A small knock on my door tore my eyes away from the window I had been staring out at even though I couldn't see anything, darkness blanketing outside. In a few strides, I reached the door and pulled at the doorknob to reveal Claire, the servant girl from a few days ago.
She gave me a shaky smile. Everything about her was different, she was dressed in a gown that must have sometime ago been beautiful, it stopped just slightly above her thighs. Her dark hair had been pulled out of its usual bun and now it fell easily down her shoulders, accentuating her face.
“Hi, Miss Sophia.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she glanced behind her warily. “I and some other girls are going to the pack’s tavern for a few hours. Would you like to join?”
Her question took me by surprise and at the same time sent my heart rate skyrocketing. I had no idea Claire even thought of me in any manner as someone she could be friends with enough for this gesture, and seeing the uneasy look in her eyes, her body language screaming how nervous she was told that this whole outing wasn't one permitted.
But the fact that she had thought to come to call me warmed my heart and I could feel my wolf’s compelling that I agree to it. We've been locked up for so long, this might be the first time I truly get to know what being free means.
I'd heard of taverns and how delightful they could be. The other servant girls back at the Dark Wood Pack used to sneak off many a night to visit them, but Leah and I never got invited and, at the reminder of her again, the pang in my heart resurfaced. I missed her so much and I couldn't stop the feeling of guilt that came with the reminder of her, I could only imagine how she was faring on her own now.
Claire’s eyes were accessing me. “It would be nice but if you can’t join us, I really under—”
I cut her short immediately. “No, no, I would like that,” I said with a wide smile. “I would like that very much.”
A look of relief enveloped her face at my utterance.
“Do I need to change into something else?” I asked hesitantly, my eyes roaming down on the gown I was wearing. It went past my knees slightly, clinched at the waist, and with bold sleeves, it was one of the prettiest dresses I owned and I had no idea who had filled my closet with similar dresses to this ones but I was certain it wasn't Amelia.
“You look amazing, Miss Sophia,” she said with an approving smile before pulling me by the hand and leading the way.
Stepping into the pack’s town was easily like stepping into a new world. The streets were bustling with people going about their business despite it being nighttime. Lamps hung from each stall, illuminating the streets, tradesmen and women yelled out their wares, shoving their goods at us as we passed them by. I, Claire, and three other servants whose names I had no idea of marched past them.
The three other girls huddled together, whispering and giggling to themselves while Claire held onto me, urging me in a cautionary tone to not let go of her hand. “The night can be dangerous for women so it's best we stay together,” she said.
We stepped into what I assumed to be the tavern and the stench of alcohol hit me first followed by the boisterous, manly laughter and a few girlish squeals. The place was parked with werewolves mixing and freely drinking.
I had no idea what I had particularly expected but my first glance at the place immediately quelled any other expectations. The air was thick with sweat and liquor, it didn't in any way seemed like the fun I had imagined the other servant girls used to go have leaving I and Leah behind and my first few minutes at the tavern, I felt the strong impulse to turn on my heels and head back to the manor.
Coming here was a mistake.
Claire turned to me with excited eyes. “It’s amazing, isn't it?” she asked, shuddering with enthusiasm that made me feel guilty so I nodded my head, infusing as much emotion in my tone to mirror hers.
“It is, this is…” I was momentarily at loss for words as my eyes wandered through the building. “Wonderful.” I finished.
“It can only get better,” she promised, leading me to a table the other girls had already occupied. “Come meet some of our friends.”
Three men were seated at the table with wide smiles on their faces.
Claire hurried up to the opposite end where the men were, wrapping her arms around two. “James, Oscar, it feels like years,” she said excitedly and in an easy tone.
It was different seeing Claire like this, letting loose and being this excited but it was also beautiful. She felt at ease with these men and here, I supposed that was what made coming here tonight amazing for her. It had nothing to do with the place but instead, the people involved.
I made a quiet promise to her to not dampen her mood, she had invited me out with her so I too could get a feel of something she considered pleasuring and I was going to try my best to enjoy myself.
The last man, a dark-haired with kind eyes and an easy smile watched me. “I’ve never seen you before,” he said in a low voice.
Claire smiled. “Kai, this is Sophia. Sophia, these are my friends, Kai, Oscar, and James.” she introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” The other man, Oscar said and James simply grinned at me.
“You work at the Alpha’s place too?” Kai asked.
Claire placed her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be silly, Kai. Sophia here is nothing like us. She is a guest of the Alpha and from a high-status family too, she's just here to have a little fun.”
I had no idea why but something about her words unsettled me, echoing in my brain and urging me to find something about it but before I could dwell on that feeling, a waitress approached us with a large tray. She dumped a goblet filled to the brim with a strange-looking liquid on each of our fronts before retreating.
I watched as they all picked up theirs, gulping it down amidst conversations. I picked up mine too and took a small sip, the bitter taste had me flinching.
Kai’s eyes were on mine, a humorous look on them. “Pardon our liquor, Sophia, you must be used to something more sophisticated.”
I wanted to tell them that before now, I had never had a taste of liquor but I didn't have the strength to be bothered enough to vanquish the image of the kind of person they thought me to be, and maybe, just maybe, it was for the best.
“Don’t be a snub,” one of the other servants, whose name I still had no idea of, said. “It’s just liquor, we shouldn't bring class to that too now, should we?”
And so I forced myself to drink a little more, shutting my eyes when I felt the liquid make its way back to my throat. Disgust ran through me but I didn't open my eyes until I had downed everything in the cup.
My eyes opened to meet the bewildered eyes of every other person at the table watching me.
“Wow,” Claire breathed and a sound of laughter and hailing resounded from our table just as Kai shifted closer to me.
“Now that is something I’ve never seen a woman do before,” he said, his voice a little breathy as he trailed a finger down on my arm.
I pulled away, shifting slightly from him. “Is that so?”
My eyes caught Claire’s as she gave me a wink before mouthing something incomprehensible to me but I could tell it had something to do with the man next to me and when I turned back to him, I could see how intensely he was watching me.
My wolf’s anger was palpable, she detested his nearness and I couldn't discern if the strong revulsion for him was both hers and mine together.
Kai wasn't bad looking, not in the least bit. Some women might even consider him very handsome but as I watched him, the only man I wanted to be seated next to in a crappy tavern drinking even crappier alcohol was Callan.
“You have to be the most enchanting woman I've ever come across,” he said, placing his elbow on the table and leaning on his palm.
And as I watched a thoroughly good-looking man show interest in me, I had to force my thoughts away from a man who was obviously not meant for me in any way or manner and would very likely not choose me if I was standing next to the woman he was intended for.
I parted my hair from my face and gave Kai a feigned shy smile. “I’ll revel in the compliment.”