Chapter 1 The Important Visitors

CALISTA’S POV.

I woke up this morning feeling so good, but this darned Mother of mine just had to ruin it. I wondered what the reason for all the excitement was, but I was not in any way as excited as everyone was.

“Calista!” Mother Yelled and I rolled my eyes.

“Yes mother,” I answered her back loudly.

“Hurry up with breakfast, we haven’t got all day. This is almost 10:30 am.” She said and I sighed again.

”Yes, mother.” I answered back and went back to cutting the chicken I had at hand to bits. You might be wondering why I was like a slave in my own house. Well, here’s the secret. This family isn’t my real family. I remember being abandoned at the age of six, and the Walters adopted me. At first, I thought I was lucky to have been adopted by the second most popular family, but how wrong I was! In less than a year of my adoption, I became a slave. I didn’t live in the main mansion like their own real daughter, Bella, lived.

I lived with the maids in the boy's quarters. However, when someone from outside was visiting, they would ensure I get treated well and dress me in expensive clothes and treat me like their real daughter. I guess it was because they needed to save face. Well, whatever.

It used to hurt me a lot, but now I just live with it, hoping that I would find myself a nice Werewolf to mate with and live happily with. Yes, I am a half-werewolf and half-human, and nobody in this family knows such a secret exists. Shh! Don’t tell anyone.

“Calistaaaaa!” Mother yelled again. I ran out of the kitchen and went to meet her in the living room.

“Yes mother,” I answered her, with my head bent down as a sign of respect.

“You have to leave the kitchen work for the other maids. I have received news that the Ferdinand Family will be here in about two hours. I don’t think it would be nice for our Image to be tarnished because of your looks. Go and have a bath and meet Olivia for a change of clothes and proper grooming of this thick mane you have of hair.”

Mother said and I nodded my head, my head still bowed, and walked away.

“I wonder why we have to show her in front of the Ferdinand family, Mother. Calista is a lot prettier than I am.” I heard Bella complain and I smiled. At least, she knows that fact.

Bella had always hated me, for reasons only best known to her. I mean, from time to time, I had tried to be as friendly as I could be with her. But she never ever even tried. She would do things and make me get punished for them. The reason why she hated me, I don’t think I would ever understand. But let’s throw the thought of Bella away. Today was one of those days when the Walter family would try to be nice to me, because of their own selfish gain. I loved it though.

Two hours had passed, and we started to hear the honking of some cars from far away. “The Ferdinands are here.” Mother said and then hurried to rearrange our living room. Father looked at me with warning eyes, letting me know that I had to be sure to not leave suspicions. I gulped nervously and bowed my head slightly.

“Can I have a quick word with you, Calista?” Bella said and took hold of mine, and dragged me to the lobby. “This is my wedding, we are trying to arrange here. Try not to throw those humble characters of yours around my mother-in-law. As much as you can, sing my praises and make me look good. If I don’t leave this house and get married to Alpha Greyson, I would ensure to make your life in this house a living hell. Do you understand what I have just said?” Bella asked and I nodded. “Very good. Let’s go out to the living room, sis.” She said, rubbing my hair.

I rolled my eyes, as I followed behind her. Bella and I were the same age, but she was older than I was by months. Bella and I entered the living room, only to be greeted by the faces of people that I had only ever heard about, but never seen. I had only ever heard of their son, Alpha Greyson, and I had seen him a few times on the news. Jasmine Ferdinand and  Ferdinand Loup sat on the couch with other of their servants standing behind them.

“Hello, Mrs. Ferdinand.” Bella curtseyed.

“Hello, Bella. You look beautiful.” Mrs. Jasmine answered.

“And who is this beauty I see standing behind you?” Mrs. Jasmine said and stood up and walked up to me. I shifted back and looked at the faces of Father, Mother, and Bella. Mother and Bella glared at me, but Father’s face was neutral.

"Good...Good afternoons, Mrs. Ferdinand.” I greeted slowly with my head bowed.

“Look at me.” She said firmly and I looked at her.

“My, My. You have a very beautiful second daughter, Flora. Needless to say, we are here for Bella. Your second daughter won’t be a bad match with our third son who lives in England.” She said and walked back to her seat.

“Thank you very much, I feel honored that you see our family fit to take a bride from us,” Father said and Mr. Ferdinand looked up.

“The reason we are here is to let you know that Bella has to be tested.” He said and Mother looked at him confused.

“Tested? How?” She asked and Mrs. Jasmine looked at her.

“It is a common practice that every woman marrying into the Ferdinand Family gets tested if she is clean.” Mrs. Jasmine said and I closed my eyes in understanding.

“Do you understand what it is?'' I said Clasita? I see that you close your eyes and nod your head.” Mrs. Jasmine asked and I opened my eyes hurriedly.

“Yes, Mrs. Ferdinand. It means she would be tested to see if she is a virgin.” I said and Mrs. Ferdinand smiled. Bella exchanged horrified looks with her mother and I totally understood her fears.

Isabella Walters was no virgin.

Bella was no virgin, and that was like common news. She constantly brought back men to the house and her father and mother had never stopped her once. She still had sex some two days ago. The news that she had to be tested came as shocking news for her because she wasn’t expecting such an ultimatum.

No one sees this coming; her dream of getting married to the Alpha might be shortened.

“She is not just beautiful, but also smart.” Mr. Ferdinand commented and I looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“That is right, Bella. You have to be tested to be sure that you are a virgin before you can be married to my son Greyson. His mate, who died some years back, was equally tested. You have nothing to worry about.” Mrs. Ferdinand said and Bella said nothing still. “The test would be done tonight, and it would be done by a random slave in our home. I would drop the location off for you before we leave. Greyson doesn't like to touch Virgin women, so I can’t go against his wishes.” Mrs. Ferdinand said and Mother forced out a smile.

“Not to worry, Mrs. Jasmine. I would ensure that she is prepared for the test by tonight. You need not worry.” Mother answered and Mrs. Jasmine smiled.

“This wedding cannot go wrong. For any reason. I hope to quell the rumors that Greyson is gay with this marriage.” Mrs. Jasmine said and Mother and Father nodded their heads. “Since we have this understanding between us, we will be taking our leave now.” Mrs. Jasmine said and rose from her seat, Mr. Ferdinand followed suit.

“Wait, Madam. Why don’t you have lunch with us?” Mother said and Mrs. Jasmine smiled and shook her head. “No Flora. We have somewhere to be, Having Lunch with you would be taking a major detour. We will see each other soon for the wedding preparations, should everything go well tonight.” Mrs. Jasmine said firmly and with that, she and her husband walked out of the house.

Bella, Mother, and Father followed behind them, as some sort of an escort. I shook my head and remained in the living room, trying to fathom how the whole thing was going to be fixed, because should Bella be found out, the whole marriage thing would be called off, and Mother and Father would not be happy about it.

I heard footsteps shuffling from the door side. I looked up and saw Mother, Father, and Bella come into the living room. Bella fell on the chair, looking devastated.

“Mother, Tested to be clean? You know that we would lose with this particular condition that they have presented to us.” She said exasperatedly and Father looked at her and grunted angrily.

“You open your mouth to spew about how all this is just a nonsensical idea. You failed to keep your virtue. The only thing we can do here is to find a solution and quit berating their reasons.” He said angrily and he sat on his favourite armchair.

“We can find a replacement, Dear. The fact that the person who would be checking for Virginity is a common person, a slave boy, or a gardener. We could find someone to replace Bella.” Mother said and Bella sat up.

“But who? Who can we trust to do this, and keep it a secret to the grave?” Bella asked and I stood up and started to walk to the kitchen.

“Calista.” Mother called firmly and I froze in my steps. Hope it is not what I am thinking?

“Yes, Mother?” I turned and replied to her.

“Calista can be the replacement. She is clean, and has not known any man.” Mother said, excited that she has figured out a proper replacement.

Wait what, replace Bella? To be disvirgined by a random person? No way in hell is that happening.