The party was in full swing. In every room of the house, people swarmed, heightening Francesca’s anxiety with the noises they were making. The wolf inside her was also uneasy, and still a bit angry at Francesca for what she attempted to do the night before.
We're still going to do it, you know. But with a bigger purpose in mind this time. We'll be stuck together on the next plane, are you really going to be mad at me for a long time? Francesca told her wolf, but she received no acknowledgment.
“Stay calm and smile. You know what he’ll do to you if you were anything less than happy in public.” Gianna whispered beside Francesca, “You look beautiful. Try to enjoy the night, okay?”
Francesca nodded, hands grasping the front of her dress to keep the piece of paper hidden inside it intact. She planned to enjoy the night, sure. Though not in the way that Gianna hoped. She thought about it last night, and she was going to do it---end her life in front of everybody and bring Stefano’s pristine reputation down with him. Before the banquet ends, all these people will be aware of Stefano’s true nature, and her friends will be free. Francesca would be free, too, just in the soul plane, where she was sure to find Carmel.
Francesca took a deep breath, readying herself to greet the guests when suddenly, a coughing fit wracked her body.
“Are you alright?” Mira asked. She was also beside Francesca, trying her best to get her through the night.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Francesca answered, “I just---my asthma acted up last night. The basement wasn’t exactly spick and span, you know.”
Gianna narrowed he eyes at Francesca, “I don’t understand. He was so excited that you were well enough to attend the banquet this year. Why would he risk getting you sick by locking you in the basement overnight?”
“I didn’t do anything. You know he does whatever he wants for no reason other than to be vindictive.” Francesca snapped, hoping her face didn’t give away the real reason she was isolated.
Gianna grinned; all suspicion is gone, “By that tone of voice, now I’m absolutely sure. There’s still fight left in you, girl. Now, go get them.”
Giving Gianna a reluctant smile, Francesca entered the ballroom and surveyed the scene before her.
The Lunar Banquet. Held every year by the werewolves of New York to thank the moon goddess for her continued blessing. The festivities had already started. The Psi werewolves danced to the music provided by the Phis and Chis. At the same time, the Upsilons and those above them in rank were in party dresses, conversing with each other. The Omegas and the humans, on the other hand, faded into the background in their dark servants’ uniforms as they handed out drinks and food to their superiors.
One such servant approached Francesca with a tray of full wine glasses on hand. “A drink, Madame?”
“No, thank you,” Francesca murmured at the Omega, giving him a small smile. If Francesca were to guess, the boy was around Carmel’s age, freshly turned from human to werewolf. All Omegas were turned, and they always had that sallow look from housing a young wolf spirit that they have yet to control. This was Francesca five years ago, downtrodden and weak. But she worked hard and gained Epsilon status. Her situation then improved. Until she met her husband.
Now, she would've given anything to be an inconspicuous Omega instead.
Speaking of, Francesca let out a tensed sigh, scanning the ballroom for Stefano. He had firmly instructed her to go straight to him once she arrived in the ballroom, but she had no intention of doing so. After spotting him across the room talking to his fellow Alphas, Francesca went the opposite way and dissolved into the crowd.
As Francesca headed towards the balcony, a strange yet familiar feeling enveloped her, and her hand flew to her chest. She couldn’t explain what was going on, but her whole being welcomed it. It was like a song, separate from the one heard around the ballroom. Yes, it was a melody made only for her, and she felt like she was hearing it for the hundredth time even when it only came to her now.
Francesca’s head whipped around, trying to spot the source of the feeling. But the faces of the party blurred, and she realized she was crying. She reached up to her face, wiping the corners of her eyes, staring at the wetness with wonderment. She didn't know why she was tearing up. Perhaps it was the feeling that a huge weight just lifted off her? It was indeed surreal. The wolf inside her felt alive more than it ever was. She forgot how that felt like, to have her fur rise up in excitement and pure happiness.
Brightening, Francesca continued to look for him amongst the sea of people around her, but to no avail. Instead, she saw her husband's face, and Francesca was suddenly reminded of reality. Stefano. He was furiously looking for her from the middle of the ballroom. Francesca had no choice but to abandon her search for the owner of that mysterious song and hide herself again.
Whoever you are, thank you for finding me. I would’ve loved to meet you, but I have to go. I’m sorry. Francesca whispered in her thoughts, hoping it would reach her mate. Her heart broke at the thought that she had to say goodbye before she could say hello, but she was running out of time. Stefano would find her. He always did.
With renewed effort, Francesca pulled up the trail of her gown and quickened her steps. Back in the ballroom, the host began to call for the attendees to get inside for the Thanksgiving ritual. Undeterred, she pushed against the people as they headed for the ballroom. And once she reached the edge of the balcony, she was left alone, just like she wanted to.
Francesca paused for a while, soaking in the light of the moon above her. She prayed for the goddess to forgive her for what she was about to do. With trembling hands, Francesca produced the letter that she had hidden in her bodice earlier. Her suicide note. It detailed all the things she had to endure under Stefano, and hopefully, it would spell the end of his tyranny. Grasping the letter in her palm, she carefully laid it in the middle of the plants that lined the balcony’s cement railing. Then, she pulled herself up the banister, barely noticing a rose-thorn prick on her finger.
Francesca instinctively closed her eyes. She expected it, but the height that greeted her eyelids made her stomach churn, fathomless and ruthless yet beautiful and inviting. She tested her resolve one last time and found that it didn't change despite the fear. If anything, it made the decision for her. Finally steeling herself, Francesca prepared to jump.
Strong arms pulled Francesca back away from certain death and she heard the song again, this time emanating so strongly from the one who held her. Her back was flushed into his front, so tight Francesca could feel the sinews of his muscles and the harsh pounding of his heart against her."Did you really think I would just let you do this? I don't even know your name." His voice sounded behind her, rich and deep. It brought a chill to her spine. Francesca closed her eyes, feeling all tension drain from her body. She tilted her head up towards his and he held her waist tighter, bringing his forehead down between the crook of her neck and shoulder. Francesca felt something wet touch her skin and she realized that he was crying, too."What's your name?" Her mate whispered softly and she felt that slight movement of his mouth against her skin.Her wolf sighed in pleasure, and she murmured, "Francesca.""Francesca." He repeated so revere
Francesca seated herself beside Stefano, unable to look at where Tristan was seated at the other end of the table. She couldn't bring herself to know what his expression might be. Francesca particularly skirted mentioning her relationship with Stefano when they earlier. She did not want to see the disappointment on Tristan's face.Stefano grasped Francesca's waist, lips touching her ear as he hissed into it, "I'll have to punish you later for disappearing on me, you know that right?""I'm sorry," she muttered, offering no explanation.Her husband frowned at her, but then his expression smoothened as he regarded his fellow Alphas. "Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Francesca Lopez." He then turned towards Francesca with a smile that he never showed to her in private, "Darling, I assume you already know everyone at this table? Well, except for Manhattan's new Alpha, Tristan Williams."Catching on to her husband's act, Fra
Francesca usually did not like to socialize, but after meeting Tristan earlier, she needed to immediately wash off his scent from her skin. It was exhausting, trying to keep up with superficial conversations that drop as soon as you utter the first word. She didn't know how Betas, the Packs' advisers, go about doing it every day. Still, Francesca trudged on, also hoping that the activity would help her forget Tristan's plan in the meantime. She'll worry about it when it's time to. "So, how long have you been married to Alpha Stefano?" one of the guests in front of her asked. From her accent, Francesca could guess she was from the Brooklyn pack. She forgot the girl's name seconds ago though. "Three years." "How is it?" Francesca hesitated. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the ignorance. As if summoned by the topic of the conversation, Francesca sensed Stefano creep behind her, whispering in her ear, "Are
Francesca did not answer. Gianna was a friend and she could trust her. But she decided to not tell her friends about Tristan."So, that's it. You're not going to answer me?" Gia looked angry and hurt. "You know what. It's fine, Cheska. We may have been through hell together, but at the end of the day, we save our own hide, right?""That's not--""It is. From your silence, I know that's exactly what's happening right now." "So what did he tell you? I bet he made the exact same promises that Stefano did the first time.""No, Gia, listen to me--""I'm letting you do whatever you want. But Mira knows about this too.""Mira?"Francesca began to worry even more. Amongst them, Mira was the one who badly wanted to get out. She often ended up confined in bed for days, having Epsilon healers fuss over her from wounds that she sustained trying to escape Stefano countless times."That's right, Cheska. Yo
She's beautiful, and not in the drop-dead gorgeous kind of way, which Tristan had always found to be unsettling. She's beautiful in the quietest way, if that made any sense. Like how the full moon just sits there in the sky, every night, calm and serene, yet you can't help but notice it. Even her name was beautiful. Francesca. Tristan shook his head. That was so...cheesy. When did he start thinking like this? Apparently, she made him all gooey too, aside from being absolutely angry. "Fuck." Tristan muttered to himself, remembering how furious he was when he learned that Francesca was Stefano's wife. His father used to say that an Alpha generally lives his life not knowing when he will find his mate, but when he does, it would be the most glorious thing to happen in his life. Francesca did not only bring Tristan that joy. She also brought him devastation. But their connection was a promise that could never be broken, and Tristan was hell-bent on wi
A strained silence covered their table. Kaya smirked while Langdon gaped at Tristan and Stefano. Lionel, on the other hand, let out a low whistle as he tried to contain his excitement, "Damn, man." "True. This is definitely getting interesting. Unfortunately, I have to go to a meeting." Kaya replied, standing up and giving Langdon a pat on the shoulder, "Make sure to tell me what happens, okay?" Kaya resigned herself from the table and out the room, Tristan and Stefano barely glancing in her direction. They were still glaring at each other, neither of them wanting to back down. "Show me your cards, Stefano. What's taking so long?" Tristan challenged, tapping his own cards, which he had placed face-down on the table. Stefano growled at Tristan, "This whole time, you were trying to take her from me." "Technically speaking, you had no right to claim her in the first place," Tristan commented calmly, but his eyes were not
"It needed to be done," Francesca said as she stared in the mirror. She was still in her wedding dress, even an hour after her Christian wedding with Stefano because her husband had asked her to. Though raised a Christian herself, Francesca could not help but feel relieved that it was the only tie she had with the Alpha. They were not mates so they could not be married at the altar of the moon goddess. And for a werewolf, that was what mattered the most. She could get out of the arrangement easier. "It didn't have to be you, Cheska." Julio Lopez frowned behind her. Julio was her Dad's friend and became her guardian since his death. He was a balding man in his fifties, with permanent worry lines on his forehead, brought about by being in charge of a ward as reckless and as brave as Francesca, he always said. "You know none of the others wanted to do it, Uncle. I had no choice." Francesca told Julio, "It's the only chance we have of fr
Francesca's wolf shot out from the shock, within a second, her sharp nails clawed at Stefano's face. But Stefano did not fight back. He held her, soothingly trying to cradle her head. "Shh...shh...it's okay." he whispered in her ear, "Qin ai de, it's me." Francesca stopped at that voice. That was her mate's voice, not Stefano's. She realized she had her eyes closed the whole time she was attacking him. A relieved sob rose from her chest, and she fell into Tristan's arms gratefully. He caught her as if she weighed nothing, showering her face with kisses. He untied her hands quickly and Francesca touched his bleeding face, wounded by her blind assault. She was about to apologize when the cuts faded away. Alpha's healing. "I'm okay, my love," Tristan said, smiling at her like she was the moon. Francesca's sobs could not be controlled now that she remembered that she has her mate. She couldn't believe she almost killed hersel