I was sitting on the couch, not saying a word. Drake and Jace were enclosing me. Their eyes were buried in the display. The television was turned on and headphones were secured over my head. It was only me who watches this box in the family.
At the end of the hall, my parents and Jasper were talking in whispers. I looked to my left and then right. I elbowed them. They were reading books. I couldn't understand the language.
They looked at me with arched brows. I gestured at them and lifted my chin asking them silently.
Jace was one to shake his head. I wasn't getting a word out of his mouth, He was the gamma of the pack. I could understand his situation. I sniveled my neck, demanding answers from Drake. He did not need to answer anyone.
"Nothing to worry, pumpkin. They're just worried about you. You sneaked out and look at you now. " DRAKE said, sighing.
"I do not want guards around me, following me everywhere." I shouted in irritation, looking in their direction.
My parents exchanged looks. I knew they would do such a thing. That was the reason I didn't want them around me to invade my life all the time.
"We were just discussing your schedule, baby." Daddy C said.
I snorted, pushing myself up. They really thought I was a dumb girl. Drake held the hockey stick for me. I yanked it though I didn't mean to be rude to him. "Liars," I muttered and headed to the door.
"We're doing what's good for you." Mom stood between the door and me.
"You will regret it if you won't stop." I told her. I love her but I hate this. I wanna make friends, and live a happy life like other girls. My sister got everything easily. It's me who is considered weak and vulnerable. It's just choking me. I wouldn't mind shifting to my paper's parents house.
She folded her arms, giving me a pointed look. "What are you gonna go?"
I felt an arm curling around my shoulder. "She'll get what she wants." Drake declared.
"Don't interfere." Mom told him, thinning her lips.
"Just one year, Mom. If you won't stop this, I'll make sure you won't see me, Ava, and Ember ever again." Drake threatened, his fingers tightening around my arm.
She gasped. Tears pooled in her eyes. "You can't do this to your mother." Daddy C said.
Her eyes turned heavy with emotions.
"That's going to happen, dear Mom and Dad. I wanna see my kiddo sister happy." Sarcasm dripped from his tongue. He hadn't forgotten what she did back at home. "And you're also not seeing me ever." Jace said.
"Jace," Daddy C warned him, as he glared at him.
"I'd give up the position in the pack. Oh, I forgot to tell you one thing. You must have heard it, perhaps. I'm the head Gamma of the Council pack." He smirked.
I squealed happily and hopped forward, opening my one arm. "Congratulations. I know you'll fulfill your dreams." Drake kept his arm around me. He is also part of NineA now.
Getting up, he strode forward using his wolf speed and curled his hand around my wrist. Drake was already holding me by the shoulder, saving me from the fall.
He chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Thank you, kiddo. I was going to tell you but..." His gaze traveled over my head to our parents.
They must be shocked as I couldn't tell as my back was facing them.
" I'm so happy for you. I want a party. Ice cream." I shouted excitedly.
"No, too much ice cream isn't good for your health." Jasper said.
"But..."
"Dad told me about your ice cream party." Drake said, smiling.
"But I want a party..." I pretended to be sad. That always works with my brothers, particularly Daddy L
"She'll be safe among her brothers, darling." He told his wife, rubbing his hand on her arm. My mother was a fashion designer. She always looked like a perfect and stylish icon.
"Yes," She extended her feet holding unshed tears in her eyes. I was feeling bad for doing this to her. She needs to see the world from my eyes, and understand them. I might be born with no wolf within me but I have a heart. She placed her hand on my cheek. It took a lot of willpower to not pull my feet back. She kissed my head and turned on her heels.
Daddy C met his gaze with them. Their talking in their heads is going to piss me off. They nodded at him and they strolled out of the room.
I fell silent. I just stared at the door. They wouldn't back up so easily. I was going to notify the guards trailing behind me. "I want a party." I told Jace.
"Well, there's actually a party. Tonight at Seven." He smirked.
"Can I come with you?" I asked, making a sad face again.
Jasper chuckled. "You don't need to do that. You're coming with us." He said,
"Should I help you to get you back to your room?" Drake asked.
"Yes, please. I need to pick my dress." I giggled. Drake helped me and we walked toward the stairs.
"I don't want any guard around me, Jasper." I told him
He nodded his head and whirled to his room. I let out a sigh of relief.
I frowned at my flip-flops. I wanted to put on heels when mother purchased the dress for me. I didn't do makeup but I applied natural pink gloss on my lips.
A hard knock echoed in the room and the door cracked open. "Are you ready, Em?" Jasper asked before peeping in the room.
I turned in my chair and nodded my head. "Are they still here?" I asked, chewing on the inner wall of my cheek.
"Yes," He walked in, opening the door. He grabbed the stick from the edge of the bed.
"I'm not carrying it with me." I told him.
He arched his brows, not liking it. "How are you going to manage then?" He asked.
"Don't forget. My brothers are also coming with me." I wiggled my brows which made him chuckle.
"But we're keeping it." He held it out for me. "Or, I can carry you." He suggested.
"No, all will stare at me. Well, you haven't told me anything about your girlfriend." I folded my arms.
"There's no girlfriend, Em. I'll have a mate one day. Until, no discussion on this topic."
I grasped the stick and got on my feet. I controlled my tongue to not ask questions about my mate. Will I stay alone forever?
I wriggled my anklet. The pain wasn't too bad to endure. Jace was driving the SUV, Drake was in the passenger seat and Jasper was sitting next to me.
"You're planning to walk." Jasper said.
"No doubt." I muttered. It wasn't that far. It took us five minutes to reach the pack house.
I was about to open the door. Someone opened it and my chin lifted to see who. My jaw dropped to the ground. Did he open the door for me?
"The Alpha?" I muttered, my voice full of shock. I shouldn't be as all the famous people would be here to attend it. Er... Alphas, wolves.
"Darkice," He said as I stared at him dumbfounded.
"His name, kiddo." Jace mocked getting out of the car.
I actually glared at my brother. "I'm seventeen, not a kid."
"You'll always be for me." He drifted toward the entrance.
I felt his golden eyes on me. His look was dope with black trousers, a black shirt with three buttons unfastened. He cleared his throat, snapping me out of the daze I'd fallen into. I climbed down the car holding the door. I should walk into the room before deciding to not use my support.
"Do you welcome your guests like this? Opening the door for them." I asked.
He tilted his head and glanced at me. "Are you okay?" He asked, catching me off guard.
"Um, yes, thank you." He's surprising me today.
His brows shot up and I caught the humor in his eyes. He composed his expression Immediately.
I took a small step forward, putting my weight on my feet. Pain surged through me.
"You need help, little intruder." He slid his arm around my waist. The space in my chest rose again. Strange but good energy raced through me.
I pulled myself out before I started drooling over him. "You're tall, doesn't mean you'll call everyone little and I'm not an intruder. I just wanted to see your garden. Believe it, it's more humble than you." I concentrated on the pain.
"I wasn't expecting to hear this." He said, a small tug at the corners of his lips told me he was enjoying our conversation.
"Thank you, The Alpha."
"Call me, Dark," he said.
"Like dark in the room?" The crease smoothed over his forehead after seeing the smile over my face. He helped me today. It doesn't suit him.
"No, I like it short." He said.
"Oh, alright. Dark. " We entered the pack house. My eyes darted around. The floor was of polished wood, the walls were also made of wood, and the roof was twenty feet high. All the decoration was done with real indoor plants. There was a long wooden table and many chairs around it. It does not look like a party to me.
He pulled the chair out for me. "You would like to sit?" He said.
"Sure, thanks." My gaze met his, one more time.
That lopsided smile appeared. It's heart melting. My eyes darted to unknown faces. But when I looked at them closely, My heart picked a race. They were the famous faces of the world. Some were billionaires, business tycoons, and engineers, not only this, they are more than this. Alessandro Moretti, handsome and tall, his stormy grey eyes were on the person next to him. He was the beta of the Dark King and the Alpha of his pack. The person standing next to him, she was a beauty with icy blue eyes, white blonde hair, and a lean figure. I knew them because once I saw their picture with Jasper. There are two more muscular and handsome gentlemen. Silver said something. And they all laughed. They were talking under their breath. I couldn't catch a thing.
"Here," Jace placed fresh squeezed orange juice in front of me.
"I don't know anyone." I told him. I've seen Daniel many times during my stay on weekends. But we rarely talked.
Making no sound, he drew the chair out and sat down. "She's Silver." He whispered. I nodded. "He's Alessandro Moretti." Jace motioned with his index finger with the hand he was gripping the glass. "They're mated."
"Oh, lovely couple." I didn't forget to keep my voice low. But I saw Alessandro and Silver swiping their gazes at me. I looked away immediately. "The one with the grey t-shirt?" He was gorgeous with a chiseled face, amber eyes darker than mine, his blond hair was long enough to brush the loop of his ears.
"Carlos, one of the King's Alpha." He said.
"And the one with the maroon t-shirt?" I jerked my chin to the next one. with a chiseled oval face. His dark eyes were matching with his eye color. I like the way his curls were. I'll do my hair curly too.
" You already know him. "
"I just saw him with brothers many times. No particular knowledge." I offered a soft smile.
"Daniel, his father, was the previous headmaster. He's an Alpha and part of NINEA. " He gestured at another couple. " He's Max Anderson and his mate Grace. King made them part of it after seeing their loyalty, particularly his father's. You have already met Edward and his mate Elizabeth."
I nodded. "All are part of nine?" I asked, darting my eyes around. Alessandro, Daniel, Carlos, Jasper, Drake, and Edward. "But they're six." I leaned in. I didn't want their hateful eyes on me.
"Queen Reina and her twins are part of NineA. Here, you know now all the members of 9A." He smiled.
"Yes, Daddy L told me. They're pure blood. "
He clapped on my shoulder softly. Abruptly, his eyes shone amber as they fell over my shoulder. He didn't even blink his eyes. Mom has warned me to keep my distance in such conditions.
Gasping, my eyes darted back. Did I hear him right? Sisily sauntered into the hall, her eyes locked with Jace. She wasn't blinking either.
"Brother," I said in a meek voice. My tone was alarming. It could be dangerous to come between mates when they beheld each other for the first time. Only a strong Alpha could rein in his wolf.
The chair fell back as Jace shot to his feet. A wave of fear zipped through me finding myself between them.
I was yanked back by someone still sitting along my chair. My hands shot to my mouth as a scream rippled through my throat. A cold chill washed over me when I heard a menacing growl.
My eyes were still on my brother. Bending his knees, Jace threw her over his shoulder and ran out of the hall using his wolf speed.
My eyes were widened, unblinking, gawking at the door.
"You look disturbed." My body trembled startling hearing his husky voice in my ear. My eyes shot back, gripping bewildered expressions. He was still grasping the chair.
Ghosh! He's so strong. He pulled me back along with the chair, not giving me a scratch. I just didn't want anyone to throw me over his shoulder.
I looked around. No one reacted to it. If they had, they were already back to the topic they were sharing before smelling my dread in the air. I shouldn't forget my pounding heart.
He plucked off the glass that Jace brought for me. "Thank you." Immediately, my fingers curled around it and I took a deep sip.
He sat on the table, his long legs stretched before my chair. "Feeling better?" He asked.
I nodded, glancing up at him. "Thank you. Everly told me how it could be dangerous." I didn't want to mention my mother.
"It's not dangerous."
I gestured with my headaches at him to lean closer. He did it immediately. His forest scent filled my lungs, pushing away my anxiety. "My sister told me that Silver.'' I looked at her. She was engaged in a deep conversation with her mate. " She attacked the King's mate and badly injured her. She didn't even come between them. She just saw her with her mate. Can you imagine I could be in the hospital bed for the next fifteen days? Alpha's nails carried poison. It could be deadly for me.''
He paused for a moment contemplating. "Only she-alpha could carry the venom. It's a weapon to protect them in their weak period."
"What's a weak period?" I asked, frowning.
"Pregnancy, " He murmured, his eyes never looking away. My cheeks turned tomato red. The giant hall felt small to me as I could understand where I should go. Instead, I concentrated on finishing my glass.
"Come," He whispered and it almost sounded like an order rather than a request.
I parted my lips to the object but shut it immediately. I needed to go out of here where I wouldn't be aware that my pounding heart could disturb wolves' ears.
I got on my feet, still clenching the glass. I nodded my head. "Please, lead the way."
His arm wrapped around my waist. Why didn't I think about my feet? Every pore of my body is aware of his warm palm.
My eyes were glued to the path. The sight flashed at the back of my mind. Shit! I needed to stop embarrassing myself.
The air felt fresher than before, so many enticing scents filled the air. I plucked my eyes from the path. My feet halted, I froze on the spot gasping. It was more beautiful than I had imagined. Colorful flowers bloomed everywhere- violet, pink, white, yellow, blue, and every color in thick row after row. The air was filled with their fragrances.