Going to the ball

Zina POV

The morning sun streamed through the windows as I sat at the edge of my bed, staring at the dress Jared had sent over for the ball. It was beautiful—an elegant gown in a deep emerald green, the color of Jared's eyes when he was amused. But no matter how stunning it was, it didn't erase the anxiety curling in my stomach.

Alpha Sebastian's ball was tonight, and I wasn't just walking into a formal event—I was walking into the heart of my past.

This pack, led by Sebastian, had been my home before everything crumbled. Before I lost everything. Before I lost him.

Xaden.

Just the thought of his name made my chest tighten. He wasn't just a memory or a ghost haunting the halls of the packhouse. He was my ex-husband, my first love, and the source of some of my deepest wounds.

I hadn't seen him since I rejected him in the hospital. Would he even look at me? Would he sneer? Ignore me? Or worse—pretend I didn't exist at all?

The sound of little feet racing down the hallway jolted me from my thoughts. Asher burst into the room, his smile wide and innocent, clutching his stuffed wolf.

"Mommy, Mommy! Are you going to the party with Uncle Jared?"

I forced a smile and pulled him into my lap. "Yes, sweetheart. But it's just for grown-ups, okay?"

Asher's face fell slightly, but his curiosity didn't waver. "Will you see your old friends there?"

The question hung heavy in the air. Friends? Did I even have any left in the pack? I have some, but even their loyalty had its limits under Alpha Sebastian's rule.

"I might," I said softly, brushing his hair back. "But it's not the same as it used to be."

Asher tilted his head, his big eyes filled with concern. "Are you scared, Mommy?"

I blinked at him, my heart aching. "A little," I admitted. "But I'll be okay. I have to be, for you."

That seemed to satisfy him, and he jumped off my lap to play with his toys. I watched him, my chest tightening again. Asher didn't know the full story, and I hoped he never would.

As the afternoon faded into evening, the house grew quiet. Jared had sent a message earlier, reminding me of the time, and now I stood before the mirror, staring at my reflection.

As I finish the last touches to my makeup, I wonder if Jared has any expectations on how I should behave.

The world doesn't know it but my stupid ex husband is a sexist man and believes women only have a single role. 

To blend into the background while the men lead.

 It's no wonder he never let either his mum or i into the Pack's business.

Jared hasn't shown any signs.

He finds my defiance and sarcasm amusing actually.

Even though, in the past, he was cold-hearted beta in the old pack.

Summoning steel into my spine, I stare at my reflection in the green satin and lace gown with a slit. It took careful maneuvering for the stylist to put it on because of the thin and delicate see- through lace on the sides, showing off my naked kin. 

The front and back are satin with a deep V-cut., and one arm is hidden beneath the lace.

My black- silky hair falls in curls around my shoulders. The makeup artist gave me smoky eyes, a subtle blush, and my signature red lips. The diamond bracelet glints in the light when I gather my hair over one shoulder.

But as beautiful as I looked on the outside, I couldn't shake the gnawing fear within.

A knock at the door startled me, and I turned to see grandma at the door. She smiled warmly, holding out a small silver necklace.

"This belonged to your mother," she said softly, fastening it around my neck. "For good luck."

I swallowed hard, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, grandma."

As she left, I turned back to the mirror and took a deep breath. Tonight, I will face my fears. Tonight, I would walk into that ballroom with my head held high, no matter who was there.

For Asher. For myself.

Slipping on my heels, I straightened my shoulders and grabbed my clutch. The soft click of my steps echoed through the quiet house as I made my way to the front door.

Descending the spiral staircase, I run straight into Jared. The expensive tux fitted to perfection as he stands with his back to me.

I can't believe a week has passed since we found out we were mates. I thought l'd be miserable.

Instead, i felt more alive than I have in years.

Jared turns upon hearing my heels clacking on the floor. He freezes the second his always feral eyes land on mine. He doesn't blink. Or breathe.

Except the visible hardening of his jaw, there's no other reaction.

I suck in a sharp breath.

The air sizzling with tension.

The kind I'm feeling more and more in his proximity lately. Tonight, his expression is evenbdarker and edgier.

It's the same as that night.

The night he took me in all positions and made me mad with want.

"Jared, " I call out, putting as much annoyance as possible in my tone. Of course it comes out throaty and breathless. I sound like those silly girls staring at their crush. I'm none of those things.

This energy betuween us is foreign.

Or was I just oblivious to it?

I don't Like it. I want his barbs. His insults. His threats. So I can call this a figment of my imagiation.

My feet move backward on instinct as he takes a step forward. Still unnerving me with his quietness.

 This man had always something to say. I keep backing away until I collide against the wall.

He stops less than breath away when our predator and prey dance ends.

Since when did I turn into a prey? Apparently I've entered another dimensional world.

Even though I'm by no means short, I still have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. I swallow when he raises his hand and ever so slowly wraps his thick fingers around my throat.

This has to be crossing unspoken lines in our game of wills.