Chapter 65 Lily

The pale man looks at me as he walks off to the side patio. I can feel his gaze, even though we are separated by a glass window. I’m not sure what he is, but he’s not a human or a werewolf. There is an air of danger about him. The way he’s looking at me deludes me into feeling like I’m still a young girl. It always feels nice to attract a man. Robert is socializing at the front of the ballroom. He’s the most charming, among all theses humans. I wonder why he wants me here, if he can dance all alone.

Jade approaches me. She’s wearing a red mask, dressed in a black gown. Her figure is certainly enticing. “Where is my daughter, Jade?” I ask her impatiently. I’m already tired of this party and worried that my citrus perfume will wear off soon.

“I’ve just come to tell you. She’s coming in through the front gate right now. It’s better if we go outside to see her.” I agree. I see Robert isn’t paying attention to me anymore and is still busy talking with a group of people.

I follow behind Jade and soon we are out of the ballroom. The chattering sounds vanish as the door closes behind us. The front of the building is quieter, now that all the people are stuffed inside. We walk all the way to the entrance gate.

“Madam, your daughter’s car is experiencing a few minor problems.”

“What? I hope she’s alright. Did she get hurt?”

“She’s perfectly alright. She’s just turning that corner.” Jade is pointing to the left, “Do you want to go over there and see her?”

It’s a dark lane without any street lights. I’m a bit hesitant. Outside is a strange city full of humans. The wind is starting to pick up. “I don’t know. Can’t we stay here and wait for her? It’s not that far.”

“The Mayor might come out at any minute. Imagine how he would react if he sees us.” Jade reminds me that Robert doesn’t want me to see her for now. “And it’s not that far.”

I look at the lane again. It’s just meters away from where I stand at the entrance, and I really want to see my daughter. “Alright. Let’s go.” I step out into the wind. The buildings in front of me are enormously tall. A few weird-looking electronic birds are flying across the sky. I’m a bit nervous, but so excited to see my daughter. Only one peek could satisfy me. I’m not expecting her to accept me, a total stranger, as her mother. Even if she reject’s me and runs away to Robert, I’d still believe it’s worth it, because she will know that I am her birth mother. She won’t be a child without a mother anymore. It warms my heart. The cold wind does nothing to faze me.

“Do we need to turn to left here?” I ask Jade. There is no response. I turn to her and see she has disappeared. I look around, but there are no signs of her anywhere. I realize what’s happening. She deceived me. A strong feeling of hurt crashes over me. If she really lied to me, then it means that my daughter isn’t here. She may not even be in the city! Suddenly, I see a group of vicious humans quickly running towards me from the way I came. I stepped right into a trap. I turn left onto the dark lane and run, as fast as I can.

My tears are flooding out of my eyes. This isn’t a good time to cry. But I just can’t help it. My daughter isn’t here. How could Jade be so ruthless! Why is she doing this? Was this planned by Robert? My head is spinning. I run against the wind. The citrus perfume is vaporizing into the air. This is really terrible, and it turns into a total disaster when I realize that the dark lane is a dead end. The despair hits me, as if I am a bunny trapped in the woods, and there’s nothing I can do but to wait for the claws of the huntsmen. The group of humans are approaching me with weapons. They are only meters away.

Then, a flash of white light flares behind me. It’s so bright that my eyes take a few seconds to adjust to it. The light is emanating from a car parked behind me. The door opens. A chubby lady in pink is shouting at me, “Get in! Quickly!” It is Lady Valentine, the fashion designer. I didn’t pay any attention to her peculiar scent before, then again, it was too similar to mine - a strong, fresh orange odor. It seems that this fashion designer is keeping a great secret. I have no choice but to step in and join her.

The car takes off like a bullet through the the air. It’s so fast that almost hits the group of humans, making them scatter away. I look out the window as the car passes the entrance of the building we were in. Then, I see Robert coming out as he drags Jade outside. They are shouting at each other. Jade flings herself on him and tries to kiss him. He pushes her away and steps outside to look around. I quickly hide behind the window and realize what kind of man he really is.

Then I look in the car. Lady Valentine is warmly reaching her hand out to me, “I apologize to you, my queen, for not rescuing you fast enough, and for putting you in danger like that. But we are safe for now. Thank goodness!”

“How do you… Who are you exactly?”

“I am a werewolf that used to work under the past King. I will explain everything when we are safe at my store. But now, I have to introduce you to someone.” She pats the shoulder of someone sitting in the front seat of the car. A beautiful woman turns around and takes off her hat. She’s dressed like a maid.

Lady Valentine continues, “This is Mary. Mary Jones, to be more accurate. She is your daughter. And she has been working with us all these years.”