A bite from an Alpha King

Book 4 Chapter 1: A Party

Note: This series is a darker werewolf series not following the usual "plot" of fated mates.

Be aware of darker elements such a described violence, bullying and death.

-Selene-

The noise from downstairs in the living room was surprisingly loud. I was taken aback by how many people had decided to come. I was no longer truly welcome in upper-class circles, not after...

I slowly let my towel drop and reached for the dress I had laid out on the bed. Holding it up against my body in front of the mirror, I saw that it was a long, peach-colored gown with long sleeves, fitting snugly around my upper body. I quickly slipped it on and zipped it up. It looked beautiful.

I gathered my long blonde hair and held it up but decided to let it fall loose as usual. I found a hairbrush and carefully brushed through it. Then I selected some small pearl earrings and a long golden necklace with a small heart pendant.

As I smoothed out the dress with my hands, I tried to keep them dry. My heart raced as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

“You can do this. People came. They’re welcoming you back,” I whispered to myself.

Taking a deep breath, I put on a pair of silver heels and left my room, closing the door behind me. The voices downstairs grew louder as I approached the stairs leading to the party I had organized. I had to reclaim my old life. I needed to prove I was still part of the upper class and that I knew what it meant to be a luna. I reminded myself that I was still one of them as I descended the stairs.

I was about to enter the living room, which opened up to a large garden where guests were mingling with drinks and snacks. They were chatting about trivial matters—who had mated with whom, who had lost their status and home, who was having an affair.

To me, it all seemed so pointless. There were more important things in the world than gossip, yet this was part of being accepted into the upper class. You either participated or at least listened, smiled, and nodded.

“Selene!” I felt a hand grab my arm before I could enter the room.

“Lara?”

My sister pulled me aside, away from the noise, until we were out of earshot. She turned to face me, arms crossed. Her deep brown eyes, so different from my own blue ones, conveyed disapproval. She had inherited those eyes from our father, while I looked almost exactly like our mother.

“Is it true?” she demanded.

“What?” I asked.

“Did you put Father under isolation?”

So that was what this was about? I thought. I slowly straightened myself and composed my expression.

“Yes.”

“And you did this behind my back?”

“Lara—”

“What happened to ‘let’s communicate more in the future’?” Lara interrupted. “Those were your words after Father’s mess that landed him in jail and after you got me out of the union that he had planned for me.”

“He is still our father.”

“He’s an assh*le!” she shot back.

“Lara! Watch your language!”

She rolled her chocolate-brown eyes and shook her head. “I can’t believe you did this behind my back. Do you even know what isolation means?”

“Of course I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done it,” I replied.

“Really? You could have fooled me.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that while you may carry the title of luna, you act nothing like it! You freed me from my union, and you think you’re looking out for this pack, but when was the last time you stepped foot into Father’s office? When was the last time you did any of the paperwork? When was the last time you checked on the pack’s members? We’ve just accepted a handful of half-bloods into the pack who need help settling in, but you’re too busy throwing parties!” she sneered.

“You don’t think I’m taking this seriously? We need help and connections, and we get that from these people!” I said, gesturing towards the party down the hallway.

“These people can’t help us. They won’t. Why didn’t you let the king handle Father? We could use his assistance.”

“We don’t need his help. I’ve got this under control,” I insisted.

Lara shook her head, the red hair she’d tied into a tight ponytail swinging with the movement. “I can’t do this,” she told me, turning to walk away.

“Where are you going?” I called after her.

“Out! I can’t be here,” she shouted, opening the door that led to the garage.

Only seconds later, I heard the powerful engine of a motorcycle start up. The roar gradually faded as Lara drove further away. She had just turned eighteen and yet seemed to handle herself like an adult.

I knew she harbored a lot of resentment towards our father for what he nearly did to her. I was angry with him too, but he was still family and he belonged here with us.

I turned away from the hallway and walked back into the living room. I took a moment to compose myself, then put on my perfect smile before re-entering the room. People quickly noticed me, ensuring I had a drink in hand and welcoming me into their conversations.

“So happy you could make it,” I said, greeting people and shaking hands lightly.

I wasn’t the only one wearing a mask. We all were.