Toni's PoV:
Vampires have always been the enemy of wolves. I knew this as surely as I knew my own name, as surely as I knew my own duties and as surely as I knew that I would marry William Bellerose. Vampires were not to be trusted. Somehow, though, I had not known about the vampire attacks.
I shook as I raced out of the library. Mr. Gillespie had revealed to me something that was obviously meant to be hidden -- but why had my father kept it a secret? I couldn't think of any reason for him not to tell me, especially if it was the reason I had to marry so soon.
I sped down the corridor and up the stairs, my footsteps ringing out heavily against the stone. My breath came out ragged and desperate, either from the sudden speed or my own fear. My bones still ached form the ceremony, protesting as I pushed them. I was worried, more so than I had been in a long time. Were we in danger? Were my friends safe? I could see Celina's face in my memories, and I wondered if the vampires were as serious as they seemed.
I had to warn her. I found my way up to the top floor, where I remembered my room was, but it was hard to find the exact door. I remembered it having gold hinges, but many of the doors did, so I was forced to guess. I pushed open a door I thought looked right, and stepped inside.
I was right. My room lay before me, empty, with the bed freshly made and a vase of flowers now set on the dressing table. My suitcase was empty and pushed to the side, having obviously been emptied out by Sophie. I closed the door behind me.
Falling to the floor, I opened up the chest by the foot of my bed with desperation. My clothes had been neatly folded away inside, but I wasn't looking for them. My fingers brushed through course fabric and and polished shoes, but I couldn't find what I was looking for -- my phone. I cursed. I must have left it in my bedroom back home and it hadn't been packed by my mother.
I sat back, frustrated, and held back a scream. It felt like nothing in the world was right anymore. tears brimmed in the corners of my eyes, waiting to fall, but I held them back. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I began to count slowly, willing myself to calm down. I had to think rationally.
I needed a plan of action, first and foremost. The chances of being able to go home were rapidly dwindling, I realised, as if there really were vampires attacking then our packs needed the alliance now more than ever. I would have to find a way to make the best of the situation.
I hadn't known about the vampires, which means my friends and probably my mother didn't know either -- I had to warn them. Without my phone, though, I had no way to contact them, so finding a way to get Celina a message was at the top of my priority list.
I jumped as the servant's door crept open and Sophie bustled in, a pile of laundry in her arms. The laundry got in the way of her eyes, so she didn't see me at first.
"Hi Sophie," I said, my voice breaking on the last syllable.
"Oh! Miss Antoinette! I didn't see you there."
I let out a sad laugh. "Just call me Toni, Sophie."
Sophie hesitated, but I saw her smile widely as she put the laundry down on the edge of my bed. "Alright then, miss -- I mean Toni. Did you get what you wanted from Master William?"
I scowled. "No, he won't let me go home, and I left my phone back at the pack house. I need to speak to my friends but I haven't got a way."
Sophie hummed, stroking the edge of her chin comically. Every part of her seemed genuine and a little exaggerated, she moved in the same way that most people only do when they're alone. I liked her honesty.
"Could you try sending them a letter? I could fetch you some paper and a pen."
I jumped up from where I was sat. "That's a great idea! Can you make sure it's sent without anyone reading it?"
"Sure, I'll post it in the nearest town so no one here will know it's been sent. Why do you want it to be a secret, though?"
I paused, wondering whether or not to tell her the truth. With only a little bit of hesitation, I decided. "There have been some vampire attacks that I wasn't meant to find out about, and I need to tell my friend, Celina. I don't want anyone to know that I know, especially William or his father."
Sophie nodded. "Of course, I'll bring you the paper right away."
She left the room and I was alone with my thoughts. It was only a few minutes of silence however, before Sophie came back in, holding a few sheets of plain paper, an envelope, and a ball point pen.
She handed them to me, and I sat on the bed, leaning against the dressing table at a slant.
"Dear Celina,
How are you? I'm at the Fortier pack now and I hate it. I left my phone back at home and William won't let me go back to see you. I tried to convince him, but he won't budge. I found out that vampires tried to attack the wolves on Will's territory, which is why they want an alliance with our pack so bad -- if the vampires are trying to start a fight, then we're all in danger. Look after yourself and be careful. I miss you.
Love,
Toni."
I tried to keep the letter short and to the point, it had to be sent as soon as possible. When I had signed it, I sealed it in the envelope and scribbled on the line between the flap and the rest of it, so that Celina would be able to tell if anyone opened it as half the scribble wouldn't line up anymore.
I printed the address neatly onto the front and handed it to Sophie with a grim look on my face. "Please make sure no one reads it."
Sophie nodded, her expression surprisingly serious, and disappeared once more.