The dazzling chandeliers and LED lights, along with the sophisticated guests, made me feel out of place. The dress I wore was uncomfortably tight compared to the training pants I was used to, and the heels were excruciating.
Everyone else appeared comfortable and elegant, unlike me. However, as Kari descended the stairs with a man who seemed too good-looking to be real, I realized it was Alpha Zach, whom I had never met before.
His dark gaze and chiseled jaw gave him an imperious air. "Why is the Alpha wearing gloves? The prophecy said he would be able to touch his mate without gloves, but goddess, he's so handsome," a woman with flawless skin remarked.
She must have been a born pack member of this tribe. Kari didn't seem as happy as I had expected, but when he turned to her, his expression softened.
Discomfort swept over me, and I couldn't understand why. Alpha Zack was unlike any Alpha I had encountered before. His grace was evident, and his black tuxedo seemed tailored to perfection, fitting his body flawlessly.
"Wait, she must be the Alpha's destined mate. They look perfect together," remarked another woman who also appeared to be a pack-born member. Everyone was so well dressed with glasses sparkling with wine.
The pack-born members had flawless, snow-white skin, as they had not endured the same hardships as some of us. Rumor had it that only a few had supported Alpha Zack in building the tribe from scratch.
Alpha Zack and Kari appeared deeply in love, as he focused all his attention on her, guiding her gently as they welcomed the guests.
Amidst the crowd, I felt lost and unsure of whom to turn to for help regarding my parents. Who could I trust, especially as an omega?
Kari whispered something to Alpha Zach, and in response, he whispered back, causing her to smile before addressing everyone, "Alpha Zig isn't allergic to me like other she-wolves, but welcoming other Lunas could trigger his allergy."
So that was the reason. Alpha Zig was allergic to every she-wolf except his true mate, and only she could be touched by him with bare hands. Quite a touching revelation.
"Alpha Rhodes Cloud from the Umbra Kin Tribe has arrived," the emcee announced. Jack was nowhere to be found, but Alpha Zach and Kari went to welcome them.
Two women joined them, looking identical. "The Alpha's twin sisters, Iris and Ivy," the pack-born members giggled and hastened to the twins.
They wore the same outfits and with their beauty matching, no one could make out the difference between them. As I checked for any discrepancies, Kari spoke behind me.
"Put this in mine and the Alpha's drinks. Make it quick and make sure no one else sees or drinks it but me and him." Wasn't it suspicious of her to want me to do this without anyone knowing? Something like this could backfire.
"May I know what it is?" I asked, but my question was met with a slap, the sound of which not even the slow music in the background could hide.
Gazes focused on me, but mine remained on Kari's. I was a step away from returning the two slaps and getting banished, but she spoke between gritted teeth. "You have no right to ask any questions." Suppressing my anger, I pondered a way to exact my revenge.
Following instructions, I kept the two glasses of drugged wine together, but upon arrival, Kari did not select the wine I indicated. Additionally, Alpha Zach chose a different one.
Shortly after, he received a phone call and excused himself from the group. The other Alphas made their selections, and noticing one of the maids was short on wine, I offered her mine before going to refill.
Unfortunately, being new to something like this got me confused and before I realized, the drinks had been mixed up, with a severe headache setting in.
These headaches were unfamiliar, and without my wolf, I had no explanation for them. Typically, they would subside after a good night's sleep, but now, relief eluded me.
One of the maids returned to the kitchen with a glass of wine, which I quickly drank to ease my headache before handing her the refilled glasses.
As I tried to pour more wine, my heart raced and my vision blurred. A strange desire overcame me, possibly triggered by my pheromones. It would be a disgrace if I was in heat as an unshifted like me shouldn't experience such urges. I considered that I might just be tired and in need of rest.
"Is the wolf less in heat?" an omega of the fatuous rank inquired, prompting me to seek an escape as my pheromones could betray me further if I stayed.
Spotting a staircase nearby, I ascended it step by step, unsure of where it would lead. I couldn't tell how long I walked, but darkness was taking a toll on me by the time I reached and opened a door.
My wig fell off my head, but my eyes were too blurry to locate it.
My knees felt weak, but luckily, I felt something soft beneath me. It was the most comfortable thing I had ever felt in my life. Suddenly, the door pushed open, and I heard someone talking, but I couldn't make out what he was saying.
My desire was so great that I didn't care who it was. If he could quench my heat, I wouldn't mind being his slave.
A pair of arms wrapped around my waist, forcefully flipping me to face him but, his face was so dark, or perhaps the lights were off.
"Who are you, your scent tamed my wolf. Kari? When did you get here? Goddess, did somebody drug me?" My mouth opened, but it felt too heavy to speak as warm lips pressed against mine, and my mind went blank.
When my eyes finally opened, I had no idea what had happened. The last thing I remembered was the headache that caused me to drink that wine.
The room was foreign to me, so huge with luxuries I dared not desire, and the bed was unlike anything I had ever seen in my life. What exactly happened? I had no idea.
My wig was nowhere to be found, and my clothes lay in tatters on the floor. They were so torn that there was no way to salvage them, leaving me completely naked with a bloodstain on the bed and my body aching terribly.
The sound of running water reached my ears, indicating that the man was still nearby. Despite my curiosity about the man's identity, I knew that being discovered could lead to severe consequences such as beheading or banishment.
Our kind was forbidden from entering such places.
Recalling my survival instincts, I tore the bed linen into two pieces and wrapped them around me, securing the makeshift garment with a knot around my neck. As I hurried out of the room, I heard footsteps behind me.
Fortunately, it seemed that the person had not spotted me, as no one called out my name. However, I had lost my wig and could not afford to replace it. An idea struck me.
After successfully escaping without being seen, I fled into the woods in search of a solution for my red hair. Upon reaching a stream, I bent down to drink and caught sight of my reflection in the water, frozen by the sight of the red patches covering my body.
I was devastated by the transformation, but I pushed aside my emotions and began searching for the herbs I needed. Grinding them with a stone, I hoped to find a way to restore my appearance.
Due to the banquet, most people were still asleep, and it was still dawn, so everywhere was quiet. After rubbing the herbs all over my hair, I waited for some time before submerging in the water and washing away the residue.
I couldn't afford a wig, but this should turn my hair blonde to protect me until I can afford a new wig. These herbs were not the best and could potentially harm me in the future.
As soon as I opened the door to the attic, I tossed the bedsheet I used to cover myself in the corner and went to sleep.
The sound of chaos woke me up, and I quickly put on my pants. I had washed and dried them after returning from cleaning, so they were ready to wear.
"Annabelle disappeared from the banquet after her heat, and nobody can find her," I overheard someone saying from outside. I bumped into Jack when the door opened, and he pushed me into his room.
He used the small house, while I was confined to the attic due to my rank. "Where did you go last night?" he asked, and my tongue was tied. "I don't know. I wasn't feeling well, so I came back," I lied, but he frowned, not looking like he believed me.
"Your scent has changed. Did you sleep with a man?" Was it obvious? How could I let him know exactly what happened? His next revelation sent chills through me.