The party
"RACHEL!! Where the hell is my dress? " came the impatient call from her sister, Elliot.
Rachel came running with a baby pink mini dress. "Here. It just came back pressed."
"Finally! Now get out before I kick your face."
"Whatever." Rachel sighed and went to her room. She was completely worn out.
Rachel's parents, John and Lily Carter hosted a party to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They had invited a lot of friends and acquaintances from the Blue Moon pack including the Alpha and his family. As John Carter worked as an event organizer for the elite families, he was a well-known face among the pack members.
Rachel and the house servants had been working the whole day at making arrangements for the party. While her sister Elliot was shopping and grooming herself, Rachel was made to run all the errands for the family.
I feel so exhausted. And those stupid siblings, I f*****g hate them! Gosh... what do I even wear?
She went through her closet which was small and mostly filled with Elliot's old and used clothes. She picked up a blue, satin, midi dress with a boat neck and full sleeves, which looked slightly faded.
Rather this than her bright pink ones.
Rachel started getting ready for the party. She looked at the mirror and frowned at the bags under her light brown eyes. Her face looked dull, her skin was paler than usual and her cheeks looked sunken. The lack of sleep and overwork had taken a toll on her otherwise curvy body. She looked at her brown wavy hair all tangled and messed up. She started washing and scrubbing her face. After a quick shower, she put on the dress, tied her hair into a loose bun, and started applying whatever little makeup she owned. She pulled two strands of hair from the side and framed her face, mostly to hide the scar at her right temple. She somehow managed to look presentable. The dress didn't even fit her properly but she didn't care.
Like I have a choice.
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The Carter family, namely John, Lily, Elliot, Rachel, and Samuel started attending the arriving guests. Rachel was in charge of catering so she was busy managing the food arrangements on the lawn. As expected many families of the Blue moon pack turned in for the event. The lawn started filling with rich and well-dressed men, and sophisticated and appealing ladies.
Definitely not the type of crowd I can handle.
Rachel just wanted to escape from the place and take a nap. Just when she was about to yawn, she became ecstasized by a scent carried by the breeze.
What is this.. where is it coming from? It's making me feel weird.
Within seconds she was filled with this toxic and alluring scent. It felt as warm as a cashmere blanket but gave her chills. She turned around and started following the scent. Her legs were moving as if they had a mind of their own. Her inner wolf, Grace, was now fully awake and going crazy.
In her haste, she was bumping into people as Grace was too exhilarated to find the owner. She reached near the bar, and there he stood, wearing a navy blue tuxedo, surrounded by other men and women. Grace gave out a loud cry in her head.
(Grace) MATE!
Rachel was filled with an emotion that she had never felt before. Her stomach was doing summersault and her mind was going dizzy. The man she was looking at was at least six feet tall. Even in a suit she could make out the muscular figure inside. His slightly olive complexion and his caramel-brown hair, styled classically, looked delicious to her. He had a mysterious aura about him. His facial features were so sharp and symmetric that he could easily be rated among the most handsome men in fashion magazines.
Wait... I think...I know him.
Rachel slightly came back to her senses. She stared at the man with attention, thinking hard. Then it struck her.
ALPHA ALFRED!?!
She realized it's none other than the most eligible bachelor of the Blue moon pack, the heir to Ramirez corporation, and the future alpha, Alfred Ramirez.
Is this for real? Is "he" really my mate?
Exactly at that moment, his green eyes met hers. She felt like someone peered straight into her soul. She was frozen. It took her a few seconds to realize that she had been staring at him all this while.
"Do you need anything from me?" He asked. His voice was deep and had an authoritative tone to it. His eyes initially surprised, became cold and indifferent. She noticed other people wondering what was happening.
"Hope you are enjoying the party." She said quickly to cover up.
"I think so", he replied nonchalantly. Her intuition told her that he felt irritated somehow.
"Are you related to the Carters, Miss?" arrogantly asked the man standing next to him. Rachel recognized him as the beta of the Blue Moon pack, Peter Cage.
"Yes. I am Rachel Carter, daughter of John Carter", she replied politely.
"I didn't know Mr. Carter had another daughter. Doesn't he only have two children, a daughter, and a son?" asked another lady in a shimmering gown and heavy makeup.
"She is the adopted one", whispered another woman into the previous one's ears, but loud enough to be heard by others.
"Oh my! My apology. So sweet of the Carter family. You must be fortunate." Rachel managed a fake smile in response. Only she knew how horrible they treated her. She once again looked at Alfred hoping for some recognition. Not only was he callous but he ignored her completely.
"Please enjoy the evening. Let me not interrupt you." Rachel felt embarrassed and left the group.
I will never accept a mate again! was the only thought going on in Alfred's mind. He hoped that his actions had made it clear to her that he is not interested in her. His willpower was so strong that it even overcame the feelings aroused from the mate bond, and the only emotion he felt was that of detest.
