SIX
Over the years, I learnt how to stand up for myself. It wasn't easy at first when I still cared about what people thought of me but, not anymore.
'Hey, Dana it's fucking terrible to see you as always now,…., what dose of wickedness should we be expecting today?' I asked dryly with obvious sarcasm batting my eyelashes at her.
Dana gave a syrupy smile, the kind that made sugar feel like poison. 'It's super disgusting to see you too. What exactly are you doing here? Are you volunteering or just loitering for free leftovers? If it's the leftovers you are after, don't worry I have a pile to gift out to poor wretched people like you.'
Her group of wild dogs laughed behind her eyeing me with great irritation.
'Don't worry Dana, I'm sure you have dogs behind you to feed them to' I replied, arranging flowers with feigned innocence.
A gasp erupted from one of her group members, the others just stared at me like they wanted to murder me but, I didn't even look like someone that cared.
'Oh, sweetheart,' Dana cooed, flipping her sleek blonde hair. 'We all know you're just here to scrub floors and breathe in the same air as actual pack members. Do you think hiding behind a mask tonight is going to make you look any less pathetic? Stop being delusional.'
'I don't know, Dana. You hiding behind fake lashes and a silicone push-up bra doesn't seem to help your personality either.'
Gasps echoed nearby. Even the flowers might have cringed.
Dana's eyes narrowed. 'Careful, mutt. You might not have a wolf, but you sure know how to bark.'
'Sure Dana, whatever you say. See you never'
I smiled tightly and walked away. I didn't owe Dana a thing. Not my energy, not my time, and certainly not the satisfaction of her seeing me flinch.
But still… it stung.
The minute I was out of sight, I slipped out a side door, down a narrow corridor, and into one of the older courtyard alcoves behind the hall. The moonlight spilled like silver syrup across the stone floor, broken only by thick columns and an overgrown wall of ivy. It was quiet here. Peaceful. Almost enough to let me breathe again.
Almost.
I leaned back against the cold stone, exhaling slowly. I hated how words could get under my skin so easily. Like I hadn't spent my whole life being reminded I didn't have a wolf. As if my heart didn't already carry enough bruises.
'You look like you worried? Are you avoiding someone?' a smooth, masculine voice asked behind me.
I jumped.
A man stood at the edge of the alcove, shadowed and sharp-edged. Tall. Broad shoulders. Hair dark as midnight. Dressed in black, like the night itself had tailored him a suit. His presence wrapped around the space like smoke intoxicating, but dangerous.
'Oh! I…I'm sorry I didn't see you there,' I said, flustered. 'I didn't know this place was... occupied.'
He raised an eyebrow. 'You always talk this fast when you're nervous?'
I blinked. 'Do you always sneak up on people like a murdery forest spirit?'
He chuckled. 'Touché.'
There was a pause. Then:
'So, what's got you running from the main event?' he asked casually.
Isabel crossed her arms. 'Oh, you mean the Great Mate Auction?'
'Mate... auction?'
'Yeah. You know. Dozens of girls, one emotionally unavailable alpha, and a masquerade to hide our dignity. Classic fairy tale stuff.' I said plainly.
He leaned against the column beside her, amused. 'Doesn't sound like you're a fan.'
Isabel snorted. 'No, I'm not. I just don't get the obsession. All these girls tripping over themselves to be chosen by a man they don't know. A man who, from what I've heard, is probably a sadistic prick with the emotional range of a teaspoon.'
The man's eyes widened. 'A teaspoon?'
'Yup. Sharp cheekbones, dead inside. And probably treats women like disposable toys. But hey, he's hot and has power, so all's forgiven, right?' I said angrily remembering Mark.
'Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought.'
'Oh, not really. I just overheard some girls earlier. One said he once snapped a man's leg in three places for bumping into him. Another swore he made a guy vanish just for looking at him wrong. He's like the Wolf Mafia Batman, only without the moral code. Or... like, therapy.'
The man's smile widened. 'And yet you still showed up.'
'Only because my best friend bribed me with cash and threatened to cry loudly in public if I said no.'
He laughed softly. Deep and rich. 'You're something else.'
'I try,' I said, suddenly aware of how close he'd gotten. His scent hit her next cedarwood, spice, and something darker. Her heart did a stupid little jump.
'Well,' he said, straightening, 'good luck tonight, Mystery Girl.'
I raised a brow. 'Goodluck? Oh please I'm not interested in the whole thing so, I don't need the luck. You're leaving already?'
'I can't stick around. I've got a very important role to play.'
'Oh? Let me guess. Bartender? Caterer? Emotional support bouncer?'
He paused at the edge of the alcove, then looked over his shoulder with a wicked gleam in his eye.
'Something like that.'
And just like that, he was gone….leaving me standing there, confused, intrigued, and just a tiny bit flustered.
I shook my head. 'Great. Mystery guy with jokes and jawline. Just what I needed.'
My phone beeped and I got a message from Jasmine asking me where I was. I texted her and ran to meet her so that she could dress me up.
The transformation was unreal.
When Jasmine was done with me, I could hardly recognize the girl staring back in the cracked mirror of the pack hall's back room. A deep crimson gown hugged my body like liquid flame, cut low in the front and split high at the side, leaving just enough to the imagination but enough to cause necks to snap. My hair was styled into a soft cascade over one shoulder, and the feathered black and gold mask shimmered as if daring the world to guess who I really was.
'Wow, I look….beautiful' I said not believing the image on the mirror belonged to me.
'Girl, you look gorgeously breathtaking just take care of yourself tonight Okay? I need to go now'
'It's fine Jas just know if they catch me I'll……'
Jas stopped me from completing the sentence 'Nobody will catch you Isabel just calm down. You can do this, please. Do it for me okay?'
I nodded and hugged her immediately after hugging her, she took off to meet Nathan.
Too bad I didn't feel anything close to the way I looked.