“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 wolves mated 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? Don't fucking like her."
"No, no. The one in the red dress and different eyes," I heard and my breath hitched.
"Yes! She looks good, right?" her friend exclaimed and I felt the weight on my chest go light.
"But that Michelle girl is really a bitch, isn't she?"
"Totally. I hear she's a bully…."
I heard the door open and went out of the cubicle myself. I shook my head, it's nice to know someone thinks I look good.
I was washing my hands when suddenly, my nose caught a familiar scent, one I so fucking loath. The doors flung open and in came Michelle. She caught my eye, her expression blank then soon she smiled. Patrice was on guard in case she tried to do anything stupid. I glanced at her in the mirror as she made her way beside me. I just wiped my hands with a tissue before passing her.
"You bitch," she growled and held my arm tight. "How dare you not bow to me? And what a thick face you have to even come here."
My blood was slowly boiling and I could feel my eyes flashing from my normal eye colors to black, Patrice was fighting her way to the front.
'We're not gonna back down. Not any more,' Patrice snarled.
I stared at Michelle's eyes, head on. With no expression on my face which made her angrier as she tightened her hold on my arm, I could feel her nails digging to my skin until blood could be smelled in the room.
"Let. Me. Go." I said in a low voice, gritting my teeth with balled fists. I was already having a hard time reigning Patrice and she had the nerve to laugh.
"Why are you here? You dare show yourself after what happened to Harris?"
That was what pushed most of my buttons. Patrice took charge and my eyes darkened looking at her. I saw fear flash before her eyes.
"You're gonna fucking let go of me or you will be next."
Her mouth hang open until her eyes darkened. She let out a growl herself and before she could take a hold on my hair, I kicked her hard she hit the sink. Her face emitted pain as her back hit the corner of the sink and she let out a whimper.
Michelle looked at me with newly found anger and shouted, "You'll fucking pay for that!"
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.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH!"
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!"
Whispers filled the room as my pack alpha and luna made their way to their daughter. Even a few pack members made their way to her to check her. She was crying hard, a fucking actress, and my pack leaders glared at me and growled. My family came to me and gave them a deadly look. I knew my family would protect me no matter what. However, I was afraid of what our pack would do to them should they take my side. Tears swelled my eyes at the thought of them being tortured. "You hurt her!""You're such a bitch!""Have you not learned your lesson?!" I felt so small with everyone looking at me with disdain. Michelle kept on crying, trying to earn sympathy from everyone. "Arrest her!" our alpha ordered with a blank expression and I panicked. I turned to my family and knew we stood no chance. They couldn't help me with the majority against me. Davis held my arm firmly, and pulled me behind him as if he were shielding me from everyone. He was shaking his head while looking at everyone. I
Petrified looks were shot in the middle of the room. The look of horror could be seen on the faces of Alpha Fred, his luna, and their daughter. I could feel the hands of the guards gripping my arms go cold, they began shaking as the magnificent man let out a growl it felt like the earth shook. They bowed their heads further, exposing their necks of submission. Everyone in the room did and in instinct, I did as well. "Mate!"Hands shaking, knees trembling, palms sweating. I stared at his amber orbs, they held a mixture of rage and desire. My wolf was anxious, excitement rising and a mix of longing despite meeting for the first time. His amber eyes seemed like they would hold so much authority without effort. A tattoo was on his neck, to her exposed chest, his arms, and I wondered which part of him had ink. That thought alone made my wolf and myself feral, heat coming to my cheeks. His shoulders were broad, muscular to his arms, my thoughts wandered to how he could break me with his b
I woke up with a migraine no thanks to the lack of sleep I had, and mainly because I slept at 3 or 4 in the morning. Upon arriving home from the party they had let me come to my room, perhaps they knew I needed to digest everything. It took me hours, staring at the ceiling with my thoughts along with my wolf's all over the place. Happy, I was but then all the thoughts of tomorrow came rushing down to me like a waterfall. I had a mate! A new one! And that itself is something to be ecstatic about but then fear came. What if it's only a matter of time that he rejects me? Harris and I go way back but he said we will take it slow as to why he can't accept me just yet then. Told me to wait, only to be rejected and betrayed. Patrice whined at that thought. 'We have a new mate. He's different,' she said to me. Then the fact that Alpha Salazar Alfonso is a fucking Alpha not only of a pack but the Crimson Summit pack, practically the foundation of all the packs from last night. The backbone
Her wide smile, her cheeks stretched, her nose wrinkled, and her eyes, oh her eyes, sparked brightly. Her eyes. They were hazel olive like Salazar's. Fuck, I'm so stupid. "You must be Salazar's mate!" she was jumping before she ran up to me and held out her hand. "I'm Seraphina Alfonso. Salazar's mate, your future sister-in-law!"I was flabbergasted at how stupid I am, and how I could think of him like that when we barely know each other. I was sad. Harris left me a scar I cannot erase. Perhaps it may no longer sting in pain but the memory of him left a mark and trauma to me. I hope I'd be okay. "I'm so excited to meet you!" Seraphina forced my hand to shake hers and was gonna jump to hug me when I stopped her. "The shattered glass," I explained. "You might hurt yourself."She immediately looked down to the floor and shook her head and pulled me away from the shards. She crushed me in her arms and I didn't know how to react. I looked at Salazar with a puzzled look and he was lo
I was not completely drunk. I was not completely not myself. I was not numb, nor dumb. My senses were there, I can understand whatever that was happening around me. I could comprehend the atmosphere, and at that moment, it was deadly. My mate gave everyone in the room a deadly stare until everyone bowed their heads in submission. Again. Seriously? Is it always gonna be this way? "Salazar, it's okay," Seraphina said. "We were just having fun.""I didn't say you could speak," he growled at his sister who immediately shut up. "I will meet you in the car and we will discuss this when we get home."I hiccuped and snorted a little, gaining the Alpha's attention. He turned at me with his stern look and whispered on my ear, his warm breath and enchanting voice hypnotizing my whole being. "We'll talk too, mate," I squeeled when my stomach hit his broad shoulder. He began walking out of the club while carrying me like a sack of flour. Dizzy with a few drinks, and with him carrying me aroun
Salazar indeed showed me around the pack. If I learned a few yesterday from Seraphina, I learned more in-depth information about things going around the pack. He discussed how I am not allowed to go beyond the borders, rogues are everywhere and despite being strong, we can never truly tell the dangers beyond. It was lunchtime and Salazar had driven us to a restaurant. I felt awkward. A lot of people were looking and although I had said I would start becoming a bit more confident, I couldn't ignore the eyes pointed at us. I was still yearning to please others. After the Jenny incident, I had gotten back to being quite shy around my mate and I would remember how beautiful Jenny was, making me insecure with how I looked and I can barely lift my eyes to meet Salazar's. "Have the maids in my home been nice to you?" he asked. "Yes," I answered as I twisted the pasta with my fork and spoon. "They are very nice and accommodating." "And the guards?" "There are guards?" I didn't even know.
I glared at my mate through our reflection and tried to get up on my paws but his wolf growled and held me tighter. I was fully aware of how intimate our position was. He pinned me to the ground, the sparks were intense despite the fur of our wolves. The scent of his heightened and I had to stop myself to think of illicit things that would surely trigger unwanted pleasure now that our senses are at their near peak. I gave him one last glance through our reflection and sighed before finally giving up. I laid my head on my paws and shifted back to my human form, not caring about the fact I would be butt-naked just beneath my mate. I hate him. I can feel his heavy breathing behind me and I felt my cheeks heat a bit. I was full on display for my mate but then again, he has changed my clothes before, hadn't he? I felt his hot breath on my neck and I jolted a bit. His breath provoked sparks shooting throughout my body and my breathing got heavier as well. I felt his breath travel from
I looked at my tired face in the mirror after a long day. My eyes gazed on the bags that were there, dropping to the flesh of my neck. My eyes lingered for a few moments as my fingers fidgeted on the sink. Tears fell ome by one and I splashed some water on my face before stripping my clothes off and getting in the tub. Taking a bath, my thoughts wandered off to the long day I had. From the moment I woke up this morning, nothing was good. Jenny showing up and my jealousy igniting. My valid feelings of not trusting my mate and yet they are invalidated over and over. The pressure. The expectations. I was barely in college and despite being literate, I wasn't trained to be luna. I had no knowledge in leading. Sure, I can learn but I just need time. Can't he see that? Can't anyone understand that?I was raised being more than just a woman to give babies to her mate. I was raised to become a woman of my own and I was still halfway there. After the incident with Harris, I had slowly pla