the bigger box before opening it. It was a pair of shoes and it looked as expensive as the box itself. I took a look at the smaller box which was a silver necklace that matched with embroidery on the dress the maid gave me.I stared at the necklace, and that's when I realized I had to take off the current one I was wearing. 

No way I was going to take off my mother's necklace. It was the only thing I had left of her. I went to the mini drawer beside the bed and kept it in there .

 “It would probably be of use some other time.” I mumbled to myself. 

I stood close to the bedroom’s mirror and stared at the ghostly figure known as myself. 

“She's the one thing I never want to forget.” I said looking down at the necklace that hung on my neck with a smile, ready to undress and take my shower.

The rest of the day passed like a breeze. I barely saw Evans and when I did, he barely looked at me. I spent most of the time in my room debating if I should go for dinner or not. But I knew I had no choice. Aunt Freya already warned me not to do anything contrary to his father's decisions.

As the sun set, I got dressed. The maid returned to style my hair, it was pinned into something simple yet elegant. When I finally looked at the mirror, I barely recognised myself. I looked… regal.

The dining hall was grand, filled with candlelight and low murmurs of conversation. Long tables were set with silverware and rich dishes were served. My stomach twisted as I stepped in. 

Eyes turned towards me. Some judgemental, some curious. The higher pack members were already seated and Evans was at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. 

I kept my chin up and walked towards my seat beside him. I darted my eyes across the table and I saw Evan's father, Alpha Russell Reed. He seemed to have been watching my moment and body gestures. 

“You look well-rested dear. I believe my son has been… accommodating?” 

I forced a polite smile. “Of course.” 

Evans didn't react, he simply sipped his drink and acted as if I didn't exist.

Dinner was served, and the conversation shifted to pack's affairs. I listened most of the time, trying to learn more about this place. Some spoke about alliances, some spoke sighting rogues close to the borders.

Alpha's Russell voice cut through the conversation. 

“The full moon is fast approaching, so tell me Carmilla how do your pack go about shape shifting?”

“We usually roam about since we live far away from human eyes.” I said trying to hide all nervousness in me.

“That's perfect, we roam about too” he said with a light expression on his face.

My stomach twisted the moment I remembered Aunt Freya's warning about them not finding out i couldn't shift. 

“You are most likely to lead the females during the transformation, Carmilla.” He said, carefully cutting his steak.

My breath hitched upon hearing that. How was I supposed to lead a pack when I couldn't even shift ?I used a napkin to dab the sweat on my face. I had to do something quickly before they found out the truth.

The tension grew thick at the table, and to my suprise, Evans finally spoke. “She just arrived father, give her some breathing space.

I was surprised he said that. Well it wasn't entirely defensive, but it was enough to make his father drop the topic.” 

After dinner, I stepped out to get some fresh air after i had been suffocating in there for hours. I let out a long sigh to ease the tension on my chest.

“There's something off about you and I can't figure it out.”

His voice startled me. I turned back to see Evans standing with his hands in the pocket.He leaned against the rails and crossed his arms, watching me with his usual detached expression. 

I didn't respond. I didn't need to explain myself to him. 

He looked at me for a while before pushing off the rails. “Don't give them a reason to doubt you. My father won't let it slide easily if he suspects something.”

I turned to him, meeting his gaze. “Why do you care so much anyways?” 

He didn't respond. Rather he walked past me, disappearing into the house. 

I exhaled slowly. 

I knew that wasn't going to be my first nor last gathering with them. I needed to think of a solution as soon as possible.