Chapter 8

• Ashira's POV
• 'What have you done!' I angrily said to my wolf.
• 'Just a tease, that's all.' My wolf playfully said. I growl at her and shut her up. She does not seem aware of the danger her abnormality can cause!
• That loud howl from a wolf is scary. It made my knees weak and jelly. Whoever it is, I need to be careful before the ball.
• I woke up from soft knocks on my door. Brushing my eyes with the back of my palm, I slipped on a robe and headed to the door.
• My head felt light when I woke up, feeling exhausted even after a deep slumber. I thought I can't sleep right away after the howl I had heard last night but my wolf is at peace, making me sleep soundly. None slightness feeling I'm near in danger.
• I have welcomed with a trolley pushcart with food covered in a cloche tray when I open the door. I can smell its delicious scent, almost savoring it. My stomach made a loud growl, making me feel how famished I was.
• No one was there. They just left the food behind. I pulled the trolley inside my room and closed the door, making sure to lock it again.
• 'Food arrived, sleepyheads!' Someone mind-linked me and I was certain it was Ava. We are from the same pack and already met each other, being able to access the mind link.
• I guess she sent all five of us from Regal pack the same message.
• I chose not to give a response and head to the bathroom to wash my face. After, I sat on the chair inside the room and placed the tray on the table.
• My mouth drools upon seeing how delicious the served food was. I grabbed the spoon and start digging in.
• I ate in silence, thinking of what to do today before the ball.
• Invitations were sent to me together with the food. It'll be our key to enter the ball. The invite indicates the time the event will start which was 7 p.m. I kept the invites safe, making sure they won't be lost or misplaced otherwise I'll be doomed.
• I have the dress that Ophelia bought for me so I don't need to buy one from the shops which is what it usually should.
• It's an olive green dress with a slit on both legs. The color Ophelia picked sure compliments the shade of my deep green eyes.
• A silver pair of heels comes with the dress. Ophelia being the fashion addict that she is will never style me with an incomplete package. She knew I suck at dressing up.
• I also have a silver necklace with the Regal packs' crest as its pendant. Paired with inch-long silver earrings.
• I'm sure I'll shine tonight at the ball. Literally. The thought made me want to toss every shining stuff in my luggage. But of course, I didn't.
• I also need to make my face presentable. I never do make-ups well but I knew the basics. I guess I can fix myself for the ball tonight.
• With all those tasks aside, I'm left with nothing to do for the rest of the day.
• I was thinking of shifting into my wolf form and roam the Prime land. I love to have a run, to ease my feelings and feel free, but I'm scared someone will track my scent.
• I'm lucky if it is my mate I'll find as my mission will be done but if not, then I'll have a mateless wolf running after me.
• Despite the last thought, I badly want to shift and run in this territory. It's a huge land, mostly green. The air is fresh, the ambiance here is calming that I'd want to rest with nature.
• I feel like I can roam around freely without judging eyes stabbed at my back, unlike my pack. Here, no one knew me.
• It's like living a new life. Creating a new identity.
• For the first time in my life, I was grateful for having a mate away from home. It's the first time I felt grateful for this mate thing.
• With my inhibitions, I decided to go for that run. Planning for safety routes, I'll probably head to the river. It's mostly wooded on the way and has less chance of being spotted.
• I took a shower and wore a loose shirt with short shorts. I did not bother to wear anything inside since I'll be shifting later. I went out of the guesthouse, making sure to avoid crowds.
• I bought bottled water at a store, making sure the storekeeper is a woman. I'm starting to have anxiety about my wolf's abnormality.
• Since the back of the guesthouse is the woods, I decided to start from there. Quite thankful that everyone around me is female. Luck is still on my side since male wolves needed to stay out of the guest's sight before the mapping ball. The idea is to prevent men from distinguishing their mate before the party and breaking the purpose of the ceremony.
• As I walked in the woods, one hand holding bottled water, I looked for a tree big enough to cover me. I need to take off my clothes so I won't rip them when I shift.
• I settled as I saw one. Looking sideways, I made sure no one is around. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, stripping my shorts after.
• The cool wind wrapped my naked skin, a cold breeze of air coming from my lips as I breathe. I called for my wolf, wanting to feel the warmth of fur all over me, and shifted in my wolf form.
• The feeling is serene. I loved how welcoming nature is in this land. As I landed in all fours, I'm thirsty to have a run.
• I started my way up North. I can smell the river ahead, hearing the currents and chirps of birds clear in my ears. My wolf happily ran fast towards the river.