“You’re the one who wanted this,” I gently remind her. “You look stunning, Sky. Everything will be okay.”
Sky just shakes her head, her gaze fixed on the view outside her bedroom window. She’s all dressed up, her hair and makeup done to perfection. But she’s shaking, her nerves getting the best of her as the reality of what’s about to happen sinks in.
We’re about to be whisked away to Alpha Asher’s party, and the gravity of it all is finally hitting her.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told her she looks breathtaking. We’re both going to be seen entering the event, and she’s desperate to look her best.
And she does. Her dark hair is pulled back, held in place by a shimmering silver clip that’s uniquely hers. Her dress hugs her figure, highlighting her curves and slender waist flawlessly.
Most importantly, her wedding ring is on display, a clear message to everyone at the party that she’s taken.
“I should be the one worrying. I’m wearing a dress that feels like a second skin,” I say, gesturing to the outfit she insisted I wear.
The dress fits better than I thought it would. But it leaves little to the imagination, making me feel almost exposed.
I insisted that Sky leave my hair down when she styled it, hoping it would provide some coverage for the cleavage that made me uncomfortable. Instead of feeling glamorous and affluent, I feel like one of those girls who work on Main Street, trading favors for nothing.
“You’re naturally beautiful,” Sky retorts, taking a deep breath. “You need to find a nice single guy to keep you company anyway. The dress is perfect.”
I was about to argue, but the sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs cut me off.
Sky squeals with excitement, so loud that I consider covering my ears. “They’re here!” she exclaims.
As she dashes for the stairs, I glance out the window. The same sleek car from earlier is parked outside, and someone steps out. From this distance, I can’t make out much about them, other than the fact that they’re wearing a suit.
Before Sky can trip over her heels, I follow her downstairs.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, Sky is opening the door to reveal our guest. It’s a tall, slender woman with short hair. She’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit that looks so neat and pristine it’s intimidating.
She extends her hand to Sky, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she inspects our invitations.
Please don’t turn it over.
“Follow me,” she commands, turning on her heel and striding back to the car, her heels clicking against the pavement.
The air outside is unusually warm, a stark contrast to the typically crisp air of this Pack. The evening is just beginning, the sun setting behind Asher’s estate on the hill.
Lights are starting to flicker on, signaling the start of what would normally be another work night. But tonight is different. Everyone will be closing up shop early, either to watch the spectacle of guests arriving at the party, or to watch the event from the comfort of their homes.
Most people are just curious to see who Alpha Asher invites.
The woman opens the car door for us. Sky hesitates for a moment before climbing in. I gather up my dress and slide into the car, immediately enveloped by the darkness inside.
Sky grips my hand tightly. She looks nervous until we pull out of our driveway and onto Main Street. That’s when her eyes light up, reflecting the bright street lights.
She looks so young, and I suddenly feel glad that I agreed to accompany her to the party. She doesn’t get out much, so maybe this will be good for her.
“You walk straight in when we get there,” the woman, who never bothered to introduce herself, instructs from the front seat. A mesh screen separates her and the driver from Sky and me.
I want to respond, but I bite my tongue. I want to ask, ‘why? So they can feel inferior to us?’
The closer we get to Asher’s estate, the more nervous I become. What does the little note mean, and who could have possibly written it? If the A stood for Asher, then would he approach me and say something?
I can’t imagine how he would even know who I am…
“Oh my,” Sky murmurs beside me.
I follow her gaze and realize I was so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I didn’t notice we had arrived at the entrance of his property. A crowd of people are staring at the car, although I know they can’t see past the tinted windows.
They’re my neighbors, I recognize that much. The familiar look of longing in their eyes hits me like a punch to the gut.
“They’re excited to be here, Lay. Don’t do anything,” Sky whispers, trying to sound comforting. But I can hear the warning in her voice.
The gates slide open after a minute of the driver speaking to a guard outside. I try to avoid looking at the crowd. People are everywhere on the drive up, and I wonder what they did to earn the guards’ approval to be let in.
I hope they just arrived early, but I have a feeling that’s not the case.
Instead of focusing on the sea of cheering faces of people who wait every year for this party, I focus on the lights strung on the trees and along the fence. They’re a mix of vibrant colors—mostly purple, blue, and gold.
“This is insane,” Sky whispers in my ear. “I can’t believe this is actually happening!”
We pull up to a courtyard, bordered by a formal lawn on the left and a decorative fountain on the right. Everything is grand and magnificent, making my fingers tremble and my stomach flip.
Asher must have a thing for lights, because they’re everywhere.
The fountain next to which we park sparkles with lights under the water. Even the base of the house is illuminated by a multitude of striking lights that glow a strange shade of amber.
“Remember what I said,” the woman says abruptly before stepping confidently out of the car.
Instantly, cameras start flashing, the bright lights assaulting the car windows. I focus on my sparkly shoes and Sky’s hand as she grabs mine.
That is, until the door beside me is yanked open.
Like a deer caught in the headlights, I find myself staring down at the short-haired woman. Her hand, adorned with numerous glittering rings, is extended toward me, offering to lead me onto the black carpet outside.
The cheering is deafening, but it fades into white noise. The flash of the cameras is blinding.
I’m frozen, caught in the glare of the spotlight.
“Come on,” she urges, and I take her hand, pulling Sky along with me. Is this what it feels like to be rich and famous? If so, I’ve got it down.
My heels dig into the plush carpet as I move forward, wishing I could hide my eyes from the spectacle around me. I avoid looking at Sky, knowing she’ll be reveling in the attention, and I don’t want to feel any more out of place than I already do.
So, I focus on the door we’re being guided toward.
Two towering guards stand at the entrance, extending their hands for our invitations. The woman finally releases my hand to present our invitations to them.
One guard nods, accepting one of the invitations while the woman tucks the other into her suit jacket.
She then turns to us with a smile, gesturing for us to proceed.
“Welcome to Alpha Asher’s annual bash. Eat, drink, dance, and live it up—for one night only.”
Her words reverberate in my ear. Sky strides forward eagerly, ready to step through the curtain of shimmering fabric that separates the outside world from the party within.
The inside is a mystery to anyone not on the guest list or part of the staff. I follow, determined to stay close to my sister.
But the woman catches my arm, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
“You’ll want to hold onto this,” she murmurs, and I feel the silky invitation slide back into my hand.
She arches a blonde eyebrow at my puzzled expression. I’m filled with questions.
Did someone tell her to let me keep the invitation, or did she decide to do it after seeing the note on the back?
“Why do I need this?” I ask.
She just shakes her head at me, nudging me forward with a hand on my back.
“Wait…Who wrote it?”
As I stumble through the curtain, I’m first struck by the soft, classical music wafting around me. It’s soothing and gentle, making the hairs on my skin stand on end.
Then I spot Sky, looking back at me with a wide grin on her face. The sight of her, coupled with the grandeur of the setting behind her, leaves me awestruck.
This must be the main floor where we’re free to mingle and party. A grand staircase leads up to a landing hidden by mirrors, reflecting the scene of elegantly dressed party-goers on the first floor.
There are plenty of people on the upper level, and I briefly wonder how they got there. But my curiosity is cut short as Sky grabs my hand, pulling me onto the dance floor.
“Let’s dance!” she exclaims, twirling around before grabbing my hand again.
I can’t help but smile at her. I’m relieved she’s not here to flirt with the single guys, but to spend time with her sister.
That’s why I’m here. And, of course, to figure out the mystery behind my invitation.
Slipping it behind my back, I let Sky lead me onto the dance floor, ready to let loose and have some fun for a change.
