Eloise returned from a long day of work and was struck by the lively atmosphere as she entered the house. Her sisters were running around, making silly noises and giggling, while their mother, Akita, sat on the couch, commenting on their appearance.
"What's all the commotion about?" Eloise asked, walking further into the house to get their attention.
Despite her rough hair from a hectic day, her handsome face still shone through.
"Your sisters are getting ready for the ball at the Packhouse," Akita said with a hint of sarcasm, her eyes fixed on the girls.
"Oh, Ace mentioned it today," Eloise replied, watching her sisters primp in front of the mirror. The way everyone was talking about the event piqued his interest.
"Mother," Eloise called out, sitting down beside Akita.
"Mmm-hmm?" Akita responded, her gaze still on her daughters.
"Can I go too?" Eloise asked, making Akita turn to him with a stern expression.
"Since when did you start caring about things like this?" Akita's features darkened.
"My colleagues at work are going, and they kept talking about it. Ace is going too," Eloise replied hesitantly, lacking confidence.
Akita's voice was firm. "No, Eloise. I'll need help in the kitchen. Your sisters will go alone."
"Come on, Mother. What kind of help do you need? I'm not exactly skilled in cooking, remember?" Eloise purred, wrapping his arm around Akita's. "Please..."
"Eloise, you can't go. Stop pleading," Akita snapped, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of the girls getting ready.
"Look who's suddenly interested in attending the ball," Alberta teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Mother, why can't he go?" Jade, the youngest, asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Ask me one more time, and you'll stay back too," Akita warned, her tone stern enough to silence Jade.
Eloise hated this side of Akita – strict and unyielding, especially when it came to her compared to her sisters. She couldn't help but wonder why the disparity.
With a sigh, Eloise stood up. "I'll just go wash up," she said, walking into her room with her head hung low and shoulders slumped, a picture of disappointment.
*
Eloise lay flat on the bed, still in her dirty work clothes, tears streaming down her face as she thought about her life.
"Eloise, dear, are you in?" Akita called out, knocking softly on the door.
The house was quiet, indicating Jade and Alberta had already left for the ball.
When Eloise didn't respond, Akita slowly pushed the door open and entered, her expression softening as she heard Eloise's sniffles.
"Eloise, don't be like this. You know everything I do is for your good," Akita began, but Eloise cut her off.
"Don't say that. The ball isn't the issue, but it made me realize something tonight. You always say you want the best for me, but you're depriving me of the right to live like a normal being. If there's a reason for this, why can't you explain it to me?" Eloise's voice cracked as tears filled her blue eyes.
"You're always making me feel like I'm not good enough, like I'm just a tool for you to use. You've made me into this...this person I don't even recognize. Trying to fit in with lads, trying to prove to them that I'm one of them...my life is a mess." Eloise's words poured out in a torrent of pain and frustration, leaving Akita speechless.
Tears spilled from Akita's eyes as she listened, and without a word, she turned and walked away.
After Akita left, Eloise had a moment of reflection. Maybe she had been too harsh. But why was Akita doing this to her? If she had a reason, why couldn't she share it? Why did she have to be the one to sacrifice her own identity to make Akita happy?
"Why me?" Eloise wondered.
Just then, she heard a whisper. "Eloise?"
She turned, scanning the room. "I'm at your window, dummy," the voice came again.
Eloise quickly got up and rushed to the window, pushing it open. "Ace?" she called out in surprise.
"Yeah, it's me. Why aren't you dressed yet?" Ace asked, his eyes narrowing at Eloise's dirty shirt and rough hair.
"I'm not going," Eloise said weakly, avoiding Ace's confused gaze.
"What a joke," Ace chuckled dryly.
"I'm serious, Ace," Eloise said, glaring at him.
"Why not? Females from all the packs will be there; you might even meet your mate. Who knows?" Ace suggested.
"My Mama said I couldn't go," Eloise replied.
"Why?" Ace half-yelled, his brows furrowed in frustration.
"I don't know," Eloise said, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, Eloise, I've told you before – you're too timid for a lad. You could've been a lass instead," Ace sneered, his words laced with sarcasm.
Eloise frowned, obviously offended. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice tight with annoyance.
"You can't be your Mama's little boy forever. You're nineteen; it's time to defy her odd orders," Ace said, voicing his thoughts.
"No, Ace, stop it," Eloise said, not ready to listen to his rebellious advice.
"Hurry up; you have twenty minutes. I'll be waiting under the mango tree," Ace said nonchalantly. "A little advice: use the window," he whispered, winking before disappearing into the night.
Eloise was left with her thoughts, feeling the need to connect with her inner wolf to navigate her issues. However, she didn't have a wolf yet, which bothered her since she was already of age.
Many of her friends, including Ace and Alberta, had activated their wolves, and she knew this was one of the reasons she was considered weak.
When she had asked her mother about it, she had given vague responses, saying it was for the best.
*
"Let's go," Eloise said, tapping Ace slightly on the shoulder from behind, making him flinch.
"I said twenty minutes, and you took so long," he complained, standing up from the wooden log he was sitting on.
"Nice outfit," Ace complimented, his eyes scanning Eloise's attire.
"Let's go before my Mother figures out I'm gone," Eloise said, pulling Ace's wrist as they both took off in a sprint, their footsteps quiet in the night.
*
"Where were all of you when that witch took Demon?" Alpha Atlas demanded, his voice thundering through the room as he glared at the soldiers in charge of Demon's cage.
"Can't you all hear me?" he growled, his presence radiating intimidation.
The soldier spoke up, trying to hide his fear. "Her Grace requested him, Alpha. We couldn't refuse her. She threatened to kill us." Atlas's gaze pierced through him, and he knew his mother's reputation preceded her. Still, he couldn't help but blame the soldiers for their lack of resistance.
"You feared she'd kill you, but you didn't consider what I'd do to you. Prepare for your punishment," Atlas spat, turning to leave.
The soldier's fear was palpable, and Atlas's deep voice sent shivers down his spine. At just twenty-five, Atlas's authority was already formidable.
Atlas stood atop the Packhouse, his mask glinting in the light as he watched the ball.
He despised people so he kept his distance, he could choose any lass he wanted from the ballroom below. His eyes scanned the crowd, watching noble men dance with ladies, their sweetness and romance a stark contrast to his nature.
As he observed, he noticed all the girls looked the same. He didn't care, he could just pick any of them and when his mother returns his pet, he'll simply murder her.
From his vantage point, he had a clear view of the crowd, but they couldn't see him.
"Do you mind stepping down?" Grimsby, his chief guard, asked.
"No!" Atlas growled, his brow furrowed.
Grimsby bowed, respecting his decision.
"Use your powers, like turning invisible," his inner voice suggested, and Atlas found the idea tantalizing.
There was more to him than met the eye, secrets even his mother didn't know. "Fine," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
"I want to go alone," he instructed the soldiers as he descended the stairs.
When he was certain no one was watching, he shifted, disappearing into thin air. He made his way to the ballroom, preferring to remain unseen, to avoid observing the fears of those below.
"Hey, have some," Ace said, passing Eloise a cup of wine.
"No thanks, you know I don't drink this," Eloise replied, shoving the cup aside.
"I'm sick of all the girls staring at you and not noticing me," Ace said, his tone tinged with frustration. "And now you're rejecting this great wine? We don't get to drink this every day. You're so boring, I'm going to hang out with more interesting people," he added, walking away with a hint of pique.
As soon as Ace left, Eloise exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and discomfort. She wasn't bothered by the attention; instead, she was preoccupied with how tightly she had bound her bosom. The constriction was uncomfortable, and she wished she could adjust it without drawing attention to herself.
Used to wearing bindings, Eloise nonetheless felt particularly uncomfortable today. She suspected she might have overtightened it in her haste.
"Ouch," she muttered, trying to subtly adjust her position to ease the discomfort.
However, with all the curious glances and winks from the other girls, she couldn't risk making any obvious adjustments.
Seeking some privacy, Eloise quietly stood up and left the ballroom. Outside, the crowds were still thick, so she sought out a quieter spot where she could readjust her bindings without being noticed.
She found a passageway and hurried in, walking until she was sure she was out of sight from the main area.
The passageway was dimly lit, with only a faint glow from the ballroom lights illuminating it.
Eloise quickly removed her coat and slipped her hand under her shirt to loosen the fabric binding.
"Ohhh," she exhaled in relief as the constriction eased.
She attributed her oversight to her rushed state earlier, deciding to blame it on her haste.
*
Atlas's brows furrowed as he navigated through the crowd, a mix of fascination and irritation swirling within him.
The lack of fear and respect from the people around him grated on his nerves; making him realize that he despises being disregarded.
The fearless looks on their faces only served to heighten his annoyance. Though the ladies were indeed beautiful, their failure to acknowledge him further fueled his anger.
Without much hesitation, he stepped into the dark passageway to shift back into his physical form.
His eyes darkened as he strode in, the sound of his footsteps muffled. His frown deepened upon noticing someone else in the passageway, engaged in a peculiar activity.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to observe the person, assuming no one could see or sense him.
However, to his astonishment, the lad suddenly raised his head, flinched, and backed away in deep surprise and fear.
Atlas's frown intensified behind his mask, and he began to growl, his confusion and disbelief evident.
"What's wrong with him?" Atlas wondered, struggling to comprehend the look on the boy's face. "Can he see me?" he mentally questioned, his confusion deepening.
"How?" he growled, his frustration and bewilderment growing with each passing moment.