Chapter 7

I pulled out two old fashioned glasses on the kitchen island as I transferred the contents from thums up bottle into the drinking vessel.

A happy smile lingered on my face, after some lonely days I finally had a guest coming over to my place. I was super enthusiastic about it, and even better news for myself was that I got over the incident about a week ago. I no longer pondered over the thought of Alpha Lucas. Maybe I would be an exception and never meet him again.

My smile only grew at the thought as I placed the drinks on the serving tray. My life would swing on colours if it was to come true.

"Make yourself home," I said as I held the tray to my guest before keeping it on the wooden coffee table.

"I already do," Crystal remarked sipping on her drink. She was a beautiful girl with her breast length copper coloured hair, to put in better words she was a spitfire in angel's disguise.

Crystal was Skylar's younger sister, a third-year University student with a smart attitude and witty remarks. Crystal, unlike Skylar, was a disorganised person, she had her legs crisscrossed on one end of the sofa while her jacket and bag laid on the other end.

"Skylar didn't tell me you were stopping by," I said, pushing her things to sit on the other side of the sofa.

"I wanted you to be surprised. My semester exams are over and the college gave us a week of holidays to spend."

"But your sister doesn't live here anymore."

She nodded. "I know. I'm not staying over here, just stopped by to say hi. My friends and I are going to camp in the woods tomorrow. So you don't have to burden yourself with me."

A relieved sigh escaped my lips as I placed my palm on my heart. "Thank God."

The one end of her lips twitched to the side in displeasure. "Anyway, how is your jobless life going?"

"Couldn't you have asked it nicely." I glared at her.

She winked.

"I'm still on a run for it. I'll find one soon."

"I pity you." She smirked.

"Talk something like that again, I'll kill you," I said, motioning my hand around her throat in an act as she dodged it on instinct.

She laughed, sticking her tongue out at me.

"Bitch," I murmured under my breath.

"Don't you have anywhere else to be?"

"No," she said blankly. "Also, Skylar wanted me to let you know that she's hosting a birthday party for her brother-in-law with her soulmate. She invited you."

I scoffed. "A birthday party? What am I? A five-year-old?"

"Don't you know? Werewolves make their eighteenth birthday party grand. You have no idea, it's as grand as a formal ball—I mean the decoration. They have a celebration hall for it."

"Oh." My brain already started playing the video of the grand party. "But I don't think I'll go."

She smirked. "Afraid that your mate will catch you?"

I choked on my cool drink and stared at her as if a bombshell struck me. "What the hell? How did you...."

"Skylar."

The word itself was enough for me to discover the rest. I knew that Crystal would come to know about this someday, but I hadn't expected this early. Crystal to me was as close as Skylar, even though she was three years younger to me we treated each other as normal friends. At first, Crystal gave me vibes of a bad girl, but she turned out to be a nice girl with a tough aura.

"Honestly, I think you should attend it," she suggested.

"And get caught? I ain't going anywhere, I can't take any chances." I pushed myself away from the thought, not wanting to imagine his face.

"It won't be that bad, Heaven. You can't coop yourself up within these four walls, they aren't even interesting. How will you face the dangers if you don't step out of your shell?"

"The shell is more comfortable than risking myself out there."

"It's not like they will torture you, all they'll do is shower you with their love. Now tell me, who doesn't want that?"

"Do you want it? Do you want a mate?" I asked.

"If he is not a jerk then yeah. I want a mate."

She continued, "Just consider going there. Hide like how my sister used to do. Mostly, Alphas don't attend such parties, maybe you'll get lucky."

I still didn't want to go? What if—What if he came? There are possibilities for him to show up, ninety-nine point nine per cent he'll come.

If he found me then he would never let me go, that's what their nature was like. They take their mates under their possessions and don't even let them do what they desire and they say that they just think well for them. My foot. How disgusting and boring my life would become if I landed under his paw? A person like me didn't want a life like that. I would rather spend my life happily with chocolates and ice-creams.

"I don't wanna go," I declared.

"Skylar really wants you there, she's worried you won't see the sun tomorrow because of your stupid cowardness."

I swallowed down the last drop of the cool drink before placing it down on the coffee table. "Am I being forced to go?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. Skylar asked you to return her ring if you don't go."

Then why did she even give it to me?

Skylar had a really bad habit of blackmailing people if they didn't do what she wished for. I didn't feel like going, but I can't stay here forever, there would be times where I would have to force myself out of the house.

Maybe, it wouldn't be bad if I go. Anyway, I was going to cover myself like last time. He wouldn't even know in a room filled with pack members.

I slowly chewed on my lip, pondering over the thought for one last time.

"Choose one," Crystal ordered.

I looked down at her hand, holding two fingers out for me to choose one. I lifted my hand to hover over her two fingers. I had no idea which finger would lead me where I hesitantly reached for the forefinger for a second or two, I thought before swiftly changing my decision and choosing the middle finger.

Crystal grinned. "You're going."

***

"Hey! Don't even think of wandering off," I warned, my grip on Skylar's elbow tightened as I pulled her close to me, our sides almost touching each other.

She huffed, her hand loosening my grip on her. "In this huge mass of people, I don't think the Alpha would come, he has a lot of business to do. So, just chill."

"I don't believe in fate."

Her fist softly collided with my forehead. "You are at a party which I'm hosting, Heaven. At a time like this, I should be beside my mate, not here babysitting you."

I burned invisible holes in her head with my orbs as I muttered cuss words oblivious to her hearing. I looked away, still holding her close to me. She wanted me here, so she has to pay the amount of it.

Bitch.

Angrily moving my eyes around I observed the people, they were dressed beautifully, not too formal nor too casual. It was infuriating to see so many werewolves looking happy with their mates, chatting, teasing, joking, kissing and of course, making out. It disturbed to how comfortable they were and here I was dying in my own what-ifs.

I diverted my eyes from those disgusting people to the birthday boy on the stage, greeting and hugging other people. He was a handsome grown-up man like his brother, those cute dimples as he blushed and his soft blonde hair swept back like any gentleman. Look at the magic God bestowed upon him.

All these werewolves have those pleasing features in them somehow. They all managed to appear good.

And mine just had to be their Alpha.

The worst part of all was my dress. The floral white dress I wore was kind of tight near my waist, I wouldn't have worn the dress if it wasn't for Skylar who forced me.

"By the way, you didn't say anything about cake. How was it?"

I smirked, tilting my head to have a close look at her. "You bought it, didn't you?"

Skylar chuckled.

"It's just like your choice. Yuck!"

Skylar punched me on the arm and pushed away from my hold. "Your choice is yuck."

I sarcastically laughed.

"Want me to leave you?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, my lips shifted back to its normal state. Just like Crystal, she knew her way to shut my mouth.

Damn!

The room once filled with laughter, gossip and music hit the straight line when the doors to the celebration hall opened.

My breath froze as I registered the figure, who had now entered the silent hall. His honey eyes twinkling under n number of lights, his fair glow contrasting vigorously with his black shirt folded till the middle of his forearm. He looked irresistible and I was stunned.

Was this how God was punishing me for not considering the bond?

His aura didn't help either as I felt Skylar go stiff beside me as well.

Alpha Lucas looked around the room with a welcoming smile as people—including Skylar bowed down to him. Just so that he wouldn't notice me I did the same thing.

"Did you—"

"Don't worry, I used the perfume," I whispered.

Alpha Lucas motioned us to stand straight, his eyes moving on every face in the room. I hid behind the tall man in front of me, avoiding to meet his eyes. Alpha Lucas brought a heart-pumping sensation to my body, increasing its pace with every passing second. My eyes were tight shut as I felt an unnerving urge to give in. I wanted to look in his eyes. Very badly.

"Where are your glasses?" Skylar asked.

That's when I realized.

"I forgot to bring it."