Part 35

I was in the kitchen, acquiring something for breakfast, as per usual, having chosen to omit the meal my family tended to eat as a collective. In my defence, I had a tiring week and deserved much-needed sleep. Until that call from Reed demanding me to show up on time for the dinner with his mother.

My mother had strolled in as I finished up, a plate topped with a couple of toasted bread, a messy egg on top and orange juice. She was overdressed, her hair done up, and her face full of makeup. Where was she going this early?

From behind her back, my mother presented a thick, brown parcel that she extended towards me.

"It's from your mates," She said as I took it, content in a manner that stung my insides. I looked up at her in disdain, but she didn't utter a word more and retreated as quickly as she'd appeared. As expected.

Infuriated with her usual behaviour, I glowered at the parcel in my hands, addressed to me in neat handwriting.

I hurriedly left my breakfast on the worktop and ascended to my room in a hurry, closing the door behind me. The parcel was quite heavy, and as I sat down on the edge of my bed, I wondered what in the bloody world did the Alphas send me and why.

An orange envelope was stuck on the top of the box with a smiley face. With my lips folded, I hastily tore at the seal and ran my eyes over the lines on the paper.

'This is for tonight. Be on time.'

- Reed and Rowan.

My body flooded with exasperation, glaring at their handwriting. Even that appeared to be pretentious. Or maybe I was just annoyed with them to look past it.

I groaned, running a hand over his face and through the hair in pure frustration. Keeping the envelope and their letter aside, I unboxed a long peach gown with a round neck and a slightly off white pair of heels.

Not bad. I thought while running a hand down the material only to find a price tag. My eyes widened when I saw a four-digit number staring back at me. Have they lost their mind?

I hastily called Rowan.

"Hello?"

"What is wrong with you two?"

The Alpha winced from the other side, his voice lowering. "I gather you have received the parcel, Erin."

There was some shuffling from their end when I heard Reed's voice in the background. He asked his brother about the caller when Rowan said my name.

'Your turn to talk.' Reed said something along those lines before the footsteps faded. Ignoring their squabble, I let out a sharp cry, staring at the dress laid on my bed.

"It's a nine grand dress! Have you both truly gone mad?"

"N-No..." He let out a sigh. "This is an important dinner. We have already mentioned that, so do not get hung up on it. Also, I informed Isabella that you won't be going to the office today..."

I cut him off, my jaw clenching and the knuckles turning white with how tight I gripped my phone. "You had no right to do that behind my back. Why would you do this?"

"Listen to me." He calmly said. "You have been running around all week, and besides, we don't want you to be tired for tonight. That's all."

Of course. It's always about them and their perfect plan. I was a fool to think otherwise. With a sigh, I sagged into the mattress, letting my body lean back.

"Fine, but this is the last time you are pulling this and getting away with it."

"Got it!"

In the afternoon, the sun managed to sneak through the oak branches and hit the floor. Normally I spend most of my time reading and going through essential documents.

Today was different. I had a lot of time on my hand. So I picked one of the books from the shelf, put an old vinyl cd and sat on the bench. I propped up on a few cushions, and with a pair of reading glasses on my nose, I dived in.

"What are you doing?" My sister's voice from the entrance echoed around. My head snapped up, slightly startled at the intrusion. No one ever seemed to disturb me here, but she was, leaning against one of the pillars holding up the ceiling. Her hair was twisted into a knot at the back of her head, and her dress was light and yellow beneath the long silver necklace hanging from her neck. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," My bones were still tingling with the exhilaration from the previous book's ending, though, and I wasn't sure I had enough concentration to spare for this one. Perhaps I needed a break.

"Why are you not getting ready? It's almost four in the afternoon."

I blinked at her.

"For your dinner tonight."

I gawked at her again. "How do you know about that?"

"I heard Alpha Reed talking to mother earlier when he came by to give the parcel."

"He delivered it?!"

"Yes." She shrugged. "Now, let's get you ready, my dear sister."

***

The Armani's property, actually a pack house, was surrounded by oaks; the lush greenery made it seem comfortable and intimate. But even so, as I walked up the polished stone path up to the front porch, I appraised the massive building with wide eyes.

It's been a while since I walked in through these doors.

“Oh, Moons!” I muttered under my breath and felt Charles's eyes on me not a second later, and instantly adjusted my facial expression.

“I missed this place.” I gave him a polite smile which he didn’t return, simply humming in return. Maybe he could detect the apparent lies in my voice.

As the beta rang the bell at the door, I patted down at my gown and ran a hand over my shiny, straightened hair.

The person who answered the door was a maid, dressed traditionally in a black and white outfit like in the movies. She curtseyed politely, and stepped aside as we entered, seemingly expecting them.

“The Armanis are in the living room, beta Liam,” The omega croaked before turning to me. “This way, Miss Erin.”

I followed along, glancing around the first hallway and taking everything in. My nostrils flared at the familiar smell of the fruity and jasmine incense. The interior of the place was modern, sleek and yet ancient looking in the way that it felt inappropriate to touch anything.

“Charming, isn’t it, Erin?” The beta gushed, practically thrilled as he sauntered. “I can’t believe you stayed away from this place for so long.”

I pressed my lips in a thin smile and simply nodded along. It was not wise to dwell on the past, especially at a time like this. As we proceeded further, I noticed a tall portrait of the now-deceased Pack Alpha, my chest tightening painfully.

My eyes fell on the following picture, internally cringing at the sharp piercing eyes of Luna. We did not see things the same way, a factor that has caused the twins mother to humiliate me in a past way too many times.

I still remember when I had barged in on their floor of the packhouse. The Pack Alpha called me in, said he wanted to deliver something to my father.

“Who let you in?” She scoffed, leaning back against the cushion and crossing her legs together.

It stung. Granted, that night ruined our reputation in front of the ton, but I expected better from her.

“The Pack Alpha called me, and I….”

“Do you expect me to believe that?!” She rolled her eyes, squeezing a generous portion of lotion in her hand and applying it all over her arms.

“Luna, I have been here before. Why would I lie?”

She stood up, pinning me with a hateful gaze enough to make me tremble on the spot. “We do not know each other anymore. I expect you to act like that, Miss Erin. Stop familiarising with us, or our family would be ruined too.”

Tears spring in my ears; naive and innocent enough to believe every hateful word of her.

“Do you get it?!”

“Y-Yes.”

That was five years ago, and we haven’t spoken a word since.

***

At my arrival in the living room, the Luna barely made an effort to look at me. Disdain was written all over her face as I approached the twins. The rest of the family greeted me with smiles and fake enthusiasm.

Where were Reed and Rowan when I needed them the most? I thought under my breath.

“Luna,” I greeted affably as I rounded the sofa and noticed how her brows rose on her forehead as I addressed her. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for inviting me to the dinner.”

“I didn’t have much of choice, my dear.” She gave a fake smile.

This was going to be a long night.

***