-Her 002-

“I don’t think I look good,” I told Cynthia upon looking at myself in the mirror.

"What are you talking about?," she basically exclaimed. "The dress looks absolutely gorgeous on you."

Clothed on me was a red mermaid-like structured gown. It had a heart shaped low neckline, exposing more skin of my breaths. It hugged my body completely, only having the fluffs of the gown starting two inches above my knees, accentuating my figure very well, from my bust, to my waist, to my hips, and even bottom. It had not much detail on it, only a few golden streaks on the neckline.

I looked at Cynthia's hopeful eyes. Her hands were intertwined, settling on her chin, her head tilting to the side as she looked at me in awe. She met my eyes and blinked a couple of times, her smile widening her cheeks could break.

I sighed and she clapped her hands in joy. I got down the platform and got back inside the dressing room to change. We ended up purchasing a red and teal dress before going straight home.

Cynthia was the one who applied makeup on me and did my hair. Her hands are like magic yet she claims she only enhanced the features that were already there.

She was already dressed in her teal long gown when I got out after putting on my dress. Her being a redhead, she bought the dress upon searching it up what best looks good on her hair color. Green was said to be best for her and I couldn't agree more, it matches her eyes as well. Her dress had a venus cut neckline, the top designed similar to a corset. A few details of gems on her dress, her corset top was somehow composed of a mesh excluding her bust area. The length of her dress draped over the floor, a slit on her left leg ending a bit higher than her mid thigh.

She squealed upon looking at me head to toe. "Your mate would be so lucky," she said and I just laughed at her.

She gave my hair a bit of waves, putting it in a half loose ponytail and pulling down a few strands on the sides. She even curled my bangs and steadied them swinging to the side.

My stare lingered on my eyes. I chose not to wear contacts anymore. I meant when I said I'm moving on.

Cynthia was the one who walked down the stairs first, David emitting a growl of satisfaction upon seeing her. His eyes darkened and goddess knows how hard he fought against his wolf. He immediately grabbed a hold of her waist and gave her a kiss.

My mum clasped a hand on her mouth when she saw me walking down the stairs in the red dress. I caught the attention of everyone and I hesitated whether or not I should come with. I could spot Davis in the corner, arms crossed while leaning on the wall. Their smiles and expressions spoke more than a thousand words, and it brought pride to my heart and boosted my self-esteem.

'I told you we look great,' my wolf said in pride.

Praises were exchanged except from Davis. He only gave me a nod before opening the main door for all of us. I was even surprised he'd come with us. He hated going out.

This was a big step. I'm finally moving on.

'Maybe we'd even find our new mate,' Patrice said in a sultry tone, even purred at the thought.

When Harris rejected the bond, we were engulfed with pain. Patrice, however, was also filled with anger. With mixed emotions, we forced ourself to leave that wretched place. It was when we got to the woods did we release a howl of pain. Our knees buckled and we ended up losing consciousness.

Tears threatened to fall from merely recalling that incident. Even Patrice went silent and still with the memory.

'I still thank him though,' she said through the link.

'Really?'

'Really,' she assured. 'But that doesn't mean we shouldn't move forward.'

I remained silent the rest of the ride until we arrived at the venue. The place was decorated well. Lights and the like everywhere. When we arrived, there were already a lot of wolves all dressed in their best. There were four packs attending tonight: The Ambersy Pack (our pack), the Yellowstone Pack (the host), the Silver Lotus Pack, and the Crimson Summit.

Thinking of the latter brought chills. The strongest pack in the country would be attending tonight's ball. I had nothing against the pack, I hear the people there are very great. The legacy of their alphas and lunas and the warriors themselves are written in the stars, a tale everyone knows and passed down to generations. The bravest and strongest amongst. I've never been around any pack member of theirs, but I hear from others they are intimidating.

'I bet their leaders are hot as fuck,' Patrice purred and I shushed her.

I held on to Davis' arm when we reached the entrance. There were a lot of loitering wolves in the compound, some were already drinking, there were also making out, I even heard someone growling 'mate'.

A lot of mated wolves tonight huh.

My hold on Davis' arm tightened when we got in the venue proper and familiar faces looked. My eyes roamed around the place when the familiar faces began whispering to each other.

"Oh, my gosh. She came."

"After what happened to—"

"Shhh shhh… she's looking at us."

"Gosh, she's always been a creep."

"Right? No wonder Harris rejected her."

Davis dragged me to a table in the corner and didn't let them finish. He sat me down in the corner and Cynthia with David followed.

Mum, dad, and Daven were nowhere to be found. Perhaps mum and dad met with our long relatives from other packs while Daven, I assume, already walked to the dessert corner.

"Don't mind what they said," I heard Davis from the link. I didn't bother responding, just nodded and focused on the small platform with a long table in the center. There were chairs there as well which I assume is for the pack leaders present in the ball.

I sighed when pairs of eyes landed on our table again, earning growls and glares from my brothers and even Cynthia.

'You better not feel ashamed or I will take charge,' Patrice threatened through the link.

'I won't, I won't,' I assured her and took a sip on the glass of wine the waiter situated on our table.

That wasn't a lie. I really do intend on making steps tonight. Stepping out of my comfort zone and so on.

My eyes darted to the platform in the center. A long table with a couple of chairs was set on the platform which I assume is for the pack leaders and even a couple of elders.

Moments later a pair sat down on the long table, if I'm not mistaken they were the leaders of the Silver Lotus. More and more people occupied the room until there were only four empty seats on the long table. I scowled when Michelle looked in my direction. She was the daughter of our pack leaders, making her think she was above everyone in the pack.

"I'm gonna get some food," Cynthia said but was stopped by David. His eyes roamed hers and held her wrist tight.

"No."

"But, I'm hungry," she whined and even stomped her foot.

"I'll go get you food then," David didn't give her a chance and left after giving her a kiss on her cheeks.

Moments later I stood up from my seat, earning glances from others.

"Where are you going?" Davis frowned.

"Relax," I told him. "I'll be in the loo."

"Oh, I can go with you!" Cynthia volunteered.

"I doubt David would like to see you missing when he gets back," Davis glared at her and she just rolled her eyes.

I just laughed at them and told them I'd be quick. On the way to the bathroom, I would get a couple of stares. I stood tall and raised my chin. A few heads from the Crimson Summit even turned when I passed and I felt my cheeks burned.

I immediately ran to the bathroom and went into a stall, hiding in embarrassment.

I was peeing when I heard the door open and a couple of girls were squealing.

"Did you see how good Alpha Raven looked?" one nearly screamed.

"He's so fit to be an alpha. Good looks! I could go in heat despite not being mated," her friend said and I nearly laughed.

"Did you see that girl from Ambersy Pack?"

“Michelle? Ugh, I can’t stand her.”

“No, the one in the red dress with different eyes.”

“Yes! She looks beautiful.”

The weight in my chest lightened a little.

But then the door flew open. Michelle. Her eyes locked onto mine in the mirror, her smile cold.

“You think you can stand there and not bow?” she sneered, grabbing my arm so hard I smelled blood. “You have some nerve, showing your face after what happened with Harris.”

My vision darkened as Patrice snarled inside me. My voice came out low and steady, teeth clenched. “Let. Me. Go.”

Michelle’s nails dug deeper. “Why are you even here?”

That question snapped something in me.

My eyes turned black as Patrice surged forward. “If you don’t let go, you’ll regret it.”

Michelle’s bravado faltered, but her own wolf glimmered in her gaze. Before she could grab my hair, I kicked her, sending her stumbling into the sink.

“You’ll pay for that!” she shrieked.

She lunged, dragging me to the ground by my hair. Nails scratched my skin, but I didn’t fight back fully—I knew they’d blame me. Finally, I kicked her away and stumbled to my feet.

Breathing hard, I rushed back toward the ballroom, hearing her furious scream behind me.

She was struggling to get back on her feet when I made my way to the door. For some reason, I was proud of what had happened. I gave her a smirk which made her scream in anger. She jumped to me and grabbed my hair, dragging me to the floor with her.

She clawed me, grabbed my hair while screaming. I did my best not to hit her or anything, I knew I would still be at fault once our pack knows. I can feel her nails digging to my skin and before she could land another claw, I quickly kicked her stomach and got to my feet.

My body was aching from what she did as I ran outside to the ball. Moments later, I heard her scream from the bathroom and I assumed she began chasing after me.

"SUERENITY!"

I was catching my breath when I got to the ballroom and all eyes were on me. Deep breaths I took in as I held on my knees. I could hear gasps from everyone and a few people called out my name out of shock. Everyone stopped eating and I met the eyes of the pack leaders, then I turned to my family. My brothers and even father let out a protective growl and they made their way to me when Michelle came in the room, wailing.

"She attacked me!" she cried. "That criminal attacked me!"

And all of a sudden, all eyes were on me again. The alpha and luna of our pack along with some pack members tended to her while she cried her eyes out. My family made their way to me to make sure I was okay. I had visible bleeding claw marks on my arms and my cheek was stinging, I was sure she scratched my face as well. All the time I was just looking at how Michelle manipulated the people in front of her. They checked her for wounds and when they saw a bruise on her arm, the alpha growled before turning to me and my blood went cold.

"Arrest her!"