PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

PART TWO: CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN
“Freaking amazing.” Clarissa clapped her hands loudly, her eyes twinkling as she watched Zaramanni twirl in her dress. “Absolutely amazing. I knew this dress was this one, but now that I see you in it…” A sharp breath and Clarissa moved closer to Zaramanni, her hands cupping the shoulders of her dress. “... I am more than certain that I did a great job.”

The image in the mirror was strange to Zaramanni and that was because she was so beautiful.

She had never seen herself looking that good.

 Before that moment, she never felt amazing about wearing clothes.

What good were clothes if they failed to hide her uniqueness from prying eyes? That was what Zaramanni thought whenever her Granny tried to make her wear clothes that were fancier than her normal wear.

But at that moment…

Coupled with the shine in her hair and the unexpected glow on her skin, she was gorgeous.

Zaramanni felt really, really good about herself.

And Clarissa didn’t fail to share her excitement.

But the she-wolf soon went to drag her own dress from the other suitcase. 

Zaramanni turned to face the room and a melodic sound reached her ears.

“Oh, the party is starting now. Put on your slippers,” Clarissa ordered, nodding at the pointed, open-back slippers that she reserved for Zaramanni. The gemstone glued to the footwear attracted Zara, so did its low heel.

After sliding the slippers on, Zaramanni’s lips wore a small pout and she listened to the distant and melodic sound. The music was hardly audible, but it pricked Zaramanni’s interest.

 Placing her hands on the waist of her gown, she asked Clarissa, “What kind of music do the wolves of Zenrada listen to?”

“Oh,” Clarissa struggled with dragging her cream-coloured gown down her body and Zara moved closer to help her, “we have different types of music. But we do have specific music for certain events.”

“Oh.” When the dress situation was sorted out, Zara helped Clarissa with her zipper. Then, she asked, “Can you give me an instance?”

“Hmm… When there is an official mating ritual, we play a piece of music called Bassik.”

“Bassik,” Zara repeated.

“They are solemn sounds that reflect the importance of a bond between mates.”

“What is a mating ritual? Is it a moment where your mate calls you… mate?” 

Zara’s cheeks were almost flushing with shyness because her question caused her to recall the steamy moment she and Zoey had under the bright moon and by the shimmering riverside. 

That was a day she would never forget.

“No.” Clarissa turned to face Zaramanni. 

Zara ignored the suggestive smirk on the she-wolf’s face and appreciated the beauty of her gown. Primarily a mermaid-shaped gown, the attire had streaks of gold running on its front. Also v-necked, the simple attire came with a huge scarf that was connected to the sleeves.

 “The mating ritual is the union of mates in the presence of the moon goddess,” Clarissa completed her statement.

“Oh.”

“It is not what you were thinking.” Clarissa tucked her feet into her square-foot glass slippers.

“I was not thinking about anything.”

“If you say so,” Clarissa ended her statement with mirth in her voice. “I guess we are set,” she said after a quick look around the room.

 Then, after pushing the empty suitcases aside, she hooked her arm with Zara’s and they walked out of the room, both ladies exchanging flowery scents with the atmosphere.

The more they walked, the more people they met on their way and Zara began to notice that some were in their wolf form. 

Watching the wolves roam the large, glossy corridors on all fours made Zara wonder if they would be fully naked when they shift to their human form.

It would be quite a sight if they start transforming and raiding the space with their nakedness.

It would probably be traumatizing as well.

 As she shook her head to get rid of that thought, Zara soon realized that all eyes were turning to catch a glimpse of her presence. She did not fail to take note of the many expressions darted in her direction as she and Clarissa walked past room after room.

Some wore courteous smiles, some appreciative glances. Some, for some reason known to them, wore sneers. 

But Zara soon deduced that it was easy for them to tell that she wasn’t one of them.

Or, perhaps having a foreigner at the party was strange to them.

Either way, Zara was surprisingly not affected by their stares and sneers. 

The more she walked, hand-in-hand with Clarissa, the more she felt a surge of pride in her soul. Zaramanni decided to lean on that feeling even though there was a huge chance that it wouldn’t last.

“Tsk, jealous bitches,” Clarissa cursed and Zara looked in the direction the she-wolf was sending death glares. 

In a corner of that large room that had many pillars connected with solid arches, was a gathering of ladies who collectively wore some kind of jumpsuit, each person donning a different shade of the designed cloth. 

“Look away,” Clarissa spat at the she-wolves and when Zara noticed one of them growing a white-furred tail, she tugged at Clarissa’s hand.

When Clarissa faced her, Zaramanni asked, “Are we not there yet?”

“Soon.” Clarissa turned to glance at the women again. “Word must have gotten around that you are Beta Zoey’s mate. Those crazy ladies won’t stop stabbing you with their hawkeyes.”

“Let them stare all they want, Clarissa.” Zara noted that the music was louder as they advanced their steps. “They can’t have Zoey because he is mine.”

“Ohh…. I like that,” Clarissa praised with a hailing tone while they walked past a little crystal fountain that was placed in the middle of the room that had an alluring ceiling. “I love that feisty statement.”

Chuckling at the she-wolf’s excitement, Zara noted that they were walking into another room. 

This one was similar to the past rooms but larger. 

So large that it entertained a great mass of people who were chattering over the music.

Most of them held wine cups in their hands as they got engrossed in their conversations. Their colourful outfits also outmatched the calm tone of the room.

“Clarissa?”

“Hmm?” 

“What is the music playing called?”

“Amassik. It is a lively tune, isn’t it?”

“It is somewhat energetic. If I burst some moves, I will definitely lose a good amount of calories.”

“Kah-lur- ri?” Clarissa was confused. “What’s that?”

“Ahh, it’s just something medical.” 

Truthfully, Zaramanni had no idea how to go about the explanation. She barely paid attention in her Biology classes and since she was not able to attend even a day's lecture in college, anything related to school stuff was dead to her.

And, Zara didn’t like the sound of that. So she urged herself to visit the manor’s library more often. 

At the end of the day, all knowledge is knowledge.

“Oh,” came Clarissa’s response, but it was barely audible. 

The music became louder and they approached another space. And this room appeared to be the stop for the fancy party.

Clarissa and Zaramanni sported bulged eyes as their eyes devoured the orange lights that filled the room. 

A chandelier hanging from a long chain, and the semi-circle-shaped tables that had exquisite chairs tucked into them, wore small bulbs of orange lights that made the room shine beautifully. 

But there was something about the chandelier. From afar, it looked as though it was flaming.

 It was a cool sight.

Some people were already seated, and some were grooving to the vibrant music with bright smiles on their faces. 

Zaramanni, with a certain joy growing in her heart, took note of the many open windows in the large hall. 

Artistic stone arches formed the window frames, and the high apertures wore colourful ribbons that assisted the orange lights in making the room look more beautiful.

“I don’t think the Alpha King will be coming today,” Clarissa said as she leaned closer to Zara’s ears.

“Why?”

“His seat is not here.”

Zara’s lips scrunched while she followed Clarissa’s line of sight, unsure of what she was supposed to look at. Then, she asked, “King Darren has his own seat? As in a customized seat?”

Clarissa’s ponytail almost slapped the half-fairy as she turned. Brows raised with high curiosity, the she-wolf asked, “How do you know the Alpha King’s name? I don't even know his name.”

“Well…” 

A sheepish grin was all she gave and Zara darted her eyes in another direction. It was then she noticed that there was a door on the left, from where suited men and women primly walked past, trays bearing all sorts of things in their hands.

“Anyway,” Clarissa didn’t push her question, “the Alpha King always has a high seat reserved for him at any party or gathering. But there is nothing here.”

“Oh.”

“I guess things have gotten busy for him. I wonder if the Luna will be here as well.”

“I really don’t care,” Zara sang from where she was, her hook around Clarissa’s arms getting loose.

If Clarissa heard the jest in Zara's voice, she didn’t show. Instead, she allowed the dissolution of their hold. 

Clarissa's legs were about to walk toward the busy door on the left when she said, “I need to check what seat was assigned to Beta Zoey. Wait for me here, okay?”

“Uh… sure.” 

Once Clarissa was out of her sight awkwardness befell Zara. 

Running her hands through the slightly scratchy feel of her gown, Zaramanni began to dart her eyes across the room. 

Unsure of what to settle her gaze on, she began to tap her right foot on the ground, creating a rhythm that matched the loud music.

Her head was about to start bobbing when a strong grip wrapped her right arm.

Before she could question the sudden presence, the person began to pull her in the right direction. Amid her struggles which no one else in the room seemed to notice, Zara noticed that the tall person dragging her wore their hair in a low bun.

So, she quickly ruled out Zoey.

And, she didn’t stop trying to wiggle her arm out of the grasp. 

When they had walked a few distances into a very empty corridor that was filled with crawling green vines that wrapped themselves around the walls of the space, Zara was left alone.

Her feet were almost staggering when Zara lifted her head, her eyes showing her intention to show the person her fury.

But that intent soon turned into a sneer when her eyes landed on the man in front of her.

“What’s your deal?” Zara's arms crossed over her chest and she didn’t stop herself from glaring. “Why did you drag me here?”

“You have been on my mind for a while, Zaramanni,” came that hoarse voice. Alpha King Darren, who was putting on a rouge, low v-neck, two-piece suit that exposed a great deal of his built chest, took a step closer.

Instantly filled with caution, Zara walked backward and she didn’t stop until the wall kissed her back. 

Brows raised, her arms still folded, she asked sternly, “So, what? What should I do about that?”

“The wolf inside me is so confusing, Zaramanni.”

“How is that my business?”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.” The subtle tone in his voice dripped of certain soberness, the kind that caused the sour expression on Zara's face to disappear. 

After running his hands through the splits of his suit top, after letting out a sigh, Alpha Darren took two steps forward and that was all it took for his presence to overpower her senses.

Her arms came loose, her eyes widened, her feet tried to move to no avail and all Zaramanni could think of was the red thread that seemingly connected her to the man-wolf standing in front of her.

Of course, she tried her entire best to ignore what she saw that night, but that moment dug up that memory and Zaramanni felt a little scared.

As Alpha Darren leaned closer, his palms resting against the wall behind her, Zaramanni felt weird. 

A little stir was in her chest area. And it was a familiar feeling because she felt such before her affection toward Zoey grew bigger. 

That feeling in her heart made her fright grow.

That was not the feeling she wanted to have toward the he-wolf in front of her. She was supposed to hate him with all her guts because of the selfishness he showed in the past weeks. 

Alpha Darren appeared to be ignorant of the brewing chaos in Zaramanni’s soul as he said her name with great seriousness.

When she looked up at him, she noted how his eyes wore different colours just like Beta Zoey’s. 

The last time she looked so deeply into the Alpha’s eyes was the night his wolf mutilated the rogue vampires. She vividly recalled the hatred that pooled in his dark eyes. 

But at that moment, his eyes were somewhat creamy and they displayed unusual tenderness. 

“Zaramanni,” his thick voice called again. “Zaramanni.” The melody his voice gave her name was no different from how he said her name on the last night they spent in Amarxona’s forest. “Zaramanni…” A sharp breath followed and his head ducked closer.

 “My wolf keeps chanting your name.” His jaws clenched as though he loathed the words he was about to say. “My wolf went from hating you to crazily needing you. My wolf wants to know what you smell like. It wants to hold you close and claim you so badly.”

“Your…” Zaramanni was so close to feeling gripping shudders in her spine. Her forehead creasing a little, she bit into her lower lip and raised a concerned brow. 

Then, she chose to ignore the stirring in her heart and his ridiculous words. 

And, with a rude tone that didn’t sound like her, she asked, “Your wolf wants all of that? Are you sure it's your wolf?”

The Alpha King, whose shoulders slumped in defeat, tried to bring his right hand to her face but Zara was quick to step away.

 And, Darren eased his posture. 

Standing upright, he faced her and Zara refused to give him a chance to reply to her question. 

She said, “I don’t know what game you are trying to play but-”

“You saw the Red Thread, didn’t you?”

“Why are you bringing that up?”

“We have a much bigger connection than we thought. We are…” A brief pause and Zara could see how his hands pulled into clenching fists. “... mates.”

“Yeah, right.” The half-fairy decided she had had enough. Surprisingly not giving an eye roll to show that she considered his words highly ridiculous, she chose to advance toward the exit.

Zaramanni was about to move aside to stop herself from brushing his arm, but a swift interlace of their fingers stopped her. 

And, the thud that landed on her chest surprised her. 

Several emotions roused inside her and Zara carefully looked down at the embrace of their palms.

“Zaramanni…” Their proximity caused her to feel the Alpha's breath and warmth. “Let’s not fool ourselves. We are meant to be.”

“No,” she was yet to look up, but she could feel him watching her keenly, “we are not.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “ We are just unfortunate to have crossed paths. Our bond is a cursed one. It is a bond that can lead to our deaths.” 

Their hands separated and Zaramanni continued to walk, not sparing the Alpha one more glance.

A few steps forward and Zoey was all she could see. Literally.

Head tilted slightly, brows furrowed to probably comprehend the scene between Zara and the Alpha, the taller man soon loosened his firm stance and excitedly greeted Zara who was worried that he would read the earlier moment as something important.

“I heard from Clarissa that you are the most beautiful at this party,” Beta Zoey moved closer, joy in his voice, “she was right. You look amazing.” 

With affection, he held her shoulders and made his gorgeous eyes roam through every detail of her appearance.

 Zara was about to compliment his simple wear which was similar to Alpha Darren’s and that of many men-wolves at the party, but he said, “You are really beautiful, Zaramanni. And, I will continue to adore that about you.”

“Thank you, Zoey. Your words are making me feel good.” 

She was being honest. The earlier strange brewing in her chest had been replaced with the strong fluttering her heart had whenever she was beside Zoey.

 She felt good thanks to his adoration.

“Shall we head into the main room?”

She accepted his unspoken offer to hook his arm with hers. 

“We shall.”

Nothing more was said. 

The mates silently enjoyed each other’s company till they walked into the party hall which was now occupied by more people.

A few seconds later, the duo halted their joint steps and Zoey faced her. The smile in his eyes made her feel good and she put all of her attention on him even though their presence started to attract some talk.

Now feeling much better about attending the party, Zaramanni watched Beta Zoey open his lips to utter a word, but a loud crash foiled that intention.

From a corner in the large room, a shriek emerged and Zara became more concerned.

 After briefly observing the worries on the faces of the people in the room, she traced her sight to the circular ceiling of the room. 

What was once a decorative roof had turned into shatters and the chandelier that hung from the ceiling was nowhere to be seen.

A worried gaze was shared between the couple before they loosened their arm hook and rushed past the people who were looking highly confused.

When their feet came to a halt, it was because they met streaks of flowing blood. 

That sight traced to many shards of glass that further led to a sprawled body that was mutilated by the many pieces of broken glass which mercilessly pierced the person’s skin.

Zoey was about to pull Zaramanni behind him when she darted her gaze away from the lower body of the poor soul she pitied.

As several men rushed toward the bloody scene, Zara’s eyes met the ones of the almost lifeless person. And, beyond the many strips of blood that rolled down the face, Zara recognized the person.

It was Clarissa.