Bound to The Blanchard Brothers

AVA The Clan's masked ball was supposed to be the first time in years I'd feel safe hiding my face behind this mask. Everyone's wearing one, after all. For once, I’d finally feel normal in front of the commonfolk… …Or so I'd hoped. Now, I can't help but notice every stare, every glance, every murmur I can't hear. What if they're all directed at me? What if they know my secret — the truth behind my disguise? Their perfect warrior… not so perfect after all. For a moment, my mind mercies me, flicking through the setting and noticing the quiet formality lying behind the guards at the entrance. "Name?" one asks, eyes already tracing the guest list. "Jason Hale. Alpha of the White Lotus.” “And your guest?” “My fiancée…” he tightens his hold around my waist. “...Ava White.” He almost chuckles. “Yeah right. ‘Cause the Ava White would just strut in here like—” The second he raises his head, the words die in his throat. Recognising my familiar mask, he turns pale in an instant. I knew my name preceded my reputation. I didn't think it traveled far enough for even Omegas to know who I am. “You were saying?” Jason tilts, and in an effort to dispel the hesitation, the guard clears his throat. “My apologies, Mr Hale. You may come in. Ignoring the fixed gaze as we walk into the ballroom, I rest my mind on my next obstacle: The Elite of the Lenora Clan. Elegance announces the silver-spoon attendees, the air thick with luxury and the kind of power that makes my skin crawl. Alphas, Betas, future heirs and heiresses as well. The only people missing from this celebration are the ones who actually earned it—the ones who fought beside me. It took a single night to memorise the faces lying beneath these masks, and I can say without a shadow of doubt, even with their disguise, they seem more insufferable in person. Overfed leaders and their lazy sidekicks, too fancy to get their hands dirty by themselves. “I know Vara, I hate it here too” I mumble, feeling her low growl echo underneath my skin. “I need to greet some old friends” Jason's grip loosens, but I grab him before he can walk away. “Don't leave me alone with these people.” “It'll only be a second” he reassures. “I know you hate stuff like this, but we couldn't reject an invitation. Not from the Lycan King himself. Just… I don't know, go hang around the bar or something till I'm back.” “Jason—” “For God's sake Ava, you're not a child” his pitch cracks, just for a moment, but reverts before I can give it much thought. “I'll be back before you know it, okay?” Something's changed. I can feel it in his eyes. But then again, it's pretty familiar. “Okay” I let go, and while he disappears into the crowd, I walk away from it. He's right. Even if he's my fated mate, I shouldn't be acting all lost without him. He's his own person as well, right? God, I'm overthinking again. Not now. Drifting towards the bar, I pretend not to notice the stares that linger. I can't drink, but I can at least allow the scent pull me somewhere else. And it does, until I recognise a note — familiar, but it shouldn't be here. “Oh? Isn't this a lovely surprise.” Her voice is all sugar with a nasty edge. Sliding a shot across the table, her outline fades into my periphery. “Long time no see, little sister.” Through the corner of my eyes, I glance at her, recognising the face through the Domino mask. Joanna White, a ghost as far as I'm concerned. “Hmm. I guess we're still holding grudges. That's a shame. So much for a family reunion, huh.” “We're not family.” “Oof. That cut deep” she clutches her chest, feigning pain. “But you’re probably right. Hard to see the resemblance anyway. Been, what, five years since I've seen your face? Your real face, that is.” I don't say a word, just glance at her expressionless. “It's a party. You could at least pretend to be having fun” she rolls her eyes. I attempt to stand, but she puts her arm across before I can move, forcing me back to my seat. “Don't be such a pussy.” “If you're looking for a reaction, you’re about to get it.” “Ouu, scary” she smirks. “I actually just came to say congrats. Leading the ambush against the Clover Pack was apparently a big deal.” I slap her hand away, hard enough to send a light but inaudible echo around the bar. “I stopped needing your validation a long time ago.” Her smile only grows. “Don't tell me you're still mad about our little accident. I promise I had your best in mind” she reaches for my hair, attempting to tuck it behind my ear. “Why would I ever want to hurt my own famil—” “Don't. Touch me.” I shove her hand away. Something itches behind my mask. Strange, but I ignore it. “You got the attention you wanted. Now stay the hell away from me. Or else—” “Or else what?” Her smile suddenly disappears, and her eyes drown in a darkness only I have ever seemed to notice. “What’re you gonna do, Ava? Gonna return the favour?” she starts whispering. “Gonna make it burn?” she leans in. “Gonna make me hide behind a mask too?” That dark smile returns as she pulls herself away from me, picking the shot of alcohol she'd slid in my direction, and downing it in one go. “Congratulations, once again. Oh, and enjoy your night sis. You're our golden girl, after all.” The sarcasm behind her words bite as she walks away, but I refuse to watch her figure disappear into the night as well. My gaze remains on the bar table, watching as my fingers tremble without end. Something tells me her presence is related to the lump I've had in my throat the entire night. Before I can shake it off, Jason's voice pulls me back. “Ava?” “Yeah” I hide my shaky hands behind me and turn. “They’re calling up the Alphas and their mates. I'm guessing ‘He’s’ around. We should meet up with everyone at the center.” “Umm, I… I’d rather n—” “Come on. Just for tonight.” His soothing dark brown eyes speak to me louder than his lips does. I don't why I can't explain how Jason makes me feel. Yearning one moment and lost the next. Distance and desire all at once. “Sure” I succumb. Following right behind him, we head for the center of the ballroom, where dozens of dignitaries already stand. The lights dim and the music quietens. All heads turn toward a raised platform where the Elder of the Council’s meant to give a speech ushering in the man of the moment. But something’s wrong. The elder’s… not on stage. “Everyone! Please a round of applause for our unsung hero at last week's siege—the Masked Warrior of our Northern Front, Ava White!” The lights beam in all directions, blinding me for a second before my vision stretches across the room. The person on stage is… “Joanna?” I murmur in shock. Eyes turn. Curious. Buzzing. Jason glances over. “For the record, she’s my dearest sister. I love her to death” she chuckles. It's so fake, it's disgusting. “Ava's been so shy” she coos. “But tonight…” she places a palm dramatically over her chest, “...tonight she's ready to show us all the face behind the legend.” The spotlight hits me. Hard. Someone cues it. It couldn't be random. This was… planned. My eyes lock on Joanna, noticing her growing smile. “What the hell are you doing?” I murmur. Something's up. This strange feeling from the moment I walked in. Whatever this is, I have to stop it. However, the moment I move, someone bumps into me from behind. Light and harmless. But It… doesn't feel accidental. Still, it's enough… …enough to make the silk snap, and the weight on my face shifts. My mask! I reach up, but it’s too late. The left strap—cut. Clean and silent It slips, grazes my shoulder, and falls to my palm with a soft thud.