“The Night I Was Meant to Be Invisible”

The ballroom was massive.

There were crystal chandeliers, twenty-foot ceilings, marble floors.

I knelt there, cleaning. 

My knees hurt. My hands were raw. And I was starving as I’d skipped breakfast to get started early.

But I kept going.

The pack hired cleaners yesterday and the place was sparkling clean but Morgana, my stepmother had said I must do it again.

She was the one hosting the ceremony and was in charge. There was no other reason for her making me clean a place that was already clean other than the fact that she liked watching me suffer.

My mom had died when I was a baby. To combat loneliness and find someone to raise his daughter, my father married another woman; Morgana, who came with her daughter from her firsr marriage, Celeste.

But then Dad died when I was eight and she completely changed her attitude towards me, treating me less than a dog in my own house. Her daughter was no better and she made my life a living hell.

I moved to the windows next, wiping down glass that was already spotless.

Through them, I could see the forest surrounding our property. Thick trees, wild and dark. Sometimes I thought about just running. Disappearing into those woods and never coming back.

“You missed a spot.”

I looked back. Morgana stood behind me, dressed in flashy navy gown. She was beautiful alright, but cold.

My stepmother. The woman who’d married my father and then made my life hell the second he died.

“I’m not done cleaning.”

“Clearly.” She walked into the ballroom, heels clicking on the marble. “The ceremony starts in six hours. Think you can finish by then?”

“I’ll finish.”

“You better. Celeste wants everything perfect.” She paused in front of me. “This is an important night for our family. For our pack. The Alphas choosing mates from BloodMoon…..it will bring us power, prestige, alliances. We can’t afford any embarrassments.”

Translation: Don’t screw this up.

“I understand.”

“Do you?” She tilted her head, studying me. “Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that head of yours. You’re so… quiet. Obedient. Don’t you ever get angry?”

All the time. Every single day.

“No, ma’am.”

“Liar.” But she smiled slightly. “That’s fine. Keep your secrets. Just stay out of sight tonight. The last thing we need is you reminding everyone that the Winter family produced a wolfless failure.”

The words stung. They always did.

“I’ll stay in my room.”

“Good girl.” She turned to leave, then stopped. “Your father would be disappointed, you know. He had such high hopes for you. Thought you were special somehow. But look at you now…..scrubbing floors like a servant. Some legacy.”

She left before I could respond. Not that I would have. What was there to say?

I went back to cleaning.

-----

By six o’clock, I was ready to collapse.

Everything was done. Ballroom: spotless. Entrance hall: gleaming. Dining rooms: perfect. Kitchen: immaculate. Bathrooms: cleaner than they’d ever been. Even the gardens were trimmed and pretty.

I’d worked for thirteen straight hours with no breaks.

My whole body ached. My stomach was eating itself. I had blisters on my hands from the cleaning supplies.

But it was done.

I dragged myself upstairs, past Celeste’s suite where I could hear music playing and girls laughing. She’d invited friends over to get ready together. Must be nice.

I was hungry. There were leftovers in the kitchen probably.

But I couldn’t move.

From downstairs, I heard voices. Morgana and Celeste, getting ready to leave. More laughter. Excitement.

“You look stunning, darling.”

“Thanks, Mother. Do you think they’ll all feel it? The bonds?”

“With your bloodline? Absolutely. You’re perfect for them.”

Perfect. Right.

I closed my eyes.

Somewhere across town, the ceremony was starting. Wolves were gathering, dressed in their finest, hoping to find their fated mates. The four Alphas would be there, powerful and gorgeous and looking for their perfect matches.

And Celeste would get everything she wanted.

While I stayed here. Alone. Worthless.

“You’re having a pity party,” I told myself. “Stop it.”

But I couldn’t.

Because tomorrow, Celeste would come home bonded to four incredible Alphas.

I soon heard the front door close and the car pulling away.

Silence.

I should sleep. Tomorrow would be hell

…..…..…..

I couldn’t sleep.

The bonding ceremony had begun.

I was on my way to clean the kitchen when I heard music and laughter. There was the distant sound of celebration and clinking of glasses too.

The ceremony grounds weren’t far. Maybe half a mile through the woods. Close enough that on a quiet night like this, you could hear everything.

I should go to my room. Stay out of sight like Morgana ordered.

But I soon found myself going to the terrace instead. I was curious. I wanted to see .

From where I was, I saw the twinkling lights and trees. It was a big outdoor ballroom under the stars.

There were lanterns strung up, tables laden with food and a raised platform where the Alphas would stand.

I’d never seen it in person. But I’d heard Celeste describe it a thousand times.

“Just a quick look,” I muttered. “Five minutes. Then I’ll come back.”

I sneaked into the gardens and went into the woods. My heart beat wildly as I raced there. If they caught me I’m dead. But…but…

The music got louder as I got closer. I could hear voices now, conversations overlapping.

“Did you see Celeste? She looks incredible.”

“Of course she does. She’s been preparing for this her whole life.”

“The Alphas just arrived. Holy shit, they’re even more gorgeous in person.”

“Who among them do you think will bond first?”

I finally got there. The view was breathtaking. The ceremony screamed luxury and class.

There were so many people.

And wolves. 

There were about three hundred people, all dressed in classy outfits, laughing and drinking. It was like they were in a different world. A different world from me.

Four men stood on the raised platform.

They were different, moee classy, important. I could tell from how everyone looked at them with awe ans reverence.

The Alphas.