I stared at the bucket of paint on the ground and held back my tears.
Picking up the bucket, I found very little paint left in it.
I sighed, then carried the bucket to refill it with paint.
No matter what, I still wanted to paint the fence. It was Melissa's favorite color, after all.
After painting the fence white, I took off my sun hat and wiped the sweat on my forehead. I felt a little better now that I had finished painting the fence.
I think Melissa was going to love the new fence color.
"Andrea!"
I turned towards the voice and found that Melissa had pulled back the window and waved at me from the second floor.
I placed down the paint bucket and was about to head upstairs when I realized that the paint on me would probably leave stains in Melissa's room. So, I went to change first before knocking on Melissa's room door.
Melissa opened the door, then pulled on my arm and complained, "You were so slow!"
I gestured, "I went to change clothes since I had paint on me."
Melissa blinked her big eyes. "Okay, I got it. I have a surprise for you."
Melissa pulled me over to her European-style princess bed and said, "Look. Do you like it?"
My eyes widened. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
A long, gray-bluish evening gown was in front of me. It had a veil-like texture, and sparkling crystals were embedded in it. There were also tassels on the sleeves as decoration.
I remembered this dress. Ellen had given this dress to Melissa for her birthday last year. Melissa had many pretty dresses, and she hadn't worn this one yet.
I tilted my head to the side and looked at her, blinking my eyes.
Melissa held the dress up against my body to measure me.
"You'll look beautiful in this dress for sure!"
I was stunned and shook my head. "Sorry."
"Why don't you want it?" Melissa said as she continued to compare the measurements. "Alpha Enzo will be coming here tomorrow, so you have to dress elegantly. They need to know that you're the most beautiful princess in our Blue River Pack. Otherwise..."
Melissa's eyes and nose were a bit red as she continued to speak, "I'm afraid they'll mistreat you when you marry into their pack!"
I pulled Melissa into my arms, and she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and started to cry. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry..."
I knew she was apologizing because I was marrying Alpha Enzo in her place.
But I didn't resent her because she was Melissa, my best friend.
***
The following day, the hall becomes bustling busy.
Alpha Michael had arranged for many people to clean up and prepare the place because we would hold a welcome party for the guests coming from the Cold Moon Pack—Alpha Enzo and his pack members.
For the first time in my life, I didn't need to clean the house or get up early to prepare breakfast.
Since I would be a bride, Melissa and some maids flanked my side early in the morning to prepare me.
I changed into the gray-bluish gown that Melissa had given me last night. My hair, which I usually didn't do anything with, was curled into big, curly waves that fell nicely behind me.
Melissa put on the diamond rose necklace she had given me on my neck. Then, she took my hand and twirled me around, praising my beauty.
Alpha Michael knocked on the door and asked if we were ready as the guests from the Cold Moon Pack were arriving soon.
Melissa opened the door.
Michael stared at me with a hint of surprise in his pale eyes. His lips twitched as he mouthed something.
I supposed he was saying my mother's name, Stella.
Perhaps the way I dressed brought back memories of my mother, and his attitude towards me softened.
"Let's go, Andrea."
He waved his hand at me.
Melissa and I walked side by side as we followed behind him.
Five minutes after we stood in front of the banquet hall, a black Bentley pulled up in front of us.
I watched the driver get out of the car first, and then he went around the front to open the back seat door.
Everyone held their breath, obviously wanting to see what a bloodthirsty tyrant would look like.
A leather-shoe-clad foot appeared from the door after it was opened.
The man in the back seat bent a little as he got out of the car, then straightened up under the crowd's eyes.
He buttoned the bottom part of his suit up and straightened the hem of his shirt before striding over in our direction.
I was stunned. I couldn't believe that the man in front of me was the manic in rumor.
He was clearly...reserved and noble aura. His appearance was also outstanding.
How do I put it… He's definitely the most handsome man I've ever seen.
I couldn't help but glance at his sharp features, and my heart jumped wildly in my chest.
He had dashing eyebrows, long curly eyelashes and a pair of deep golden brown eyes that were mysterious and elegant. He had a sharp, high nose and moderately thick lips. There was also a frosty yet appropriate smile on his face. He was taller than me by a head, even though I was wearing heels.
Alpha Enzo came to a stop in front of Michael. The two shook hands and talked.
At the same time, a special smell of cold, fresh wine rushed into my nose as he approached.
The powerful and aggressive smell momentarily struck me. A crackling, tingling sensation crawled all over my skin.
How weird. Why would I have this feeling?
But a wave of pain quickly washed through me. Melissa suddenly tightened her grip on my wrist.
I turned to look at her, finding her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Alpha Enzo.
A suspicious feeling surged up in my heart. I wasn't sure what it was, but it took my breath away. When I realized Melissa was fascinated with the man, I felt a hard stone had clogged my throat.
I endured the pain on my wrist and returned my gaze towards Alpha Enzo, who to my surprise, happened to be looking right at me too.
His golden-brown eyes reflected my figure, and I saw his eyes widen a fraction suddenly, as though he was surprised by my presence.
Then, his lips opened slightly. An extremely soft exclamation reached my ears.
"Mate!"
I heard him say, and my eyes widened.
The pain in my wrist increased. I frowned and turned to Melissa to tell her about it, when I saw the glare that she couldn't hide in time directed at me.Melissa suddenly pushed me behind her, stepping between Enzo and me when he tried to get closer to me.Enzo furrowed his brows, looking a little unpleased.Michael smiled and introduced, "This is my-""My name is Melissa. I'm my father's only daughter. Hello, Alpha Enzo." Melissa interrupted Michael before he could finish speaking.I stood behind Melissa, a little confused for a moment.I saw Enzo blink, and he gave her an awkward yet polite smile.He turned to Michael and asked, "And the lady behind this young lady is...?""She's-""She's my family's slave," Melissa interrupted once more.I shot Melissa a shocking look. This person was my best friend?!She never allowed me to call myself a slave, yet here she was, revealing my identity in full view of everyone present.I saw the astonished looks and regretful sounds from the people
Enzo raised his brow as he shook off Jesse's already crippled hand and snorted, "What, are you guys slaves in this house too?""What?!" Molly exclaimed.I could sense that she hadn't said that out of anger, just shocked and confused, as though she didn't understand Enzo's words.After all, Enzo was a murderous, bloodthirsty devil in the rumor.Enzo pulled a napkin from the side table and carefully wiped his hand that had touched Jesse's hand. Then, he sneered, "If you're not slaves, what are you doing here?"Jesse raised his chin and said, "This slave provoked us first. We were just-""I'm sorry, Alpha Enzo. This was our fault," Molly said and covered Jesse's mouth just in time.She was shaking so badly, as though she was terrified of Enzo."Since it's your fault, apologize." Enzo's voice was soft, but it was intimidating.Molly stiffened.After a few seconds, she gave me a forced smile, blinked her reddened eyes, and said, "I'm sorry, Andrea. Forgive my rudeness."Then, she tugged on
I tried to keepsome distance with him, but his voice was just enchanting."I'mnot talking about the cream. I was talking about your scent."My scent?What scent?I sniffedand only smelt whipped cream. His warmscent came closer, created a soft comfortable cage that I can’t and don’t evenwant to escape.He pressedhis lips on my lower cheek making me shiver. His breath was just on my rightear. I felt hishands on my waist, holding me hard not letting me go. His one hand reached outunder my cloth, rubbing the side of my waist, and going up.I started totry to hold back a moan feeling helpless on this strange pulse. I froze on thetingle between my thighs and my panties’ wet.His eyebrowsflew up higher at my actions.Just then, ascream suddenly rang out from the kitchen."Whatis that smell?! Who burnt the cake?!"I winced andrushed back into the kitchen, leaning over the door frame to peek inside andfound a cook holding a blackened cake on a plate, staring blankly at it.I
Enzo's POVShe was mymate!The nasty‘real daughter’ of Alpha Michael was nobody but she just scared the hell out ofmy little innocent mate!She wasglaring at my mate in a highly hostile manner, and I immediately realized herhostility was because of me.I blockedAndrea from Michael's daughter's view, frowned at the latter, and asked,"Is something wrong?"Michael'sdaughter took her eyes off Andrea, then took a few steps towards us, "Myfather is looking for you.Afterconfirming that my mate was in this Pack, I had told Beta Kyle Larson to findout my mate's relationship with this family.Now that Ihad the gist of the situation, I could return to the party without worry andcarry out my duties as the Cold Moon Pack's Alpha.I nodded."Alright. I'll be right there."Michael'sdaughter flashed me a familiar smile, of one on the face of every woman whowanted to climb into my bed.However, Ididn't like those kinds of smiles. Hated it, even.It's just ashame that Andrea hadn't ev
Andrea’s POVI wasembarrassed to see everyone in formal dress, and I was in maid’s apron.I thought Iam used to be the slave in the pack. I was not in front of Alpha Enzo. He wasdifferent.Slaves werenot allowed to have any eye contact with masters and guests. I didn’t even knowhow taunting he would be seeing me doing my slave job. He must behappy that he was not marrying a shameful slave like me."Andrea,"Melissa called me suddenly.I had a badfeeling instantly.I walked toher side, and my head was still bent low. I didn’t dare irritate her in thissituation."I wantto drink that wine," Melissa said, pointing to the wine on the otherside of the table.I nodded,then walked around the table to bring the bottle of wine over. Then, I bentdown to pour a glass slowly for Melissa.Unexpectedly,Melissa brought her hand up to touch the stem of the wine glass, then seeminglyswept the glass off the table unintentionally.The glasscrashed to the ground and shattered into pieces
Andrea's POVI wasshocked. What was he talking about? He reachedout to touch my hair, I frowned and leaned back away from me. Iwithdrew my hand hesitantly and instead said, "Can I stay with you? Do youwant me to stay with you?"I can’t sayI don’t. I wanted him to stay."I canturn into a wolf. I definitely won't do anything to you in that state."Mywolf's name is Ethan. It's very docile."Isthat okay?"I heard himsay. He was so patient, so comforting. I didn’t refuse.He startedto undo his shirt and tie. I was astounded to see his sun-tanned bare chest andperfect abs, didn’t know what to do.My eyeswiden at him loosening his belt, held my knees tighter to my chest. Usually,Alpha Michael undressing himself means he’s going to beat me with his belt.That hurts."No,wait! Because turning into a wolf will shred my clothes... I didn't mean tostart taking them off in front of you! I..."His voicereminded me that I was safe now. And I was a little embarrassed now looking at
Andrea's POVMybiological clock always woke me up at half-past five every morning, since I hadto get up to clean the house and prepare breakfast for Alpha Michael's family,Today, whenI got up from the mattress, my leg brushed against something soft and furry.I rubbed myeyes and saw a solid black wolf tail. I quickly remembered what happened lastnight and tried my best to hold back a shameful scream."You'reawake?"A low,hoarse voice floated into my ear, and I jerked around to meet thosegolden-brown, cloudy eyes.The giantwolf had also woken up, seemingly tired.He got upfrom the ground and walked over to me. He circled my back, then reached out torub my neck like it was the most natural thing. Then, he wrapped his bodyaround my waist and placed his head on my thigh."Goback to sleep..." he said blearily.I wasstunned speechless.I wanted topush him away and run, but he simply licked the back of my hand with his roughtongue and said, "Stop it.""..."Why did thiswolf
Instead of wearinga tie and suit like he did yesterday, Enzo wore a white shirt and had casuallyrolled up his sleeves to his elbow. The top two buttons of his shirt were alsounfastened, and even his hair was brought back behind his head casually.Hisappearance was obviously messy, but I thought he looked handsome.I forcedmyself to look away again, trying to ignore his presence as much as possible.I needed tohave the entire villa cleaned spotless by seven in the morning, and thenbreakfast ready by eight.I had toprepare two extra portions for breakfast today. One was for Beta Kyle from theCold Moon Pack, and one was for the man beside me.Others fromthe Cold Moon Pack were visiting, but only Alpha Enzo and his Beta lived here.I startedcleaning the stair's railing while Enzo leaned against it to watch me.I tried toignore his eyes on me, but it was tough.Why did hehave to stand there and stare at me? Didn't he have things to do? Was it fun orpleasing to watch me work?