"When you are in love, and you get hurt, itâs like a cut â it will heal, but there will always be a scar."
- Soo Jie
***
The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity, the pack buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Blake's 22nd birthday was approaching, and the entire pack was focused on making the celebration grand. Despite the underlying tension between Blake and me, things had been relatively calm. Our interactions were civil, even if still strained.
The banquet hall was the centerpiece of the preparations. The room was vast, with high ceilings and ornate pillars that gave it a regal air. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their facets catching the light and casting rainbows across the room. The walls were adorned with rich, deep colours âburgundy, gold, and emeraldâevoking a sense of elegance and opulence. Despite its grandeur, the hall had a modern touch, seamlessly blending classical beauty with contemporary flair.
The pack members worked tirelessly, transforming the hall into a breathtaking venue. Long, rectangular tables were arranged in a U-shape, leaving the center open for dancing. Each table was covered with crisp white linens and adorned with centerpieces of fresh flowers and candles. The chairs, elegant and cushioned, were placed with precision, ensuring every guest would have a perfect view of the festivities.
In one corner, a bar was being set up, the polished wood gleaming under the chandelier's light. Bottles of various spirits were lined up, ready for the celebration. The opposite corner was reserved for the DJ, where a state-of-the-art sound system was being installed.
I watched the preparations with a mix of awe and apprehension. It was hard to believe I was part of this pack now, even if I still felt like an outsider at times. The pack members were kind and welcoming, but the shadow of my hybrid nature and the tension with Blake loomed over every interaction.
Nova found me in the middle of the hall, directing some younger pack members as they hung fairy lights along the walls. Her presence was a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts.
"Hey, Skylar," she greeted with a warm smile. "Ready to pick out a dress?"
I nodded, grateful for the break. "Absolutely. I could use some time away from all this chaos.â
We made our way to the pack's boutique, a cozy shop filled with racks of elegant dresses and accessories. Nova immediately started rifling through the dresses, her enthusiasm infectious.
"How about this one?" she held up a stunning emerald gown, the colour matching the accents in the banquet hall.
"It's beautiful," I admitted, running my fingers over the silky fabric. "But I'm not sure green is my colour."
Nova rolled her eyes playfully. "You can pull off anything, Skye. Trust me."
I smiled, letting her encouragement bolster my confidence. As we continued to search, Nova picked out a deep red dress, the bodice adorned with intricate beadwork that shimmered in the light. It was perfect.
"This is the one," I said, holding it up for Nova's approval.
She nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "Thatâs the one. You'll look stunning."
We took the dress to a fitting room, and I slipped into it, the fabric hugging my curves perfectly. The deep red hue complimented my warm olive skin, and the beadwork added a touch of elegance that made me feel like a princess. The dress flowed down to the floor, with a subtle train that trailed behind me. I paired it with silver heels that had delicate straps and a hint of sparkle.
Nova, not to be outdone, found a midnight blue dress that shimmered under the boutiqueâs lights. The dress hugged her figure, flaring out slightly at the hips, and had a plunging neckline that was both daring and elegant. She chose silver heels as well, but with a higher heel and more intricate design.
As we admired ourselves in the mirror, I couldnât help but think about Blake and the inevitable interaction we would have at the party. My heart clenched at the thought of him, our recent fight replaying in my mind.
âBlake told me he hates my kind,â I blurted out as I adjusted the dress.
Nova's expression turned serious. "He said that?â
I nodded, my reflection showing the hurt still lingering in my eyes. "He hates vampires because they killed his mother. He told me it disgusts him that I'm a hybrid."
Nova sighed, her gaze softening with sympathy. "Thatâs tough, Skye. But remember, he's dealing with his own pain. It doesn't excuse his behaviour, but it might explain it."
I nodded, appreciating her insight. "I know. Itâs just⦠complicated."
She chuckled, her mood lightening. "When is it ever simple with mates? But youâre strong, Skylar. Stronger than you know."
Her words brought a small smile to my face. We spent the next hour trying on accessories and shoes, laughing and catching up like we used to. It was a welcome distraction, a reminder of the friendship and support I had in Nova.
As we walked back to the banquet hall, arms laden with our party outfits, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The hall was nearly complete, the decorations in place and the pack members finishing up the final touches.
Blake stood near the bar, his back to us, overseeing the preparations. His presence still sent a jolt through me, the mate bond pulling at my heart. Despite everything, I couldnât deny the attraction and the connection I felt.
I took a deep breath, pushing aside the turmoil in my mind. The party was tomorrow, and it would be a test of my resolve and our tenuous peace. For now, I focused on the present, on the preparations and the support of my friends.
The rest of the day was a blur of activity. We spent hours helping with the final touches in the banquet hall, arranging flowers and ensuring everything was perfect. Despite the undercurrent of tension between Blake and me, I couldnât help but feel a sense of accomplishment as the hall came together.
Nova and I were tasked with making sure the chandelier sparkled. As we balanced on ladders, carefully cleaning each crystal, Nova couldn't resist making jokes.
"Hey, Skye, what do you call fake spaghetti?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
"I don't know, Nova. What?" I replied, bracing myself for the punchline.
"An impasta!" she announced, bursting into laughter.
I groaned but couldn't help but laugh with her. "You really need new material."
"Oh, come on, that was gold!" Nova insisted, wiping away a tear from laughing so hard.
We continued our tasks, the lighthearted banter making the work more enjoyable. Every now and then, I'd catch sight of Blake across the room, his presence a constant reminder of the tension between us. But I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand and the camaraderie with my friend.
By the time evening rolled around, we were exhausted but satisfied with our work. The hall looked like a dream, ready to host a celebration fit for royalty. Nova and I retreated to our rooms, our dresses hung carefully in our closets.
"Let's have a mini spa night," Nova suggested, pulling out a basket of beauty supplies. "We need to look fabulous tomorrow."
I agreed, grateful for the distraction. We spent the next hour pampering ourselves, applying face masks and painting our nails. Nova, ever the jokester, couldn't resist making me laugh.
"Do you think if I put on enough of this face mask, it'll peel away my worries too?" she asked, smearing the creamy substance over her cheeks.
"If only it were that easy," I replied, laughing. "But if it does, save some for me.â
As we relaxed, Nova's curiosity seemed to get the better of her. "So, Skye, how do you feel after shifting into your wolf and getting your vampire abilities? How have things changed for you?"
I paused, considering her question. "It's been... overwhelming, to say the least. Shifting into my wolf for the first time was both exhilarating and terrifying. I felt so powerful, so free. But at the same time, it was like a part of me that had been dormant suddenly woke up and demanded attention."
Nova nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And the vampire side?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Thatâs been even harder. The heightened senses, the thirst... it's a constant struggle to control it. Sometimes I feel like I'm caught between two worlds, never fully belonging to either.â
Nova reached out, squeezing my hand. "You're not alone, Skye. You've got me and your dad, not to mention the pack as well. Weâre here for you."
Her words brought a small smile to my face. "Thanks, Nova. That means a lot.â
We chatted about everything and nothing, the easy conversation a balm to my frayed nerves. As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. Nova's presence was a reminder that I wasn't alone in this pack, despite the complications with Blake.
***
Good morning everybody! (it's 5 a.m here in South Africa right now)
I'm so tired, I literally look like a Zombie.
Anyways I've got some good news :)
For my girls who read my book... so uhm your girl has a boyfriend!!!
Mcwahhhh
I know right, like it's me. Well at least now I don't gotta skip couple videos on Tik Tok or cry myself to sleep after watching them, lmao.
Anyways, he's the one who's been keeping me busy so my apologies for the late chapter updates but I gotta spend time with my boo...
pssst, it's almost gonna be out 1 year anniversary, ahhhh *internally doing the beast boy dance*
Sorry for letting ya'll know so late. My bad lol.
You guys probably don't gaf but idc, I'm still letting you know.
Anyways sorry for my sudden life dump/update.
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
See you at the next one.
Bye
ð¤