FIVE: RED EYES IN THE DARK

“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?!!!!

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