CHAPTER 6

LISA

I held my head, thinking it would fall apart any moment. My whole body ached.

Slowly, their faces became clear. Emily and her dad, Zayne, were standing there. I couldn’t stop wondering why they were both staring at me.

“She had a lot to drink last night. She slept in my room, thinking it was hers. I’m just coming back from Grandma’s,” he said.

Just then, I remembered what had happened last night, and I wished the ground would open and swallow me. I had never felt this embarrassed.

“Sorry about that, Dad. She has a lot going on in her mind. I’ll take her with me.”

When Emily stretched her hand for me to get up, all I wanted to do was run away. Zayne’s aura was intimidating enough to make me quiver.

I knew I was walking on eggshells when I stepped into her room instead of dragging pillows with Emily. What exactly did I do last night?

The last time I got tipsy, I ended up in bed with him. I took another step just to check if I felt any pain between my legs. Thankfully, nothing.

“Alcohol doesn’t sit well with you. I’m even surprised Dad allowed you in his room. He hates letting anyone but me on his bed or in his room. Not even Mellissa. He’s strict with his rules.”

Yeah, right… she probably needs to know more about him. Mellissa? The name rang a bell.

“Who is she? I mean, Mellissa?”

“Oh, Dad’s supposed girlfriend who won’t stop trying her luck with him. Trust me, he doesn’t want anything to do with her or any other woman, but Grandma thinks otherwise. She loves her and wants her for Dad… so yeah, she might be the lucky Luna.”

I couldn’t explain why that felt like a betrayal. Stupid of me. Emily’s face wasn’t bright. She kept blinking at nothing.

“What’s wrong, Emily?”

“Ark and two of his brothers are coming for the mate initiation tomorrow. Once the bond is sealed, there’s no going back. The mating and bonding ceremony follows next.”

I honestly thought she’d be over the moon. She spends half her time on the phone talking to him.

Oh… she was having cold feet. Mum said it’s normal for brides-to-be. I had mine too, only that mine was a jerk.

I sat beside her, hugged her, and caressed her hair.

“It will be fine, my love. You’ll make the most beautiful bride. You know I’ll sew you the most stunning outfit. Let me go make you a sandwich.”

Emily always bragged about my sandwiches. Finding the kitchen wasn’t hard.

The chef on duty wanted to take my order, but I politely declined and asked for privacy. I wanted to do this myself. I began taking out the ingredients.

The cutter was on the top shelf, so I climbed the small kitchen ladder to get it. Somehow I missed a step.

My eyes shut tight as I prayed the landing wouldn't be painful. But I wasn’t on the floor.

Even with my eyes closed, I knew that scent. My body reacted again, my hair stood on end, nerves tightening.

“Do you always have a death sentence?” Zayne said.

He set me down. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words tangled, as I stuttered.

I watched him pick something up and leave the kitchen, and I swallowed hard, wiping the sweat from my cheekbone.

“Calm down, Lisa…”

******

It was D-Day. I could feel it would be a big feast, judging by the table arrangements and the amount of food displayed.

Emily still hadn’t shaken off her nerves, but I knew she’d be fine.

I dressed in the simple black gown I bought when I went out with Zayne. The thought alone sent butterflies to my stomach. Funny how this Christmas became the most memorable one of my life.

I stepped out of my room, eager to meet the guests and cheer Emily up. I was excited to finally see Ark, until I bumped into someone.

But it wasn’t Zayne this time. A grumpy-looking woman glared at me like I had dirt on my face.

She strangely sniffed the air. “Why can’t I sense who you are? Tell me, are you from this pack?”

“No, ma. I’m Emily’s best friend. I’m here for the Christmas holiday.” That came out too fast.

Damn. I meant to blend in. Would she know I’m human since they don’t celebrate Christmas?

The woman stepped closer with a mean expression. I felt my blood drain.

“A human? The nerve of you to…”

“Grandma!” Emily’s voice came at the perfect time.

“She is my friend and our guest. You won’t misbehave around her, right? You know Dad will be pissed.”

The woman gave me one more glare before walking off.

Was that Zayne’s mother?

“I’m sorry, Lisa. Grandma can be a hard nut to crack. Come on, the guests are here.”

I followed her, though part of me was still scared. Downstairs felt alive.

Zayne was laughing at something, and honestly… I wished he’d do that more often.

“That is Ark, the one in the white suit. He loves white. The one beside him is Ink… his brother.”

Finally, she smiled. I had to pinch her to stop her from drooling.

Soon we were all seated around a big round dining table while the maids served food. I was lost in their world.

From what I gathered, the ceremony would commence tomorrow.

“Thanks for the food. My brother and I want to rest. Tomorrow will be a big day,” Ark said.

It seemed all werewolves were born beautiful, because the two brothers are also cute.

Emily excused herself and took them upstairs, leaving me in awkward silence.

When I couldn’t take her grandmother’s stare anymore, I excused myself and went to Emily’s room.

Now I wished I had gone to mine instead, because what I saw left my mouth hanging open.