Chapter 33

Miranda

I step out of the car and into the warm night. Classical music can be heard from outside my father’s home, a place that I used to call home. It feels weird to come back here, melancholic too. I can’t let my past emotions hinder me from my mission…that’s for later.

My hands smooth over the wrinkled fabric of my dark purple dress. The thin material is smooth against my skin and flows with every movement I make. I walk towards the house and move up the front stairs with ease.

I can feel multiple pairs of eyes on me. Their gazes burn into my skin and it feels as if I’m being poked and prodded in some sick science experiment. I’m their lab rat and they are all the scientists who wish to know how I operate.

A young werewolf pops out from beside me and I fake a smile. He extends his arm to me, which I take despite my better judgment, and I walk with him for the final steps.

“You are magnificent,” he takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles. I raise an eyebrow at him and pull my hand back, placing it behind my back. “May I please accompany you inside?”

“No…I don’t think so,” the words leave my mouth before I can think about what to say. His eyes widen. I make sure to keep my composure cool. I reach out and pat his shoulder, whispering, “Maybe next time,” before walking towards the front door.

The servants at the door, who look very familiar to me, open the double doors at the same time.

The inside of my father’s home is lavishly decorated. White decorations are spread across the home in various forms. Long silk ribbons, pristine white tablecloths, white flowers, and even pearls can be found around the house.

It honestly makes me want to gag.

The only source of color comes from people’s clothes, but even then, many of them have dressed themselves to go along with the white theme.

My eyes land on the trio that I’m here for. My father and Harper wear matching black outfits whereas Lily wears a white ballgown with a train that looks reminiscent of a bride’s veil. I roll my eyes.

Could they be more obvious with their intention? Is everyone eating out of the hand of the Silvertail Pack now? It’s laughable, really!

I keep my distance from them, not wanting to blow my cover too soon. Someone bumps into me and I quickly apologize, keeping my head low so they don’t see my face. It’s not like they’d recognize me anyway.

It was only five years ago that I would have worked at an event that my father held. During these jobs, I’ve learned that submission works best when in the wolf’s den. If you show yourself to be nothing more than someone to be ordered around, then they’ll leave you alone. They won’t even look you in the eyes when they grab a champagne flute off of your tray.

It’s demeaning, yes, but is ultimately the best way to go if you want to go unnoticed, servant or not.

Fingernails dig into my skin and I’m ripped to the side. I gasp and look at Lily, who drags me off into a nearby hallway. It’s empty, of course, and I tear my arm away from her grasp.

“What are you doing here?” Lily hisses. She glares at me but her face immediately changes, becoming softer as she smiles and waves at people who pass by. I keep my back turned to the room, my gaze as cold as ice.

“I was expecting an invite to your engagement party, Lily. We are sisters, after all. I hope it got lost in the mail!” I say in a condescending tone. Lily’s lips curl into a malicious smirk.

“So you heard the good news? That’s wonderful. You better not do anything that you’ll regret…I’ll fucking ruin you if you ruin this for me,” Lily forces me to turn around. She pushes me forward and back out into the party. She disappears from my side.

I roll my eyes and fix my dress’ appearance when I feel someone push up from behind me. My lips part and I keep my head in place. I can feel the tip of someone’s nose grazes against my ear.

“What are you doing here, Miranda?” Sebastian’s whisper shocks my body to life. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and I fight back a smile, turning around to look up at him.

“Thought I’d come to celebrate my sister and her future marriage,” I smugly say, trying to hide my nervousness. Sebastian smirks and chuckles, shaking his head.

Our eyes meet and my heart skips a beat. My cheeks flush and I fight back a blush. I narrow my eyes at him and he walks us back into the isolated hallway.

“Why are you really here,” his voice is raspy. It itches my brain the right way and I want to hear him speak some more.

No! No, we don’t like him! We can’t trust him!

I groan and make space between us. I shake my head and clear my throat. Before I can say anything, Sebastian and I’s heads turn to the side.

Down the hall is my father’s office. His voice carries itself down the hallway and we walk towards the noise together.

“She’s here?!” My father’s voice booms through the office. I can feel Sebastian’s gaze burn into the side of my face. I look away and stare at the office door’s knob. It begins to twist and my mind goes blank. I grab Sebastian’s arm and yank him inside a nearby closet.

I quickly and quietly close the door so nobody can hear or see. My chest bumps into Sebastian’s, the cramped space forcing us to be closer than we’d like to be. I glance at him and signal for him to be quiet. I tap the door, signaling him to listen to the voices.

“She’s here and she’s up to something! What are we going to do, Daddy?” Lily’s whine carries through the door.

“I don’t know but we need to get her out of here as soon as possible! Someone will recognize her!” Harper contributes.

“No…let the half-breed stay. She knows her place in our family and will stay there. Half-breeds don’t change. She’ll submit.” My nostrils flare at my father’s words. I can feel Sebastian push into me, his ear pressing up against the door.

“You don’t know what she’s capable of!” Harper says.

“She’s an easy problem to take care of. Nobody will even notice her. We’re just lucky that she doesn’t bring her litter of kids with her.” The three of them laugh.

Sebastian jolts beside me but I quickly grab his arm, steadying him. He shoots me a look and I shake my head no, hoping he can read the message in my eyes.

It’s not worth it.

His arm muscles relax under my touch and I let him go. The trio’s footsteps disappear down the hallway. I reach for the doorknob but Sebastian’s hand intercepts mine.

I look up at him with widened eyes. His fingers lace into mine. He presses my hand above my head, planting his hand over mine against the door. I sigh and tilt my head up.

He captures my lips in a slow kiss. I melt below him, pushing up against him as he deepens the kiss.

Yes…this is what we want…

My eyes shoot open. My wolf barks at me to continue but I push Sebastian away. He breathes heavily, pressing his forehead against mine.

“We can’t,” I whisper.

“Why not?” He counters.

“We just…can’t,” I breathe out. I reach behind me and twist the doorknob, stumbling out of the closet and away from the Alpha King.