C06: The Marshall's Shari Ball [1]

[THE DAY OF THE EVENT]

"The Shari ball is today. Make sure you present yourself well. I will not be embarrassed because of you. Be on your best behavior,” Aztec said to Sandra as he walked down the stairs to the living room. 

He looked dashing today, but when was he not? 

Sandra had already gotten used to it, and even though they had barely been married for a week, she was determined to keep her grandmother alive, and that included being on her best behavior with this Alpha.

"Yes sire,” Sandra said absentmindedly as she walked to the kitchen. 

She hadn't yet dressed up and was too preoccupied with whether the people who would come to the ball would like it. Sure, she had done her best to make the event a success, but what if her best wasn't what they all wanted? 

What if her best was their bare minimum? 

She had never doubted herself while she had been preparing for the ball, but now that everything was set and ready, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Life was really on her neck this time. 

Maybe she would have a better one with all that was happening, but was that even a guarantee when she was controlled by the narrative of saving her grandmother?

"You— anyway, remember that we are married, and need to show the wolves that we are one. So get dressed and meet me at the front porch in thirty minutes. I still gotta see how Beatrice is doing,” Aztec said as he walked out. 

The mention of Beatrice was like a terrible reminder that Sandra would always come second. Well, this time, she wasn't worried about being the second choice of the Alpha. He didn’t care for her and she didn’t mind. 

"I’m sorry,” Aztec whispered right before he closed the door. Sandra had heard him loud and clear, and for a moment, she thought Aztec was apologizing to her then again, why would the oh-so-mighty Alpha apologize to a lowly human like her? 

Why would he even care about her when this was all just a farce for the werewolf community?

"Goddess, grant me patience today,” Sandra said, pouting herself some water. 

She knew the day was going to be hectic and considering the way it had begun, she honestly didn't have any hope for herself. But she was strong. She was a good human. 

Surely that had to count for something, right?

"Check everything. Today must be a success,” Sandra said to Gemma, her assistant over the phone. The woman had been overworked too and Sandra actually felt bad for her, but what else could they do? 

They were both women who talked about making the impossible happen and they had delivered. Hopefully, this wouldn't be regarded as a low performance. 

"Yes, Sandra. Stop freaking out, everything is okay alright. We did great. I’m just in the lobby and everyone is wowed by everything. I must say, our sleepless nights really paid off,” her assistant told her and she just let out a sigh of relief. 

It was one thing to see that they had worked and it was something else for others to be appreciating them. If that was the case, then she was safe, even just for the moment.

"Alright, I’ll be there soon,” Sandra said and hung up. She was already done dressing up and was waiting for the Alpha to come back from his visit to his girlfriend. It was a reality that Sandra had come to terms with and frankly, she wasn't going to oppose it, ever. 

The only thing she could hope for right now, was for Scarlet to show up and take her rightful place beside the great Alpha of doom.

"Broderick, is my husband back?” Sandra asked. She knew that the servants didn't know of their relationship and even the terms of their agreement. Spiling that would go against the very agreement she and Aztec had signed.

"Yes, Luna. He’s… here,” Broderick said, his smile widening as he stared at Sandra. The Luna was currently dressed in a long lavender dress that made her stand out. She had her make-up perfectly done, and looked like a goddess herself. 

Amusedly, Sandra looked in the direction of where Broderick was staring at, and boy was she surprised. There before her, was the Alpha Aztec, and he had a bouquet of freshly picked white lilies in his hands. 

He looked quite ridiculous with the flowers, but the smile on his face was golden. He looked like he had just won the jackpot, and frankly Sandra was confused.

"You look so gorgeous, damn, I’m so lucky. Here, my love. I picked these for you,” Aztec said to Sandra who was still in awe of the man before her. He had a black overall on, and had stains of water and pollen on them. 

The tux he had been dressed in was nowhere to be sighted. It was then that Sandra realized one disturbing truth; one that she wasn't sure how to deal with yet.

Aztec hadn't gone to Rose Villa as he had told her. Instead, he had been in the garden, picking white lilies for her. 

'What is he playing at?’ Sandra asked herself, as she received the flowers from Aztec. Still in shock, she watched the Alpha strip from the overall to reveal his tux which was as neat as ever. She was looking for hints of some sort of game, and weirdly, there weren't any. 

Broderick looked like he was more than happy to see the two of them getting along. So before they could say anything, he spoke.

"Alpha, I’ll help Margery in the kitchen. I believe the lady is yours to drive to the ball, yeah?” Broderick said while painting at Sandra, before he threw the car keys at Aztec, and disappeared from their sight. Of course, he had taken the overall with him before he left. 

"Alright sure,” Aztec said to Broderick before turning to Sandra, "come on, we need to be at the party.”

Sandra Looked at the Alpha and frankly, she didn't even know what she could say. He had been too thoughtful, even if all of these were just for show. She opened the back door of the car, but Aztec was against it.

"I'm not your driver, love.”