Moonlit party

~Cassandra~

"Cassandra! Cassandra! Are you alive?" Zoe's urgent voice pierced through the glass of my window, abruptly interrupting the peaceful slumber I was enjoying, instantly awakening me.

"Ugh... Go away," I groaned, burying my head beneath the pillow in an attempt to drown out her voice, hoping for a moment of respite.

"Cassandra, come on! I have great news!" Zoe persisted, now resorting to tapping on the window, causing me to mutter curses under my breath.

"You wake me up like this every single day! What did I do to deserve this?" I grumbled, my frustration palpable. In response, I heard her playful giggle.

"I'll be waiting at the door, alright? Don't take too long, or I'll be back, knocking on your window," she teased, her footsteps gradually fading away from the window.

"Ugh," I sighed deeply, tossing the pillow aside and staring at the ceiling for a few moments before finally getting out of bed to open the door for Zoe.

I am Cassandra Jones, a twenty-two-year-old lone wolf with a monotonous and unlucky life, while Zoe, my best friend, is the complete opposite.

At the same age, she has her own pack, numerous friends, and even a mate. Her life seems perfect, yet I've never felt jealous of her, although I yearn for what she has.

Zoe and I crossed paths two years ago at a moonlit party I stumbled upon by accident. Seeing that I was alone, she kindly decided to keep me company.

We engaged in deep conversations about various topics, and from that night on, we became inseparable friends. She turned out to be the only friend I truly had.

Since losing my own pack in a battle at the tender age of sixteen, I've found it incredibly difficult to connect with others. However, Zoe was an exception to that rule.

"Cass...!" I cut off Zoe's impending scream of my name as I swung open the door. The glaring brightness from outside assaulted my eyes, prompting me to instinctively squint in response.

"Finally," Zoe muttered as she stepped into the house, her tone filled with a hint of relief.

"You need to mature, Zoe. You can't keep yelling my name every morning just to wake me up," I grumbled, rubbing my tired eyes with my fingers and shuffling my way to the kitchen to get some water.

"Why not? If I don't scream your name, you'll never wake up on time!" she playfully retorted, trailing after me into the kitchen.

Pouring myself a glass of water, I turned to face Zoe while taking a sip. A mischievous smile adorned her face as she remarked, "You're looking absolutely stunning this morning. I think it's a sign!"

Furrowing my brow, I set the glass down in the sink. "A sign? What kind of sign?" I inquired.

"A sign that you'll finally find your mate!" she exclaimed, and I scoffed, shaking my head.

"You say that every day, and I still haven't found one. I've given up on finding a mate, Zoe. Maybe being a lone wolf means I'm not meant to have one," I replied, feigning indifference despite the pain that lurked beneath the surface.

"Come on, Cassie! Everyone deserves a mate, and deep down, you know that," she insisted.

"Well, maybe I'm the exception. It's been four years since I turned eighteen, and I haven't found one yet. Perhaps it's my fate," I uttered as I exited the kitchen, returning to the living room.

"Don't say that, Cassie. You can't just give up. I know it's frustrating, but I believe this time, you have another chance to find him," Zoe added, following me into the living room.

"What chance?" I asked dismissively, not taking her words seriously.

"Okay, so..." She settled down on the couch next to me, crossing her legs as if preparing to meditate. "There's a moonlit party tonight in our kingdom. It's organized by our king..."

"But isn't the party only for pack members in our kingdom? What business do I have there?" I interjected.

"Cassie, let me finish. It's not strictly limited to our kingdom. We can invite anyone we want. I want you to come with me," she pleaded, pouting her lips in a playful manner.

"That doesn't work on me anymore, and you know it," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Please, Cassie! I really want you to come with me."

"And what about Frank? Isn't he supposed to be your date or something?" I inquired.

"Frank being my date doesn't mean you can't come with us. We're going to have fun at the party! Besides, it'll be a chance for you to leave this secluded area and experience the city again. Who knows, you might even meet your mate there!"

Zoe's excitement about the moonlit party was contagious, and I didn't want to dampen her spirits. Plus, it was true that I needed to venture beyond the outskirts and reacquaint myself with city life.

"Please, Cassie," Zoe pleaded further, holding my hands and giving them a tight squeeze.

"Fine! I'll go. Not because I'm expecting to find a mate, but because I don't want you to go alone," I relented, and she leaped with joy.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, springing up from her chair and dashing to my room. "Let's find you something to wear!" she exclaimed, bouncing and clapping in excitement. I chuckled softly and followed suit, making my way to my room.

~At Night~

As we made our way to the venue of the moonlit party, the full and luminous moon in the sky illuminated our path. I walked behind Zoe and her mate, Frank, feeling rather uneasy in the dress she had picked out for me.

It was a black long dress, its sleek fabric clung to my every curve, exuding an aura of mystery and confidence.

The dress boasted a daring side slit that gracefully revealed a glimpse of my thighs with every step I took. The absence of arms gave the dress a sleek and elegant silhouette, emphasizing the smoothness of my skin.

The low front of the dress left no doubt about my confidence, as it exposed a tasteful amount of my cleavage, adding a touch of sensuality to the overall ensemble.

I complained to Zoe about it being too exposing, but she insisted that it was the perfect dress for such an occasion.

“I better find my mate after all the struggles with this dress.” I uttered behind them and they both laughed, making fun of me.

As we approached the Palace grounds, the sight of the decorative lights dazzled my eyes, reflecting a sense of grandeur and excitement.

The air buzzed with the anticipation of the night ahead. I could feel my heartbeat quicken as we made our way closer, my eyes drinking in the beauty of the well-decorated surroundings.

The venue itself was a sight to behold. Intricate floral arrangements adorned the entrance, and soft music floated through the air, adding an ethereal touch.

The pathway leading to the entrance was lined with shimmering lights, casting a romantic glow. It was evident that every detail had been carefully curated to create a truly enchanting atmosphere.

With a deep breath, I stepped into the venue, trailing behind Zoe and Frank, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The chatter and laughter of the guests filled the air, blending harmoniously with the elegant ambiance.

As the glances and admiring gazes continued to come my way, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. It was as if the dress had cast a spell, enveloping me in an aura of confidence and allure.

The attention and admiration from those around me only fueled my excitement, making me feel radiant and desired. Observing the way men's eyes lingered on me, captivated by my presence, a flicker of hope ignited within me.

Perhaps Zoe had been right all along. Maybe this party held the promise of meeting someone special, a potential mate who would share a connection that transcended the surface level.

Lost in my thoughts, I allowed myself to envision the possibilities that the night held.