CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Harriet’s POV:

“Do I really have to be here?” I drawled for the umpteenth time, and we’ve spent just fifteen minutes at this party. I was already sick and tired of it. 

“Yes you do, Harriet. Alpha Greg personally invited us to his Seventieth Birthday celebration party so we all have to be in attendance.” My father tried to reason with me but honestly speaking, no amount of words from him or my mother would convince me to want to be there. 

I rolled my eyes, “Couldn’t I just sit this one out? Why do I have to be dragged around to every event you and mum attend?” I questioned. It’s been this way since I was little, I’m taken to each and every one of whatever parties or gatherings they were invited to. It’s tiresome. 

“Yes sweetheart, you’re our only child so you have to tag along with us everywhere.” My mother chuckled and I sighed, wishing they would just listen to me and let me do the things I please. But my parents have been the most overprotective lot simply because I’m their only child and the future heir to our pack. 

    My father, Alpha Gary of the Cold Ice Pack and my mother Luna Grace, are all that I have in this world, and I’m all they’ve got too. I love and cherish them so much, but sometimes they can be a little bit frustrating. However, I wonder how they would cope without me be, because I would soon be getting married in the next coming months. 

I am engaged to Alpha Raymond of the White Blood Pack, an ally to our pack and my father wanted to strengthen the relationship between both packs. 

     Tonight, I was dragged along and forced to follow them for yet another one of their numerous and unending events, like they always have one or two occasions to grace every week and it gets tiresome. Today is the seventieth birthday party of some rich tycoon. I really don’t even know all that well. 

“I just want a break, just one night I wouldn’t have to tag along with you both.” I folded my arms crossly. I could’ve been at home by now, doing something that didn’t involve being at this boring party. 

     The daughter to the Alpha of the Crimson Blood Pack, Elena, was having her birthday party celebration tonight and I should’ve been in attendance, at least it would be a more worthwhile party than this. But no, my parents always mess up my plans. 

“You should be grateful you get to spend time with your parents, Harriet sweetie. Some young people crave for this but never get the opportunity.” My mother stated and I rolled my eyes. 

“Some young people are having the time of their lives at Princess Elena’s party.” I muttered underneath my breath. 

        Just then, my father’s phone began to ring and he brought it out of his pockets. His brows creased together when he took note of the caller ID. It must be something serious with the way his demeanor changed immediately. 

“Hello?” He answered the phone call, stepping away from my mother and I to take the phone call. But I could still overhear a bit of the conversation. 

“Really? We will be on our way right now.” My father answered with urgency in his tone and I knew instantly that something serious had ensued that needed his immediate attention. 

    My father ended the phone call and walked back to my mother and I, a distraught look on his face. 

“What happened dear. You look worried.” My mother noted, asking with concern in her voice. 

“I’ll explain to you along the way. We need to leave now.” My father said a grin spread across my lips. Finally, Once we get home, I’m definitely stepping out to Elena’s party. 

“Really?” I beamed happily. 

“No, not you Harriet. You have to stay here. Our wonderful celebrant would be angry if we didn’t grace his birthday party so since your mother and I have something urgent to attend to, you would have to stay behind on our behalf.” My father said and my grin immediately faded and my happiness died down. Not only am I forced to attend this party, but I’ll be attending it alone?

“But dad! I don’t want to stay behind.” I whined about my protest. This is honestly the worst. 

“You have to, sweetheart. Your mother and I need to attend to this urgently.” My father dismissed my plea and I pouted sadly. 

“Okay, father.” I accepted, there was no winning against his decisions. It was most likely an urgent matter regarding that pack that demanded his and my mother’s attention.

“Be good. Don’t stay late, make sure you’re back home before midnight. We will send a driver to come pick you up.” My mother stated and pecked me on the cheek and I rolled my eyes, little did she know that I was leaving this place the very moment they were out of sight. 

“And don’t even think about leaving this birthday party. I will be very angry with you and don’t think I won’t find out.” That was my father’s stern warning, as if he had been able to read my mind. A cold shiver ran down my spine. Great, that means I’m stuck here for the night. 

“Alright father.” 

“Good.” And with that, he and my mother got up from their chairs and made their way out of the bouquet hall. Every affluent family invited to the celebration their own table, garnished with expensive wine and food. However, I wasn’t eating any of it and now that they’ve both left. It was already past nine pm, so I’ll just head to the bar and have some shots, text on phone till it’s eleven pm and then have the driver come pick me up. 

     I stood up from the chair and made my way to the bar stand at the end of the hall. When I got there, I saw that there were three ladies already seated on the stools. I took the one next to them. 

“Hi, Good evening.” I rendered a friendly greeting but I got no response. I looked only for myself to see three pairs of eyes staring at me with so much contempt and disdain. I was taken aback, how come they looked at me with so much hate, I had to turn around and check if there was someone else behind me but there was no one. 

   

     I paid no mind to them and looked away. 

“Isn’t that the girl getting married to Alpha Raymond?” I overheard one of them say to each other, audible enough for me to hear. Didn’t they even fear my presence?

“Yes, she’s just privileged. Her parents are rich and that is the only reason why he wanted to marry her.” Another one stated and I had enough of their blatant gossiping. I shot them a glare and then got up from the stool, I would patronize one of the other bars where there weren’t jealous, gossiping girls. 

     However, I was completely shocked by the unexpected when I had just walked a few feet away from the bar. That was because a man had suddenly just walked up to me and kissed me. 

Who is this guy?