20

ELEANOR

"There, take a look!" Linda backed up excitedly. Turning me around to examine myself at the body-

length mirror in front of me. I felt the cool air swathe my thighs as I motioned, finally opening my

eyes to see what I now look like.

Opening my eyes, I suddenly caught sight of a young, enchanting woman staring back at me in the

mirror, looking equallly surprised. Linda curled my hair creating big bouncy waves, cascading down

my back just above my ass. My eyes were colored with striking blue eyeshadows matching the color

of my dress, and that's gradually shifting into cobalt blue. Perfectly complemented with the black

eyeliner extending past the corner of my eyes, curving ever so slightly into an edgy flick. Linda did

not miss the blush too as I caught the tint of rosy pink rubbed on either side of my cheeks. My lips

on the other hand were daubed and glossed with nude lipstick making them shimmer naturally

under the white light.

Arching my lips slightly upwards and making a 360 degree twirl in pure admiration of the whole

look, I turned to Linda, who was staring at me then my dress with much confidence and admiration

of her own designing skills. Marching my way up to her, I took her hand, pressing the back of her

hands softly with my fingers before jumping slightly in glee.

"Oh Linda, I don't know what to say..." Turning to the mirror once more, I gaped at the very sight of

myself in utter disbelief. The stunning blue cocktail dress hugged my ass up to my small waist until

the top of my full, bouncy breasts. Showing a lot of cleavage as I tried to move around it. Adorned

with blue reflective glass beads that matched the dress’ extraordinary design most importantly the

entire classy look. Inhaling a deep breath, I tried to see whether I could still breathe underneath the

glamorous dress.

"This is just perfect!" I squealed turning to Linda who laughed heartily patting my back.

"Almost. There's one more thing needed to be done.” She pulled away reaching out for the small

box left on the side table.

I watched with caution as she opened the small box, my heart pounding heavily against my chest

like the beating of a drum in full anticipation.

Glancing at the content now sitting in her slim hands, I froze.

"So which color do you prefer? Green? Blue? I also have Amber if you'd just let me fetch it in my

room.” She showed multiple colors of contact lenses and I couldn't begin to count how many she

brought in that tiny box.

"Linda, is this really necessary?" I wasn't used to hiding the real color of my eyes just because it's

crimson red. Although it may have been a consequence to the moon goddess’ curse, I learned to

embrace it each time it gave me tremendous strength to keep going on in that shithole of a pack.

The only difference between me and them is the crimson color of my eyes, whenever I look at the

mirror and at my blood-red eyes I don't feel scared anymore, rather it seemed to make me stronger

and braver than I ever thought I could. It would constantly make me wonder what was actually there

in my eyes that gave me so much comfort and strength over time.

Linda looked at me in puzzlement to which I responded with a blank stare.

"Well the choice is up to you. You don't have to if you feel uncomfortable with it." She shrugged,

carefully placing back the lenses in the small box they belonged to.

I felt Ares shift inside me, waking up yawning and trying to see the surroundings through my own

eyes.

'What's the matter,Eleanor?'

'Ilt's nothing Ares. Don't worry.

'What are those things?* Pertaining to the contact lenses Linda was putting back into the box.

“Can we try “em?’ Ares was certainly curious about the stuff we never tried once in our lives.

I shook my head at her whilst she whined.

"Think about it, no one will be suspicious if they see us at the party. On top of that, we'll be the

center of attention, Eleanor.’

She has a point.

Sigh.

"Wait. I think I want to give it a try." I touched Linda's arm, making her flinch a little before glancing

at me then at my hand touching her arm.

She went very still for a few short seconds when I noticed her eyes suddenly turn full pitch black. I

immediately pulled away, startled, draped in horror as I stared at her pair of pure black orbs

"Linda?" I called out, stepping backwards while I watched her slowly turn her body to face me.

Her movements were stiff, almost robotic but her lips didn't speak.

"Are you alright, Linda?"

I gulped nervously, watching her from the short distance I was able to create

Just then, almost as sudden as it appeared, her pure dark orbs faded slowly, revealing once again

her natural gray eyes that were now clearly showing bold emotions of confusion as well as fear

when she looked at me.

"You."

My heart thudded violently against my chest, and I couldn't help but evade the fearful look she was

giving me.

Linda then shook her head aggressively, as if in an attempt to erase a vision in her mind that she

shaw through me. A curse.

"Forgive me, my Luna. I just had another...episode.”

She massaged her forehead with the tips of her fingers, grunting as she clenched her eyes shut.

Certain she's finally come back to her senses, I mustered the courage to move forward and closer

towards her.

"What just happened?"

I asked trying to keep a straight face as I approached her with slow, careful steps.

Linda shook her head, as though wanting to dismiss the topic of conversation and move on.

"Shall we continue?” She then plastered a bright smile on her face, turning her back on me before

searching the box where she had kept the lenses once again.

Although the disturbing feeling of curiosity was driving me almost insane as well as anxious within, I

opted not to step outside my boundaries, gluing my mouth shut as I waited for Linda to decide on a

pair of lenses for my blood-red eyes.

"Here, I think this color will look exquisite on you."

I glanced at the pair of lenses she handed over to me, examining it closely before glancing back up

at Linda, a sweat trickling down the side of her face.

"Thank you.” I took them from her hands which were obviously trembling in fear.

She then gave me an awkward smile and hurriedly grabbed her belongings altogether, bowing her

head in submission before she turned on her heel, too eager to get the hell out of the room and

away from me.

"I shall inform the Alpha that you're ready Luna. We will be waiting for you downstairs. Please

excuse me." She informed me formally, rushing her words as though she couldn't bear to be in my

presence one second longer.

I simply nodded my head, feeling my heart hammer wildly against my chest and head pounding as

she made her exit to the door.

What just happened? Did she see my wolf? Does she know? Did she figure out my curse? But how?

I stood in the middle of the room, hard and frozen as panic coursed through my blood just the

same as adrenaline.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a long time, not knowing how long I stood there or how

stiff my body has become.

I felt numb.

“Okay, calm down Ellie. We don't even know what happened. What if you're worried for nothing?

Let's not waste our energy here now.’ Ares said. Certainly she's not worried.

Sighing to myself, I tried to remain enthusiastic as I possibly can. I shook my head aggressively and

forced a smile.

'Yeah. Yeah you're right. This shouldn't be a cause for panic, no matter what had happened. No one

will know, right? Besides, my father wouldn't give away the truth about my curse unless I've done

what he wanted.’

“That's why we should stay focused EI.*

Nodding, I picked up the contacts and placed them directly on my eyes. After I finished, I was

amazed at the astonishing color of ocean blue that replaced my blood red color. It looked natural

the more I stared. Well, almost.

I descended down the staircase, finding Adrian, Elijah, Linda, and Veronyka waiting while seated on

the long, white elegant couch. A sparkling diamond chandelier hanging just above them. The

elegant buckle high heels Linda had made me wear created bold tapping sounds on each level,

making heads turn instantly towards my direction. Sweeping my gaze across the room, I caught

Adrian eyeing me from head to toe, lust evident in his eyes as he rose slowly from the couch,

mesmerized. Looking away from his penetrating gaze, my eyes landed on Elijah. I could still feel him

and his eyes completely all over me, suddenly my body trembled. The intensity of his gaze

somehow instilled the fear of god through me yet I didn't know why. On the other hand, Elijah's

face looked expressionless. I noticed the sideward glances he kept giving Veronyka which she either

chose to ignore or was just fully unaware of. My gaze travelled over to Veronyka who didn't bother

to hide her feelings as she glared at me in utmost hatred and spite. Ignoring her hurtful glare, I put

on a small smile before I could greet everyone in the room.

When I finally reached the end of the staircase, I looked around, searching their faces but to my

disappointment, Alexander was nowhere to be found.

"Thank you all for waiting.” I announced.

"Well it's about time." Veronyka said, rolling her eyes at me to which I responded to with a smile.

"Shut it." Elijah snapped.

I watched as Veronyka pursed her lips into a thin line, glaring at the beta while they each stared the

other down.

Eventually, Veronyka gave in, muttering something incoherent under her breath and Elijah shifting

in his spot proudly revealing his victorious smile.

"Can't you two stop quarreling for just one day? Seriously,”

Adrian waved his hand at them, walking past the others as he marched towards me. Elijah rolled his

eyes whilst Veronyka sulked and slumped back against the backrest of the couch.

Almost immediately, I stopped in my tracks, clenching the fabric of my dress and gulped. Heart

pounding loud and fast in my eardrums as I lifted my chin, meeting him in the eye.

"You look...ravishing" He said flashing me a brilliant smile that felt more like danger underneath that

invisible mask of his. Pinning me with his piercing blue eyes, then reaching his hand out in the air

about to touch the side of my face when suddenly the door flew open before he could lay a finger

on my skin.

All heads instantly turned and the most intoxicating earthly scent swirled around the muscled man

standing by the door.

"Alex!"