Winter Wolves

Blah… I can’t believe I am doing this, I am a hundred percent sure that the invitation was sent to the wrong address. I held the soft silk of the dark green dress between my shaking fingers. A nobody like me doesn’t deserve to attend such a prestigious event. They will probably turn me around at the gate, so this is nothing but a waste of my time. Maybe this is some cruel joke being played by some of the other pack members. It honestly wouldn’t be the first time I got my hopes up just for them to crush them in the end. “Max, is this really necessary?” I whined, trying to get out of this party for the sixth time tonight. My best friend eyed me from the corner of the room, swiping on the last of her mascara. “Yes it is.” She looked herself over once more before squeezing her breast together to make them look perky. “Now quite crying about it and get dressed. We can’t be late for the biggest party of the year.” She is gorgeous enough to go to this party on her own. I don’t understand why the invite wasn’t addressed to her. Then she could take her boyfriend and leave me out of all this nonsense. I could stay at home drinking my eggnog, watch some shitty Christmas movies, and not have to worry about a dress that’s too tight or heels I might fall down in. That sounds like a much better use of my time. I have never really enjoyed the party scene, not that I have ever really been invited to them in the first place. I have always been more of a stay at home and read all day kind of girl. “I am not convinced that invitation was for me.” I tried to protest once more but none of my pleas worked. She picked up the cream-colored envelope once more, reading over the words that had hunted me for weeks. “I here by invite Evelyn Grace to the Royal Palace for the year-end celebration. Signed by King Alaric Thorne. If this invitation wasn’t for you, then how would they know your name and address babe?” The envelope fell back onto my vanity with an audible thud making my stomach turn. “Not to mention it was hand delivered by one of the royal servants. I don’t think it was a mistake at all.” Okay, so maybe she has a good point about it being an actual invitation sent by the king himself. “Okay but do we really have to go?” I fluttered my eyelashes to give her my best puppy dog face. "Oh please Max! Don't make me beg." “We are going and that’s final!” Damn it, I was hoping that would work. “You and I both know that turning down an invitation sent directly from the King is disrespectful. He may even view it as questionable loyalty, and we both know what happened the last time someone turned their back on him.” The king, known for his strict yet fair rule, had a reputation that preceded him. His reign brought prosperity to the kingdom, but he was also known for his zero-tolerance policy towards disloyalty. Stories of those who had fallen out of favor were whispered in hushed tones, serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of defiance. King Alaric Thorne was not just a ruler but a symbol of strength and justice. His piercing blue eyes and commanding presence could make even the bravest men falter. Despite his stern demeanor, he was beloved by his people for his unwavering commitment to the kingdom's welfare. His decisions, though sometimes harsh, were always made with the kingdom's best interests at heart. The annual year-end celebration was not just a party but a testament to the kingdom's unity and prosperity under his rule. However, not all was perfect in the kingdom. Alaric's best friend, Marcus, once a trusted advisor and confidant, had turned against him. The two had grown up together, their bond forged in the fires of countless battles and shared victories. But as time went on, their visions for the kingdom began to diverge. Marcus believed that Alaric's strict policies were stifling the kingdom's potential, while Alaric saw them as necessary for maintaining order and prosperity. The rift between them grew until it could no longer be ignored. Marcus, feeling betrayed and disillusioned, took half of the wolf pack and started his own kingdom. The rebellion was swift and brutal, leaving scars that had yet to heal. The kingdom was still recovering from the aftermath, and the annual celebration was as much a reminder of their resilience as it was a time for joy. “Okay, but in our defense we aren’t starting a revolution. I just don’t want to make a fool of myself at the biggest celebration of the year. There’s going to be news outlets and paparazzi. Anyone worth anything is going to be there. Oh my gods if I run into Mathew Den I might faint, and I’m sure it will be plastered everywhere for months if that happens.” Maxine’s tiny fingers dug into my shoulders as she shook me for a nightmare I saw coming true in a matter of moments. “Stop that, you’re thinking of worst case scenarios that will more than likely never happen.” I suck in a sharp breath, “you’re right!” I agree to reassure myself. “I am being a crazy person right now. Thanks Max, I don’t know what I would do without you.” “You would have probably been put in a mental institution a long time ago. Gods for bid, if we lived in the 1600s you would have been labeled a witch and burned at the stake for all the reading you do.” She pointed down at the gown still in my hands. “Now get dressed, the car they are sending should be here any minute now, and we really don’t want to keep them waiting.” I tried my best to stifle my laugh because we both know that's true. I rub the fabric between my fingers, savoring the feeling before nodding my head once more. I slipped into the dress as if it was made for me. It hugged my chest, but thankfully the draping of extra layers doesn’t show off more than I am comfortable with. It’s not like I’ve never been to a party before. I’ve just never been to one this extravagant, so to speak. Hopefully I’m not under dressed for the occasion. I slipped on a pair of strappy heels just as there was a knock on the door. “Oh that must be the royal servants already!” Max sounded a bit more panicked than I would have liked. “I will have to finish your hair and makeup in the car. It’s a good thing we already did most of it. Come on! Let’s go!” She is practically pushing me out the door so fast I almost forgot to lock up. “Alright! Just give me a second.” As I turned around, she was already in the sleek black car that had been provided for us. The feeling of unease only gets worse as I approach. The man in the palace uniform just nodded his head, waving me in next to Max before shutting the door. Maxine hands me a glass filled with champagne. “Here, this should make you feel better.” She tugs on my hair. “Now turn your head, so I can get this finished before we arrive.” I sip my drink before I take in the warm leather interior of the car. Not that I would like to admit it, but it is helping relieve some of my nerves. Several sips later my hair is done and half the bottle is gone.