Chapter 23
“We look amazing!” Cathy squealed, striking a few exaggerated poses in front of the mirror. Her excitement was infectious, and despite everything, I found myself nodding in agreement as I ran my fingers through my bouncy, thick curls. Stephanie, however, was still busy applying yet another layer of lipstick, oblivious to our antics.
It was already seven o'clock, and I had expected the Alpha—Jake—to be the one to pick me up, or at the very least make an appearance. But no, of course not. He was too important for that, apparently. For reasons unknown to me, he couldn’t make it, so he sent a car instead. I was mildly disappointed, though I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the idea of showing up at this grand event alone that made me feel a little off.
The dinner party was being held at the pack’s main Grand Hall, a few miles away from the pack house. Stephanie had mentioned earlier that it would take exactly fifteen minutes to get there, which was enough to make me realize just how enormous this pack's territory really was. A small city, almost.
As we waited for the transport to arrive, our excitement continued to build. Stephanie, who was glued to her iPhone X, suddenly gasped, her fingers flying across the screen as she typed furiously.
“What is it?” Cathy asked, glancing over curiously, though her attention was still half on her phone as she responded to her own texts.
I, too, was intrigued. Stephanie rarely got this excited unless something major was happening.
“You won’t believe it,” she said, eyes wide as she looked up from her phone, “but my friend Megan is already at the Hall, and she says almost all the Alphas are there—including the Alpha King!”
“No fucking way!” Cathy’s eyes practically popped out of her head as she stared at Stephanie in disbelief.
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a sigh. Could this day get any stranger? “Wait, there’s an Alpha King?” I asked, my voice dripping with skepticism. Of course, this world kept getting more bizarre with each passing day.
Stephanie scoffed at my disbelief. “Uh, *yeah*. Of course there’s an Alpha King. He’s basically the ruler of all the packs. He ensures the packs follow the laws and traditions, keeps everything running smoothly, and punishes anyone who steps out of line. They even call him ‘The Punisher,’ because his punishments are... well, let’s just say no one’s been brave enough to break any major laws in the past five years.”
I raised an eyebrow, trying to digest this new information. *The Punisher?* It sounded like something out of a horror story, but then again, nothing seemed impossible these days.
“And get this,” Cathy added dramatically, standing up from the bed with one hand on her hip, “they say he’s a demon because of his eyes. They’re different—like, they can see through people’s lies or something. He’s also a unique hybrid, a Lycan, but he’s said to be made up of ten different species.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her sudden dramatic pose, though her words left me with a strange sense of unease. “Ten different species? Really?” I asked, though part of me was starting to wonder if there was some truth to the stories.
“Yep,” Stephanie chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. “And the Alpha King never attends these kinds of events—*ever*. No one’s actually seen him except a select few. Jake, for instance. They say he and the Alpha King are cousins, or maybe even brothers, which is why Alpha Jake is a little... different. His wolf is different, too. It’s like the King has rubbed off on him or something. But this—this is the first time the King is showing up to a dinner party. It must be something *really* important.”
Before she could elaborate any further, Cathy’s phone buzzed, and she looked down, her eyes lighting up. “The driver’s here!” she exclaimed excitedly, darting out of the bedroom. Stephanie and I exchanged a glance, rolled our eyes, and followed her out.
***
The fifteen-minute drive to the Grand Hall felt like an eternity. Cathy had been chattering non-stop about all the gossip she’d heard regarding the Alpha King, while I sat quietly, staring out of the car window. The long driveway leading to the Hall was beautiful, illuminated by elegant street lamps that cast a soft glow over the landscape. In the distance, a magnificent fountain stood proudly, surrounded by manicured gardens. It was breathtaking, but my mind was too distracted to fully appreciate it.
As the car came to a stop in front of the Grand Hall, I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. The entrance was grand, with a long red carpet stretching all the way to the doors. But what surprised me most was the crowd of paparazzi outside, cameras flashing in every direction. Apparently, this dinner party was a big deal, attracting not just pack members, but some of the wealthiest businessmen and women around.
The moment we stepped out of the car, the camera flashes intensified, and I instantly regretted wearing heels. Stephanie, on the other hand, seemed to thrive under the attention. Reporters shouted her name, recognizing her as the cousin of one of the richest bachelors in the world. Cathy and I, however, were just “new faces” to them, and while that was a relief, it didn’t make the experience any less nerve-wracking. After what felt like an eternity of posing and smiling for the cameras, we finally made our way inside.
The Grand Hall was spectacular. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow over the room. The décor was luxurious, with tables draped in fine linens, adorned with intricate floral arrangements and glittering silverware. It was the kind of party you’d expect to see in a royal palace or at a gala for the rich and famous. I couldn’t help but feel completely out of place, not because of my dress, but because this world wasn’t mine. These people, with their perfectly coiffed hair and designer suits, were worlds apart from me.
Cathy, sensing my discomfort, leaned over and whispered, “Hey, I know how you feel, but don’t worry, you’ve got this.”
“Really?” I whispered back, still feeling out of my depth.
“Yeah, really,” she grinned. “Just picture everyone naked or dressed like clowns. Works every time.”
I snorted, trying to suppress my laughter. Cathy was always a breath of fresh air, never taking anything too seriously. Even Stephanie giggled at the ridiculous image.
“You’re the craziest soul I know,” I told her with a smile as we walked toward a table made of actual glass. I had to stop myself from staring at it too hard, worried I might somehow shatter it just by sitting down.
***
Stephanie didn’t stay with us long. Her friends eventually came over, whisking her away to the VIP section without so much as a second thought. Cathy and I were left on our own, passing the time by sampling different wines offered by the waiters.
“This party is so dull,” Cathy complained, taking a sip of her drink. “It’s all too fancy and stiff. I feel like I’m at my great aunt’s funeral or something. Seriously, it was just like this—grand, fancy, and boring.”
I laughed, nodding in agreement. “Honestly, I wish we were at a club or something. At least that would’ve been fun.”
She sighed dramatically before her eyes suddenly widened in alarm. “Hey, don’t look now, but...”
“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Your man’s here,” she whispered back. “And he’s with *Goldilocks*, hand in hand.”
My heart skipped a beat as I slowly turned my head. There he was, Alpha Jake, looking every bit the royal in his black Armani suit, his jet-black hair perfectly styled. And right next to him was Rebecca, her fake blonde hair practically glowing under the lights as she clung to his arm like some sort of prize.
“I’m really going to rip that fake blonde hair off her head, strand by strand,” my wolf growled in my head, and for once, I wholeheartedly agreed.
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