"What do you mean for me?" I stopped walking as I turned to Lilith, my brows furrowed.
"You are now part of our pack now," she explained, still smiling. "It's like a welcome party."
"Oh." That was all I could say.
A welcome party? For me? ME?
It made me feel… important.
I forced the lump down my throat and tried to say something but words failed me.
Joseph threw his hand around my shoulder and I winced from the pain of my injury.
"Shit. Sorry," he apologized and just held my arm instead.
Very touchy. These two people. And I've come to understand that it's a way to put their scent on me.
In all my twenty-one years of living with wolves I didn't know that.
They touch me to put their scent on me, their mark, to tell people I was theirs.
The lump in my throat grew bigger as I kept walking.
"I'll have to say thank you," Joseph said as we continued walking.
I turned to him. "What for?"
"For this party," he answered. "I'm free to drink my brain to stupor without getting an earful from Sofia. And maybe get laid at the end of the night."
He said it with such a serious face that I couldn't help laughing, even as the pain in my side told me to shut up.
Lilith rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath.
We passed the pack as we kept walking. As we passed some people waved at me with a smile on their face and I had to do a double take.
Lilith nudged me in my uninjured side and I looked down at her. "Wave back, silly."
And so I did. I waved back and tried to smile, which I'm sure came out awkward.
More people wave as we pass, but some sneer at me, while some fix me a hard glare.
I didn't let those bother me and just focused on the good side. It was progress.
If I had known that killing a rogue would have gotten these people to like me, I would have done it the very day I came.
"Someone's famous," Joseph said with a grin.
I chuckled softly. "I don't think famous is the word, Jo."
"Take your victory and shut up," Lilith said playfully.
We parted ways, with them promising to come before the party.
I entered my room and just went straight to the bathroom.
I filled the tub with water and two bags of healing salts, and climbed immediately.
The relief was heavenly and I fell asleep.
***
I really need to stop falling asleep in the tub like that. For one, my neck is killing me from the way I slept, and two, I could've drowned.
I dried my hair and walked to my bed but paused.
On top of my bed was a white dress. I picked it up and wow. It was breathtaking.
Was this here when I came into the room?
I quickly put it on and went to the mirror. Breathtaking indeed.
The white gown was made of delicate silk that flows effortlessly, hugging my body in all the right places.
It falls just above the knees. The neckline is gently curved, and thin straps rest on my shoulders, giving it a subtle elegance.
Paired with it are satin slippers, pure white with a slight shimmer, and adorned with small pearl-like accents, adding a touch of sophistication.
The whole look is graceful yet simple, embodying effortless beauty.
It highlighted my hair, and made it bold.
I didn't recognize this girl staring back at me. She was beautiful and… different.
I heard the door of my room open and I rushed out of the bathroom already knowing who it was.
Why was I feeling nervous?
Lilith and Joseph were in my room, dressed simply and I felt like I was over dressed.
Joseph whistled when he saw me. I felt my face heat.
"Look at you," Lilith said with admiration, her big eyes taking in the dress. "Aren't you a sight."
"Thanks," I said nervously.
"Come, let me style your hair," she said as she dragged me back into the bathroom.
We spent a good hour styling my hair, and when Lilith was finally done, I couldn't recognize myself.
My silver hair was styled in a half-up, half-down look, with the top section loosely pulled back and secured with a delicate clip, allowing soft waves to cascade down my shoulders.
I didn't look like me anyhow—sad and tired. I looked full of life and so, so different.
"You are so beautiful, Ravenna," Lilith whispered as she watched me from the mirror.
"Thanks." I smiled back.
We found Joseph on my bed with his phone on my one hand.
"I thought you girls—" he stopped as he looked at me. "Wow."
He got up from the bed and walked to us, stopping in front of me.
"You're breathtaking, Ravenna," he said, looking down at me with a smile. "You're the type of woman men go to war for."
"Oh please," I laughed as my cheeks heated.
"Now come," he said as he pulled us towards the door. "I already hear the drinks calling to me."
We walked downstairs, our hands linked, and stepped outside where the scent of the party hit me.
It smelled of roasted meat, potatoes, and all kinds of food.
"Have a lovely night ladies. I shall be too drunk to keep you company," Joseph said as he left us.
"Fool," Lilith muttered under her breath.
We reached a large table that was already crowded with people. I was about to suggest to Lilith that we find somewhere else to sit when someone seated at the table smiled and waved us over.
"Hello," a girl not more than my age greeted as we sat. "Welcome to the pack. I'm Selena."
"Ravenna." I managed to smile.
"I love your hair." This came from another older girl.
"Thanks."
I tried not to fidget under their stare. But they weren't judging, they were just curious and friendly.
Lilith squeezed my hand under the table and I squeezed back.
"Tell us how you killed the rogue," Selena said with an excited look in her eyes.
I found myself relaxing as I started my story while we ate and drank.
They asked me questions and I asked back. Soon more people joined our table and everybody was asking me questions. I answered all of them, the alcohol making me free.
I sensed someone watching me and lifted my head. My gaze met a pair of striking gray eyes.