Chapter 16 - The Pack House

She said, "You're late! Get in the shower."


"But I already had a shower-"


"Grab another one! How come your hair is so dirty?"


I hurried for the shower after patting my hair and realizing it was just dust from the library's more untouched books.
Several hours later, just before Bullet's scheduled pick-up for the gala at precisely seven forty-five, Tessa stopped by to have a conversation with her mother. The only thing left to do was for Maria to smother me in flowery perfume when I was halfway done getting ready.


"Have you found a new gardener yet? According to one of the kitchen boys, Damon reprimanded him this morning about the condition of the garden." Tessa seems frustrated. "And of course, he told me off!"


"Why would he be upset with you?" Maria inquired without turning to see her daughter.


"Because my mother is the one handling the hiring! The other gardener passed away a week ago."


"Now leave and amuse Bullet for a few more minutes; I'll find someone soon." We'll be down shortly."


"I detest that jerk," Tessa muttered before leaving.

I looked across at Maria. Her responsibility for hiring workers for the home was unknown to me.


"Where do you find the humans to work here?" She tugged my dress tighter, and I winced.


"Where else? They are all in Akbur Hills."


All of a sudden, I thought about Evan and how ideal it would be for Maria to hire him. Evan could assist me in bringing Damon now that he was here. Now all I would need to do is persuade Maria to choose him.


After finishing, Maria spun me around to face the full-body mirror. Gazing at the girl who was facing me, I nearly let out a gasp.
Wearing a sleeveless green silk gown, my figure appeared longer and sleeker, concealing my bruises. It stopped just below my knees and showed considerable cleavage. The heels on my feet accentuated the gold accents on my neck, while my long, brown hair displayed an elegant braid. When I had asked her for silver, Maria had seemed shocked.


She had said, "Silver is forbidden."


"Maria, I look beautiful," I exhaled softly.


Maria flashed a sardonic, almost forced smile. Without uttering a word, she guided me out of the room and down the hallway. The air seemed to have become more dense. She sensed something that she was reluctant to share with me.


"Stay here," she urged, leaving me by the kitchen door. "I'm going to make sure Bullet is ready for you."


All I could do was nod and watch her go. I had the overwhelming impulse to phone Evan from the kitchen, so I gave in to it. He tapped his number into the phone as soon as the room was empty. He became aware of the first ring.


"Ana?"


"I'm running out of time, Evan. The staff that works here at Damon's house is human and comes from Akbur Hills."


"What does that have to do with anything?"


"A new gardener from Akbur Hills is being sought after, after the current one passed away. I'll make an effort to persuade them to hire you."


"I can't, Ana. "In addition to having a family here, I look after your father."


"Well, if you don't help me in taking Damon out, we're all going to die! The poison won't work until you are here to help me, but I'll help you collect the ingredients."


"Ana, stop-"


I slapped down the phone when I heard footsteps coming. Now it was Tessa's turn.


"What are you doing, you're late, stupid."


"Sorry, I got hungry."


With an angry expression, she pulled me from the kitchen. Maria placed a huge white fur coat over my shoulders, holding it up.


"That coat was Emily's," she remarked. "It was a gift from the former Alpha."


With his arms folded across his chest, Bullet stood. His hair and beard appeared to have been gelled down, and he was dressed in a black suit with pinstripes. He said nothing, as usual.

I followed him to his van, and as I pushed my heels in and tried to get inside, he extended an arm.
The drive to the gala was unexpectedly quick, lasting only a few minutes. Our location was only minutes away from the pack house. Hundreds of people were arriving, and cars were lining the streets outside. Gorgeous women with stunning dresses, some with tribal tattoos and others without.

A group of suit-clad wolves has gathered by my side to celebrate my inevitable doom. I couldn't resist looking for Damon. As I got out of the car, I felt very alone in a crowded location. Everyone was staring at me, and I was holding on to Bullet for support. From the minute the car door opened until the tense swagger over the burgundy carpet that extended past the enormous double doors, I was rendered temporarily deaf. Individuals observed and murmured, but I couldn't hear them until I entered the event and became less of the centre of attention.


The interior was composed of black, white, and transparent marble and glass. The space was abundantly decorated with enormous paintings and golden sculptures. In certain parts, tables, couches, and chairs were present, while in other areas, a barman was serving patrons. There were a minimum of twelve mortal boys, each carrying a tray filled with small food samples as they strolled around. I stopped one to steal what appeared to be a fish fillet covered with a garnish and yellow sauce. It was probably the best thing I had ever eaten. It was fantastic. I followed the sound of the music with my eyes, finding a band playing mellow jazz in the very back of the room.

Hundreds of people were there, and it was difficult for me to believe that they were all here for me.
You moron, not you. They're all here for him.