"Jesus Christ!" he shouted, shoving his chair back violently. His eyes locked onto her hair. "I almost had a heart attack!"
Aire flinched.
"Did I not ask you," he continued, his voice rising, face flushing red, "never to show me your hair in this house?"
Her hair spilled down her back in soft waves, unnaturally bright even in the dim morning light. Her hair wasn't white nor gray.
Just pure silver.
She reached up and touched her unnaturally bright hair. Cursed with silver hair, Aire had tried to shave it off countless times before whenever kids made fun of her growing up.
However, it would always grow back in a day. She started to wear wigs ever since―more accurately, after her parents died.
It had been so long since she had gone out with her natural hair. She didn't want to hide her hair behind a wig just for today.
"I—"
"Shut up," he cut her off sharply.
The word sliced through her.
Aire closed her mouth immediately.
Her shoulders relaxed, and her expression smoothed into something practiced and light. She forced a small smile, the kind she wore when things hurt but she didn't want them to show.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to upset you."
Aire bit her lower lips thoughtfully. She had come to take permission from him to attend the grand ball today.
The grand ball was an annual event for werewolves. Each year, mateless wolves attended the ball and returned with a mate. The moon goddess blessed every wolf with a mate.
And this was that time of the year again!
She hesitated, then lifted her gaze again.
"Does that mean I can attend the grand ball?"
Before he could answer, another movement caught her eye.
Hannah stood at the top of the staircase.
She was dressed immaculately, hair curled, makeup flawless and a wine glass in hand. Her lips curved slowly as her gaze slid past Aire and lingered briefly on her father.
Then, with deliberate care, she tilted the glass. The red liquid cascaded down the stairs, splashing against the white railing, staining the carpet like spilled blood.
"Oh!" Hannah exclaimed lightly. "Oops."
Aire sucked in a breath. This act of Hannah counts as nothing compared to the horrific acts they had put her through.
"I'm so sorry," Hannah added sweetly, though her eyes gleamed with something else entirely.
Aire didn't wait.
She hurried into the kitchen, carefully set the plates down by the sink, then rushed back toward the stairs. She dropped to her knees immediately, grabbing paper towels, blotting at the spreading stain.
She stole a glance at the wall clock.
"You don't have a wolf," her uncle said. "You can't join us to the ball. I am the most respected beta in this park, and I won't want to be disgraced being seen with you there again."
"You won't be seen with me." Aire promised, cleaning the wine. "I'll stay far away."
Aire had always looked forward to the ball, as they had been the most important night to all unmated wolves.
The balls had always been a potential night where destiny showed itself. Every year, she hopefully believed that one night, the moon goddess would show mercy on her, and give her a mate.
She had turned 18 two years ago without a wolf. Discarded and laughed at, she had faithfully attended every yearly ball.
"Dad, I'm finally going to get a mate." Hannah giggled, walking towards her dad.
"Like a normal wolf girl would." Beta Kole, Aire's uncle, smiled, before snapping his gaze back to Aire. "You can join us. If you get no mate this year, we'll hand you over to the council to get killed. Deal?"
Aire swallowed. How could he casually speak of death that way?
However, she nodded. "Deal."
Beta Kole gave her one last disgusted look, and stood up.
"Don't be a disgrace tonight." Hannah suddenly barked in Aire's ear, causing her to flinch.
Aire secretly rolled her eyes. Since Hannah got her wolf, showing off became her favorite hobby. For instance, sneaking up on her right now.
"You can join us to the ball. One more embarrassment to entertain my eyes before you die." Hannah said, smiling sweetly.
Aire quietly lowered her eyes. Fortunately, Hannah vanished into the kitchen, leaving her alone.
.....
Eight hours later;
Just as agreed, Aire stood at the grand entrance of the DarkNight Park glittering ballroom. So many people stared at her with judgements and whispers
Aire stood away from her uncle and his family as agreed. She walked into the hall, and the air was thick with scents from all angles but none of them was strong enough to make her dizzy.
There was no pull, no heat, and no surge of warmth.
This would be the end of it if she has no wolf at the end of the night. She would be forever cursed, and would die tomorrow.
Aire moved further into the hall, and an unexpected strong scent tugged at her. Aire blinked, and with great anticipation, she stunned around the hall.
Her eyes glowed. The scent made her dizzy. Too strong not to be her mate. Hold on, why could she suddenly smell so strongly with no wolf?
The moon goddess might have finally decided to show her mercy, or so she thought.
Aire ruched forward, tracing the scent. She might be wolfless, but tonight seems merciful.
Aire scent trace, led her to the center of the ballroom. Under the chandelier, a fine man in black suit stood there, with his arms wrapped around another woman's waist.
The woman looked so stunning with her red hair, and great curves from behind.
Wait!
Aire took a closer look, and realised that it was Hannah. Her potential mate was holding her cousin so fondly. Why?
Aire tried to react, but she couldn't.
She watched him turn with a champagne in his hand, after whispering whatever into Hannah's ear.
The moment he turned, his eyes locked with Aire's.
He took his arms off Hannah the moment he locked eyes with Aire. His nostril flared, and Aire could tell he had just caught her scent.
Aire smiled at him, acknowledging the recognition. The scent grew stronger. She felt no wolf in her, but for whatever twisted game the moon goddess was playing at, she was certain his young man before her was her mate.
Aire smiled again, and for a split second, she saw disgust in his eyes. Then he marched towards her with Hannah.
The entire ballroom stilled as he walked towards her. Surprise filled their faces.
He stopped in front of Aire, with Hannah in his arms, who now stared at her with calculations and complete detest in her eyes.
Aire smiled again, and before she would speak, he parted his lips.
"I reject you." He spat out.
Aire gasped, confused. She blinked in denial.
"I, heir to RedMoon Park, Damien Michaelson, reject you, Aire Kole, as my mate." He said firmly, with his eyes assessing Aire posture. "My bloodline needs to be pure, and not tainted with the daughter of a traitor. You are still cursed."
This time, everyone gasped. Whispers filled the hall that instant, and they immediately shifted their gaze to Aire.