After a quick breakfast, Marisol delved into the preparations for the annual ball. The scent of fresh flowers, the sound of laughter, and the hum of activity enveloped her as she navigated through the myriad tasks that demanded her attention.
The floral arrangements, the seating arrangements for the guests, and the intricacies of the ceremonial traditions- all required her meticulous oversight.
The halls of the pack's grand estate buzzed with energy and anticipation. When she was younger, Marisol used to thrum with the exact same level of energy, if not more. How she wished she could go back to those times.
Despite the excitement that buzzed through the pack, Marisol couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something malevolent lurked in the shadows.
In the courtyard, she met Estella, her closest friend and confidante. Only Estella knew of the nightmares that plagued Marisol, but she didn't know the details. That would be unnecessary.
Together, they went through the checklist for the grand event, discussing the details that would make the ball a spectacle to remember.
"You seem off, Marisol," Estella suddenly notice her sudden mood. "Is everything okay?"
Marisol forces a smile, dismissing the question with a casual wave. "Just a lot on my mind with the preparations and all. It's nothing to worry about, Estella."
Another lie. She'd been thinking about her latest dream and how she collapsed. She was still yet to decipher what was real and what was not.
"I've known you for too long to buy that, Marisol. Something's bothering you, and I know so. Talk to me." Estella presses, and Marisol sighs, fingers running through her hair.
"I had another one." She confesses in a whisper, not missing how Estella's eyes grew in size.
"Another nightmare?" She questions, and Marisol nods, swallowing.
"But you had one yesterday, and that one had all of us terrified." Marisol looked away, anxiety already bubbling under her skin.
"They're becoming more frequent, aren't they? You've never told me what they're about. What I felt through the bond yesterday scared me, Mare. What do you see and experience that could be so terrifying even for us?" Marisol exhales loudly, biting down at her lower lip as she considers telling it all.
"Come on. I've respected your privacy and have also kept your secret thus far. Don't you trust me?"
"It's dark and unsettling." Marisol grits out, "It's been going on for months, but I still can't seem to make any sense of them."
Estella frowns at that, "That's a vague description, Mare, but I'll take it. Why haven't you told your parents? They could help."
"I don't want to worry them. Besides, there's something about this, something I can't put into words. It's like I'm drawn to it, and that scares me more than anything."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the presence of Garret. His loud voice reached their ears from where he'd been laughing and teasing some of the pack members. Although he looked to be busy with them, his watchful eyes followed Marisol's every move, trying to be as subtle as he could manage.
"I've noticed Garrett hanging around lately," Estella notes quietly. "It's almost as if he's watching you, Marisol. Do you think he knows something?"
Her brows furrow at the thought, and an uneasy feeling unfurls in her chest, but she already had so much to keep her on edge. "Don't worry about him," she resorts to saying.
Estella steps closer to her, "Are you sure? Do you need me to tell him off?" She asks seriously, and Marisol spares a chuckle.
"Although that would be fun to witness, I'd rather not see you get in a scuffle with the Beta of the Dark Moon, Estella."
Estella gives her a wry smile before stepping away. "I'm sure I could take him." She says with a smug look, shrugging. Marisol shook her head, the ghost of a smile on her lips.
Marisol's senses were heightened as she navigated the grand ballroom. With each step, she grows angrier. Garrett's intense gaze followed her every move, and it was getting on her nerves.
Unable to bear the weight of his scrutiny any longer, she marched purposefully toward him.
"What is your problem, Garrett?" Marisol snaps, giving him a sharp look. "You've been staring at me all night. Are you a guest or a critic?"
Garrett, unbothered by her outburst, or claiming to be, casually leans back against a pillar, flashing his signature smirk. "Easy there, Princess. I was just checking out your work so far. You're doing a great job handling things. Weldone, Marisol." He says, earning an exaggerated eye roll.
"Cut the nonsense. What are you really up to?"
He chuckles before pushing himself back to his feet. "Okay, fine. I was here to tell you something, but your efficiency and party-planning skills distracted me. Your dad's waiting for you. You're supposed to go over the guest list with him."
Marisol's eyes widen, and a gasp escapes her lips. She had been avoiding encounters with her father so far, and so much so that the meeting had slipped her mind.
"I totally forgot," she admits with a sigh.
Garrett laughs again, seeming to be enjoying her misery a little too much. "Better not keep the Alpha waiting. He seemed eager to discuss the details. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be a thrilling conversation." He drawls, nodding at her while Marisol shoots him a glare.
"Thrilling is not the word I'd use, but thank you for the reminder, Garrett." She grits out before walking away.
As Marisol reluctantly headed towards her father, her heart pounded in her chest. She felt like her father was the only person who could get her to unload her burden. It was why she steered clear of him.
"Why don't we go together?" Garrett suggests, spawning next to her.
"No. Why don't you go about your day like you have been .... continue admiring my work or something."
"I got bored," Garrett replies swiftly. "But I'll let you face your dad alone if you'd prefer that. I wonder when you became so afraid of him."
Without waiting for her response, he spins on his feet and walks away in the opposite direction. Marisol regretted it immediately.