Chapter 5

• Just as I went to walk away, someone roughly grabbed me from behind around my waist and pinched me on the ass. I shrieked in surprise, and the tray of champagne I was carrying clattered to the ground. Luckily, the sound of music drowned it out, but didn't stop the fact it poured all down the back of another wolf.
• The wolf groping me suddenly let go when the male turned around with a harsh growl that had the strong gamma whimper. I staggered to my feet, but the angry, now-wet man caught my arm.
• “I'm s-so… s-sorry.” I hiccuped, tears threatening to stain my cheeks.
• “Wasn't your fault.” He grunted, taking off his blazer. “Some people just need to learn respect. This can wash.”
• “S-sorry.” My eyes blurred as I tried to pick up the remnants of broken glass.
• He bent down to help me pick up the shards and put them on the tray. I smiled up at him in thanks, and his brown eyes furrowed in concern. They felt warm and comforting, and even though power oozed from him, I didn't feel on edge. I glanced away, confused.
• “Are you okay?” His gentle voice asked.
• Suddenly, an omega wolf came with a mop and helped clean up the remnants of the champagne flute. They did not dare to raise their head regarding the high-ranking wolf, especially knowing that he was a beta. Thankfully, it was only two glasses and champagne flutes were never full, anyway.
• I stood in unison with the other omega, who ran off quickly”I'm s-sorry again.”
• “Are you sure you're okay?” He whispered, and I met his gaze.
• I could feel his beta power, but for whatever reason, it didn't bother me. Usually, any power of status had me not look at all, but I just stared right into his eyes. He was just as surprised as I was before, his brows furrowed in thought.
• Strange.
• “N-no, it's okay.” I blushed and looked away.
• I walked away from him in a hurry before he could comment more and dashed my way to the toilet. Cleaning myself up, I composed my fears before getting back to work Throughout the night, I could sense the beta follow me with his eyes now and then. The gamma had long disappeared, and no longer summoned people for drinks. An ashamed sag of his shoulders meant he had already been reprimanded. They were not of the same pack, so I assumed the beta was from a higher pack to punish him.
• I was thankful that midnight had passed, as it meant this would all be over soon, since it was now Rosie's official birthday. The music suddenly cut off, and I stopped walking to look up and see Alpha Darien standing with his glass in the air.
• "Your attention, please!” He called and everyone hushed. “I am pleased to say my daughter has found her mate, Beta Liam of the Nightshade Pack! Let us all celebrate!”
• Howls cut out from everyone here, but being the only one unable to shift, I grimaced at the feeling of being left out. I was envious of everyone, that they had wolves for themselves. And I was envious of Rose, who had found her mate straight away, while wolves like me hardly ever had the chance. Just because she was an alpha blood pup.
• Another hour passed, and I was tired and feeling sad. I could feel the beta close by wherever I went, his attention often causing my hair to prickle on end.
• Deciding against staying, I made my way over to Steven, once again followed by brown eyes. Clearing my throat politely, he turned to me.
• “Alpha Stephen, may you excuse me to bed? Most of the wolves are leaving, and I have to be up in a few hours for breakfast.” I wondered.
• “Yes, of course, Ember.” His hand came onto my shoulder.
• I flinched automatically. “Thank you, goodnight.”
• “Goodnight, Sweet Ember.”
• ********
• A week had passed, and I had thankfully avoided conflict. Today was a cleaning day, and so I got busy cleaning the vast majority of hallways and rooms in my designated area. Which is the alpha and the beta rooms, as well as all the main offices downstairs.
• Today, I could hear shouting and doors slamming from Stephen’s office. Stephen came storming out into the hallway and barely glanced at me as he passed. I watched him go into the forest through the foyer window. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. But soon Lizzie came out after him. Her eyes were wild with anger and she immediately spotted me.
• Oh, no. Bad timing to be here, Ember.
• Marching over, her hand came flying to my hair, and she pushed me against the wall, her canines extended. Her free hand quickly slapped me across the face so hard and unexpected that I bit down on my lip and the metallic warmth of my blood filled my mouth.
• “It's all your fault!” She shrieked.
• I expected something else, but she quickly dismissed me with a growl and chased after Stephen in her stupid high heels.
• I spat out the blood and slumped to the floor. Not only that, but I was just damn mopping. What have I done? I sat for a while just to get my bearings around what had just happened.
• There were sounds of footsteps scuffling, and I looked up to see everyone running down the stairs and halls, wiping hands on their aprons and fixing their hair.
• Another downside to not shifting was not being able to mind link my fellow pack mates. I could only assume the word was out for a meeting or something had actually happened since everyone was going towards the grand hall.
• I cursed, not having time to sort my face out, but got up and followed a group of people, wiping at the blood that dripped down my cheek. The grand hall was brightly lit and the only place where we could all fit. Luckily, I got there just in time. Most wolves already stood facing a podium where both the alpha men stood.
• Alpha Stephen was the one who was talking tonight. I noticed he was doing a lot more instead of his father, Darien. No doubt he would be in complete control soon since Rose had already left to live with her mate in his pack, so the family numbers were dwindling.
• “Thank you for coming when I know so many of you are busy.” The room was hushed to silence. “I received a phone call with the orders from the king.”
• Murmurs sounded across the room, and people jostled nervously. I huddled into myself at the back of the crowd, glad for the cover from the people in front.
• “The King is sending one of his main packs and their alpha to come and do a welfare check on us!" He cleared his throat to quieten the room. “And it happens to be the Alpha of the Dark Moon pack.”
• People shrieked among the crowd; this pack obviously created uncertainty within them. This was the pack I heard him speak to Lizzie about last week…
• I was blissfully unaware of why it was such a bad thing, so made a note in my mind to ask mother later. This was the second time I heard Stephen talk about them. This was the pack that was at the party. Yet, I didn't sense an alpha as strong as that there.
• Wiping blood again with my sleeve, I grimaced at the staining. I really liked this jumper…
• Glancing up, I saw Stephen surveying the room as people voiced their opinions at once. His gaze met mine from way across the room and I sucked in my lips before dropping my head, so my hair would cover my face. I felt weirdly… guilty.
• He cleared his throat. “This alpha will expect the most from all of you! Keep up appearances and be ready. I will see you all later!”
• People chattered as they flooded out of the building. From the corner of my eye, I saw Stephen watch me as I slipped into the stream of people. I kept myself hidden and made my way to my room in the pack house.
• I took it upon myself to wash my face and hands before continuing with the rest of my chores. There were only a few hours left, anyway.
• ******
• I shut the cleaning cupboard with a sigh. I had hoped to finish two hours prior, but Lizzie had caught me and demanded that I scrub her room from top to bottom in case the new pack saw. Even though she was betrothed to Stephen, I found it quite humorous.
• She caught me as I was finishing her hallway, her face immediately turning sour. “It's all your fault, you know.”
• “W-w-
• “Don't what-what me. You know what you did. You purposely parade around like a slut and got the attention of the beta of Dark Moon when you spilled your crap on him! It is unclear to me why Stephen insists on you being a server when you can't even talk.” She laughed. “You are useless and pathetic. And now we all have to suffer because of you, as though your very being isn't enough torture for us.”
• My bottom lip wobbled, and I kept my eyes on her shoes. Was I really that useless?
• “Oh what, going to cry now? How pathetic, just like I said. Now go get out of my sight.” She scoffed, opening her bedroom door.
• I nodded furiously and turned to hurry away. However, in my haste, I missed her pointed foot and my reflexes were too slow. I came crashing down onto the wooden floors, the side of my face taking a considerable part of the hit. I could hear Lizzie chuckling before her bedroom door shut behind me, leaving me in the hallway.