Betrothed To The Alpha.

The soft glow of my room lights reflects off my peach asymmetrical one-shoulder evening dress, casting a warm sheen across my small but cozy bedroom. I stand before the full-length mirror propped against the wall, admiring how the fabric drapes elegantly over my frame. A smile tugs at my lips as I twirl once, watching the dress flutter around me. I couldn't help but feel a momentary pride in my choice. I had spent days picking my dress just for tonight, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

My eyes drift to the clock on my nightstand, its gentle ticking a reminder of the approaching party. Between the success of my dress and The DuskBane Pack hosting the event, everything is turning out perfectly. Anticipation courses through me as I smooth down the fabric; these gatherings are prime opportunities to meet one's mate. Even though I'm not yet twenty-one, by midnight tomorrow-my birthday-my mate will be revealed to Kelly, my wolf. A delighted squeak escapes me-I can hardly contain my excitement.

My heart soars at the possibility that the one I've come to adore might actually be my fated mate. Yet, beneath the surface, a sobering reality casts a shadow. Even if he is revealed as my mate, a gnawing worry tugs at my heart-he may not accept me. In our werewolf world, the Moon Goddess chooses our mates at birth, but we remain oblivious to their identities until the moment of revelation on our twenty-first birthday. He and his brother already had their eyes set on her as their Luna, and they were just waiting for midnight for the universe to give her to them.

I force a smile, attempting to push aside the disquieting thoughts. A silent prayer escapes my lips, hoping against the odds that my mate is someone else-someone who will cherish and rescue me from this emotional abyss. It pains me to label my home as a hellhole, but ever since she entered this house, everything changed. It transformed from a place of joy and happiness into one of sadness.

If only my brother hadn't... No, I can't bear to finish that thought. The shame holds me back from openly wishing harm on someone. I wished she never arrived, yet a conflicting part of me hesitates to wish for her demise.

I give myself a final once-over in the mirror. The doe brown eyes that once sparkled seem dimmer now, and my pitch-black hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. Rosy lips are adorned with just a touch of lip gloss. I take a deep breath, mustering the strength to face the night ahead. With my purse in hand, I step out of my room and into the softly lit hallway, ready to step into the evening.

As I descend the stairs, the familiar voices of my parents and hers reach my ears. Mentally preparing myself, I join them at the foot of the stairs.

"Finally!" Mom exclaims upon seeing me. She, a poised woman with auburn curls cascading gracefully down her shoulders, is dressed in a beautiful black gown. Her makeup is subtle yet elegant, accentuating her features with a touch of sophistication. A hint of annoyance lingers in her tone, something I choose to ignore.

"Hi, Mom," I greet with a smile, attempting to overlook the undertone of irritation.

"You should learn to be more like your sister. She didn't keep us waiting," Dad remarks, adjusting his cufflinks, visibly annoyed. Dad is the Alpha of our pack, The Ashen Crescent Pack. He stands tall with black hair framing a strong, chiseled face and brown eyes. As one of the many Pack Alphas across the country, he answers only to the regional Alphas and, ultimately, the Alpha King himself.

My tongue dares to remind him that Alice, my adopted sister, with her piercing gray eyes and cascading blonde hair, has also just arrived, but I wisely hold back. "It won't happen again," I assure.

"It's okay, Dad, we can get going," Alice says, adjusting his tie. She hadn't seen me as her back was facing me.

"Hello, Alice," I say, and she finally turns around. Her gray eyes widened, and a flicker of anger crossed her face before being replaced by a fake smile.

"Oh, my goddess, Haisley, your dress..." She fakes a gasp, running toward me. I take a step back, narrowing my eyes at her. "It's so beautiful." Her eyes sparkle as she admires it.

"Thank you," I reply cautiously. Her compliments are unusual, and I sense something more behind them.

"Don't you think it would look great on me, Dad?" she asks, batting her eyes at him.

I should've seen it coming.

"It would, dear. Anything you wore would look beautiful on you," he responds, and a pang hits my heart. He didn't compliment me upon arrival, but the same dress would be beautiful on Alice.

What about me, your real daughter? Doesn't the dress look beautiful on me? I wish to shout, but I keep my feelings bottled up as always.

"Too bad Haisley is wearing it. I would have loved to." She pouts.

"If you wish to wear it, Haisley should give it to you. You're her sister," Mom adds, shocking me with her words.

"Yes, Haisley, give the dress to your sister," Dad chimes in, and my shock intensifies. Are they serious right now?

I stare at them, lost for words. They didn't compliment my dress upon my arrival but scolded me, and now they want me to hand over my dress to Alice just because she wants it-no valid reason given.

Closing my eyes, I exhale. I shouldn't even be surprised; I should be used to it by now. But how could I? These two people were my parents, the ones who created me and loved me until she came along. Tears filled my eyes.

"No problem. I will head upstairs and change." I turn away from them as the tears drop.

I rush up the winding staircase, my heart pounding as I burst into my room. With trembling hands, I hastily pull off the delicate dress I spent countless hours picking. The soft fabric slips through my fingers as I hand it to a wide-eyed omega servant who had followed me upstairs.

"Give this to Alice," I instruct, my voice barely above a whisper. The servant nods silently and hurries away, leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts.

Kelly's angry voice echoes through our mind link, her frustration palpable even in the confines of my own head. "You shouldn't have given that bitch your dress. You spent hours picking it out for tonight!"

I sink onto my plush bed. "And what else could I have done?" I reply through our link. "Said no and made Dad and Mom hate me even more because of her?"

"No!" Kelly retorts. "But you should've lied or done something. That bitch doesn't even like the dress. She probably just wanted to wear it because it looks so breathtakingly beautiful on you."

I close my eyes, picturing how the dress hugged my curves perfectly. "I know," I admit softly.

"Fuck!" Kelly's frustration radiates through our mental link. "Sometimes I really wish your brother never brought her home."

A lump forms in my throat as I think of my beloved brother. "Too bad he did, and I lost him in the process too."

"You know if he was here, this wouldn't be happening, right?" Kelly's tone softens slightly.

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Yeah, I do."

Kelly sighs, her anger fading to resignation. "Let's just pray tonight your mate ends up being someone amazing who takes us far away from her. Then we'll never have to worry about that bitch again."

I gaze out the window at the darkening sky, watching as the first stars begin to twinkle. "Hopefully," I whisper, allowing myself a small glimmer of hope for the future.

Reluctantly, I cut off my connection with Kelly and finish putting on my second dress-a simpler gown in muted tones that pales in comparison to my original choice. With a heavy heart, I head outside to join my family.

As we settle into the car, Alice slides into the backseat beside me, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. She's wearing my dress, the delicate fabric shimmering in the fading light. I plaster on a smile, but beneath the surface, I'm boiling with resentment. Alice doesn't need to utter a word; her self-satisfied smirk says it all-she's reveling in the fact that she's wearing the dress I coveted.

Kelly growls in my head, but I maintain my facade all the way to the venue. The weight of anticipation settles in my stomach as I silently count down the hours. Once midnight strikes, I won't have to put up with Alice's machinations anymore. I can't wait for the moment when everything would change, hoping against hope.