Elysia's POV
I gasped as the corset was pulled tighter around my chest, my face caked up so heavily that I could barely feel the air against my skin.
"This was why that shit-ass-faced old bastard wouldn't let go of you."
Vera kissed the side of my head as she watched me through the mirror. She was supposed to be my lady-in-waiting, yet somehow, she had managed to draw out emotions I had buried for so long—in just a single day of being here.
She said we were in the same shoes—pawns in the hands of the Alpha. She could relate to what I felt, and even if it meant facing death, she swore she would never become one of his mistresses. They thought making her my maid would bring her shame, but she had twisted it perfectly. She didn't wear the look of vengeance or that of a killer when she walked into my room today. Instead, she was warm, reminding me of the maternal love I used to feel from my nanny.
Two of the Alpha's mistresses, who were also in the room with us, scoffed and rolled their eyes at Vera.
"The pauper still thinks she's a princess. How pathetic," one of them muttered, pushing her hand into my bra cup to lift my breasts, exposing an unpleasant amount of cleavage.
Nervousness and relief washed through me. I knew I wouldn't be coming back soon. When Father and Mother went to parties like this with the Alpha, they came back late—or didn't return that night at all. Relief flooded me at the thought that I might not see my stalker tonight. And if he did come, there was a chance he'd get caught by Vera in the room and the mistresses not leaving anytime soon.
I had warned him to stay away. I wouldn't be the cause of his death, and he wouldn't be the cause of mine if he got caught here without me in the room.
I tried hard to push the sinful thoughts of him away, but my body, being a fool, doesn't forget the touch that sets it on fire.
Elysia!
I snapped out of my thoughts, forcing myself to focus on the present.
Vera and the mistresses walked down the stairs ahead of me. The Alpha, Derek, and him—the man I met at the altar—stood there. The air in my lungs tightened as our gazes met. His face was expressionless, and I was forced to look away.
"Bastards," Vera kept muttering under her breath. If looks could kill, Derek would have been gasping for air.
I didn't fail to notice how the Alpha's gaze lingered on me. My skin crawled in distaste as he pulled me close by the waist, and sudden goosebumps rose on my body as the air in the room stiffened. The uncomfortable feeling of being watched made me want to pull away from him, and I couldn't help but wonder if my stalker was around.
"You look just how I've always wanted you—hot. The wealth your father enjoys now is worth it," the Alpha whispered into my ear.
Just as expected, Father and Mother walked in—but to my surprise, Elara was with them too, dressed even tighter than I was, a smile on her face as she greeted the Alpha.
"Sister," she called sweetly, and for the first time, I found myself pretending she didn't exist.
Father and Mother must have brought her along to meet suitors, since she was one of those unlucky wolves who couldn't find a mate. And honestly, I hoped she never would. My sister loved flirting around—she craved young, wealthy men like a vampire craves blood.
If the Alpha weren't old, Elara would have taken my place instead. My suspicion proved right when she walked up to the Alpha's son—who left the room before she could reach him. And I hadn't felt this pleased in a long while.
"We should get going," the Alpha said, and with that, we all headed for our separate cars...I and the Alpha in one, and all I could pray for was the drive to end quickly, his restless hand wouldn't stop touching my laps even when he was on a phone call, I had subconsciously shifted away from his touch — which he didn't notice.
When the driver finally stopped, I was almost blinded by the lights flashing from cameras, the shutter clicks disrupting my ears.
"Never expected it to be this big…"
The Alpha chuckled beside me as the guards helped him with his side of the door, while I was left to open mine. My feet suddenly turned wobbly, social anxiety feeding on my organs, and I stood still for a second, behind the car.
"Enjoying your new place, sis?"
Elara would be a pain in the ass tonight — that, I knew. She always found a way to taunt me.
"Who was pretending not to want the Alpha before? I know you've always wanted to be seen, that little pretense of yours…"
She went further by gripping my arms forcing me to meet her gaze.
"I'm going to get married to the Alpha's son, Ronan Dravon, soon," she said between gritted teeth and forced smile, her hold tightening on my arms. "You won't be jealous, right? That I get to marry someone younger? And guess what—he's the Alpha's heir. When the Alpha gets older and finally dies, you'll become a thing of the past, and I'll become Luna. So enjoy this privilege while it lasts."
I yanked her hands off me. The look of disgust I had tried to hide from her all these years — hoping to avoid punishment — became evident on my face. I was the one gripping her arms now, my nails digging deep into her skin.
"Father isn't here to punish me, and I won't be that Elysia you picked on anymore, Elara. It's not the future yet. You'll give me the respect I deserve as the Alpha's wife."
I didn't care if we were still outside in front of the paparazzi — the lights no longer bothered me. All I wanted to do was tear Elara's pretty face apart for everything she had done in the past.
"They never said the party would be taking place outside." A voice sounding like rumbles which made my stomach flutter slightly sounding just above us.
"Ronan…" Elara meowed before she burst into fake tears, as usual. I looked up to find him standing behind her. Ronan the intimidating, devilish beauty with the mind numbing scent, so he was the Alpha's heir?
"Elysia, did you do this to me, why so cruel? Aren't we sisters...we ... Cries Elara shed more tears, holding out her hand which had reddened from my grip, before she wrapped that same arm around the Alpha's son. But why did I feel the need to yank her off him? I shook it off quickly. Always trying to make me look like the bad one again.
"We should head inside."
His tone was indifferent, and a wave of bliss washed through me at the sight of Elara's disappointed face. I gave him a short bow before leaving their side.
Was Elara really getting married to him?
A jolt of irritation and a mix of anger washed through me. Why? Was this jealousy? Elara? No, I had never been jealous of Elara — why now? I had never wanted power. Being Luna or a wife was never on my list. I had yearned to live where nature lies — with a pet, my library filled with books, and my kitchen stocked with ingredients extracted from nature...was the too much of a wish?
I joined the Alpha again, greeting guests — pack Alphas, Lunas, their Betas, and families were all present. My breath caught in my throat; the scent of wealth was choking. If I were one of those women who had eyes for luxury, I'd be walking around asking the other females who designed their dresses. Everything here made me feel inferior.
"Who's she?"
I had tried my best to block out the Alpha's conversation, but this was directed at me. The Alpha pulled me closer once again, and I smiled politely at the stout man with the full beard standing before us. His gaze sized me up and down, and I had a feeling this wouldn't end well. Tonight wouldn't end well.
"This is my new wife, Alpha Finanz. Hehehe…"
"That's so bad… you wouldn't want to share this one, right?"
Goosebumps of fear prickled down my skin, and the Alpha's arm tensed around my waist. Rough laughter from both of them rang in my ears.
"Oh, Finanz, there are more beautiful women here."
A few more words from Alpha Finanz, and Alpha Jaxon wouldn't be able to say no.
"You've got great taste, Jaxon. Just one night, that's all… one night wouldn't hurt."
Jaxon had nothing to lose if he let me go with Finanz for a night. Instead, he had more to gain. Bile rose in my throat at the thought. The song playing in the background suddenly became unpleasant to my ears, the air too hard to take in, and my mind a mess of scattered prayers and broken thoughts.
"Who knows, I might just accept your proposal," Finanz said, "and you'd get two more beautiful women from my pack."
"Are we making a deal now, Finanz?"
I gulped, seeing the smile of approval already forming on Jaxon's face.
"Does it look like it?"
"Just one night…"