Chapter 14 - Unnoticed
1527 Words
Lilly's POV
"Oh, wow!" My hands flew to my lips as I gasped at my reflection in the mirror.
The elder she-wolf, now called Mary, has made me all pretty again.
"You look stunning in this gown," she said. "It's just a pity it's not exactly the same color."
I was now wearing a beige-colored ballgown—a similar dress design to my previous dress, but not that vibrant. It was still a stunning dress, but I liked mine more.
"Mary," I said, taking her hands in mine. "It's perfect. How will I ever repay you for your kindness?"
Mary smiled, letting go of my hands to button up the last few buttons on the back of the dress.
Jacob told me that his mother is a seamstress by trade, and she had created many ballgowns for celebrations like this one. I was honored to meet the person who had designed the dress Beta Zack and Alpha Lex had sent me.
"Just go have fun," she said. "And enjoy the party. That is more than enough payment for me."
I smiled at her as tears built up behind my eyelids. She was so kind for saving my day, allowing me to join the ball again.
"You have no idea how much this means to me," I whispered, my voice breaking.
"All done," she said, and I turned to face her. I grabbed her and pulled her closer for a hug.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I cried.
She gently patted my back, gave me a moment, and then carefully pushed me back to arm's length.
"Now, now," she said sternly. "We would rather not ruin this dress with tears..."
I giggled and quickly wiped the tears away with my fingers, careful not to smudge my makeup.
The door cracked open, and Jacob pushed his head inside. When his gaze found mine, his eyes lit up.
"Praise the Goddess," he yelled out, stepping inside and rushing towards his mother.
"Thank you, Mother," he said, smiling widely. "You prevented punishment for your sons," he said.
Mary chuckled as she pushed her son away.
"I doubt that Beta Zack would have punished you two by stripping you of your rank," she said, winking. "He might have sent you for two weeks of border patrol instead."
"That's worse, Mom," he said, wide-eyed. "I would have never survived that. Think of what that would do to my—our—reputation."
Mary chuckled. Her blue eyes were full of love and mischief. She liked teasing her son.
A small, sad smile appeared on my lips, and I felt a painful pinch in my heart. The relationship between mother and son was so beautiful. There was so much love and respect between them.
For a moment I wonder what my relationship was with my mother. Did we have a wonderful one? Was I ever loved? Did we do things together? Was she involved or an absent mother?
I had so many questions, yet so few answers.
"Thank you for helping," Jacob said, giving his mom a one-arm hug.
"That is what mothers are for, saving their sons from getting into trouble," she said. "Besides, it's always a pleasure to help such a decent and respectful young she-wolf in need."
Jacob kissed the top of his mother's head before releasing her. "You are still the best!"
"I know," she said, chuckling. "Now, you two had better leave. The blood moon is almost due to rise, and we don't want you to be late. I hear it will be a spectacular and magical event."
"Will you be joining us?" I asked as Jacob steered me out of the room and toward the exit.
"No, my dear," she said, shaking her head. "I'll be going down to the clearing to join the rest of the pack in our traditional ceremony."
That was interesting. Surrounded by the pack's energy and the power of the moon, I always wondered what happened at such traditional ceremonies. Angelica never went to such rituals and celebrations.
I thanked Mary once more before Jacob and I left her department and headed back to the ballroom.
"Thank you," I said to Jacob. "You really saved tonight."
"It's always a pleasure," he replied and winked. "I am only doing my duty."
Jacob suddenly stopped and turned motionless while his eyes gazed over.
Someone was mind-linking him.
Jacob's face turned hard and ice-cold. The muscles in his jaw stiffened under pressure.
What the hell was going on? Whoever mind-linked him made him angry.
A moment later, Jacob turned his attention toward me. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but I could see something must have happened.
"Will you be able to find your way back to the ballroom?" he asked.
"Sure," I replied. "If I recall correctly, it's down this hallway..."
Jacob nodded, getting anxious by the second.
"Are you okay?" I asked, taking his hand. "Did something happen?"
"I—I am fine," he replied. "I just need to attend to something quickly. As soon as I finish, I'll come find you. I won't be too long."
I nodded in understanding, and Jacob turned and rushed off in a different direction.
I wonder what was going on.
Did something happen?
Did someone get hurt?
I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and started down the hallway in the direction of the ballroom.
After a couple of minutes, I wasn't sure if I was going in the right direction anymore. I was sure I was lost.
I turned my gaze, looking down the long hallway. I just took one right turn. Then another left.
Did I go the right way?
Should I go back? I wasn't certain I would find my way back.
I sighed. Being a wolf, I shouldn't be able to lose my way so quickly.
I wandered further down the hallway searching for a way out. There must be an emergency exit here somewhere.
As I rounded the next bend, the sound of music filled me with relief.
I guess I wasn't that lost.
I hurried, almost running. Excitement started to bubble inside me again. I have lost so much time already.
As soon as I reached the lobby, a smile formed on my lips.
"Thank the Goddess!" I mumbled. "I have made it!"
I hastily dashed towards the ballroom's entrance, only to feel a powerful tug pull me back before I could make it to the double door.
Before I could fight back, they pushed me into a dark room, and the door clicked behind me.
My heart pounded uncontrollably as panic rose inside me.
"Who's there?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What do you want from me?"
The sound of something tearing to pieces sent a cold shiver down my back.
The next moment, someone pushed me to the floor and grabbed my arms and feet.
I couldn't move.
I tried to scream, but it was no use. Someone poured a tasteless liquid into my mouth and then forced something like a piece of fabric down my throat, which muffled my screams.
I was helpless against them.
Tears started running down the side of my face as I listened to the sound of fabric being torn apart. I could hardly comprehend what was happening as the noise echoed in my ears, drowning out any thoughts of escape. Panic surged through me, and I struggled against my restraints, but it only seemed to fuel their determination.
I whimpered in pain when someone kicked me in the ribs.
"Let's see if Prince Lex would dare look at you again." Someone grabbed my hair and sneered in my face.
"Oh, he wouldn't look at her again, not after all our alterations we made to the dress," another said and purposely stepped on my ankle.
I whimpered in agony.
Why me? Why did this happen to me? I haven't done anything to deserve this. Haven't I suffered enough?
I cried silently, hearing the door click open, and the girls stepped outside.
Who were they? Why would they do something like this?
I didn't ask Lex to dance; he picked me! I didn't flirt with him. I didn't even know him, yet here I was, a target of their cruel game. As I wiped away my tears, determination surged within me; I needed to find a way out of this nightmare.
I sniffed as I pushed myself up and hissed in pain when I put pressure on my foot. There was no way I could return to the party in this condition.
I forced my body to the door, whimpering in pain. I opened the door and scanned the dimly lit hallway for an escape route.
The music continued to thump in the background, but I felt an overwhelming urge to break free from the chaos and find solace somewhere far away from their judgment.
How the hell do I find my way out without anyone noticing?
I glanced around, spotting a side door slightly ajar at the end of the hallway. Steeling myself for a quick getaway, I quietly moved towards it, hoping to slip away unnoticed…
****
- Writer
