Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"Wait," Lunar gasped dramatically, "that's what you're wearing?"

I looked at the red dress in my hand, it was long, with a slit that ended at my knee and would hug my curves beautifully.

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's hideous!"

"Yea, it's quite.. bland," Leah supported her twin with a grimace.

"You guys.."

"And it's too long for you," Lunar added. "When did you start covering that hot body of yours?"

"It's impossible to hide that body," Leah chuckled, adjusting the recliner chair she was sitting on.

They were both dressed already which was a miracle on its own but I had spent the day literally in my head and didn't remember the party until they converged in here and decided to make me their first mission of the night.

"Fine, since the dress isn't good enough, I guess I won't be attending," I shrugged, dropping the dress on the bed.

Lunar looked like the moon fell out of the sky.

"Over my undead body!"

She zapped out of the room in one second, the door clanging behind her.

"Uh oh.. you've unleashed her inner fashion demon," Leah laughed. "Get ready to be tormented with clothes for the next hour."

I groaned, "what have I done to myself?"

Lunar was back, pushing a moving rack lined up with clothes.

All of them short.

"Are you trying to get me expelled?!"

"You're a Valentino. No one can expel you for something so little."

"Keyword, little!" I shrieked as I took out one of the dresses.

"Stop being so dramatic and start trying them on. We're not leaving you here, this party is the only reasonable one we'll have for the entire year!"

"It's our final year too," Leah joined in, her voice filled with tension. "Before we head back to the expectations they've been building up for us."

"Tut tut, let's not talk about heavy, boring topics tonight, alright?"

"Yes Ma'am," Leah and I chorused and then I began trying out dresses.

I groaned but started trying them on anyway.

After rejecting several that made me look like I was selling something, I finally settled on one.

It was pitch black, the fabric clinging to my body like liquid shadow. The hem stopped high on my thighs, and the neckline dipped just low enough to be dangerous without being vulgar.

Intricate silver beadwork curled along the sides like runes. I paired it with my favorite choker — a thin black band with a small silver crescent moon at the center.

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

For once, I didn’t look like the perfect, controlled daughter my father wanted me to be. I looked like someone who might actually do something reckless.

Tonight, I'll show up, let everyone feel my power and then I'll fade away from their presence.

I don't feel like performing for too long anyway.

At some point, I stop trying to adjust the dress.

I know somebody would send a halo image to my father and I can already tell he'd be pissed but that only gave me more confidence.

For once in my life, I want to do something for myself and not care about the consequences.

We walked into the stadium that was used to throw the party was already filled to the brim but it was all set up in cliques.

Everyone hurdled around the center stage with their friends.

There was no formal arrangement, this party was plainly for vibes and a deep breath we're all taking before the madness that'll be this year.

I can already feel the tension in the room despite us all gathering here to forget about it.

The second the doors opened for me and my girls, eyes turned to me, widening.

I smirked, embracing my character.

Whispered, mindlinks and halos gossiped and whispered but I couldn't care less.

They're meant to talk about me, so why try to stop them?

They've never seen me in clothes like this because I rarely ever let Luna win but this time, something in me kind of snapped.

I'll be back tomorrow but for now, I'm letting my hair down, literally as bad figuratively.

"Ooh, who do we have here? Daddy's little girl is finally rebelling?"

"Leave her alone, Kaelen," Leah snapped before I could say anything.

I moved towards the large drinks set up, ignoring the wolf.

He thrives on attention and I'll do everything to deny him that.

Still, I hate how my eyes found him again in the crowded place and I definitely hate the things happening in my stomach as I lingered too long, taking him in.

He wore a long sleeved tunic that he rolled to his elbow, showing off his strong muscles and the howling wolf tattoo showing.

His chest was also proudly open, the bastard.

My eyes trailed up, only to see him looking at me.

With a smirk.

Shit.

I turned away so quickly, my cheeks burning.

Did he really catch me checking him out?

Great job, Layla.

His pompous ass won't let me live that down.

"Should we be drinking this much though?" Leah, ever the worried one asked as Luna mixed threw different drinks into the jug.

The plan was to get glasses and then find a seat where we can watch the artists perform while drinking and we won't have to keep going back for more.

"Girl, live a little," I patted her shoulder.

"Yea," Luna nodded, adding more things to the jug, "what she said."

Afterwards, we headed to some seats and juniors ran off to clear more space for us.

We were drinking and watching someone play with wild fire when I felt a shadow settled beside me.

I'd know that scent anywhere, even in my dreams.

"I saw you checking me out over there, you know?"

"You're so fucking predictable!" I snapped.

"What? Did my eyes lie to me? You were pleased with my outfit, no?"

"If by pleased you mean being irritated with the fact that the rest of the wolves under your father's care are suffering so you can wear such expensive clothes, then he'll yea, very pleased indeed!"

"You speak as if your family is any better! You ration blood for the masses but it's wasting away in your storage rooms!"

"We store them for emergencies you idiot! And how do you know this?"

"Damn girl," Evan interrupted before he could answer me, "you look like you were transformed by a witch's glamour. Where have you been hiding this hotness?"

"Take your cousin away, Evan. He's pissing me off."

"How about this? Some of the guys are playing a game in the lounge out back. Do y'all wanna join us?"

"Yes!" Luna exclaimed excitedly before I could refuse.

I rubbed my temples, this was not gonna end well.

But hey, I'm tipsy and I'll do anything to get away from this annoying, pompous, muscular.. look, Kaelen.

I'll do anything to get away from Kaelen.

So we all filed out of the seats and walked behind the two boys.

Before we walked into the door, my eyes caught a figure walking into the arena.

Zaren, dressed in black, covering everywhere, even the rune markings I know would be under his skin as a mage.

He wasn't here to party, that much was obvious and I doubt anyone would want to have fun with him.

As his eyes roamed around the place, I wanted to go meet him.

But Luna pulled me away before I could do anything, towards the drunken game I should have dreaded playing.

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