07:02 PM
"Lauren, hurry up! We're going to be late!"
Jane called over her shoulder as she hurried toward the pack house, practically dragging Lauren along.
Romeo followed behind them, chuckling at the sight.
Lauren glanced around nervously, using one hand to partially cover her face.
"Mom... please. I really don't want to go."
"Enough," Jane scolded. "We're already at the pack house. There's no turning back now."
She stopped and gently cupped Lauren's face.
"You look beautiful. No one is going to bully you tonight because I'll be right beside you."
Lauren sighed.
"No, Mom. You'll be sitting with the council elders, and I'll be left all alone. Please... let me go home."
"What are you all doing out here? The party is about to begin."
The three of them turned immediately.
"Luna."
They bowed respectfully as Luna Camille approached.
"We were just talking," Jane said apologetically. "We're coming in now."
Camille smiled warmly.
"It's alright."
Her eyes suddenly settled on Lauren.
"Oh my goodness!"
She gasped.
"Is this little Lauren?"
"Yes, Luna," Jane replied proudly.
Lauren blushed.
"Oh, my dear..."
Camille stepped closer, smiling brightly.
"You've grown into such a beautiful young lady. I almost didn't recognize you."
She gently touched Lauren's cheek.
"It's been so long. You never came to visit me."
Lauren smiled awkwardly.
"I'm... sorry."
Camille laughed softly.
"Come on. Let's head inside."
She led the way into the mansion while the others followed.
Lauren's heartbeat quickened.
She still couldn't believe she had actually come.
A strange feeling lingered in her chest.
As though...
Something terrible was about to happen.
The moment she stepped into the grand hall, her breath caught.
The place was overflowing with guests.
Children ran around laughing.
Music echoed through the hall as musicians entertained the crowd.
Long tables displayed countless delicious dishes.
Everyone looked cheerful.
Everyone...
Except her.
As they walked farther inside, Lauren's eyes met Bianca's.
The girl smirked wickedly.
Lauren instinctively grabbed her injured arm.
The throbbing pain reminded her of the wounds Bianca had inflicted.
Without realizing it, she tightened her grip around Jane's arm.
"Darling?"
Jane looked at her with concern.
"Are you alright?"
Lauren slowly shook her head.
Before Jane could say another word, a woman approached.
"Elder Jane, the council members are waiting for you."
She gestured toward the reserved seats.
"This way, please."
Jane sighed.
"Of course."
Lauren lowered her head.
She already knew this would happen.
Jane hugged her briefly.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
She brushed Lauren's hair behind her ear.
"I have to go."
"Mom..."
Lauren reached for her, but Jane had already disappeared into the crowd with the attendant.
Lauren stood alone.
"Well, well..."
A familiar voice made her stiffen.
"If it isn't our pretty little angel."
John approached in an expensive black tuxedo, wearing his usual smug grin.
Lauren glared at him.
His eyes drifted to the bandage wrapped around her arm.
A cruel smile spread across his lips.
"That injury must make life difficult."
He tilted his head mockingly.
"Sleeping... bathing... even lifting your arm."
Rio stepped beside him.
"What?"
He laughed.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Lauren remained silent.
Rio frowned.
"Don't look at me like that."
He shoved her lightly on the forehead.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
Before Lauren could respond, Bianca arrived with the Connor twins.
"Hey, babe."
Bianca kissed John before turning to Lauren.
Her gaze landed on the bandage.
"Ew."
She wrinkled her nose.
"That arm is disgusting."
Blaire stepped forward and deliberately slapped the injured arm.
Lauren cried out.
"It hurts, doesn't it?"
Blaire smirked.
"It should."
She folded her arms proudly.
"Bianca taught you a lesson you'll never forget."
"Please..."
Lauren's voice trembled.
"Just leave me alone."
The group burst into laughter.
Blaire looked Lauren up and down.
"Oh my God."
She scoffed.
"Who did your makeup?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"It looks awful on you."
Truthfully...
Lauren looked stunning.
But Blaire would rather choke than admit it.
"Claire."
She stretched out her hand.
"Pass me that wine."
Claire handed her a glass.
Blaire casually spat into it.
Without warning—
She splashed the wine across Lauren's face.
Lauren gasped.
The cold liquid soaked her hair before trickling down her cheeks and staining her white floral dress a deep shade of crimson.
Silence filled her ears.
Then...
Something inside her snapped.
She raised her fist and punched Blaire square across the face.
Blaire stumbled backward.
Everyone froze.
"What the hell?!"
She touched her bleeding nose in disbelief.
The cuts on her hand healed almost instantly, but her bruised pride remained.
Her eyes burned with fury.
"You're dead."
She lunged forward and grabbed Lauren's injured arm with both hands.
She squeezed.
Hard.
"Ahhh!"
Lauren screamed.
Fresh blood seeped through the bandage.
The pain became unbearable.
But the music inside the mansion was so loud...
No one else noticed.
The celebration continued.
As though nothing was happening.
Outside the mansion...
"Hey, guys."
Daniel suddenly stopped walking.
"Clarissa just mind-linked me."
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Apparently there's a fight going on inside."
Kathryn sighed.
"Who's fighting?"
"I think she said Blaire..."
He paused.
"...and that weak girl."
Kathryn's eyes widened.
"Lauren?!"
Daniel nodded.
"I think that's her name."
Kathryn immediately panicked.
"We have to help her!"
Xavier frowned.
"So that's Lauren?"
"The girl you told me about?"
Kathryn nodded urgently.
"Yes! Come on!"
Xavier sighed.
"I can't go inside yet."
"We're supposed to wait until Father calls us."
Kathryn rolled her eyes.
"Suit yourself."
Before he could react—
She stomped hard on his foot.
"Ouch!"
Xavier grabbed his foot in pain while Kathryn sprinted into the mansion.
Daniel bit his lip, trying desperately not to laugh.
"Damn it, Kathryn..."
Xavier muttered.
Then...
He suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
He slowly lifted his head.
His nose twitched.
A scent.
Sweet.
Delicate.
Completely irresistible.
He inhaled again.
His heart skipped a beat.
"What..."
He whispered.
Without another word, he walked toward the entrance.
"Xavier?"
Daniel called after him.
"I smell something."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
He continued walking, completely ignoring the girls squealing excitedly as they caught sight of him.
Daniel apologized to them while hurrying after his friend.
The scent grew stronger.
Stronger...
Until Xavier reached the center of the grand hall.
He stopped.
His eyes fell upon a crowd gathered around a single person.
He looked past them...
And saw her.
A beautiful girl with tear-filled blue eyes.
She whimpered in pain as Blaire mercilessly squeezed her injured arm.
Time seemed to freeze.
His heartbeat thundered against his chest.
The world around him disappeared.
Only one thought remained.
Mate.