Chapter 81 NEW NICKNAME
Edeline
I blinked, incredulous. “Are you serious? Mirabelle, I was just marked in front of my pack by my mate, who’s expecting! I’m already feeling pretty embarrassed.”
Her laughter rang through the room. “Are you kidding me? Everyone’s thrilled about it. People are even placing bets on whether the puppy will survive before it’s born. They want you there. Trust me, no one’s going to mock you. They respect you and are proud of you for bearing the mark of their future Alpha. Percival won’t be there, so there’s no chance of embarrassment. Come on!” She gave me a pleading look, jumping up and tugging at my hand with a pout.
I raised an eyebrow. “Disgrace?”
Her laughter grew louder. “Yes. That’s Tatiana’s new nickname, because she’s such a disgrace to the werewolf species! Let’s get you dressed. You’ll have a blast, I promise. You need to find healthy ways to cope with your pain and enjoy things that make you happy.” She bounced around in her heels, clearly excited.
I couldn't help but smile at Mirabelle's playful antics. The truth was, I really didn’t want to be alone with my sorrow. Maybe it was time to let something good come out of this after all. I let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, fine. Help me pick out an outfit and make me look good," I said, my voice barely masking my exhaustion. A sense of apathy had settled over me, making it hard to feel anything beyond indifference. Expressing more seemed beyond my reach.
Frustration and resentment could strike at any moment, but as long as I stayed away from Percival and Tatiana, I’d manage.
Mirabelle clapped her hands and bounced up and down. "Yay! I knew you'd give in to my puppy dog eyes eventually. I already got an outfit for you. None of your options would do. Those sundresses you love just scream 'picnic in the park'—not what we’re going for tonight.” She flashed a mischievous grin and gestured to my vanity. “Please, have a seat.” I shot her a disapproving look, though I had to admit, I was curious.
I really did love my dresses, but Mirabelle had a knack for this.
Half an hour later, I stared at a reflection that felt alien. My dark hair flowed in soft waves to my lower back, elegantly parted to the side. My face was adorned with a full face of makeup, including a bold red lip that mirrored Mirabelle’s style. I was wearing a snug red cropped blouse with layers of ruffled fabric on the front, exposing a bit of my midriff. Paired with it were black short shorts and striking red snakeskin booties. The red and black theme was so clearly Mirabelle's signature.
I kept tugging on the shirt and shorts, trying to make myself feel more covered.
“Mirabelle!” I complained. “This outfit is way too revealing for me.” I glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror, her wide grin and sparkling eyes peeking through as she nervously nibbled her nails. No offense intended.
“Actually, it’s not,” she said, her tone firm but kind. “You have a fantastic figure. You’re young, and it’s worth showing off before time catches up with you. You look amazing. We need to go now.” She took my hand firmly, guiding me away from the mirror. I followed her clumsily down the stairs and out the door, relieved there was no one home to see me in this state.
As we walked along the dusty path to the pack house, Mirabelle holding my hand to steady me, the moonlight casting a gentle glow over us, a sense of unease settled in. The thought of being halfway mated to Percival weighed heavily on me. The pain of this revelation, combined with his overprotectiveness towards Tatiana, left me feeling deeply betrayed. It felt like he had been deceiving me all along.
I was anxious about the party, dreading the prospect of being the center of attention. Yet, Mirabelle had this way of pushing me out of my comfort zone, and despite my nerves, I knew I had to go.
"Where's the party located?" I whispered to Mirabelle, feeling the cool night air brush against my skin.
"The Community Center building," she replied, her voice bubbling with excitement. "It's perfect for parties and events. It even has a swimming pool, which is a nice touch. Don’t worry, Alpha said there was no need to invite Percival for this one—it’s a bit of a sensitive issue. And shame… seems she’s not really welcome around anyone right now. We’re just moving around specific wolves tonight. There’ll be about 30 wolves here, all between 17 and 23. It’s going to be a blast!"
Her enthusiasm was almost contagious, though my nerves were still on edge.
Thirty wolves... my peers...
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. My wolf had gone silent except for her longing to be with her mate. After the recent pain I had caused her, she had withdrawn, leaving me with an empty feeling.
By the time we arrived at the party, my legs ached from the long walk in these heels. Despite not having had a drink yet, I found myself craving one. As we entered, the air was alive with the thumping beats of hip hop music and the flashing colors of strobe lights. A well-stocked bar and a tempting spread of food attracted a crowd that was enthusiastically dancing and grinding to the rhythm. The room was packed—more than thirty, maybe closer to forty, individuals.
I felt a knot in my stomach, overwhelmed by the sheer number of my peers. I clung to Mirabelle’s hand, seeking comfort. She looked at me with a calm, reassuring smile.
"Alright, Edeline," she said firmly. "Tonight’s about having a good time. No one’s here to judge you. Stick by my side. Let’s get you some shots," she added, leading me toward the bar.
After downing four shots, I found myself swaying to the music, feeling an unexpected lightness and freedom. I had made the questionable decision to take one of my mother’s anxiety pills with my first shot, despite the warning on the bottle about not mixing it with alcohol.