As soon as she was around the corner, Josh stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. I heard the lock click, a cold punctuation mark to my rising dread. My heart hammered against my ribs. Breathe, I told myself, a futile command against the tidal wave of fear. I gulped, trying to swallow down the nausea, forcing my limbs to remain still, though every instinct screamed at me to flee. "J-josh?" I managed, He loomed over me, his presence an oppressive weight, forcing me to crane my neck to meet his gaze.
Josh didn't seem to hear me, his gaze fixed on my face as he gently cupped my cheek. A shiver traced its way down my spine. I willed myself not to flinch, to present a calm exterior even as my insides churned with terror. "You got dressed up so beautiful for me, didn't you mate?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me.
"Of course," I replied, the word a weak attempt at bravado that twisted into a question as my fear bled through. That tiny crack in my composure was all he needed. His grip on my chin tightened, fingers digging into my skin, forcing my head back.
"Was that a question?" he growled, his eyes narrowing. Panic flared, hot and suffocating. I shook my head, "No. It wasn't a question… I…" My mind raced, desperately searching for the right words. His grip tightened, a searing pain blooming on my chin. "I just wanted to look my best for when I finally become your mate," I blurted out, the words tumbling over each other.
Relief washed over me as his grip loosened, but it was a fleeting comfort. A slow smirk spread across his lips. He leaned in, his mouth brushing against mine. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the usual violation, But this time, he held back, his lips pressing gently, a taunting promise of what was to come.
Then, he groaned softly and pulled back. He saw the surprise in my eyes and the smirk widened. "I can't mess up your makeup now, can I?" His words, intended as a reassurance, landed like a blow. Of course. He wanted me to be presentable, a trophy to be displayed. "We will have plenty of time tonight." The implication hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I fought against the urge to retch, Instead, I forced a smile, and nodded. He seemed satisfied, finally unlocking the door and walking out, leaving me with a lingering sense of violation.
I rushed to the door, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I fumbled with the lock, the click echoing a little too loudly in the sudden silence. Once secured, I let out a shaky exhale, my knees buckling as I slid down the cool wood, my back pressing against it.
My chest tightened, a vice gripping my lungs. The air felt thin, unbreathable. Panic, cold and sharp, pricked at my skin. "Breath," I whispered, the sound barely audible. My own voice was a stranger's, strained and reedy. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to conjure the familiar rhythm. Ten. I forced myself to count. Nine. Eight. My breaths were shallow, ragged gasps. Seven. Six. It felt like a physical effort, each number a mountain to climb. Five. Four. The tightness in my chest intensified, a wave of nausea washing over me. Three. Two. One. The count was over, but the suffocating feeling remained, a relentless tide. "Start over again," I murmured, my voice trembling, the count already beginning to blur in my panicked mind. My breathing slowed down again, and I felt the weight start to lift off my chest. Only a few more hours and I would be out of here. Out of this house, out of this life. Josh would never touch me again.
A sudden rapping at the portal startled me. "Ma'am?" a familiar voice, the same maid from earlier, inquired from beyond the barrier. "Are you ready to get dressed?"
"Just a moment!" I called out, springing upright once more. I unlatched the door and swung it open. The maid, her hair the color of rich soil, offered a welcoming grin, a verdant gown draped artfully over her arm and a pair of ebony stilettos presented in her grasp.
I stepped aside, granting her entry. She carefully placed the attire on my bed, allowing me to see it fully. It was a beautiful, floor-sweeping emerald creation, boasting a heart-shaped neckline and delicate sleeves designed to cascade gracefully from my shoulders. The lower portion billowed in a light, airy fashion, truly a vision of beauty. The accompanying footwear, heels that shimmered with black sparkle, would perfectly accentuate my recently painted toenails. A pleased smile graced my lips. My mother had clearly spared no expense in her preparations. The maid helped me get my shoes and dress on. I turned and did one final look in the mirror. The dress was a perfect fit, and the necklace my mother give me hung just above my breast and looked amazing with the dress.
With a resolute nod, I exited my room. The maid offered a farewell gesture as I proceeded towards the main entrance. Despite the fact that the Ceremony wouldn't commence for another two hours, I hoped to get there early.
Arriving at the front door, I peered outside, but my driver was nowhere to be seen. A frown creased my brow. It was still early, I knew, but one would expect them to be waiting.
"Alice!" I called out, and the maid from my room appeared at the end of the hallway, hurrying to my side.
"Yes, miss?" she inquired, her gaze lowered.
"Where is the driver?" Alice looked up, then scanned the view through the doorway.
"I'm not sure, miss. Shall I call to find out?" she offered.
"Yes, please," I confirmed, my urgency clear. "I need to get there as early as possible." She nodded in agreement and retrieved a cell phone from her pocket. I listened as she dialed, the phone ringing unanswered, then ringing again. Finally, it clicked over to voicemail. A shared frown creased both our brows. She tried a second time, and on the third attempt, a male voice finally responded.
"Demetri speaking," the voice announced.
"Demetri, it's Alice. Miss Cassy is here, waiting for you to pick her up and take her to the ceremony. Where are you?"
"That can't be right," the male voice replied, confusion evident. "I was told she'd be going with friends." Alice glanced at me, and I subtly shook my head, confirming that wasn't the case. Besides, I didn't have friends – Josh had made sure of that.
"Miss Cassy insists that's not right," Alice relayed, her voice growing more insistent. "She was instructed to wait for a driver." My fingers began to twist together nervously. The venue was a thirty-minute drive away, always held outside the pack's protected grounds to prevent outsiders from entering. That was precisely why I was so eager to leave now – to arrive on time.
"Let me talk to the other drivers and call you back, maybe I heard wrong from Alpha Josh." Demetri said, his words like a cold splash of water on my already frayed nerves. Josh. The name hit me like a physical blow. Of course. It had to be Josh. A sickening dread coiled in my stomach. He was delaying my driver, wasn't he? To box me in, to make sure I arrived late, stranded, with him as my only option. I clenched my fist so hard my knuckles turned white. No. Absolutely not. I'd walk the entire damn distance in these heels if I had to.
Alice's gaze met mine, her frown deepening with concern. "Do you know anyone who could give me a ride?" I blurted out, the desperation raw in my voice. A thirty-minute drive translated to hours, hours of walking in this dress and these ridiculous heels. I could shift, of course. Run in my wolf form. But then what? Naked and disheveled, my entire night ruined, my plans completely derailed. The thought sent a fresh wave of ice through my veins.
I was starting to feel that familiar, suffocating grip of panic tightening around my chest when Alice's phone shrieked, She snatched it up, her voice tight with forced calm. "This is Alice."
"Ok, I talked to the guys," Demetri's voice, now laced with a new, unsettling tone, filtered through the speaker. "Apparently Joe was supposed to come back and pick Miss Cassy, after dropping off the Alphas and the Luna."
"And?" Alice prompted.
"Well, the car wouldn't start up again after letting them off."
"What?!" The word ripped from my throat, a strangled, panicked shriek. Alice visibly flinched.
Demetri continued, "Josh said he arranged a car to pick you up but finding a driver on a day like this is next to impossible and won't be able to come get you until right before the ceremony." I slumped to the floor, the news hitting me like a physical blow. This couldn't be happening. No, NO! My chest tightened, a familiar vise grip, and breathing became a conscious, desperate effort. Alice was speaking, her voice a muffled drone, but her words were lost to the rising tide of panic within me. Alice was hovering over me, her brow furrowed with concern. "Miss, are you alright?" she asked softly.
A shaky smile stretched my lips, a lie I forced into existence. "Yes, thank you. Just… a momentary lapse. So sorry." I pushed myself up, the rough floorboards scraping against my palms. Alice's hand, warm and firm, shot out to steady me. Think, my mind screamed. You have to think. Some pack members would still be here, surely. Their homes weren't as secluded as this, not as reliant on pre-arranged transport. I could beg for a ride, a lift into town. And what if they said no? What if they were too busy with their own preparations, their own lives? The Alpha's house was a long trek to the main road, a good ten minutes of walking, then another twenty into town.
I started to shed my heels. A simple strategy: I'd slip them back on when I arrived at the venue. I was going to get to the venue.
"Miss?" Alice's question was soft, yet it held an edge of worry.
"Alice," I turned to her, and she instinctively stood taller. "I'm heading into town to see if I can catch a ride." Her eyes widened, a silent plea.
"You can't!" I cut her off. "I can. If the driver shows up, just tell them I'm following the main road to the venue. They can stay on the main roads and pick me up if I'm still stranded. If not, well, assume I've made it." I didn't pause for a response, pushing the door open and stepping out onto the pavement, barefoot. Alice, however, was faster, intercepting me again.
"Alice," I started, ready to insist.
"Just a moment, Miss. Allow me to fetch you some shoes. You can change into your heels when you get there." A genuine laugh bubbled up. The sheer obviousness of it! I'd been so caught up in the problem, I'd forgotten the most basic of solutions.
Alice, with her characteristic speed, disappeared and returned clutching my tennis shoes and a pair of socks. With her help, I quickly put them on, offered a thankful nod, and finally stepped out. My dress trailed behind me, the heels a silent weight in my hand.