Hard to breathe

"This dress seems kind of short."

"Nonsense! It's just the perfect fit."

I sighed. I realized I've done it a lot recently. My eyes keenly assessed my figure in the full-length mirror. Though the emerald fabric looked enticing on my caramel skin, it also highlighted my curves and bring out the brown of my orbs, but it still was a little conservative from the bottom. The rim barely crossed my knees. Moreover, I was glad that the neckline was more sophisticated and provided false coverage for my scars.

Mikaela still hadn't witnessed them, but I was afraid of what she might think of me when she does so?

"Okay then." I voiced my decision. Soothing the wrinkles out with my palms, I grabbed the flats before wearing them.

"This dress used to be my favorite when I was your age."

"My age? How old are you?" Confusion laced my doubts. A low chuckle filled the empty walls of the room as she twirled in front of the mirror. Her eyes set over her reflection as she assessed herself.

"I'm thirty-six." My eyes widened at her remark. Damn! I thought she was younger than me judging the way she supported flawless skin and that fit body. Though I knew the clothes in the room belonged to hers that she barely wore, I never knew they would fit me like this.

"Wow! Y-You look younger than that." I whispered in thin air before letting out a hearty laugh.

"Anyways, we're good to go. We've to hurry to welcome Alpha's family."

My head snapped towards her faster than I could blink. Alpha's family? Not that I was not expecting that but I was startled a bit. Usually, Alphas never reside with their birth family instead of with the family including their mate and children. If Augustus was still living with his parents, then he had earned wide respect from me. Unlike certain someone I knew, he was such an abomination to his parents. The son who killed his father to claim the throne. Maybe that was why he was most feared and harsh when comes to feelings. A beast impeded in human form.

Mikaela led us towards the stairs. I was still nervous after sleeping for three hours, the pain had now subsided slightly. I was yet to meet her son and other wolves and that made me more anxious. I could hear faint blares of music and chattering of people from downstairs as we descended. The fresh and delicious aroma of food and cuisines. A new strange feeling evolved inside my heart. After so long, I was attending a feast like this. Back in my home, my brother used to organize such weekly feasts with pack members and elders. They were always enjoyable and entertaining for every presence there reminded me of happiness and bliss. A small smile unknowingly craved over the edge of my lips as I remembered how he was reluctant to help me in baking cakes and preparing dishes. He loved my cooking and that was the reason he always wanted me to cook before the arrival of his close friends or his fellow Alphas.

A tightening feeling clutched my heart and my smile disappeared into a memory of my past.

I met Xerxes at such a feast furthermore. My brother's friend introduced himself as. I was deceived by his heterochromatic orbs, the silvery tint in his eyes caged me in his charm and he played with me. I was drawn to him, just like a moth drawn to a flame. His charming smile took me off guard and I was swept off my feet only to land in a cage of his hands. He was a cruel male, a deception of the moon, a curse of my love.

"Kral is a naughty kid. Don't fall for his innocence for he resides a mischievous male inside him." Mikaela chuckled beside me. And I vaguely nodded. Her eyes shined brightly at the mention of her pup for she loved him like no other.

We were at the last stair when my eyes widened with both surprise and startlement. The hall was filled with unknown presences. Decorations were limited but arrangements for different sections were reserved and organized. A long table in the center with more than twenty seats and a few small tables on the sides. Each is filled with delicious-looking food. But that's not what caught my attention immediately but a silhouette of a man who saved me.

Black pants cladded his long and muscular legs, his torso covered with a slightly sheer white shirt and a gold watch on his left wrist. The darkness of his locks gelled back in layered fashion whilst a few stray strands fell upon his forehead, a chef's kiss to his ethereal beauty. The oceans of his looked around as he assessed the area. The cautiousness in his eyes along with the intimidation of an Alpha. He was just standing there, and I could feel his power radiating toward me, making me want to submit.

"Goddamn! We're late already." Mikaela grumbled, an unpleased tone evident in her voice. Wolves of the pack were chitter-chattering, some had drinks in their hands while others were being cautious enough to not let their dresses get ruined. Though, Augustus stood in the corner with Avi to his left, talking to him and an elderly-looking man to his right. The man shared the same oceanic eyes as the male who saved me whilst his golden locks were distinct, the same facial features yet the same masculine structure he sported run the cells of my brain.

He probably was Augustus's father, I could tell by his aura. Only alphas were capable of carrying this terrifying yet dominance-filled energy around them.

"Come, we need to greet them." Mikaela without giving me a chance grabbed my wrist before pulling me with her. Her long strides made me more nervous and before I knew she had us standing in front of them. I suddenly felt more conscious.

"Pack borders are secure, though few mutilated bodies of two wolves were found in forest's depth, despite that there's no movement seen today."

"Wolves you said, any sign of them being rogues?"

"I am uncertain but they did not seem like stray wolves. And also it's rare to find rogues in these lands."

"Hmm, switch your shift with Azrael for tonight-"

Augustus's body stiffened, his back strained against the fabric of his shirt as he raised his head before taking a long breath, his eyes closed and he was quick to turn around. My breathing was seized in the dilemma of the moment, he looked more breath-taking at close distance. I could analyze his chiseled features more closely, the sweet tangerine aroma of his masculinity, the twitch in his jaw. The eyes of the said male accessed me to the crock of my covered neck to the curves of my waist and then my partially covered legs. I suddenly felt insecure.

I felt nervous in his presence for he ignited more than something else inside me.

"Katarina," his rasp words voiced out, a tingly sensation inside my stomach. The depth of his tone wrapped around me and I gulped hard before lowering my eyes. I could not look into those depths of his seas.

"A-Alpha Augustus," I replied, my voice shakier than my fingers. I could feel his gaze on me, burning me with indescribable heat. What was he doing to me?

A small hearty chuckle escaped his lips and I frowned in confusion. Did he not like the way addressed him?

"Don't be so formal with me now." His flamboyant smile managed to ignite flames of strangeness inside me whilst he turned to look at an older version of himself towards his left. "Father, this is Katarina, the girl I told you about." My cheeks flared with both heat and embarrassment. Why must he be so careless of his words? Didn't he know what this kindness of his was doing to me? I was never familiar with this much warmness let alone the kind gestures of wolves around me, but this male, the one who was Alpha himself, knew how to make a girl's heart blossom.

"H-hello, I'm Katarina. A pleasure to meet you." My words haltered just like my hands as I bowed down to give the respect he demanded. Although the older man looked at Augustus's replica, his demo was cold and unwelcoming. A slight frown between his brows and a deep scowl on his face.

"I see, my son's been quite fond of you." Augustus laughed uncomfortably before giving me an apologetic smile. I nodded, my lips tightening in a fake smile. This man was making me anxious.

"However, looking forward to knowing more about you, Katarina." The way my name rolled down his tongue, didn't give me any good vibe. My throat tightened with uneasiness and I gulped the lump of nervousness. His eyes glistened with mischief before a smirk was plastered over his thin lips.

"Enjoy the evening, I've to leave now." His father gave a smile that very much seemed genuine to his son and nodded before turning around and walking towards the exit. I couldn't help but sense the strange look in his eyes. And when he stopped to look over his shoulder for a brief second, his gaze met mine before smirking and left.

What did that mean? Was something wrong? Did he know me? Perhaps, no. But what if he did? I had not any idea. The only hope I clung to was Augustus.

"I apologize for his coldness, but he has always been like this. Come, you must be hungry." My body flinched unknowingly when he gently placed his hand over the back of my waist, a newfound feeling of fire burning inside. The male looked oblivious of his actions as he smiled down at me while pulling me with him.

"My pack's quite fond of trying new cuisines once in a while. If you don't like anything, you can tell me and I'll tell them to make something for your preference." Not to lie, I was never a picky eater. Probably back in my home, I was. But since I was caged with Xerxes, I barely could eat anything up to my liking. He wanted to see me suffer, physically, mentally, and emotionally. So that I couldn't use my strength to run away from him, he started feeding me less, I was allowed a piece of bread once in two days. He made it such that I could only rely on him. The cruel and barbarous male the moon mated me with.

"I do not mind. I stopped complaining long ago." Augustus gave me a confused look. He wanted to ask more, but he stopped when we reached the long table at the center.

The wolves sitting around stood in respect to their alpha before bowing. Augustus flicked his fingers.

"Please, continue." I was seated on his right side. The chair to his left was scrapped against the floor as the male I recognized from earlier slumped down.

"Hello to you too. I couldn't recognize you for a second. Can not believe green could be such a beautiful color." Avi remarked, his lips curled in a small smile as he sat down.

My cheeks heated.

"Well, umm, is this supposed to be a compliment?" I asked hesitating.

"Of course, it is! You're looking gorgeous." I reciprocated his smile. To be honest, I was never complimented in a good way. Xerxes often told me how beautiful I was, only when he was buried deep inside me and his hands around my neck. I was indeed beautiful to him, only when I was under him.

"You don't look bad yourself." Augustus cleared his throat as he grabbed the glass of water and took a sip. He suddenly seemed tensed. The smile on his face had rendered to a distasteful scowl, his jaw clenched and eyes glaring daggers at his beta.

Avi chuckled grabbing the plate before pilling varieties of food in large quantities. I was about to grab one for myself yet Augustus beat me. He grabbed a plate and placed a loaf of fine bread, a good portion of fried rice, and mashed potatoes along with seasoned broccoli and mushrooms.

"Thank you."

I smiled at his gentle action whilst he merely nodded without giving me a second glance. His demeanor suddenly seemed to change by a fraction of coldness. Avi initiated a mild conversation in between the dinner, and strangely I liked this warm atmosphere. Avi was a man who knew when to make someone laugh, the way he roll his eyes at my remarks, the teasing grin as I shy away, his dad's jokes that I was coming to love, made me forget my past for a moment. However, the man to my left didn't utter a single word, his eyes on his plate, the muscle of his jaw clenched, the tension evident in his posture. I frowned. Did I do something wrong?

"I still haven't found my mate yet, and probably that's the reason why I'm the happiest male in this pack." I rolled my eyes. Of course, he hasn't.

Mate. My mood suddenly grimaced.

"What about you? Did you find your mate?" My hand stilled.

"No, I haven't." Lying to him seemed easier than letting myself tell him the truth.

"I see. That technically means we are the only unmated wolves here. Quiet relieved to know." My brows knitted in confusion. Didn't Augustus also unmated? My eyes wandered to his face, only to find his electric blues staring at me.

Or probably, I was wrong.

"W-well," my heart suddenly felt heavy. Why was I feeling this way? Why did it hurt to imagine him with someone else? Someone better than me, more organized than me.

My appetite was scarcely gone and I pushed the pieces of broccoli around the plate.

Avi was still chattering but I decided to cut him off. Why was the heart was squeezing? Why was it suddenly hard to breathe?