Chapter 3 III

It took Elodie and the other staff a full day and another half day to prepare the venue for the party.

Lady Tessa told us that there would be over six hundred guests between our pack and the neighbors, with whom we share a peace treaty.

When we finished setting up, she sent me home, so I could rest for a few hours. I had to be back at the alpha's house by nightfall. The party would not start until nine o'clock.

When I got home, I was greeted by the unpleasant sight of my stepmother walking naked through the living room...

"Disgusting!!" I said it out loud to get her attention. "You know, these rooms were made specifically for our privacy. Not for us to walk around the house completely naked."

I turn around, expecting her to grab some clothes.

"Oh, sorry about that, dear. I wasn't expecting you so soon. I just got back from patrolling the southern area of the village." Freya shrugged, indifferent.

My stepmother was a seeker; she had a keen sense of smell.

Occasionally, the alpha would assign her to patrol to see if she could sniff out the renegades that had been roaming the border lately.

"Whatever" I roll my eyes at her as I go straight upstairs to my room and throw myself on the bed.

I try to sleep, but sleep won't come, so I get up and decide to go downstairs to prepare dinner. When I get downstairs, I realize I am completely alone in the house again.

Freya has gone out again. I shrug my shoulders.

"Better for me." Walking into the kitchen, I make a simple pasta, after which I sit in front of the TV and find a movie to watch. My cell phone rings. I look at the screen and smile when I see that it's my friend.

"Hey, Maia."

"What's up... How was the cleaning and preparation for the big party?"

"So far, pretty exhausting. That place is huge. I thought we'd never finish decorating." As I spoke, I shoveled a bite into my mouth.

"Argh, I can imagine. What time does it start?"

"I have to be there around five-thirty. The whole ordeal starts at eight."

"Do you know what time you'll be leaving?"

"Not really, but I'm sure it won't be before midnight."

"Gee... That sucks. I guess I'll have to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow."

"Yeah, they told me to leave my cell phone at home, so I won't be able to read any messages until I get back here."

Maia growled.

"That, yes, sucks." I couldn't help but giggle.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, and I barely noticed the time flying by.

~~

A few hours later, I was on my way to the leader's house. I presented myself at the gate, went to the servants' quarters, and put on my official uniform. The outfit consisted of a white shirt with long sleeves, a red bow tie, black high-waisted pants, and black heels.

When I finish getting ready, all the servants go into the ballroom, where the lights are dimmed. Each one takes a tray and prepares to receive the guests.

Lady Tessa assigned each servant a section of tables to keep an eye on, then instructed us to stand against the wall closest to the designated area.

The space soon began to fill with people dressed in their most expensive attire.

The last to enter were our allies, the Star pack from the west. Their alpha entered with his daughter, Keira Howler. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

With long, straight blonde hair, tanned skin, and sparkling hazel eyes, her whole being exuded perfection. After them, the gamma of our pack, Caleb Silas, who was in his early twenties, entered. He was holding hands with his partner, Cassandra.

Caleb had dark hair with a few golden strands here and there; he had brown eyes, and he was one of the shortest men in our village.

But despite his size, he was not only one of the smartest in the pack but also one of the strongest.

Next came the beta, Victor Tail. He was tall, with blond hair and green eyes. All the girls were crazy about him, even though he was a womanizer. Victor was the second-strongest wolf in the pack.

Last but not least, the hero of the hour stepped into the hall.

Our alpha, Felix Moonstone.

If the beta drove the women crazy, it was the alpha who had the power to make their pants drop.

He had a mass of black hair that always gave the impression he'd just rolled out of bed, and eyes so blue they sparkled like sapphires.

Felix was huge, and I could see the bulging muscles marking his clothes; it was as if he had been designed by the goddess herself.

But there was one problem with him... The man didn't know how to smile or be nice to anyone.

Despite being drop-dead gorgeous, that closed face, combined with his powerful alpha aura, scared people away.

Most of the time, he was only seen with his beta, who happened to be his childhood friend. Or with Keila, the other alpha's daughter.

For a moment, our eyes met, and his intense gaze nailed me to the floor. The whole thing lasted a split second, but it was enough to stir me up inside.

When the alpha takes his place, everyone else does the same.

And so the party begins.

~~

It was all going by too fast.

I was so busy with my tables that I didn't even realize how fast time was going.

"Elodie, Ms. Tessa needs you in the kitchen." One of my coworkers approaches and warns.

"I'll be there in a minute." I gather a few empty plates and fill champagne glasses.

As I enter the kitchen area, I'm greeted with a shower of confetti.

"Happy birthday, Elodie!" Everyone shouts and approaches with a beautiful cake with eighteen candles on top.

"Oh, my goddess! Guys, you didn't have to!" Thrilled, I look at the cake with tears in my eyes.

"Oh, stop it! It's not every day you turn eighteen." One of the cooks says it laughingly.

"Yes, very soon you will hear your she-wolf. Then you will be able to transform and..." Lady Tessa drags out the last words as she looks at everyone. "Find your mate!"

I roll my eyes as they giggle. We eat some of the cake and soon return to the hall to continue our work. Suddenly, I hear a strange voice in my head.

"Hello, Elodie..." The voice was subtle but clear as day. It was my she-wolf. She had finally awakened.

"Hm... Hello?" I reply in my mind. She laughs and comes up; her fur was snow-white, and her eyes were purple.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ayla. I'm your wolf." She says this, sitting in front of my eyes, looking at me.

"It's my pleasure, Ayla." I speak in amazement. "I hope we can get along..."

My words are interrupted by a delicious aroma that fills my nostrils. The smell was a mixture of maritime pine, almonds, and amber.

It was intoxicating, almost as if it were drawing me towards it. Ayla sensed it too. She points her muzzle upwards, sniffing, then says something that chills me to the BONE.

"Our partner is here. I can smell him."