Ch: 4 HER PROMISE.

YARA’S POV

I wanted to believe her, but the memory of Mother’s glare still burned in my mind.

“Tia,” I said softly, “she doesn’t want me there. She said I’d make a mockery of our family. What if she gets angry again? What if she causes a scene?”

Tiana reached for my hands and squeezed them. “She won’t. I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“I can,” she said firmly. “I’ll be right there. I’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything. You’ll sit beside me, and we’ll just smile through it, alright?”

Her voice was so full of warmth that for a moment, I almost forgot how scared I was.

Still, my chest tightened. “Tia, I don’t want to make things worse. Everyone will laugh. They’ll whisper about how the Hawthorne disappointment finally decided to show her face.”

She frowned slightly and touched my cheek. “Let them talk. You don’t have to prove anything to them. You’re still my sister. That’s enough.”

Hearing her call me her sister made my eyes sting again. She always said it so easily, even when Mother didn’t.

I looked down at her shoulder. The bruise from the whip was still visible beneath the fabric. “You’re hurt,” I murmured. “You shouldn’t even be moving around.”

Tiana chuckled lightly. “You forget I’m a Beta. I heal faster than you think.”

She said it teasingly, not boastfully, but the reminder still stung. I wasn’t a Beta. I wasn’t anything.

“I’ll think about it,” I whispered.

She smiled and tapped my forehead lightly. “That means yes.”

“No,” I said quickly, pouting a little. “It doesn’t.”

“It does,” she teased. “Besides, I already told Mother you’d be coming.”

My head snapped up. “You what?”

Tiana giggled. “You wouldn’t say no to me anyway. You never do.”

“That’s not fair,” I said, trying to sound upset but failing miserably. She was right, I never could say no to her.

Her expression softened again. “You’ve been through too much lately, Yara. You need to breathe a little. Wear something pretty, eat something nice. Just for one night, forget about all of it.”

“I can’t forget,” I said quietly.

“Then try,” she whispered.

Her eyes held that same gentle determination I’d always admired in her. Seeing it made my resolve crumble.

“Okay,” I finally said, nodding weakly. “I’ll come.”

Her smile grew brighter. “Good. I’ll have one of the maids bring you a dress.”

“I don’t have anything to wear…”

“I’ll take care of it,” she interrupted. “You just rest until then. I’ll make sure everything is perfect.”

I didn’t know what to say. I just stared at her, wondering how someone so kind could come from the same woman who despised me.

“Tia,” I said quietly, “why are you always so good to me?”

She blinked, then smiled softly. “Because you’re my little sister. And because someone has to be.”

My throat tightened, and before I could stop myself, I hugged her again. She laughed a little and hugged me back.

“I’ll see you tonight,” she said, pulling away.

“Okay,” I whispered.

After she left, I sat on my bed for a long while, staring at the closed door. My heart felt heavier and lighter all at once.

I was terrified of facing everyone again, terrified of the whispers and stares, but Tiana’s words replayed in my mind.

“Just for one night, forget about all of it.”

Maybe I could try. Maybe I could stand beside her and smile. Maybe, if I was lucky, Mother would leave me alone.

I sighed, leaning back against the pillows. The window was still open, the evening air cool against my skin. Somewhere outside, music was already playing faintly, the musicians probably rehearsing for the banquet.

I thought of Tiana’s smile. Of her promise.

And despite my fear, a small part of me hoped she was right.

Maybe tonight would be different.

That evening, Tiana came into my room carrying a dress wrapped in soft silk.

“Stand up,” she said, her tone bright. “Let me see you.”

I obeyed quietly, and she unwrapped the dress. It was pale blue with silver patterns that shimmered faintly under the candlelight.

“Tia, it’s beautiful,” I whispered.

“Of course it is. You deserve to look beautiful.”

She helped me dress, fixing my hair and brushing it gently. Every touch of her hand was careful, as though she didn’t want to cause me pain.

When she finished, she stood back and smiled proudly. “Perfect.”

I turned toward the mirror. For a second, I didn’t recognize myself. My hair framed my face softly, and the dress fit just right.

“You look beautiful,” Tiana said again, her eyes full of affection.

I swallowed hard. “You’re just saying that.”

“I’m not,” she insisted. “Wait until everyone sees you.”

I gave a small nervous laugh. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

She squeezed my shoulder gently. “Don’t be. Just walk beside me and hold your head high.”

When we arrived at the banquet hall, music and laughter filled the air. The grand chandeliers sparkled, and the scent of wine and roses hung thick.

We barely made it to the entrance when the guards stopped us.

“Identification, please,” one of them said politely.

Tiana stepped forward confidently. “Tiana Hawthorne, Beta of the Hawthorne family.”

The guard nodded in acknowledgment and turned to me. “And you, miss?”

I froze. My throat went dry. What was I supposed to say? I wasn’t a Beta, or a Gamma, or even an Omega. I was… nothing.

“I…” I stammered, lowering my gaze.

The silence stretched, and I could already feel the eyes on us. My heart began to race.

“She’s my sister,” Tiana said quickly, stepping in front of me. “Yara Hawthorne. She’s with me.”

The guards hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside. “Of course, Lady Tiana.”

I let out a shaky breath as we walked in. My hands were trembling.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Tiana turned to me and said firmly, “Don’t thank me. Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Don’t let anyone belittle you tonight. No one.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”

We walked further inside, but I could already feel the whispers following me.

“Is that her?” someone murmured behind us.

“The one who couldn’t shift?” another voice snickered.

My stomach twisted. I tried to ignore them, but their words clung to me like shadows.

Tiana leaned closer and whispered, “Ignore them.”

I nodded again, though my chest felt tight. The laughter and music grew louder, but all I could think about was the way people looked at me, like I didn’t belong.

After a while, I excused myself. “I just need some fresh air,” I told Tiana.

She gave me a worried look but nodded. “Don’t stay out too long.”

I walked out to the garden terrace. The night air was cool and smelled faintly of jasmine. The sound of the party faded behind me.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. My heart still raced from everything that happened inside.

Then I saw him.

Standing a few feet away, dressed in black, his silver hair catching the moonlight. He turned slightly, and our eyes met.

Riel.

My childhood friend. The Alpha heir to the Blackthorn pack. Our pack.

He looked the same, and yet not the same. Older. Stronger. His eyes lingered on me in quiet surprise.

For a moment, everything around me went still.