Wicked lessons by the rogue

Not easily dismissed

*Lupo*

At this precise moment, I long to be anywhere but here, yet I know that life doesn't always grant our wishes. Sometimes, we don't even receive what we deserve.

So I rely on the lessons I learned in my formative years about deception, pretending to be utterly delighted and consumed by joy at being the center of attention. Personally, I find solace in the shadows rather than glittering ballrooms. Being unnoticed is where I feel most comfortable, though I am skilled at blending in, even when surrounded by mirrored walls, gaslit chandeliers, and the finest individuals of the aristocracy.

The only thing I don't feign is my genuine happiness for Faye and Silverpine. Despite our contrasting bloodlines, I consider Faye to be a sister. Silverpine has been a close confidante of mine for many years, occasionally causing trouble. But now, Faye has captured the heart of the Alpha.

Therefore, it was imperative that I attend their wedding celebration. Just moments ago, I saw the happy couple sneak away from the ballroom.

Typically, the bride and groom don't partake in the ball held in their honor, but Faye is far from conventional. She wanted to share one last dance with her father. The Alpha of Greywinds suffers from deteriorating eyesight, a condition known only to his family. This is another reason I am here: to acknowledge my gratitude to the man and she-wolf who provided me with a home.

My presence is expected, so I show no outward sign to the six young she-wolves surrounding me that I long to be elsewhere. I always strive to ensure that the Alpha and the Luna have no regrets about welcoming me into their lives.

These she-wolves, so young and innocent, smile and flirt with me. Even those who are beyond their twenty-fifth year seem untouched by life's burdens, as if their existence revolves solely around pleasure. Personally, I prefer women with more depth, seasoned with a dash of spice and a hint of tartness.

"Boy."

An exception to my preference for the tart has emerged. The haughty tone of her voice grates on my nerves. It seems that Miss Odette has been observing me throughout the entire evening, and now her presence unsettles me. I can't fathom why Faye, the kindest and gentlest person I know, would associate with such an arrogant young she-wolf, who happens to be one of her closest friends.

Faye's stubbornness is evident, but she possesses no malice in her heart. The same cannot be said for Miss Odette. Her mere presence behind me serves as evidence enough.

The she-wolves who have been vying for my attention suddenly blink repeatedly and fall silent for the first time in over two hours. Because they are here, and I am striving to maintain the appearance of a gentleman, I will spare Miss Odette the embarrassment of being ignored.

Yet, I suspect that my act of generosity will come with a price. There is always a price to pay. This she-wolf is skilled at delivering stinging remarks.

With deliberate slowness, I turn around and raise an eyebrow at the she-wolf whose height fails to reach my shoulder. Despite her diminutive stature, she manages to give off an air of looking down on me. It's the slight upward tilt of her long, slender nose that contributes to this effect.

Miss Odette has been a constant source of annoyance whenever she visits Faye and crosses paths with me. But she is cunning enough to deliver her insults only when Faye is not around to witness them. Because I love Faye too much to upset her, and she would be appalled to learn that her friend and I are not on particularly pleasant terms, I have endured Miss Odette's degrading actions, convinced that I am taking the higher ground while she wallows in the mud.

The contradiction between her beauty and her fiery nature perplexes me. Her green eyes, with their exotic oval slant, challenge me with a sharpness capable of piercing one's soul if I'm not cautious. Despite being twelve years her senior, as she has blossomed into a grown she-wolf, she has mastered the art of making me feel like a dog dwelling in the gutters once more. While others among the high packs have occasionally made me feel the same way, it stings more when she's the one responsible for undermining my pride.

"Boy," she repeats, infused with even more arrogance. "Fetch me some champagne, and do it quickly."

As if I were a servant, as if my purpose in life is to cater to her whims. Not that I find fault with those who serve. Theirs is a noble pursuit, and their accomplishments far surpass anything she could ever achieve. She likely lounges in bed, nibbling on chocolates and reading, without a thought for the effort that goes into placing both in her hands.

I contemplate telling her to fetch her own champagne, but I know she would view it as a victory. She hopes to provoke a reaction from me and prove that I'm not enough of a gentleman to refrain from insulting a she-wolf. Or perhaps her intention is to ensure that I remember my place. As if I could ever forget it.

I bathe every night, scrubbing my body vigorously, yet I can't wash away the grime of the streets from my skin. My family has embraced me, their friends have embraced me, but I still know who I am and where I come from. If I were to reveal the truth about my past to Miss Odette, she would likely pale, and her moonbeam-like hair would curl and wither in horror.

From the she-wolves circling around us, I sense their anticipation in the air, and perhaps even a hope that I will put her in her place. I have never understood the cattiness that sometimes arises between women. I know Faye has faced her fair share of envy due to her sizable dowry, which made men stumble over themselves to earn her favor. But despite her dislike of me, Miss O has remained loyal to Faye, serving as her confidante and a true friend. She doesn't deserve my disdain or to be humiliated in front of these she-wolves who may have wished for Faye to receive less attention.

I tilt my head slightly. "As you wish, Miss Odette." I address the others, "I'll only be a moment, ladies, and then we can continue our discussion on the most captivating fragrances."

For some reason, they have devised a little game that requires me to identify the flower scenting their perfumes. It involves leaning in closely, inhaling deeply on my part, and eliciting soft sighs from them.

Miss Odette arrived enveloped in a cloud of teasing and tantalizing orchids, promising forbidden pleasures that, despite my best efforts to ignore, entice me. Among all the women, why does she intrigue me? Perhaps it is because she poses such a challenge, building walls that only the most agile can scale to discover the true treasure hidden behind them. I am skilled at reading people, yet I have never been able to decipher her.

Twisting on my heel, I make my way to the table where champagne and other refreshments are being served. I am acutely aware of her gaze fixated on my back. If I were to glance over my shoulder, I would likely see her whispering to the other she-wolves, warning them to stay away.

Little does she realize that she would be doing me a favor by ensuring I am left in peace. I have committed to three more dances and do not wish to disappoint my soon-to-be partners by leaving for the gaming salon prematurely. Nor will I allow Miss Odette the satisfaction of ruining my evening by sending me on errands. She will receive only one glass from me.

I still can't fathom why, two years ago at Faye's debut ball, I asked Miss Odette to dance. I had perceived her as an exquisite creature, and she is Faye's friend, after all.

While she had often looked down her nose at me, I had assumed she had outgrown such childish behavior. It turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

With a horrified expression, she delivered a direct blow, turning her back on me without even acknowledging my invitation. It did nothing to spare my pride, especially since others witnessed the rejection.

Grabbing a flute of champagne from the table, I navigate my way back through the crowd, unsurprised to find that she has moved on. I consider downing the bubbly concoction, but I much prefer the burn of hard whiskey. Just as I'm about to indulge, I hear her seductive laughter. How can an ice maiden possess such a throaty, sensual laugh? It's like a siren's song that pierces straight to a man’s groin.

I'm irritated with myself for being drawn to the sound, so I glance over my shoulder and spot her shamelessly flirting with the Alpha of Riverdale and Beta Langdon. Their families are respected, powerful, and wealthy. It comes as no surprise that two other she-wolves are part of the group. The gentlemen are highly sought after, but like me, they tend to avoid social gatherings. Marriage is a distant concept for them, barely visible even with a spyglass. They are only here because of their proximity to both Faye and Silverpine. However, now that the happy couple has departed, I suspect Riverdale and Langdon will seek entertainment elsewhere.

Unlike Miss Odette, they will extend an invitation for me to join them.

Odette's laughter reaches my ears once again, but this time, when the sound fades, her gaze lands on me like a heavy stone. It then shifts to the champagne, and her lips curl up in triumph before she crinkles her nose as if catching a whiff of something unpleasant. Her face returns to its deceptive loveliness, and she redirects her attention back to Riverdale, dismissing me in the process.

Unfortunately for her, I am no longer so easily dismissed.