"I... I can't believe what I'm hearing," I stammered, my mind struggling to comprehend Aurora's words.
She wanted me, an eighteen-year-old girl, to engage in intimate relations with an older man?
No, it could not be true.
"How can you not understand? Nicholas is one of GreyStone Pack Alpha's trusted advisors. I do not see why you should feel aggrieved. Besides, it's time for you to repay the kindness Damon and I have shown you," Aurora casually explained, as if discussing a mundane topic like dinner plans.
"Haven't I already done enough to repay you? Since Kendall was born, I have been treated like a servant by all three of you! And now you want to exploit my body?" A wave of shock washed over me, momentarily causing me to forget my fear of Aurora as I instinctively shouted at her.
"Damn it, Marie! Are you insane?" Aurora lunged forward, forcefully covering my mouth with her strong hand. "You'll attract attention from all the guests!"
Her grip was so tight that it felt like my breath was being squeezed out of me. At that moment, I realized the intent behind Nicholas's gaze, akin to that of a wolf fixated on its prey with hunger and desire.
Just as I was about to suffocate, Aurora finally released her grip, and I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. Tears streamed down my face, dampening the ground beneath me.
"Marie, tell me now, are you willing to comply? Will you repay our kindness, or will you become a despised white-eyed wolf in everyone's eyes?" Aurora looked down at me, her eyes filled with the condescending certainty of control. "Don't forget what happened when you were seven."
Yes, at the tender age of seven, I had already been labeled a white-eyed wolf by others, accused of slandering and seeking attention by fabricating stories about my adoptive parents.
Even if I were to reveal the truth, no one would believe me. They would only view me as someone tarnishing the image of the kind couple, Damon and Aurora.
"Fine, I promise," I uttered with a heavy sigh, my voice laced with despair.
As an eighteen-year-old who had not even awakened my wolf instincts, I felt trapped, left with no choice but to reluctantly agree.
I should find a way to escape quickly, or I would be destroyed by the greedy family.
“Come on! Get up, straighten your clothes, and put on your sweetest smile,” Aurora commanded, her tone dripping with disgust.
As she closed the bedroom door and walked away, Aurora added, “I’ll give you only three minutes.”
I quickly wiped away the tears on my face and stood up, mustering the strength to open the door. To my surprise, I found someone unexpected standing there.
It was Michel. He had his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall, staring ahead, lost in thought. He still looked so handsome, every move he made.
I nervously tightened my grip, hoping he wouldn't notice my emotions.
And, considering the situation with the white-haired Nicholas, I did not want to invite any more trouble. I gathered my skirt and cautiously walked in the direction of the ballroom, hoping to avoid catching his attention.
"I have to talk to you," Michel's voice called out from behind me, stopping me in my tracks.
The sound of his voice sent a flurry of emotions coursing through me —hope, uncertainty, and a tinge of apprehension.
Time had woven its intricate tapestry, unraveling the threads of our once inseparable bond. The memories we had cherished, the connection we had believed to be unbreakable, had transformed under the weight of circumstances and the passing of years.
Complicated feelings washed over me, a swirl of nostalgia and confusion.
The echoes of our past danced between us, but they were overshadowed by the reality of the present. We had both changed, grown into different versions of ourselves, and time had eroded the once vibrant memories we held of each other.
I stood there, feeling unsure of how to respond. Michel's words caught me off guard, as he spoke in his gentle voice, "I apologize if this sounds presumptuous, but from the moment you appeared, there was a mysterious connection I felt. Can you comprehend what I mean? I believe you may be my mate."
Me? Just a girl who had not even fully awakened my own wolf at the age of 18? Yet Michel, the future alpha heir of the GreyStone Pack, suggested that I could be his mate?
My mind was overwhelmed with astonishment, and in that instant, I could not help but indulge in the fantasy of what it would be like if Michel's words held true.
"Please turn around, so I can be certain," Michel requested politely, demonstrating his gentlemanly demeanor. Instead of approaching me directly, he respected my personal space, deepening my admiration for this future alpha of the GreyStone Pack.
My face burned with embarrassment, and without needing a mirror, I knew it must be flushed with color.
"Okay," I whispered in response. Although it had been twelve years since Michel and I had last seen each other during that staged event, I had heard about his endeavors through others. It was his heroic deeds that had sparked my admiration for this future alpha of the GreyStone Pack.
I turned around slowly, hoping to conceal the intensity of the redness on my face.
As Michel and I locked eyes, a peculiar sensation washed over me, enveloping my senses in a whirlwind of emotions. The scents of the forest, carried by the gentle breeze, mingled with the warmth of our shared history. It was a scent that held significance for us as werewolves, a subtle language that spoke of bonds and destinies intertwining.
In that fleeting moment, I couldn't help but wonder if Michel's belief in our fated connection held some truth. The way his gaze held a glimmer of recognition, as if he too sensed the magnetic pull between us, ignited a spark of hope within me.
Could it be that our paths were converging once more, guided by an unseen force that surpassed the limitations of time?
Yet, alongside the blossoming hope, a familiar worry crept into my thoughts. What if Michel rejected this newfound bond, finding it too confining or inconvenient?
As our eyes remained locked, the unspoken question hung heavy in the air. Did Michel feel the same stirrings of possibility, the whispered promises carried by our scents? I longed for him to voice his thoughts, to bridge the gap between our worlds and offer a glimpse into his heart.
The silence stretched on, anticipation and trepidation intertwining within me.
I could barely contain my tears of joy. The possibility of being saved from the depths of my despair overwhelmed my senses, threatening to consume me entirely.
In that moment, it felt as if the universe had aligned in my favor, orchestrating a symphony of destiny that resonated deep within my core.
A surge of emotions surged through me, an overwhelming mix of gratitude, relief, and a tinge of disbelief. The tears that welled up in my eyes were not solely tears of joy but also tears of release.
For in that instant, the burdens I had carried for so long seemed to lift, as if Michel's acknowledgment of our bond had the power to heal the wounds of my past.