Calista POV - The Ball
1691 Words
It is here finally— the day that would shatter the expectations of my jailers and set me free from the unfair captivity of the Red Claw Pack.
The Red Claw Pack is one of the largest packs in WestVille, Texas. If you’re thinking of old money, you’re thinking of Red Claw. In terms of money, power and prestige, the Red Claw Pack has been topping the charts of Werewolf Society in Texas.
And in reality, they do have reckon, after all, they single-handedly stopped the greatest threat to our existence, Hector.
I was born during that time when my parents became casualties of war against Hector. As an offspring of war, the Red Claw Pack. in their magnanimity, took me in. But honestly, it’s stifling staying under their arrogant wings — I hate it here.
“Happy Birthday to me.”
I sigh deeply as I pat down my blue checkered gown, facing the mirror. I have to look neat and presentable, which is hardly possible considering the tight time frame I have been placed under.
It’s the Coming of Age Ceremony and everything has to be just perfect. Perfect!!
But it’s not for me.
I take a look at the broken piece of mirror, and run my fingers through my curly auburn hair. Luckily, it smooths up quickly and I celebrate this with a dimple-present smile.
“I just have to get through this party.”
“Calista! Calista!” An angry voice pierces through my moment of solace suddenly.
The door to my bedroom swings open with a loud twirl as Mary, the Alpha’s daughter, bursts in.
“Where have you been? You went to bath? You good for nothing b*tch!!” Mary thunders, yelling towards me as her fingers latch onto my blonde hair. “How dare you freshen up when the table is not set?”
The pain of my hair being pulled from their roots stings hard into me. My eyes turn red with anger and pain as I attempt to break free but at that moment, I am yanked violently till I hit the ground.
“You filth.” She hisses above me, bending towards me with an open palm, “this is my party. Not yours. If you…”
“Mary, that’s enough.” The voice of Beta Gary breaks the malicious anger in me. “You know better than to debase yourself by beating up a maid.”
The next moment, his hand gently grasps around my back, lifting me from the ground. And I keep my eyes down to avoid the gaze of the demonic lady in front of me.
“Are you actually taking her side?!” Mary yells.
“The guests are already here, Mary. You don’t have time for this, go!” He stated, just as Mary blinks and races off in panic.
But she is not the only one panicking. My heart thumps heavily against my chest as I realize just how much time was lost freshening up. All that time, and the table was yet to be set.
Oh my God! The Alpha will have my head tonight.
“Calista, you’re eighteen now. You have your wolf. Leave the pack.” Beta Gary, the middle aged man in the two piece gray suit, stares at me for a moment.
“You don’t belong here.” he looks me into the eye as he speaks.
“I-” my voice cut short. “I have to go.”
I hardly have any time to reply as I rush off to the kitchen.
Beta Gary is the only person who treats me like a person in the pack. The rest of them walk about arrogantly bossing me, letting me know how mundane I am. And to be honest, it’s suffocating.
But not with Beta Gary. If for anything, his constant advice is for me to leave the pack so I can live my life and do all the things I have been forbidden from doing in this mansion.
Stricken by fear and dread, I speed down the hallways as my low black heel clicks against the tiles.
The last thing I want to incur is the wrath of the Alpha of the Red Claw Pack. Especially on a day where I am the only maid on duty. Usually, we’d have more than three maids on the ground but for some reason, I am the only one here tonight.
And I am definitely sure this is the handiwork of Mary who has sworn her entire life to torment me.
But that will end today. For once I get my wolf, I am going rogue. At least, I hope so — the day is almost over but I have yet to get my wolf.
I get to the kitchen and grab a basket full of wine glasses before bustling out into the hall.
As soon I get there, I freeze, shocked at the sights of the people mingling under the multicolor chandeliers’ lit hall while music plays harmoniously in the background. Guests in their tuxedos and dinner gowns are littered all about, laughing and talking quietly with one another.
I wonder what I’d look like in a dinner gown! All I’ve ever worn are different versions of my maid uniform.
Would a dinner gown even fit my slender and short frame as perfectly as the ladies here?
Stop daydreaming, Calista. You don’t exist to anyone here.
I snap out of my reverie with a sigh. No matter how much I want to fit in, I would never be taken as anything more than a maid here.
Through the corner of my eyes, I sight the Alpha and my heartbeat skips again. Panicking, I scamper through, wading into the midst of the guest to get to the dinner table when I run into someone.
The sweet smelling cologne knocks right into me, forcing me to look up at who I bumped into.
Just then, a sliver of electricity courses through me, as his gravely face stares right into me. Accentuated by loosely strands of black hair and a pair of circular eyeglasses, I feel warmth and desire oozing from him in a welcoming manner.
Swallowing dryly, I shake my head as if to knock off those thoughts.
The instant sensation of need that erupts in my chest, edging me towards the man in the blue tuxedo, almost as if we were destined for each other. Just then, his gaze softens into a smile which makes my heart skip, all the while baffling me.
“Sorry!” I mutter quietly.
“Mate.” The mister says, his intoxicating scent drawing me closer to him.
Enchanted by his presence, I almost inch towards him before my thoughts snap into place.
Did he say Mate?!!
“I’m sorry, what?” I shake my head at this, a frown immediately settling on my face.
Maybe he mistook me for someone else. Not even a maybe, he did mistake me for someone else!
“I said, Mate.” He repeats again and the enchantment I have towards him is broken.
I do not have time for this, mister. If I don’t get to that table, I’m done for.
With that in my mind, I try to pass him only to have my arm grabbed. I barely resist the urge to scream at him, as I attempt to pull out of his grip, but he’s far too strong. It’s infuriating.
Taking a deep breath, I try to clear my anger but as I do, different desires rush inwards. I swallow, feeling the incredible thump of my heart at the sight of the stranger, staring right at me.
His stately jaws and black eyes pull me in, my heart pounding rapidly as he draws closer until I feel his breath against my face. My strength fades so quickly before him as a feeling of helplessness overtakes me — but in an endearing way.
My body screams to be closer, completely engulfed in his arms but I swallow dryly to keep my longing at bay despite how close we are.
Is he going to kiss me? My goddess, what is this feeling? Why do I feel like he completes me?
“Please, let me go.” I beg silently.
And it works as the mister lifts his hand off me.Now is my chance and I seize it as I dash past him to the table.
Can he actually be… my mate? But I don’t have a wolf yet. Only those with wolves can find their mates.
Yet the connection I had with him… it felt so genuine.
“Calista…” The loud voice of my Alpha breaks through the music and my thoughts like a clap of thunder.
My legs quiver in fright at being caught. Cold sweat immediately breaks out. It dribbles down my forehead as I slowly turn to the furious face of my Alpha, Alpha Ethan, some steps away..
Oh God! No!
“You had just one job, set the hall and get lost, Calista.” He roars. “Why do I see your face here and why is the table…”
His bulky 6ft frame gradually overshadows me with each step he takes while his eyes literally flash red, briefly accentuating his red three piece suit as Alpha of Red Claw.
His pace quickens suddenly, as his left arm raises in a flash. I shrink immediately, knowing the assault that is to come on me. My heart is in my mouth as I shut my eyes and brace myself for it. But the pain never comes.
“How dare you?!” Alpha Ethan froths suddenly.
Opening my eyes now, I gasp at the sight of Alpha Ethan’s hand suspended in midair by the man with the sweet wooden smell and circular glasses. His gentle visage now replaced by a fuming outlook.
“I dare, Alpha Ethan.” He closes in and the chatter in the hall dies down immediately. “Nobody touches my mate!”
With his declaration, the music pulls to a stop and everyone’s eyes are on him. I am so dead tonight.
- Writer
