"Why do your hands feel like ice?" Rosa asked, glancing at me as the car pulled up to the grand entrance.
"I'm nervous," I admitted quietly, clutching her hand tightly. "This was a bad idea. I shouldn't have come."
She gave me a teasing smirk. "It's just a party, not a death sentence. Relax."
Easy for her to say. Rosa was confident and fearless, and she belonged here. I didn't.
"I don't do fancy crowds," I muttered with shaky breath. "And I definitely don't do royal events."
"Well, tonight you do. So chin up, and smile, and act like you're supposed to be here," she replied.
The car stopped. My heart thudded hard in my chest. As soon as we stepped out, cameras flashed. I froze.
People stood behind the rope barriers with phones, some with actual cameras. The red carpet glowed under our feet, and I felt like I was walking into someone else's life.
Rosa squeezed my hand. "Smile and walk like you own the world."
I forced a smile. It felt strange on my face, but I followed her lead.
After we passed the main entrance, Rosa let go of my hand.
I stopped. "You're leaving me?"
"No, but you go ahead, I'll catch up with you in a minute," she said, softer this time.
I nodded and made my way inside, trying so hard to look as calm as possible, as she had instructed, even when I was melting inside, especially from the hundred gazes gawking at me.
Inside, the hall was massive with glittering chandeliers, shiny marble floors, and hundreds of round tables filled with wolves from different clans. Rosa soon joined me as she led me to her table, where her people welcomed me with kind smiles.
They didn't look down on me. No mocking stares. No whispered insults. I felt comfortable around them, and the act left me speechless.
Because for once, I didn't feel like the poor stray girl, and I didn't feel like a burden to anyone.
I tried not to think about my own family — or what they would say if they saw me here.
Soon the music faded, and the lights dimmed. Then the host's voice echoed through the hall.
"Please rise for Alpha Jaxon."
Everyone stood, chairs scraping the floor. I scrambled to follow.
Then a tall man appeared, looking composed and well dressed in a black suit that hugged his strong frame. His eyes were sharp, cold, and unreadable. He walked with such power, and everyone instinctively stepped back.
My breath caught in my throat. I'd never seen anyone like him before. He didn't need to speak to command attention because is presence was enough.
"Who is he?" I whispered to Rosa.
She smiled. "Oh dear, that's Alpha Jaxon. The most feared and respected Alpha of this pack."
How come I didn't know him? I didn't know how to explain it, but something about him made my skin tingle.
Alpha Jaxon gave a short speech. It was nothing long or dramatic. Then he raised a glass in a quiet toast.
People clapped, as the music started again. Food was served all round.
Rosa leaned in closer. "Now you drink."
I shook my head in disapproval. "I don't drink alcohol."
"You'll survive one glass."
She poured. I hesitated before taking a sip. But then, she poured again and before I knew it, my head was a little fuzzy, and I really had to pee.
"I need the bathroom," I whispered.
She pointed toward a hallway. "Go left, then right. You'll see a gold door."
I followed her directions, but halfway there, someone stepped in front of me.
My heart dropped.
"Cory," I breathed.
His jaw tightened. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't need to explain anything to you," I said quickly. "I just need to go."
"You're wearing mom's earrings. Did you steal them? Who even let you in here? You don't belong here, Aria."
His words hit hard which got me really pissed.
I stepped forward, as my eyes bore holes into him. "Get out of my way, moron."
He didn't move.
So I did something I never did before—I shoved him aside roughly and walked straight into the restroom.
I stayed there for a while. Just breathing and letting the silence wrap around me.
But I knew that Cory would tell my parents, and they'd all find out I was here.
When I stepped out, I didn't head back to the main hall, I walked the other way looking for an exit.
The hallway was quiet, with rich golden walls, velvet curtains, and huge paintings which told me I had wandered into the Royal Wing.
Then I heard voices.
I quickly ducked behind a huge flamingo statue.
Alpha Jaxon walked by, surrounded by two men. I held my breath on seeing them.
"Alpha, should we return?" one of them asked.
"They don't care if I stay," he said.Then a loud meow echoed through the hallway.
I turned to see a fat white cat standing three metres away, hissing and meowing directly at me.
"Holly?" Alpha Jaxon called out to the car. "What's he meowing at?"
Before I could move, two men ran toward the cat. Their eyes followed its line of sight and landed on me.
One of them raised a bow.
I stood up slowly with both hands in the air. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it might burst out of my chest.
"I'm—I'm not a threat," I said, my voice trembling. "I'm just a guest. I got lost. Please don't shoot."
Alpha Jaxon stepped forward. His eyes scanned me from head to toe. He didn't speak right away. He just stared.
His gaze made my knees feel weak, but I didn't dare look at him.
"Bring her forward," he said finally.
I swallowed hard, feeling nervous about what would happen next. Maybe I had broken a rule by entering this part of the royal pack?
This wasn't how my night was supposed to go.
I only came to the party for one night, just to feel like I mattered. Just to stop feeling like garbage, but now, I had the Alpha's full attention.
And I had no idea what that meant for me.
As soon as my eyes met the Alpha's, the moment they brought me to him, something changed inside me.
A warm feeling spread through my chest, making the heavy weight I had been carrying all day feel lighter.
I didn't know why, but I felt a strange pull toward him, like something I couldn't see was drawing me in. My thoughts became a mess.
His face changed too, and he slowly closed his eyes, like he was trying to understand what he was feeling.
Then he opened them and looked straight at me. His eyes were sharper now, and looking more focused.
His lips moved gently as he spoke, like a soft whisper meant only for me.
"Mate?"