Surprise

Esme rushed to her room to clean up, and that was when she realized how much blood she had lost. Her body felt heavy and eyes dizzy. Rest was an order, but she knew she couldn't have that. The guests were still around, and the pack was still in a celebratory mood. If she sleeps now, then she is only courting more punishment and public humiliation.

She stood before the mirror, although covered in cracks. It was all she had. The dimly lit room illuminated only by a few candles was her not so safe haven.

Now, before the mirror, she could see the crimson stain on her snow-white hair. A sharp contrast to the rest. Her clothes were also ruined, and although they wouldn't be considered worthy of wearing anymore, she would wash and sew them because she didn't have much to throw away anything.

“It'll be midnight soon,” she said to herself, a gentle reminder of her eighteenth birthday being only minutes away. Many girls find their fated mates at hours like this.

A girls eighteenth birthday was always grand as guest from across the kingdom were invited, mostly the unmated ones, and one amongst them would turn out to be her fated mate.

Esme wanted to believe this, but she knew otherwise. No one even remembers her birthday, and no one will be invited for her birthday. Just as she thought about that, she was reminded of Alpha Dane's words earlier.

“In a few hours, she just might become useful.”

These words cut deep through her very heart as she knew the implication of that. Not only did Dane Lancaster remember her birthday, but he also had other plans for her.

Esme's body shook as the fear of the unknown threatened to consume her.

“It's fine, Esmeralda. You will be fine. If by any luck you find your mate tonight, you will be free from them,” she tried to assure herself, but the nagging feeling in her heart did not dissipate. Deep down, she doubted ever meeting him and feared what he would think of her once he sees her.

Would he be a member of the NightCrawler Pack? If he was, then she was certain he wouldn't want her. But she could still hope for the better, right?

“Stay strong, just as you always have,” she repeated these words like a mantra. "Everything will be fine."

After a quick bath, she rummaged through her clothes and found a dress that she had saved just for this occasion. Compared to her other clothes, this could be considered—presentable.

She deserved to look good even if it was only for one night. Just tonight. Who knows? Maybe everything will turn around for the better.

She looked at herself one last time in the mirror. Her snow white hair has been packed into a ponytail neatly falling behind her. Her small round face highlighted, and light gloss applied to her lips. The red dress she had on was loose on her, but it was still the best that she had.

“Time to go…”

“Esme, what the hell are you still doing inside?” Ophelia's came barging into the room with a scowl on her face. Surprise flashed across Ophelia's face at the sight of Esme on a decent dress and… she even had lipstick on?

“Isn't this just hilarious?” Ophelia chuckled, crossing her hand over her chest, pushing up her breast in the process.

Esem bit down on lip as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“Who knew you had something like this among those rags of yours,” Ohpelia uttered with a raised brow. “Tell me, Esme, what is the occasion?”

“Well–it's–it's my birthday today, so I thought…” Ophelia started laughing, causing Ophelia to stop talking, feeling both angry and embarrassed.

“Get yourself downstairs and serve the guests. Who cares about your birthday?” The switch in her tone and demeanor was both shocking and irritating. Ophelia turns around, heading for the door when she stops, and says, “Don't let me get there before you.”

Esme clenched her fist as anger bubbled inside her, but she knew that would get her nowhere. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and then went out to carry out her order.

The pack member all looked surprised to see her all dolled-up for this first. Even the guests who have come to witness the first shift of the children all stared at her, wondering who she was. Her outfit was nothing worth noting with a pair of rundown shoes, but her beauty was captivating.

Esme felt pressure under their gazes, but she braced herself for it. Walking from table to table and serving the guests. She could hear their whispers, but she paid no heed to them.

“Esme,” Ophelia, like the little she-devil that she was, couldn't pick a much better time to call her, and Esme knew that nothing good was coming from it.

“Yes, I'll be there soon,” Esme replied, placing the last glass of wine down in front of a man who stared at her with visible lust which disgusted Esme so much she wanted to punch him in the face, she left and went to Ophelia.

“Father is having a discussion with other alphas. Don't mess things up,” she said, and Esme frowned. Was that really it? The reason she was called? “What? I am being kind to you because it's your eighteenth birthday right now. Since you won't be getting a mate, it is the least I could do,” she said with an innocent expression, but her voice was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear her.

“Un–understood,” Esme said, swallowing hard as she felt all eyes on her. She knew something was up, but she didn't expect something like this. Couldn't they just let her be just for today?

“Good. Be a good Hawthorne and serve the guest. Your family serves the people, don't they?” Ophelia said, and this time, it was Ophelia Esme felt like punching in the face.

But…

A smile appeared on her face as she replied to Ophelia, “Yes, you are right. The Hawthornes served the people. This country,” Esme felt satisfied when Ophelia's expression faltered. “I'll go serve those whom I can now, of you don't mind, Miss Lancaster.”

"So she is a Hawthorn? I thought that the whole family died without a survivor?"

"Why haven't we heard of her? I doubt even the king knows about this..."

Whisper erupted from the guests when they heard her, and their gaze on her shifted just a little. While the NightCrawler Pack members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. They didn't need to be reminded of the deeds of the Hawthornes. The pack owed its very existence to that family.

The door to the alpha's study swung open, and Alpha Dane Lancaster and two otger alphas emerged from behind it. Although nothing out of the ordinary seemed to have taken place for everyone else, Esme felt her pulse quicken along with her heartbeat.

Every inch of her body, her very being tensed, and she felt the urge to turn around and look.

“It's can't be…!” She said in a whisper. A hand clasped over her chest as she slowly turned to look up at the place where the three alphas stood.

One of the two standing beside Dane right now was her mate.

Esme blinked, unable to believe she was mated to an alpha.