7

Today is the ball and I am absolutely dreading it. I have been blessed enough to not have encountered Alpha Hunter again since the incident with him in father’s study but I know I won’t be able to avoid him today.

For today father got professionals to do my hair and make-up and I fought them at first when they tried to cover up the bruises that Alpha Hunter left on my skin but then father came and restrained me to a chair so I wouldn’t fight.

I was only let out when it was time to put on my dress and I secretly prayed that it would look hideous on me. Even as I was led to the mirror I was still praying with my eyes shut but when I opened my eyes I felt all hope deflate from my body.

The dress itself is beautiful and it fits me like second skin. It has a single spaghetti strap over my left shoulder and it hugs my upper body and then the bottom of the dress just falls straight to the ground. A huge slit runs up my right thigh and with my hair slicked back into a ponytail I looked every bit mature and beautiful.

The ladies led me downstairs and the first person I had the misfortune of seeing was Liana. Her green dress was every bit revealing but also very beautiful.

“You look beautiful,” she said, “You should be thanking me, I obviously have very good taste in dresses.”

        “What are you talking about?”

“The dress you picked out from the mall was hideous,” she began, “and since I am such a nice sister I decided to help you exchange it for one even prettier.”

        “Why would you do that?” I asked, “What would you even gain from it?”

“I can see how much you hate the idea of this wedding and how much you want to sabotage it,” she shrugged, “I have taken it upon myself to make sure that this entire thing goes smoothly.”

         “I thought you didn’t even want me to marry Alpha Hunter,’ I said, “You wanted him.”

“I did at first but then I realized that doing that would make you happy,” she said, “I want to see you miserable.” Her smile grew at those words, “Don’t worry little sister, I will cheer the loudest when the wedding is announced.”

She gave me a wink and walked away leaving me standing there in shock. When she realized I wasn’t following her she stop and looked over her shoulder at me.

“Are you coming or not? I’ve been tasked with taking you to the party safely.”

I swallowed down the bile in my throat and followed her outside and into the car that was taking us to the party. I blinked back tears throughout the ride while desperately trying to think of ways I could stop this from taking place but deep down I knew that there was no point, no matter how hard I fought they would fight back harder.

‘Then you fight even harder again,’ my subconscious whispered and I let those words calm me.

By the time we arrived the party had already begun and father was already tipsy. I honestly don’t know why he drinks when he knows that he is a lightweight.

I sighted Alpha Hunter from across the room and tried to escape but Liana was not having it. She kept a firm grip on my arm until he crossed the length of the room.

“You look stunning tonight Charlotte,” he said in that sickly voice of his and all I had to consciously stop myself from grimacing. He didn’t wait for a reply; probably because he knew I wasn’t going to reply and took my arm from Liana’s grasp and ushered me over to where father was.

He gave father a nod and I saw father stagger his way over to the stage and I actually winced at the sight. He looks so embarrassing when he’s drunk; someone has to stand next to him so he doesn’t topple over. He leaned into the microphone and I tuned him out not wanting to live with the second-hand embarrassment of hearing him speak while drunk.

It wasn’t until I heard my name that I realized what was going on. I tried to subtly move away but Alpha Hunter’s grip on my arm got tighter. He leaned over until I could feel his hot breath against my ear.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked and I felt shivers go down my spine as I smelled the alcohol on his breath, “We’re just getting to the good part.” I had no other choice but to sit there in silence while father announced my wedding to this horrible man beside me.

I saw a few of the Luna’s shoot me sympathetic looks but none of the Alpha’s batted a lid, they’re probably used to this by now; in fact, I’m sure they’ve seen worse.

“Wipe the frown off your face doll,” Alpha Hunter whispered, “People will think that you were forced into this.”

I was about to give a smart retort when I caught Carmen’s eye from across the room and she shook her head slightly at me and I forced down my words.

“Cat got your tongue doll?” he asked and I bit my tongue to stop me from saying anything that could potentially get me in trouble, “I think I like you like this,” he began and I secretly prayed  that he wasn’t going to end with what I thought he would, “But I think I’ll prefer you screaming.”

He just had to go there didn’t he? I forced down the bile that was rising in my throat and plastered a fake smile on my face for the rest of the event.

It was difficult believe me. Especially when father got really drunk and he wanted me to kiss Alpha Hunter. He even started a chant like a ridiculous child and I wanted nothing more than to scream but I knew I would suffer for it in private so I kept a smile on my face the entire time.

If it wasn’t for Luna Aubrey, the Luna of the Strix pack pushing a glass vase to the floor, then I’m sure I would have been forced to do it because I could already see Alpha Hunter licking his lips. When she shattered the vase I could see the frown literally form on his face and I shot her a grateful look which she returned with a slight smile and a nod.

After that I didn’t wait for another incident to arise, who knows if she or anyone else will be able to save me. I mentioned aloud how tired I was then told father I needed an early night. He was too drunk to dispute and just waved me off.

I saw Alpha Hunter open his mouth to argue but I didn’t wait for him to speak. I quickly ran outside. I stopped in the parking lot for a few minutes to catch my breath when I felt a presence behind me.

I turned abruptly and came face to face- well chest, to the hottest man I have ever seen. I couldn’t see the color of his hair because he had a cap over it but his grey eyes were so piercing that I felt small under their stare.

“Are you okay?” he asked and I opened my mouth to reply but then heard my name being called.

I turned and saw Carmen heading over to me, “I’m sorry,” I said to the mysterious man, “I have to go.”

I ran off before he could say anything and when I got into the car Carmen leveled me with a glare. “Do you want to get in trouble?” she asked.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I whispered refusing to meet her stare.

       “If you put even one toe out of line you will get in trouble,” she said then leaned closer to me and whispered, “I can’t help you if you aren’t being careful.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered back and she nodded.