*~Gabrielle's POV~*
For the first time in my home, everything was bustling around me. I watched as maids moved items across my room while I sat on the edge of my bed, swinging my feet like Mother used to do whenever she felt distressed. But I wasn't distressed; I was just scared and hoping for the best.
Then my sisters entered, and I knew it was time. I rose before either of them could say anything.
"Mother is waiting for you in her chambers," Isabelle said.
Her chambers? Mother had never invited me there before, and I didn't even know where that was, as I had always been confined to this room.
I nodded, and they began to lead me to her chambers. For the first time, I experienced the true beauty of the Forbes house. It was pure white, and even the flowers were bright white. The embellishments on the walls were breathtaking, and the statues of each White Wolf that had ever existed were proudly displayed. They made a statue for each of them in the High House.
I stopped in front of a statue of Mother in her wolf form. She was the last White Wolf, and her powers had been passed down to me at the moment of my birth. That was one reason she had gone into a rage when I got lost.
"Can we go, sister?" Isabelle asked, and I nodded as we continued our walk.
Our omega maids and wolf guards were visibly shocked. They stopped what they were doing to focus their attention on me. The soft rays of sunlight were hitting my blonde hair, and white butterflies danced around my head, as if they were placing a crown upon me. One guard stumbled into another, distracted by my presence, completely unaware of the desk in front of him.
Soon, we reached the main High House, and it was beyond beautiful. The rugs, the chandeliers, and the decorations took my breath away; everything was white, enhancing the perfection of it all.
Each painting of the past White Wolves was inspiring. We all shared the same features—soft blonde hair, royal blue eyes, and pale skin—and we looked remarkably alike. Even Mother and I had those features, while my sisters had blonde hair but tanned skin.
I stopped in front of a particular painting along the wall depicting the last of the White Wolves. It showed a little girl, blindfolded and sitting on a chair.
"That's you, Gabrielle," Isabelle said from behind me, realizing why the painting had caught my eye. I had no memory of that time. My memories only began three years ago, which Mother explained was due to where I had been found, though she never provided further details.
"That was you before you went missing. You used to be blind but very special. It was said you could see things that even those of us who can see couldn't," Annabelle added.
Isabelle continued, "You could sense when a wolf was about to transform; you could read people's intentions, and you even once separated a werewolf from his wolf, making him human forever... until you went missing."
I paused. Could I really do all of that? Where had those powers gone?
"Don't worry, sister. Your powers will gradually return along with your memories. That's why Mother hid you, so you would recover. You should be happy you came back with your eyes open," Annabelle said, touching my shoulders as if she sensed the multitude of questions swirling in my mind.
Soon enough, we reached Mother's room—and I was stunned. She was sitting on her bed, looking beautiful with her hair flowing loose, not tied up.
"Oh, my sweet daughter," she exclaimed, rising to embrace me and guiding me to a seat in front of a mirror. That was when I noticed the similarities between us.
"You look absolutely stunning, dear," she said, kissing my cheek and waving away my sisters.
"Come, dear. It's time for your bath."
She led me to her bathtub and began undressing me. I was amazed. Did something like this really exist here? As she poured warm water over me, the gentle stream soothed my skin. It felt wonderful—warm water, a hint of lavender, a creamy texture—why hadn't I experienced this until today?
Once I was dressed and robed, she sat me before the mirror again. The dusty powders clung to my skin, heavy and suffocating. A glossy sheen slicked across my lips, making me feel like I was wearing someone else's mouth.
What is this? I thought. But as I stared at my reflection, I noticed that I looked strangely beautiful and different.
Then she picked up my hair, straightening it until it was longer and smoother.
As she styled it, I noticed the mark on her, in the same spot as mine. She must have been as powerful as I was before giving birth to me and passing on her powers, only to lose me in the process. As I had been told.
Mother," I called.
She replied softly, "Hmm?" as she continued adding jewelry to my hair.
"When will I get my memories back?" I asked, and she suddenly stopped.
"Oh dear, you'll get them back very soon. Just take it easy, and your powers will return. You'll have those special powers again and uplift the respect of the Forbes name..." She paused, and irritation crept into her eyes. "Those pesky council wolves will finally show more respect for our name," she then shrieked excitedly.
I didn't quite understand what she meant by that, and before I could ask for more clarification, she vanished.
I paused and stared at my hands. Special powers, huh?
Looking at myself in the mirror again, I had to admit that whatever Mother was doing was working. I looked very beautiful, and my blue eyes seemed to shine even more.
Soon, she returned, holding two magnificent gowns in her hands, smiling from ear to ear.
"Darling, which dress would you like to wear for your first appearance tonight?" she asked.
I just stared at the dresses.
One was a dark shade of blue adorned with dazzling crystals all over it. The other was a bold red, shorter than a gown, but still looked good.
I chose the blue. Why not?
Mother helped me put on the gown, but it was so tight that my back hurt, especially affecting an earlier injury. My stomach was clenched.
"Argh, Mother, it's tight!" I blurted out without thinking, and she smiled.
"Beauty is pain, dear."
We both stared at my reflection in the mirror, and my jaw dropped. I looked… ravishing.
"Oh, you look gorgeous, dear. No wolf will be able to take his eyes off you tonight," she said. I nodded nervously.
"All thanks to you, Mother," I said, bowing, and she smirked.
"Of course, darling. All thanks to me… Without me, you can't do anything," she said, then kissed my head.
"Shall we?" she asked, stretching her hand toward the open doors, and I nodded in agreement.
Outside, my sisters were already waiting for me, all dressed up.
"You look beautiful, Gabrielle," Annabelle was the first to compliment me, and I returned the favor. Isabelle soon joined in, and we all exchanged praise.
"Enough with the pleasantries," Mother chimed in as Levy approached.
"All is set, Your Grace," he said, and we made our way downstairs.
I noticed my sisters walking down a different path, carrying baskets with the other maids, heading toward a separate carriage. Meanwhile, we approached the elegant white carriage adorned with golden embellishments—Mother, Levy, and I.
"Where..." I was about to ask before Mother cut me off.
"You will meet them at the High House. This carriage is for the White Wolves," she said, waving it off.
We stepped inside, and Levy started moving the carriage. The white horses whinnied as we rode.
Then Mother turned to me. "Are you ready, dear?"
"Am I?...