10.Disguise

“Hi, Layla” Asher smiled back. They'd known each other since high school too. She's been crushing on him since then but, she's nothing compared to the girls that were vying around him.

He gave her a side hug which he almost rejected, he instantly remembered Annatoria. Layla was being clingy, Dave saw it too.

No pack leader really liked her. They only looked like they did like her but……deep down, many said a lot of nasty things about her.

He stylishly pulled away from her hug but as he was about to make a move out of the hall, his name was called on the stage.

He was to give his speech to the seated guests and the new members.

Even though he wanted to check on Annatoria, he had no option than to give his speech l on the stage and act as a responsible Alpha who wouldn't keep everyone waiting. After that, he could go back to the house.

As he walked towards the stage, cheerings, clapping, and gasps escaped the lips of the guest.

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you, to the 8th Member Acceptance Program of The Moon Crest Pack" He said gently, his voicing sending chills down the spines of the ladies.

He was the “man of the ladies".

As he parted his lips to continue his speech, the grand entrance opened.

A sexy pretty woman walked in through the door, drawing the crowds’ attention.

“Who's she?" They all whispered,their eyes pressing on her.

Annatoria!

Her dress, shape and walk depicted elegance and beauty at its finest.

Her grand entrance commanded eyes to drag after her, no one could resist.

Asher's words hooked in his throat, as he stared at the gorgeous beauty.

His Beta mind-linked him, noticing his distraction.

His eyes trailing her, he continued “As we all know that our pack is officially accepting new members and also partying, I urge you all to enjoy this beautiful night”

" Merry!” He geared, throwing both hands into the air. His last sentence, was met with the cheers and clappings from the guests.

Annatoria carefully walked in her stilettos. The sound from her shoes were so expensive and chic.

Before she could have her seat, a certain friend of Asher had already walked up to her.

" Good evening, beauty” He greeted, spreading his palm to take her hands.

Annatoria simply nodded, ignoring his hand while she took her seat.

His face reddened, facing embarassment from a lady. For the first time in his life, his good looks failed him.

Eyes couldn't stop glancing at Annatoria. Some glanced at her in lust, some admired her and some envied.

Asher's eyes began scanning for Annatoria's seat but just as soon as he sighted her, an accquaintance of his, walked up to him.

“Asher, do you know her? Who's she?" His friend asked desperately.

“Luna Ayra fits you better" Asher sneered in annoyance. Jealousy bit his skin as he watched all eyes on her.

His accquaintance already had a Luna and it only pissed Asher that he had the audacity to question him.

Asher purposely walked up to Annatoria, making sure everyone saw it.

“Hey, hottie" He smiled, bring his palm for a ‘high-five’ smack. His haircut was neatly brushed and his tuxedo fitted him better than anything else.

His nice set of teeth, shiny black wholecuts said it all.

"Heyy Ash” She smiled back, giving him a ‘high five’, her smile radiating peace and calmness.

It was the most beautiful thing Asher had seen that day.

“You're the centre of attraction here, you know right?" Asher intentionally whispered to her ears.

“Oh please!" She let out a cute smile as she stylishly rolled her eyes.

Some were burning with jealousy, some were wondering who the pretty lady was, others were wondering the relationship between them while others admired the cuteness they displayed.

“What did you do to your hair?" He pouted, neglecting whatever fun was going on. All his concentration was on the beautiful lady he couldn't get over.

“Decided to lighten up my brown hair" Annatoria’s innocent eyes fixed on his.

"Hold on!” She caught the air.

“No one rocks Tuxedo better than you,Ash” She admired, adjusting his bowtie and puff pocket fold.

For a minute, Asher's heart left its place. Air left his lungs.

His eyes sparkled as her hands wriggled his tie, adjusting it..

“What’s going on here? Is she your lover?" Asher's sister, Lauren teased, breaking the tension.

Asher laughed awkwardly, taping his sister.

“We're friends, and nothing else" Annatoria smiled, trying to be nice.

“Whatever!" Lauren rolled her eyes, then walked away.

Asher's eyes widened at how his sister disrespected Annatoria.

“I'm sorry, Annatoria"

She chuckled dryly, just like the last time. She ran her tongue over her teeth, trying to forget that she had just been embarrassed.

They didn't realize that time had passed and five of the new members had already given their speech and shared their story with the pack.

“Good day, everyone. My name is Jessica Armenia, an orphan and the only living child” The fifth member spoke happily.

That was her-The lady who was by her window the other time and behind her, was the guy who stood with her.

"That's the Jessica”Asher whispered.

"Like I didn't know?”She scoffed.

“I was born in the woods, without any family or friend. I never belonged to a pack, neither have i seen my parents. I don't even know if I have siblings. All I ever did was wander in the woods, as a five-year-old pup” She sniffled, then took a five seconds pause.

“I found life cruel, when I had to search garbage sites to feed, had to hide on trees, and had to suffer from loneliness. I became lonely at age 7… utterly lonely. I had no one to teach me, play with me, or share memories with" Tears began to stream down her face.

"I didn't have a name. I didnt have memories and all my life was just like a nightmare. Sleeping in the woods, and waking up to feed from garbages was all I did till I turned 10. I didn't know k but no one wanted to believe that, especially when they saw me looking tattered and smelly."

At this point, Annatoria's eyes were on the verge of tears. The girl's story touched her heart, drawing her back to her past… remembering how her past months were like.

How were things going with her son?

“When I clocked 10, I met someone with the same story as me. He's Gaius,”She smiled amidst tears, her voice hoarse as she pointed at the young man who stood beside her.

"We became siblings and be named me. Since 10 years ago, I felt my life being complete with him. My boredom was erased.

“A month ago, we heard that this pack was going to be taking in abandoned rogues. Actually, we wanted to apply when we both turned 18 but, we were doubting if we were ever going to be accepted”

“Heree," Asher noticed Annatoria's teary eyes. He handed her a handkerchief.

“We're grateful for this opportunity, thank you very much Alpha, Elders and all members. We're happy to be a part of you"

She ended her speech with a deep bow, then left the podium.

The guy gave his own speech and his story was quite similar to that of the lady. He watched as his parents were killed, then, he was banished as a year old and then, he met her.

Their story was quite touching and Annatoria couldn't hold back the tears.

It opened up the scar of her own wound….the wound she buried for ages.

She could no longer stay in the hall, she ruhher outside. Her tears would've ruined her makeup if she wasn't wearing the latest waterproof foundation and eyeliner.

“Sorry you had to tear up" Asher said gently, as he slowly came to where she was sitting.

In the dark night,, she was weeping profusely.

Their story was likes reminder of her traumatic past.

“Here," He innocently offered her a glass of Tequila. He poured it from the full bottle.

“Thanks,’

If he couldn't help her out, he could at least, try to console her.

“I'm here for you, Anna" He said softly, as he patted her back gently. She'd sobered up and was enjoying the feel of the night already..

“Hi," Alpha Dave walked up to them, just as they were about to go inside.

“Is she your girl?" He whispered to Asher's ears. Asher was speechless….What exactly could he say?

Not at the moment he didn't want to destroy his relationship with her.

“Mind your business, flirt"

Obviously, she was the talk of the party. Everyone whispered about her and then, about she and the Alpha. They seemed too close to be ‘just friends’.

“What was he talking about?" Annatoria asked curiously, as they walked into the hall again.

“Nothing. He was just curious about you" Asher chuckled softly.

"Same way a guy came licking his lips when I was seated here”She scoffed, then sightedthe guy she was talking off "oh! There's he” she snorted.

The new members introduction had been done and the next step was the initiation process where they took their oath. 2 years after the oath, they would then take the full initiation (blood initiation).

“oh!! He's Gareth, what did you do to him?”Asher giggled.

"Nothing really, just that I snubbed him. He probably thought I was some girl who'll give him a quickie in the party" Annatoria rasped.

"Oh! That's fierce”

Annatoria was drunk and in no time, she'd taken half of the bottle. The strong alcohol soon began to have effects on the lightweight.