Alpha Asher

Dear your Royal Highness,

Alpha of Desire, This is my official letter of application. I saw your posters and articles in the newspaper, and I thought I would give this a shot. I know I am a simple commoner in your Pack, however, this opportunity would change my life. I am a father of two younger daughters, one twelve, and one eleven. Let's hope you actually consider this.

Thank you, James Thorne.

***

James Thorne,

We have considered your application. Unfortunately, you have been declined.

Apologies, Alpha of Desire.

***

Your Royal Highness,

Alpha of Desire, I gave it a few years, and I'm tempted again. Your advertising strategies really pay off, don't they? I would like to apply for a ticket to this party. What do you call it, the most auspicious party of the year, hosted by none other than the Alpha of Desire himself? I am a single father, who balances two jobs. I have two daughters, one fifteen, one fourteen.

Please, James Thorne.

***

Dear James Thorne, We have considered your application. Unfortunately, you have been declined. Sincerest apologies, Alpha of Desire.

***

Your Royal Highness,

Alpha of Desire, I'm applying again... Sometimes I believe you don't actually pick anyone from my part of town. Maybe the newly appointed Alpha Asher will select me and my daughters. I am still a father, balancing three jobs now, with two daughters, one seventeen, and one eighteen. I'm sick. Who knows how long I have left.

Heres hoping, James Thorne.

***

Dear John Thorne, We have considered your application. Unfortunately, you have be declined.

Best wishes, Alpha of Desire. ***

Dear your Royal Highness, Alpha of Desire I'm applying for an invitation into your party this year. I see it every year, and I am so jealous of all the people who have been able to go. I am a nineteen year old female, who recently got married. My sister is twenty, and needs to get laid. Can I say that? Father would have wanted this.

Kind of begging, Sky Thorne

*** Dear Sky Thorne,

We have considered your application. We are happy to say, you and your sister have been accepted into Alpha Asher's annual party! Your invitations will arrive in four days, along with your instructions and gifts. Congratulations, Alpha of Desire.

~Alaya

"It's not you, it's me."

His expression doesn't change, remaining impassive.

"I wanted this to work, I really did. We just don't have anything in common. I hope we can at least stay friends," I say solemnly. Suddenly, his face breaks out into a grin, and he grabs my shoulders.

"Awesome! Bloody Awesome Lay..." "You think?" I exclaim excitedly, ignoring the use of the nickname I can't stand.

"Like really?"

"I don't doubt for a second that you're going to get this job!" My relief imminent, as I exhale deeply. My entire life is riding on this audition, and if I don't nail it, I'll be left living another few months off of Dad's savings. The moment I can stop taking from my dead father, the less guilt I will have to sleep with at night. And for an acting job? Life would suddenly be worth living.

"Only two more days," I say nervously, fiddling with the bag strap on my shoulder.

"Still have at least 45 more seconds to learn." My best friend and partner in crime, Carter, slings his arm over my shoulder, guiding me out the main door of the small theatre company I'm apart of. He's hardly careful of my backpack, but makes sure not to knock the coffee in my right hand. That would be devastating.

"Trust me, they won't even have to think twice about choosing you," Carter tells me, smiling down at me with a warm smile. Carter is originally from the Harmony Pack, having moved to the Desire Pack four years ago, when we were still in school. He gives the worst advice, since he typically likes to keep the peace, but having his confirmation on things keeps my chin up. Those mellow green eyes of sharply cut emerald having been there for me since my father died... When I lost everything. My job, my sister to her new husband.

Don't get me wrong, her and I still talk, but she knows I don't agree with her choice of marrying at nineteen. And to a banker? He's as interesting as politics. Carter nudges me.

"Listen, I gotta get back to the family. You okay to walk home by yourself?" Carter's family are mine too. They almost adopted me once my father died, having learnt my mother had suffered the same fate at my sister's birth. Being an interior designer, Carter's mother is rather wealthy. Especially since she's known for decorating Alpha Asher's annual party, however, she never shared the information behind the scenes with Carter. This will be his first year helping out.

The amount of times I've heard the word excited whenever we walk past one of the advertisements, is huge.

"I suppose you're getting ready for the party, huh?" The whole Pack is. From the East corner to the West, people are settling in for the busiest time of the year. Tomorrow night, the party will start, people will gather to watch the fireworks, and listen to the music. No one will see inside though.

Unless of course, you're invited. But no one from my side of the city will be. The only part of the city that has to live by the day as well as the night. Being known as the night Pack doesn't do justice to the commoners. The perfect skinned and body entertainers from Main Street get all the jobs, and all the money. We are left working at coffee shops or hotel services, for the foreigners who can't handle a life by night. My dream is to act on Main Street one day. Live by the night, under the lights and be more famous than even the Alpha himself. I want away from my life right now. Carter spies a banner strung to a window with clear tape. He pulls away from me, moving forward to grab it off.

"This is it. Can you really believe I'm going to make it inside? Inside? What if I meet the Alpha?" Carter questions widely, his hair the colour of burnt wood from the forests of the Freedom Pack flopping around his eyes. He can afford a haircut, unlike me, but won't get one. I stare at the poster. Carter has some wild idea he's actually going to be attending the party. He doesn't get to show up dressed lavishly. He doesn't get to drink and dance or do whatever the rich do at an event like that. He will be working, making sure they all having something to eat and drink all night long.

I still envy him, though. The poster gleams, as I tilt the page toward the setting sun. It gives us a glimpse into the life of the wealthy. They sit up on their hill, never to come down or be seen. A small dose of silver glitter shimmers along the paper, which is the colour of rich violet. Curling letters in italic form twist tantalisingly across, inviting you to something out of reach. This probably is more expensive than what I make in a month.

I examine the page: Alpha Asher's Wondrous and Amazing Annual Party!

Curious to know what goes on behind the closed doors of the Alpha's home? Your time is come for a glimpse into the most fashionable, auspicious party of the year. There is none other than Alpha Asher's! You may apply for invitation through hand written letter. We wish you the best of luck this year!

Kindness Regards, Alpha of Desire and his Team. My eyes rolled. Bringing the page up, I realise it smells faintly of blueberries. Strange.

"Over the top as usual," I say honestly, thrusting the paper back at Carter.

"You will have to tell me everything. " He nods, although looks a little apprehensive. A few months ago, he had signed a contract, taking a vow of silence when asked about the party he helped create. Already, he has been reluctant to give me details, which makes me all the more curious.

"Sure thing," he says, then he glances at his watch. "I'm gonna be late. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course," I say, as he backs away from me. The sun sets around him, encasing him in a halo of brilliant orange and subtle pinks. My friend is damn attractive, and he doesn't know it either. He tells me he is saving himself for his mate, which is something hard to believe, considering our Pack's morals. Mates are a burden. Don't get mated.

That exact motto is what our Pack is known for. Gloves are so fashionable for men here, I don't think I have seen one without them. Aside from Carter; he wants it. Main Street especially stresses the need for them, with certain entertainment agencies making it a mandatory part of the uniform. Carter is quick to walk off, wearing his rather expensive sneaker shoes his mother brought him. I, on the other hand, turn to walk away wearing my worn down shoes that look older than me.

As I dump my empty coffee cup into the bin, I listen to the sounds from Main Street. They drift down the dark alleyways to the forgotten backstreets I live on. The sounds are adrenaline pumping, dance-worthy beats that suggest the kind of life the more wealthy live. The poor demographic in this Pack is low, with every one person living in poverty, there are five wealthy. I just happen to be one of the few who don't have enough money to survive. I make it to my small apartment by the time the sun falls. It's a modest little thing I bought with the funds from father's death.

The moment I am rich enough, I'm donating all the money I have taken to a charity he would have liked to support. My bed is one of guilt. Actually though, it's just a couch I lay some blankets on. It can get cold here by night, on the outskirts of the city, so if I don't have enough blankets, I'll use some towels. There's a note on the couch when I walk in. Tossing my bag on the floor, I pick it up. It's from my sister. Hey Lay, Me and Dylan dropped by this morning but you weren't here... Wanna drop by mine? Have some exciting news! Best sister ever, Sky. I chuckle, shaking my head at how she decided to declare herself.

As much as I hate visiting my sister's home - seeing her living in wealth from her husband - she clearly needs to talk to me. Knowing her, it will be complaining about something Dylan did, since she loves to blow everything out of proportion. I toss a coat over my shoulders, deciding to walk to her house instead of paying for a taxi. Sky doesn't live too far away, but it means traversing through a richer neighbourhood.

By the time I make it to her house, it's dark out, the air ice cold. Her house is lit magnificently, which doesn't surprise me. Her want to outdo her neighbours is ridiculous, but she hardly listens when I remind her. She knows how much she has changed since father died, but doesn't really care. Why should she? Sky lives a life everyone is envious, especially coming from our poor neighbourhood. I knock on her door, eyeing a garden gnome beside me. Seconds later, the door swings open, as if she was waiting for me. And there was my sister, cheeks rosy from wine, eyes bright with good news. It's strange to see her so flustered like this, her usually sleek black hair all mussed and out of place.

"Quick, get inside," Sky insist, ushering me in before closing the door behind me. I don't don't spend much time concentrating on her expression. She's redecorated... Originally, she had kept with Dylan's theme that was rather dark and indistinct, however, she has now managed to completely change the design. Now, I'm looking at a main foyer room completely drenched in pink, white and gold. It's all very...Sky. I can't believe her husband would let her.

"Wow," I say, my eyes narrowing on the random vase of fake white roses in the corner of the room, propped on some kind of marble case.

"Nice change." Sky bites her lips as she links her arm through mine.

"Finally Dylan relented. Anyways, that isn't important." She drags me over to a small two seater couch, sitting me down without joining me. There is something in her dark eyes that make me nervous. My sister is naturally beautiful, and she likes to use that fact to get whatever she want. She'll flick her sleek black hair over her shoulder, flash her gleaming white teeth and she will have everyone at her mercy. It never works on me though.

"So, why did you call me over?" I question, leaning back onto the stiff couch. I can imagine Sky only has this because it looks nice rather than for the comfort.

"You know how Dad used to be obsessed with getting a ticket to the Alpha of Desire's party since we were young girls?" I swallow. Sky and I don't talk about father that much anymore. She never visits his grave sight, saying it's too morbid and decrepit for her tastes. His sickness hit us hard, and it is still hard to think about the man who raised us after our mother died at birth with Sky. We choose not to really talk about the family neither of us have.

"The exact party he was never invited to, yes," I point out. Sky squeals like a young child, jumping up so her heels click against the expensive flooring, probably leaving a mark. My hands are in hers as she shakes them around.

"I applied for the both of us, and you'll next guess!" All air expelled from my body.

"We got invited!"

"I don't believe you..."

The moment I uttered those words, Sky was running out the door in a flurry of long hair and a pretty green dress. I debated following her, however, she was back in less than a second, holding a pristine piece of paper that as she got closer with, I noticed smelt like blueberries. She shoves it in my hand.

Dear Sky Thorne, We have considered your application. We are happy to say, you and your sister have been accepted into Alpha Asher's annual party! Your invitations will arrive in four days, along with your instructions and gifts.

Congratulations, Alpha of Desire.

~Alaya

Sky ran around me at impossible speed.

Never have I seen her put so much effort into something that isn't about makeup and clothes. Actually, maybe it does have to do with that... It's been a single day since I found out about this letter. Four days since Sky found out. She had been away for a week before, meaning the paper had been left in her mailbox for a few days. Now, she thinks that's the reason why the invitations and promised gifts haven't arrived. I just sit on the edge of her bed watching her freak out. Sky hadn't listened when I told her I had no interest in going. Sure, I'm curious, but being watched by the millions that inhabit this Pack as I walk in doesn't appeal to me if I'm perfectly honest. "It's fine, it isn't even past twelve yet," I remind her, as she wanders around the room, trying to keep herself busy.

"The parties tonight," she responds. "And you haven't even given me a proper "yes I'm going" just yet." I sigh, falling back onto her bed. Actually it's her and Dylan's bed. The thought makes me sit right back up again, mildly disgusted at the thoughts that run through my head.

"I can't," I tell her tersely.

"I have something on-"

"No you don't."

"How would you know?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "I'm your sister. I know when you lie."

Maybe if I told her I'm learning lines for an audition she would believe me. It's true. Then she would make fun of me, and tell me my dreams should remain in my head. The amount of times she told me girls from our part of town don't become actresses is ridiculous. Recently she has had the audacity to tell me I should just marry a rich man, because apparently that is the only chance I will have to make it in the world.

"Seriously," I reprimand. "Carter and I are doing something."

Sky's eyebrow quirks up, and a sly smile graces her features. Here we go, the mind in the gutter Desire Pack trait is rising to the surface.

"You two really are quite friendly, aren't you? This time, it was my turn to roll my eyes. This isn't the first time I've heard her little speech about my best friend. She likes to pretend she didn't make out with him in front of me at high school, trying to put us together now since she's been tied down by her husband. I think she just likes the challenge. I push her thighs away as she walked closer, not letting her share a seat next to me on the bed.

"Trust me, we are just friends-"

"Hold on a minute," she suddenly cuts me off. "Isn't your little boy toy going to the party as one of Alpha Asher's little slaves?"

I sigh. "He's not my boy toy."

"No but seriously," Sky presses, tilting her head slightly. "If you're not going to be with Carter, where are you going to be big sister?"

All of a sudden, the doorbell from downstairs sounded. Sky lit up like a light stitch, suspecting it was something to do with the party tonight. Without addressing me any further, she ran off down the stairs. Quickly, I run to the window, curious to see who had shown up here, and if they have anything to do with this party. To see if it's actually real. A sleek black car pulled out from the driveway, whoever's at the wheel is completely shaded by the tint.

They disappear quickly, just as Sky comes out the door. As she pads back up the stairs, I resume my spot on the bed. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes dazzling with excitement. She holds a glittering golden box, tied at the top with a magnificently large bow. She almost drops the large thing as she tries to place is gently on the floor.

"I didn't get to see who dropped it off," Sky comments, kneeling in the floor as she tugs gently on the end of the bow. It falls away without much resistance.

"It kind of just appeared." I can't help my curiosity as I lean over to watch her unbox the contents. As she pulls back the cardboard lid, there is a layer of golden tissue paper with rose coloured paper onto. Sky picks that up first, her fingers pulling it to reveal two pieces of paper. A smile graces her face, as she turns and hands me one of the pieces. It's satiny soft to the touch, and paper thin, as if the slightest touch will rip it to shreds. Practiced lines of sparkling gold paint swirl down the paper, framing the words beautifully. They curve into a figure of a wolf - the symbol of alliance to Alpha Asher. I read the letters silently in my head: Formal Invitation

Dear Alaya Thorne,

You have been selected to attend Alpha Asher's party on the 13th. This invitation gives you access to the first floor. Please reveal the invitation to the Guards at the main door, and no one else.

We hope to see you,

Alpha Asher and his Team.

I gaze at the pretty cursive ink writing, before something dark on the other side catches my eyes. Twisting it over in my hand, I see a small set of letters at the bottom left corner, fresh and hand-written with a strict line underneath.

See you tonight.

~A

My heart skips a beats.

"Hey Sky," I say warily. "Can I look at yours?"

"Sure," she says, handing me her invitations as she switches her attention to what else is inside the box. On the front, the invitations are the exact same, aside from our names. That's not what I care about. I turn it over. Nothing. Just a clear piece of paper with no marks at all. Glancing at Sky, she is to preoccupied by a satin dress she is pulling out of the box. Swallowing, I shove my invitation behind me before she can see. Who knows what would happen if she found out about this. I need to figure out what it means first, or if it's just someone playing a little trick.

"Oh, this is definitely yours," Sky says in amazement, stealing my attention. She lifts a glittering dress the colour of silvery moonlight, the tiny jewels clinging to it radiating a subtle glint at every turn against the sun. Sky's grin as she turns to me matches the grandeur of the dress that looks as if it would swallow my blandness whole.

"How can you be so sure?" I question, taking the dress from her hands. It feels softer than I thought in my hand, as if the jewels aren't there, only the softest silk. Sky nudges a piece of string up from the dress, revealing a tag.

"Has your name on it, dummy."

"How do they know our sizes?" I question, examining the dress further. It truly is beautiful. Since I'm not going to the party, I suppose it will be buried in storage to never be brought out again. That, or I could sell it to survive for the next few weeks. People would pay great money to have, to even see a dress from Alpha Asher's party, even if it was never worn before. Sky shrugs.

"Who knows. You know, they say he sees all."

"Who?" I murmured distractedly.

"Alpha Asher, of course." I cast my attention down to my sister with her dress on her lap. It's the same rose colour as the invitation. It flows out from the bodice. I can just tell already that she is going to look beautiful in it. "How so?" I question, intrigued by what she was presenting.

"Rumour says he had a deal with Fate. Apparently he exchanged some of his power for..." she trails off.

"Who knows." My eyebrows crease, curiosity settling into the pit of my stomach. Who would be foolish enough to make a deal with Fate? He is cruel, heartless and can control your future however he pleases. Desire Pack members pretend to worship him so they have an excuse for all the sinful things they do.

"Come," Sky says suddenly, setting her dress down, Grabbing my arm, she drags me over to her bedroom window.

"Look up there and tell me you don't want to go to this party." I sigh, looking up the hill in the distance at Alpha Asher's estate. It clearly is the most expensive, most flashy thing in this entire Pack. From here, all I see is a mixture of glimmering lights and the dark wood it is partially made out of. A part of me yearns to see what is going on inside that place, beyond the walls. It's a lifestyle none of us will ever get to experience beyond one party. It would be cruel to go and be reminded of how the richer live. So I say in my calmest, most deadpan voice possible,

"I don't want to go to the party.

Sky sighs dramatically.

"How about we make a deal then. I won't mention all the auditions you have been doing in secret every again," she bargains, shooting me a playful smirk.

"If you go to this party with me."

I narrow my eyes. "Blackmail?"

"Oh come on...Please? You're single, and there will be plenty of gorgeous guys there."

"Not convinced."

"Fate may even play and invite your mate himself," she adds. I flip off her bed, drawing me eyes away from the window.

"Sorry sis, I have no interest-"

"The auditions, Lay. I swear I will never interrupt your acting career ever again. I won't even complain if you decide to leave the Pack for it." I turn around, staring my sister down. Everytime I talk about leaving the Pack, Sky makes a big deal out of it. She calls me a horrible sister who is abandoning her like father did when he died. She trashes my dreams to keep my tied down. So if she is serious about this, then...

"You're lying," I mutter. She shakes her head.

"Nope."

"It means this much to you?"

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, of course it means so much to me," she says, a mild irritation behind her voice. If I wasn't so relieved that she was agreeing to leave me along with my acting career, I might have been offended. It doesn't matter anyway, she doesn't care about what I do if it doesn't directly affect her. She's been like that since father's death.

"Fine," I growl. "Only because it's one night. And you better not get drunk and leave me behind."

Sky squealed, jumping at me, reminding me of her youth. I'm not doing this for her. I'm going to find out what that little note at the back of my invitation meant.