Chapter 12 A Huge White Grey Wolf
Lulu
I’d been pacing around my room nonstop, back and forth like a wolf who’d lost her way. Everything that happened earlier—and Niobe’s words—kept swirling in my head like some stubborn spell that refused to fade. Ever since Alpha Caspian walked into my second life, mysteries kept showing up uninvited. Not that I was scared. If anything, the curiosity was eating me alive.
Normally Phyrra would’ve answered all my questions, explained anything I didn’t understand. But she hadn’t appeared once since I came back to life. And if not my own wolf, then who else could I talk to?
An hour later, Niobe’s potion wore off. My identity snapped back, my body felt like mine again. Secretly, I wished that eraser-potion could be permanent. Life would be so much easier if I didn’t have to gulp it down again and again.
A soft knock broke my thoughts. “Come in,” I called.
Alpha Caspian stepped in the way he always did—calm, measured, and with those eyes that made my heart thump against my ribs like it was trying to escape. Checking on me had basically become his daily routine. Worrying about my health. Making sure I was fine. Or… something else. Honestly, half the time I had no bloody clue what he was actually doing.
“Have you seen Niobe?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He nodded slowly. “Did she give you the potion?”
“Yes.”
“Have you tried it yet?”
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
The corner of his mouth lifted—could’ve been a smile, could’ve been mockery. Before I could figure it out, he turned around and left just like that. Maybe it was for the best. I didn’t trust my heartbeat either if he stayed in this tiny room any longer.
A few minutes later, Dalila entered, practically dragging a suitcase almost the size of her entire body. Behind her was a she-wolf I’d never seen before—full glam makeup, sharp eyeliner, flawless foundation, deep wine lipstick. She looked like one of those human actresses I’d seen on TV back in the academy.
“Good afternoon, Miss McCarthy,” she said brightly. “I’m Dolores Moss. I’ll be doing your makeup today.”
Right. Tonight was Alpha Caspian’s birthday celebration.
“Did Alpha Caspian send you?” I asked Dalila.
“Yes, Miss. He asked me to make sure you look absolutely stunning tonight.” Dalila nudged her chin at Dolores, who had already opened a multi-layered makeup case that looked like it belonged backstage at a fashion show.
Dolores got to work without wasting a second. She separated each tool neatly, moving with the precision of a professional. I let her comb my hair first—her fingers firm but gentle, the massage on my scalp oddly relaxing. My hair was curled into soft waves that fell down my back. She misted a bit of peony-scented spray afterwards.
“You’ve got such a lovely bone structure,” she murmured while applying primer. “Your skin is so smooth. I rarely get a canvas this perfect.”
I wasn’t used to compliments about my looks, but I let her continue. A sheer layer of foundation, hardly-there concealer, soft contour, a touch of highlighter on my cheekbones. My eyes were dusted with champagne shadow, a bit smoky at the outer corners. My lashes curled, mascara applied. My lips finished with a nude rosy shade that looked natural.
Dolores stepped back, admiring her work. “Perfect.”
Dalila pulled out the dress I’d bought yesterday—a cream midi dress with gentle ruching at the waist. Simple, but elegant. Once I put it on, Dolores clapped her hands.
“Beautiful. That dress looks like it was tailored for you.”
Dalila nodded. “You look stunning tonight, Miss.”
I smiled softly, trying to hide the nerves pooling in my chest.
Night fell quicker than expected. Dalila accompanied me into the glowing ballroom. Warm music drifted through the air, chandeliers glittered overhead, and the scents of food mingled with expensive perfume. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves… except me.
I wasn’t excited. Wasn’t thrilled. I just wanted to stand in a quiet corner with a chilled glass of lemonade. I nibbled on a tiny tart, a few slices of sweet apple, and a spoonful of chicken casserole that actually tasted nice. Bit by bit, I finally felt full.
Then the room shifted. The birthday host had arrived. Alpha Caspian himself.
I lifted my gaze—and my heart nearly dropped out of my chest. He looked… different tonight. More masculine, more striking, more dangerous, and annoyingly attractive. His hair slicked back, his black suit moulded to every sculpted line of his body. His eyes sharp, his stride confident. People turned to look without hesitation.
He disappeared into the crowd of Alphas and Lunas offering congratulations.
I swallowed hard. A flash of fear hit me. What if Alpha Scott showed up? My body tensed instantly, and I grabbed Dalila’s arm.
“Emerald Earth pack… were they invited?” I whispered.
Dalila shook her head quickly. “No, Miss. I checked the list when the Omega Pavilion posted it.”
Relief washed over me.
But then the night soured again. I spotted Alpha Caspian—with that same bloody flirty blonde—clinging to his arm like some overly-perfumed limpet. Her giggle grated in my ears.
I felt irritated. And suddenly everything felt suffocating.
“I need some air,” I muttered. “Going outside.”
“Want me to come?” Dalila asked.
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I’m just… in a mood.”
Dalila let me go.
I walked into the rose garden behind the ballroom. Golden-tinted lights washed over the petals, and the cool breeze eased the heaviness in my chest.
But I wasn’t alone for long. Heavy footsteps approached. I turned.
Alpha Caspian walked closer, hands in his pockets, eyes softer than usual. “You left without giving me a birthday gift.”
I froze. “Uh… I didn’t prepare anything.”
He smiled—a rare, genuine thing. “I was joking, Lulu.”
Yet somehow I felt almost guilty.
We stood together under the dim lights, and the conversation drifted easily.
He told me he wanted to find his mate soon. Wanted a family, a home, someone waiting for him at the end of the day. His voice deep, honest—stripped of the usual Alpha formality.
I admitted I just wanted to live peacefully with my baby once he was born. Wanted to raise him without fear. Without shadows from my past.
He stared at me for a long moment. “You’re beautiful tonight.”
My cheeks heated. “That’s exaggerated.”
“It’s not,” he murmured. “It’s the truth.”
There was something in the way he said it—low, close, as if I was the only person in the world. My heartbeat went wild. We were only inches apart. His breath warm on my skin. I could feel the tension in him, see how his deep blue ocean eyes kept flicking to my lips.
He was about to kiss me. So close, until…
“Alpha Caspian!”
Beta Rohan’s voice sliced through the air. Caspian halted mere millimetres before our mouths touched. He exhaled sharply, frustrated. My face burned as I stepped back.
“Someone’s looking for you,” Rohan said.
Caspian hesitated, eyes on me—like he wanted to say something—then walked away.
I was left alone, staring at the soft stars overhead. Memories crept in—the mate I once had, the rejection I was forced into, Scott’s betrayal. The wound was still raw. And almost kissing Caspian left me warm, flustered… confused.
I wasn’t ready. Or maybe I was just terrified.
I turned to go back inside—when stumbling footsteps emerged from the shadows. A drunk he-wolf staggered forward, eyes bloodshot, grin twisted.
“Heeey… pretty…” he slurred.
My stomach dropped. I spun around to leave, but he was quicker. His hand snatched my dress and yanked—tearing the fabric.
“Oi! Get off!” I snapped, pulse spiking.
I tried to fight him, but he shoved me to the ground. I reached for Phyrra—nothing. Tried to summon fire but dead silent.
Panic clawed up my throat. “Let go!”
He loomed over me, trapping me. The music blared from the ballroom—no one would hear.
Bloody hell. Not again. Not this nightmare.
“Get off me, you bastard!” I shouted, kicking. “Don’t you bloody dare—!”
I was shaking, helpless, furious. Then…
A massive shadow leapt out of the darkness.
A huge white-grey wolf slammed into him. The he-wolf jolted, stunned, then shifted—but even then he looked like a rabid idiot who couldn’t keep his balance.
The white-grey wolf moved with terrifying elegance—swift, fluid, lethal. They rolled across the ground, teeth and claws flashing. The stranger was powerful. Beautiful, in a wild, feral way.
Seconds later, the drunk wolf limped away, defeated and terrified.
The white-grey wolf stood there, chest heaving, eyes soft when they met mine.
Then he turned and vanished into the trees.
I pushed myself up, trembling. On the ground where he’d stood were massive pawprints.
And inside those prints… water pooled.
Wet marks, as if his steps carried traces of another realm.
I stared, every hair on my body standing.
Who… or what… was he?