章 9: A Beauty's Debut to the Pack
"I'm not wearing that."
I cross my arms facing, sneering at the lace dress in my view. Ophelia smiles wide, completely oblivious of the racy outfit right next to her bright face. She waves the dress in front of me and I swat it away from my view. Everytime the maids enter my room, there is always something that the Alpha wants from me. And today, the Alpha wants me to wear this…outfit. Ugh.
"Please, Mel, you have to wear the traditional dress for the Mate Ceremony."
"Why that outfit? It looks as if it belongs to a hooker."
"This garment is to show off the chosen mate to the crowd looking at you in awe–"
"Crowd?" I repeat. "Yeah, I'm definitely not wearing that."
Ophelia lets out a loud groan. "Solaria, can you please help me out over here?"
Silence.
"Solaria…" Ophelia's voice trails off. Where that supposed to have a sunkissed red hair woman leaning on the doorframe is now nowhere in sight. I followed Ophelia out of the bathroom I was planning on locking myself in all day until the Mate Ceremony, but the maids had caught me before I could enact on my plans.
Sitting at the edge of my bed is Solaria. She held on to a parchment paper sitting on her lap, and nagging a yellow fowler that had grown a bit brown like it had been sitting in the sun for a while. Her face is completely at ease. Smiling for the first time I've known her.
"Solaria, what are you doing? I need help with Melanie. She's being stubborn again."
She opens her amber, startled like a child caught in the act. "Oh stars, how long have you all been looking at me?"
"What's that in your hands?" I gesture to the paper.
"Oh, this. It's nothing." Solaria slips the paper close to her. Trying to hide it away from the both of us, which makes me suspicious of what's written in the letter.
"Nothing? Then why are you blushing right now?" Ophelia spread into a mewl.
"I said it was nothing. Let me be instead of poking your heads in my private affairs." Though Solaria still looked pretty upset, a dark red tint still formed across her face. I match Ophelia's smirk, now mischief all over her innocent face. With the blink of an eye, Ophelia grabs the paper from her before Solaria could hang on to it.
The both of us ran into the bathroom before Solaria could catch up with us. We giggle listening to Solaria's exasperated sigh brought out by the banging on the door. Ophelia brings the paper up to our faces in the dimly lit bathroom.
"My dearest Solaria, my first sunrise and first sunrest before I go to bed," Ophelia reads the content on the letter. "I wish I could be there to see your beautiful face, however I have been busy with snow for many days and I cannot leave where I am. The rebels have been on our tails, and I cannot risk leaving the poor villagers at their mercy. I wish to see you soon. Wait for me, Elias. P.s I came across a sea of sunflowers, and it reminded me of you. I hope you love the ones I managed to pick. I know by the time it reaches you, it might have started browning. Till we meet again, my love."
"Solaria, who is Elias?" I ask through the door.
"Shut up!" she yells from behind the door, shame rattling behind her voice. I open the door to meet Solaira;s wraith but she doesn't do anything to us. She grabs the paper and cuddles it close to her body.
"Who is Elias?"
"That is none of your business."
"Elias is her secret lover. She sends her letters once every few full moons expressing how much he loves her." Ophelia coos.
"Shut your mouth."
"How come you never told us anything, human. You're not my best friend."
"Don't mind Solaria. She doesn't like it when people look into her private life."
"What about you, Ophelia? Why don't you tell Mel about Oscar."
Her face turns red.
"I already know." I shrug.
A knock sounds into the room. The door opened before anyone could speak. I immediately freeze in place, feeling the air in the room sucked out by Madame Fara helping herself in. Her canes crack into the floor. Her dark eyes reflected my scared face.
"M–Madame Fara, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at the hall." Solaria Bows her head, followed by Ophelia.
"How can I enjoy myself at the ballroom, when I have to oversee everything that occurs within these walls. And it seems my worries are correct." She brings the cane in front of her. "Why is the human not dressed? It is almost time for her to attend the ball."
"Sorry, we got sidetracked. It was my fault."
"Is anything ever your fault, Ophelia. I'm aware your Cerluis people love to hang on to your youth, but learn to grow up. You're working for the Alpha, and I'd expect you to take your job seriously."
"I–" she stampers.
"And Solaria, you should know better." Her dark gazes eyes the paper in her hand. "Of course, why should I expect more from you? You're just the same as her."
"Don't talk to them like that."
Madame Fara's eyebrows raise. The sounds of her coming towards me, sounds like my heart beat pumping through my chest. I'd expect Madame Fara to slap me across the face but she just stares into my soul. "Oh, I see the lady of the hour has some spunk left in her. I suggest for you to learn to keep that mouth of yours shut because this is the last night you will ever be shown any grace."
"Since when have you shown me any grace?" I mumble under my breath but Madame Fara seems to have heard. I almost forget werewolves have the ability to hear things from miles. Dammit.
I step into the crowded room, the air thick with anticipation and the smell of musty books. The sound of hushed whispers fills my ears as I navigate through the sea of people, searching for a quiet corner where I can lose myself in the pages of a captivating novel. My gaze scans the room, finally settling on an empty chair nestled between towering bookshelves. As I make my way towards the vacant seat, a peculiar sensation washes over me. A prickling on the back of my neck makes me turn around, and there, standing across the room, is Madame Fara. Her cold, calculating eyes meet mine, and in an instant, I feel a chill crawl down my spine. It's as if time stands still, and the weight of her piercing gaze feels suffocating.
I shake off the unease, trying to convince myself it's a mere figment of my imagination. But as I mumble something under my breath, I notice Madame Fara's expression harden, her glare intensifying. The atmosphere changes, and the once buzzing room suddenly feels devoid of life. My heart skips a beat, and I can't help but feel a sense of foreboding. In that moment, Madame Fara takes a step towards me, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she were gliding across the floor. Every eye in the room follows her, their gazes fixed upon this imposing figure. She approaches me with an air of authority, her presence overpowering like that of a menacing witch from a storybook.
"What was that, dear?" her voice cuts through the silence, each word dripping with a subtle threat. I can feel the weight of her scrutiny bearing down on me, and my mouth runs dry. Panic wells up inside me, and I struggle to find my voice.
"I... I was just... um... talking to myself," I stammer, my words barely audible. Fear and confusion tangle within me, and I desperately try to piece together what I could have possibly done to draw Madame Fara's attention.
Madame Fara's eyes narrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Talking to yourself, you say?" she repeats, her voice laced with mockery. "Be careful, dear. Sometimes the words we speak in solitude carry far more weight than we realize."
Her words hang in the air, a warning disguised as a cryptic riddle. The room seems to hold its breath, waiting for my response. I swallow hard, summoning every ounce of courage within me.
"I..," I manage to say, my voice trembling. "It was just a passing thought, nothing more."
Madame Fara studies me for a moment, her gaze unwavering. Then, with a dismissive wave of her hand, "Keep the girl under control. The others will be waiting on the Alpha's fated mate shortly." She turns and glides away, leaving me standing there, shaken and bewildered.
I let out a sigh as soon as she left.
"What a bitch."
"Hey!" Ophelia says. "That's really rude."
"What? bitch?"
"Don't say that. It's offensive around here."
"Sorry guys." I slump down on the bed. "I'm just not myself today."
"I don't blame you." Solaria sits beside me. "It's a very special day today."
"You mean the day the Alpha officially takes claim on me?"
"I mean its more of a party debuting you into our pack but I guess you can say it that way."
I let out a groan. Staying here is becoming more and more of a nightmare to me. And before I do not find a way out of this place, it's going to get a lot worse.
"You guys heard what Madam Fara says. We have to get going now."
"Ophelia is right. Let's get moving."
I lie on my bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in my own world of thoughts. The soft glow of moonlight seeps through the curtains, casting a tranquil ambiance in the room. It's one of those rare moments of solitude that I cherish, where I can simply be, without the weight of obligations and social gatherings pressing down on me.
Solaria, my vivacious and adventurous friend, sits beside me on the bed, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and impatience. She nudges me gently, a plea evident in her voice. "Get up, Mel. Please," she says, her words laced with an irresistible hint of mystery.
Ophelia, the quieter and more introspective of the two, stands by the door, hesitant yet supportive. She gazes at me with a knowing smile, her eyes shimmering with secrets yet untold. "If you do this, then we'll take you to a secret place in the palace," she whispers, her voice carrying a note of anticipation.
Solaria shoots Ophelia a warning glance, but it's too late. My interest has already been piqued, and curiosity ignites a spark within me. "Secret place?" I inquire, unable to contain my intrigue.
Ophelia's smile widens, and she steps closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, it's a hidden hall nestled among the palace walls. A place where Solaria and I escape the confines of the palace, a sanctuary away from prying eyes."
My heart skips a beat at the thought of such a clandestine retreat, hidden within the grandeur of the palace itself. The allure of adventure and the promise of something different entice me, like a moth drawn to a flickering flame. The mundane party downstairs suddenly pales in comparison to the untold wonders that await within those concealed walls.
I push myself up from the bed, a surge of determination coursing through my veins. "Lead the way," I say, a flicker of anticipation shining in my eyes.
Solaria and Ophelia exchange a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. With a shared nod, they lead me out of the room and into the labyrinthine corridors of the palace. Each step brings us closer to the hidden hall, our footsteps echoing in the silence of the night.
I walk down the dimly lit hallway, flanked by Solaria and Ophelia. The sound of our footsteps reverberates against the cold stone walls, echoing into the depths of the hall. As we approach the distant source of chattering, a mix of nervousness and excitement churns in the pit of my stomach.
Back in my hometown, parties were exclusive events reserved only for those of high social standing. The idea of attending a party, let alone one rumored to involve werewolves, is a completely foreign concept to me. Uncertainty grips me, and I find myself wondering what lies ahead, unsure of what to expect in this unfamiliar world.
Solaria senses my apprehension and squeezes my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Mel," she whispers, her voice a soothing balm. "Just embrace the unknown and let the night unfold."
Ophelia offers a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of empathy and excitement. "We're here to guide you, Mel," she says softly. "It's an opportunity to experience something new, something beyond the boundaries of what you've known."
The chattering grows louder as we approach the grand entrance to the party. My heart quickens its pace, anticipation mingling with unease. The air is thick with an energy I've never encountered before, a blend of exhilaration and trepidation that hangs heavy in the atmosphere.
As we step into the lavish ballroom, a kaleidoscope of colors and laughter greets us. The room is filled with an eclectic mix of guests, their vibrant costumes and enchanting masks adding an air of mystery. Werewolves, elegant yet slightly unsettling in their human forms, mingle among the crowd, their eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
Apparently, standing here is all enough to capture my attention, and the Alpha's full eyes on me.
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