Hushed whispers lingered in the hall as the maids shuffled out, casting pitying glances at Elara, some filled with scorn and contempt.
Though Alpha King Fenrys was every woman's dream, no woman dared approach him. It was a widely known fact that the Alpha King was mateless and became irritated by the scent of any unfamiliar female within three meters of him. Any woman who dared breach that radius would die before she could even explain herself.
Elara knew that sending her to serve the Alpha King was a death sentence. Even if she didn't breach the three-meter mark, Elendra would find a way to make her.
Elara recalled the time she was thrown out of the castle ten years ago. The ignorant child that she was had asked her beloved sister why she had lied about her. Elendra's reply had shattered her entire worldview.
"I hate you, and I hate seeing your eyes," young Elara couldn't believe the sister she considered her best friend hated her so much.
"If you can gouge out your eyes for me, I might forgive you and be your friend again." Elara could never forget the coldness in Elendra's eyes that day. Elendra had meant every word, ready to make Elara gouge out her own eyes.
Elara had grown up surrounded by immense love from her grandmother and the mages. She was the pampered, holy girl who got everything she wanted—until she turned five, when her powers were tested and found to be nonexistent. Seeing her grandmother's disappointed and cold face year after year, coupled with the whispers of the maids, young Elara found solace in her elder cousin's embrace. Every time her powers failed, she ran to Elendra, who always knew how to make her feel better.
Until the fateful day she was accused of theft, thrown out of the castle, and demoted to a maid. Seeing the coldness and indifference on her beloved grandmother's once warm and doting face broke Elara. Elendra's face radiated triumph and scorn, while her aunt Lyra's face was filled with hatred. It was then Elara realized her family had always been a sham.
Elara's eyes welled up with tears again as distant memories of her once happy life flooded back.
Why couldn't she awaken her powers like everyone else?
Why did she have this cursed bloodline that had brought her nothing but pain?
Why couldn't she be happy and normal like everyone else?
Maybe serving the Alpha King isn't so bad after all. I'm better off dead than continuing in this hell.
Mom and Dad, I'm sorry you have such a useless daughter. I've brought nothing but shame to your name. I don't deserve the life you've given me. I'm sorry.
Wiping her tears with her sleeve, Elara dragged her tired body out of the hall, her eyes dim, with only the faintest trace of vitality left.
Days passed in a blur. The royals had arrived in Arcavell the day before, and the Alliance meeting had started that morning.
The grand kitchen bustled with activity, as maids hurried about. The excitement in the air could be felt from every corner. Tonight was the Moon Ball, held after the meeting before the royals would depart.
Tonight was the night the maidens got to show off. If you were lucky enough, you might catch the attention of a royal during the Moon Dance.
Tonight was the night Elara would serve the Alpha King. Norah glanced at the frail girl standing obediently in the corner, her empty eyes staring into the distance, as though the excitement of the ball had nothing to do with her.
Norah sighed with a tinge of pity. "She's ready to die," she thought.
"Elara, it's time. Let's go." For the first time in ten years, Norah called her by her name instead of "Blue Eyes," but the girl's face was devoid of emotion. Whether she hadn't heard or simply didn't care was unclear.
Elara took the tray of Deer Blood Wine—a specialty of the wolves. Made from deer's blood, its strong, overbearing taste made it a favorite of the wolves.
Following Norah with small, quick steps, She turned to glance at the moon with a fleeting thought: "This will be the last time." Turning right, she entered the hall that led to the ballroom, suppressing the fear and gloom in her heart, her hands gripping the tray tightly. Norah's voice broke her from her thoughts.
"Your Supreme." Norah bowed solemnly, halting her steps.
Coming from the other side of the hall was her grandmother, the Supreme Elder of Arcavell, her aunt Lyra by her right and her cousin Elendra by her left, all dressed glamorously for the ball, looking like the perfect family.
Elara bit back the bitterness in her heart, fighting back the tears as she looked at the regal woman in the middle. Not a single sign of aging marred her smooth face. Elara couldn't help but remember the once warm smile and embrace, how her grandmother had loved and cared for her. Hope, which Elara had failed to notice, began to sprout in her heart.
Sylvanna looked at her once-beloved granddaughter. She hadn't seen her in years. Though Elara was now skinny as a twig, that face was exactly like her mother's. Sighing in disappointment, Sylvanna turned to Norah with raised brows, the meaning clear.
"She's to serve the Alpha King Fenrys, my Supreme." Norah squeezed out with fear, cursing her bad luck for running into the Supreme Elder. She could feel Elendra's murderous gaze on her. She was in deep trouble.
Sylvanna turned her cold gaze to Elendra, knowing she was the one in charge of the Ball.
Elendra, her face pale with fear, couldn't find the words to defend herself before her grandmother's intense gaze. She cursed Elara in her mind. "Why won't you just die, bitch? You even had to run into Grandma at the last moment."
Seeing her daughter stunned with fear, Lyra intervened, casting a warning glare at Elendra.
"We should go in, Mother. The royals are waiting." Lyra spoke with no intention of saving Elara. 'It would be better if the damned girl died,' she thought.
Lyra knows her mother don't care about Elara's life or death and would rather think of a way to profit from her death. The supreme Elder is all about profits, she Lyra had once experienced the bitterness of it.
Giving Elendra a long, meaningful gaze, Sylvanna turned towards the gigantic doors of the ballroom, walking in as the guards announced her entrance, not sparing another glance at Elara. Lyra followed closely behind.
Elara could feel her heart shattering, she couldn't believe her grandmother didn't even spare her another glance before sentencing her to her death. This was her family.
Elendra recovered from her shock, and her expression turned to one of glee. "Grandma doesn't care if Elara dies." This revelation nearly made her laugh with joy.
Giving the stunned Elara a mocking glance, Elendra rushed to enter with her family, her shoulders relaxing. She had been worried her grandmother would punish her for Elara's death, but it was clear she had worried too much.
Norah recovered from her shock and turned to the motionless girl with tears streaming down her eyes, who had just been abandoned by her family. Though Elara was pitiful, Norah knew she couldn't even save herself, let alone save someone else.
"Let's go, Elara." Norah sighed, walking toward the small door at the corner, meant for the maids. They surely couldn't enter through the main entrance. Elara, still in a daze, followed her dejectedly, like a puppet with no will of her own.