3

~Alaya

"You're the one who wanted this," I remind her.  "You look beautiful, anyway. Everything will be fine."

Sky shakes her head at me, staring out the window of her bedroom nervously. She is dressed now, her hair and makeup flawless. However, she is visibly trembling, nervous about what is about to come in the next few moments. We are about be picked up to be taken to Alpha Asher's party, and it has finally dawned on her.

I don't know how many times I have to tell her she looks amazing. We both will be seen walking into the event, and she clearly wants to look her best.

She does. Her dark hair was been pulled back, kept in place with a glimmering silver clip that is her own. Her dress fits her perfectly, accentuating her hips and slim waist impeccably. Most importantly to her, her wedding ring is on her finger, letting everyone at the party know that she is spoken for.

"I should be the one worrying. I'm wearing a dress that could be considered a second skin," I add, motioning down to the outfit she had forced upon me.

The dress fits better than I assumed it would. However, it makes me feel almost naked, like there isn't any possible imagination left to be had. I made sure that Sky left my hair down when she styled it, so it could cover the cleavage that made me extremely nervous. Instead of feeling glamorous and wealthy, I feel like the girls who work down main street for nothing but favours.

"You're naturally beautiful," Sky snapped, before sucking in a deep breath. "You need to find a nice single guy to entertain you anyway. The dress is perfect."

I was about to protest, however, the bell ringing from downstairs stole my words.

Sky squealed to the point where I considered placing my hands over my ears right in front of me. "They are here!"

As she makes a wild dash for the stairs, I glance out the window. The same sleek car from earlier is parked outside, and someone steps out. From up here, I can't decipher much about what they looks like, aside from the fact that they wear a suit.

Before Sky can break her neck in those heels, I follow after her.

When I make it downstairs, Sky is opening the door to reveal who is outside. It's a tall lanky woman with short cropped hair. She wore a straight pressed suit that fit her perfectly, looking so neat and pristine it's intimidating. Immediately, she holds her hand out to Sky, sharp blue eyes narrowing on her. Tentatively, our invitations are handed over for her to inspect.

Please don't turn it over.

"Follow me," she says sharply, twisting around to walk swiftly back to the car, heels clicking against the path outside.

The air is balmy outside, which is strange, considering the naturally crisp air usually found in this Pack. The evening has just begun, the sun setting behind Asher's estate up on the hill. Lights are beginning to flicker on, signifying what would normally be another work night. It's different tonight, though. Everyone will be closing shop since people will be climbing the hill to watch everyone going in, or they will be at home watching from their television.

Most people just like to watch to see who Alpha Asher invites.

The woman opens the car door for us. Sky hesitates, before she clambers into the car. Holding my dress up, I shimmy my way into the car, getting completely encompassed by the darkness inside.

Sky grasps my hand tightly. She looks nervous, until we pull out of our driveway and onto mainstreet. That's when her eyes light up, the blazing street reflecting onto her face. She looks so young, and I suddenly feel happier with myself for coming with her to the party. She doesn't get out enough, so maybe this will actually do her some good.

"You walk straight in when we get there," the strange woman who decided not to introduce herself said from the front seat. A layer of mesh separates the driver and her from Sky and I.

I wanted to say something in response, but I kept my mouth shut. Maybe something like 'why? So they would feel lesser compared to us?'

The closer we get to Asher's estate, the more nervous I become. What does the little note mean, and who could have possible wrote it? If the A stood for Asher, then he would he come to me and say something? I can't imagine how he would know who I am for a start...

"Oh my," I hear Sky say from beside me.

When I follow her gaze, I realise I was too busy staring at my fingers on my lap to see we had made it to the foot of his property, right by the gate. A swarm of people were looking at the car, although I knew they couldn't see past the tint. They live in my neighbourhood, I know that much. That familiar withdrawn look in their eyes it like a punch straight to the gut.

"They are excited to be there Lay. Don't do anything," Sky whispers, trying to sound comforting, although, I heard the warning in her voice.

The gates slide open after a minute of the driver speaking to a Guard outside and of me trying to keep my gaze away from the people away. People are everywhere on the drive up, and I wonder what exactly they had that made those Guards let them in above the rest. I'm hoping they got here first or something, however, I have a feeling that might not be the case.

Instead of focusing on the wash of cheering faces of people who wait every year for this party, I focus on the lights strung on the trees and even on the line of the fence. They are a mix of vivid colours - most commonly purple blue and gold.

"This is insane," Sky says in my ear. "I can't believe this is actually happening!"

We drive up to a courtyard, framed by a formal lawn everyone gathers on to the left, and a decorative fountain on the right. Everything is magnified and magnificent, making my fingers begin to tremble nervously, my stomach flipping over. Asher must like lights or something, because they light up everything.

The fountain we park next to glistens brightly with lights under the water. Even the base of the actual home has a multitude of striking lights that glow a strange colour of amber.

"Remember what I said," the woman says suddenly before she steps confidently out of the car.

Photos are instantly taken, the sharp shots attacking the windows of the car so I have to concentrate on my ridiculously sparkly shoes. My gaze moves to Sky's hand as she grabs mine.

That is until the door is pulled open beside me.

Like a deer caught in the headlights, I'm struck looking down at the short haired woman. Her hand covered in numerous glinting rings is held out to me, wanting to lead me onto the ebony carpet outside. Of course, the cheering is in my ears, however, it blends out into white noise. The flash of the cameras is right there, almost completely blinding me.

"Quickly," she prompts, and I grab her hand, taking Sky out with me. Is this what it is like to be wealthy and famous? If so, I had it.

My heels sink into the carpet as I step forward, wishing I could shield my eyes, from everything going on. I don't look at Sky, as I know she will be basking in it, and I don't want to make myself feel anymore introverted. So instead, I focus on the door I'm being lead toward.

Two tall guards stand at the door, holding their hands out for our invitations.

It's the woman who finally lets go of my hand to show them both our invitations. The Guard nods, taking one of the invitations while the woman tucks the other under her suit jacket. Then she turns to us and smiles, motioning for us enter.

"Welcome to Alpha Asher's annual party. Eat, drink, dance and have the time of your life, for one night of your life."

Her words echo in my ear. Sky quickly walks forward, anxious to enter through the curtain of silver fabric that concealed the outside from the inside. No one is allowed to know what is inside unless they are invited or work there. I go to follow, anxious to keep to my sister's side at all times.

However, the woman grabs my arm, bringing her lips to my ear.

"You're going to want to keep this," she whispers, and I feel her slip the satiny invitation back into my hand.

She raises a blonde eyebrow when I look at her in confusion. I have so many questions. Has she been instructed to let me keep the invitation, or is she doing it because she saw the note on the other side of the invitation?

"Why do I need this?" I question. She shakes her head at me, pushing me forward by the small of my back. "Wait...Who wrote it?"

Stumbling through the curtain, I first come to terms with the soft music that drifts around me. It's something classical and gentle, running across my skin under the hair raises up. Then I see Sky, who looks over her shoulder, a huge smile painted across her face. That, and the entire setting behind her blows my mind.

This must be the main floor we are able to explore and part on. There is a massive set of sweeping stairs up to a landing concealed by mirrors, reflecting the scene of well dressed rich people dancing on the first floor. Plenty of people are on the higher floor, and for a moment, I'm curious how they got up there. I'm instantly distracted as Sky grabs my hand, dragging me into the floor.

"Come on, let's dance!" she chants, spinning around before she grabs my hand again.

I smile at her. I'm glad she isn't here to pry single guys from the crowd, to instead hang out with her sister. That's why I'm here.

And admittedly figure out the meaning of my invitation.

Tucking it behind my back, I let my sister sweep me onto the dance floor to maybe have some fun for once.