Alpha Hale II

Arabella POV

I didn’t argue again, there was no point.

I took the box and turned away, walking back to my room.

I placed the box on my bed and lifted the lid slowly, revealing the

red gown inside.

It was stunning.

It wasn’t the soft, timid kind of color I was used to wearing. This red was deep and bold, enough to command attention without asking for it.

It didn’t feel like something meant for me.

I sat on the edge of the bed staring at the dress, a quiet knot forming in my stomach.

“Arabella!”

My shoulders stiffened.

“Hurry up”

“I’m coming”

I stood up and lifted the gown out of the box carefully. The fabric was soft and heavy in my hands.

It looked too expensive. Too beautiful.

I hesitated for a moment before starting to undress. If I delayed any longer, she would come in herself and that would be worse.

Slowly I slipped into the gown, careful not to pull too hard on the delicate fabric. When I finally turned towards the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize the girl staring back at me.

The red made me look different, my skin looked paler and my eyes larger.

I swallowed.

“Arabella!”

Her voice came again and I sighed.

“I’m coming”

I yelled back as I quickly made my way towards the door.

When I stepped into the living room, Sophia’s smile vanished from her face.

For a brief moment, she just stared at me, her eyes moving slowly from my shoulders down to the hem of the gown like she was inspecting something she didn’t like.

“It’s nice” she muttered, tossing her hair back like nothing had happened.

“Well” my stepmother’s voice cut through the silence. “Don’t just stand there, we need to leave soon”

I nodded quietly.

Just as the silence settled over the room, a sharp knock sounded on the door.

All of us froze.

“Were we expecting anyone?” My stepmother asked, a small frown settling on her face.

No one answered.

My father moved first, walking towards the door with slow steps. He opened the door and a man in a perfectly fitted black suit stood outside.

“I’m here to escort the Hart family to the ball”

He announced and my stepmother let out a soft gasp.

Sophia’s eyes lit up instantly.

“I knew it” she whispered, a pleased smile spreading across her face. “Of course Lucas sent a car”

The driver moved forward, opening the door and Sophia climbed in without hesitation.

My stepmother followed after her.

My father gestured for me to go next.

I paused for the briefest moment before stepping forward and sliding into the seat.

The ride was quiet at first but Sophia eventually filled the silence, talking about how everything was finally falling into place, how tonight mattered to her as the future Luna, how people would see her. My stepmother hummed along, pleased.

I stared out the window.

The streets changed as we drove, smaller homes replaced by wider roads, taller gates. My chest tightened the farther we went.

Then the gates appeared. They opened slowly, revealing an enormous long driveway. At the end of it stood the enormous mansion.

It was beautiful.

I swallowed nervously. This was Alpha Hale’s home.

We stepped out of the car and I could feel eyes on us. Whispers started before we even reached the steps.

As we stepped inside, the doors swung open to reveal a beautiful decorated grand hall that stole my breath.

Laughter, Music, the soft clicks of glasses filled the hall. The mansion was overwhelming, high ceilings, marble floors, enormous chandeliers.

Sophia walked ahead confidently, her arms linked with my stepmother’s as they soaked in the attention. I felt out of place.

Just as I turned to leave, a familiar hand suddenly grabbed me.

“Arabella” he murmured and I froze.