Chapter 29
I couldn't contact Tammy. I've been trying to get to her for days but I got nothing back. It was concerning me to the point that I asked Van a favor and go check on her.
Van being the gentleman he is, agreed and drove to where Tammy was staying, where I took shelter a few days ago.
I was currently in the training grounds. I expected to be alone but when I entered, a lot of people were inside, doing their own thing.
I was shocked but recovered quickly. Heading to my spot in the range, I picked up a few knives and threw it to the target.
When I felt exhausted, I took a seat on the bench near me and drank my water, refreshing my whole body.
My aim was improving, I was getting close to the center, unlike before.
I patted my skin with a clean towel and stood up. I headed to the track and did my usual warm ups. I felt eyes on me but I ignored it.
I began running around the track, not a moment later I felt a presence beside me.
My demeanor changed from relieved to pissed off. Every time I see that face, I can't get a hold of my emotions.
I almost faltered when he stopped me from running by wrapping his hand around my arm.
His grey eyes went dark. They were turning into bits of red, overruling the gray.
I hesitated, his aura changed. He was breathing heavily and he looked at me with fury.
My heart went wild, sparks flew from our skin that was touching, ignoring his spoke of dominance.
I am my own woman, a little something like this does nothing to me. Ignoring the sparks, I glared at him.
Rogue?
The people around me talk in puzzles. Always leaving a piece behind.
I felt exhausted just by that conversation, I noticed everyone cowering from their places. Their heads were down and all of them looked liked a lost puppy.
I was told that if an Alpha uses his Alpha voice, everyone can hear it and cowers,bending to the tone. This gives the Alphas power over the people.
If it was traditional for them, it was different from me. Having people fear you just because of your voice doesn't mean you're all that.
Knowing Tammy, she wouldn't disappear without a trace or word, there must be something wrong with her.
I asked Van to investigate and I was more than thankful that he agreed to help again. I just gave him a hug and let him be on his way.
After that, I went to dine with the other participants and the people they are with.
I ate slowly, picking up a chicken and chewed it carefully. I didn't know what I was doing until I felt thirsty, I took some water and drank it. My mind is still occupied with Tammy.
I finished cleaning up and went to sleep, clearing my mind and calming my body.
Van came back a day later from his trip. He wasn't acting the usual, he lost some energy in him and I demand to ask him what was wrong.
Something is wrong and he won't open his mouth to tell me.
My world stopped, my body went numb and my eyes began to create water, I trembled.
I wanted to see her body but they refused me, telling me that only family members are allowed.
Tammy's parents visited the pack a few days later along with some close friends and family. They were also shocked by what happened, the last thing they heard from her was that she met someone and made a friend.
They thought she was fine until now.
The pack halted the games, joining Tammy's memorial day. We were all dressed in black, we gathered around the coffin to pay our respects.
The priest went to say a few words, after that we threw the flowers we were holding into the coffin that was now buried deep into the ground.
I threw my black rose to her, a piece of me with it. I wiped the tears that escaped my eyes, blinking some away. I had to stay strong, she was gone but she was still in my thoughts.
I hissed and took her hands off of me. I brushed away the hair that was sticking to my face, I glared at her. "I don't give a fuck about your feelings right now, shapeshifter. You aren't the only one grieving. I was her friend." She smirked at me, tilting her head.
Delora was Tammy's sister? But I thought she was the enemy? The shapeshifter?
Her parents.
Her words pierced me like knives. If I stayed behind, would Tammy still be alive? I was on the verge of crying again.
So it wasn't Delora, no. It was another person who is a shapeshifter? If so, why does she look like Tammy as if they're...
Twins?
I will never forget this day.
Sen frowned and patted my back. "There are no shapeshifters, Katie, not anymore.
They went extinct centuries ago. They were hunted down by vampires, and the hunters wanted war so they fought them all.
They were known for their vile and disgusting tricks to make a person fall for their traps.
They lost the battle, losing everyone in their coven, every last drop of blood was spilled.
" She said, uncovering the story of the shapeshifters.
My eyes went teary again. I made a huge mistake, it was Tammy's sister yet I resented her. Thinking that she was nothing but a fraud, a liar, a shapeshifter.
She wasn't anything that I've thought, she was her sister. Her sister, dammit.
A lot of things confused me. But one question outshines all.
Why did Tammy lie?
A few days flew by and just like that, Tammy was buried at the back of our minds and the games continued.
My dreams didn't stop, last night another one occurred and it was chanting words again.
'Nourish her.' It said, repeating it over and over again till I woke up. The dreams were creeping me out, I used to have nightmares but only with Kyle. His death and my time in high school.
This was new, it was both a dream and a nightmare.
The ball was moved today, the seamstress arrived a while ago with my dress, leaving her wisdom of words and then said her goodbyes and told me to enjoy the ball.
I stared at the dress in front of me, it was on the mannequin provided by the seamstress. The gown was floor length and is black.
I didn't know what I was thinking when I said that I wanted black for a dress but the seamstress did her job well.
The cloth hugged my body, showing off all my curves. The little opening at the bottom of the dress gave my lower half a breath of fresh air.
I asked her for a favor to make it comfortable as possible, and she provided me with a dress where I felt free.
The off shoulder dress hanged on my arms. I looked expensive, someone who is rich and famous.
I felt powerful.
Midnight came and the ball commenced. I decided to be myself today. I took off my contact lenses and looked at the mirror.
I've missed how I look with my real eyes. My violet eyes shined through the mirror, I saw bits of light in it. I love my eyes, but what happened in high school made me hide it from the world.
Yes, I was born with violet eyes.
Both my parents don't have the color, the doctor told my parents it was melanin.
I was bullied for having these eyes, they called me names. A freak, an outcast, ugly, the devil herself.
It took a huge toll on me because I haven't been bullied my whole life because of my eyes, just high school. When I left for college, I bought contact lenses with my own money.
Eventually my family found out and thought they could convince me to take the contacts off. I refuse to and locked myself in my room.
It took them a long time to get used to my change of eyes but they accepted it. I take my contacts off sometimes, when I sleep and no one else enters my room, and when I feel that I'm comfortable around someone.
It's the only time I take my contacts off because of a ball. The black dress helped my eyes glow, violet was definitely my color.
I took the mask with me and entered the car, I got lucky enough for Sen and Van to head to the ball first. They said they had to take care of something.
The ball was extravagant, it screamed elegance and royalty. There were dashes of gold and silver all over the huge room.
Tables and chairs were set up at the corner, some people taking seat from it and there was a serving of food just close to the bar.
From the door, stood a huge man. He asked me for my name and I contemplated what to say. I used a fake name and looked around.
My arrival got announced, the random person who I thought was security used his voice and said with a loud voice, "M'lady, Amelia Locket."
Everyone turned and took a look at me. I walked inside with eyes still on me. I tried to hold my head up high and straightened my spine.
I continued to stride with confidence towards the bar, ignoring the stairs that were boring into the back of my head.
I sat on a stool, crossing my legs over the other and told the bartender to make me a martini, he smiled then nodded, continuing his work.
The party started a while ago and people were socializing. It was draining my energy, so I spent my time ordering martini until the siblings arrived.
I fixed my mask and was about to walk to them when I remembered I don't have my contact lenses. I got back on the stool and turned around.
Van and Sen sat on the stool beside me, not paying me any mind. I could hear their conversation this close. I was holding my martini in my heads and was facing the bar.
Van took a peek at me, noticing my presence. I can see him at my peripheral vision, he then looked back at Sen. "She should be here, the comfort room or somewhere. She promised she would go."
I drank my martini to the last drop and on cue, the announcer spoke through the microphone. The lights changed, from partying to lighting up the whole ball.
I notice everyone fixing theirselves, looking fresh and new as ever. And I knew someone was coming, it was an act of them that has me on edge for some reason.
For me, it was a sign of submission. The control they have over these people is something I can't really grasp.
The only reason this ball is happening is so that we could forget what happened to Tammy and celebrate the so called games they like so much. The timing was so perfect, I'd think it would be scripted if I haven't been part of the game.
It was a facade, a mask. And it disgusts me.
The King and the Queen. The pawns were them, us. I have no choice but to copy them, I was itching to hold my head up high and look at them.
But I held myself, it would be more complicated if I fought with them. If they see my face again, I'd doubt I'll be ending up in a cell.
As if the announcer hasn't said anything in common. I rolled my eyes and finished my martini. Not asking for more, I got up and looked for the bathroom.
Hopefully this time, I find the way on my own, with no ones help. Specifically, that one person.
He and the Alpha wore the same clothes, however the Alpha's clothes were more elegant. Showing dominance and power.
He wore black instead of white, wanting a change of colors. His style was one of princes that live in a castle. Only he isn't a prince, but an Alpha.
He is a leader and he needs to get his head back into the game. He was a Beta and he was back. His past no longer matters as long as his present remains.
Derek's eyes widened, wanting to impress the lady and thinking of ways of trying to get her back.
Derek believes in mates, however he is young and wanted to experience love with the person he is happy with. There will be a time where they will leave each other but the memories will last.
This gave Derek hope that not everything is determined by fate.
The Alpha also fixed himself, wanting to impress everybody and show them power. It was always his role in the pack.
To show superiority, leadership and domination. After all, that is the way of an Alpha.
The music can be heard through the corners of the room, giving life to the pack house.
They took a deep breath and entered through the double doors that led to the celebration.
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