“We’ll see. Surely if we make a donation to one of their events, they’d love to have you there,” Father says with a nod.
I sit back in my chair, resigning myself to participation in some ball that Mother and Father have cooked up for me. Jesus, that would be so embarrassing! I can just imagine people coming from all over to see if they’d like to court me. Or worse, they’d want to date me just because of my family name!
This is why I’m single. Well, one of the reasons. Sure, the biggest reason is because people are scary and I’m socially awkward. Butalsobecause I can never tell people’s intentions.
“Oh darling, did I tell you what happened with Mrs. Sharp’s daughter?”
I take the topic change in stride, happy that their attention is finally off of my love life. “You didn’t, Mother.”
My mother jumps into the story and my dating life is thankfully tossed to the side.
That night, when I get home from dinner, I grab my mail from the mail room and head up the stairs towards my apartment. As I go, I flip through the letters and stop at one in particular.
“What the hell?” I murmur to myself.
The envelope is ornate and decorated with swirls of gold. I turn it side to side, watching as the material seems to sparkle and glow. I’ve never seen anything like this. There’s no return address but it’s very clearly addressed to me.
I wait until I’m inside to open it. I loosen my tie and toss everything else onto the table. Then I carefully open the flap. The inside is golden, the scent of lavender filling the air.
I pull out the piece of paper inside. The parchment is thick and feels expensive. As an artist, I take everything in, marveling at how intricate and pretty the design is. It’s all golden swoops and lavender details. I swear I can feel the underlying sensation of magic as I hold this invitation.
“You are cordially invited to the event of a lifetime,” I read aloud, taking it all in. My stomach swoops as I continue to read. “Our host, Bex, has hand selected those invited to this event,each for a particular reason. This invitation will be your ticket inside. Some things happen once in a lifetime, this event is one of those things. Come with a mask and an open heart.”
Below that is a date, a time, and a place.
“What the hell?”
Chapter Two
Viktor
“By the gods, I needed this,” Brock says, taking a sip of his cocktail. Tonight is omega night out on the town. Brock, Avery, Ellie, and myself are sitting at the bar together, munching on bar food and sipping cocktails.
We try to get together like this at least once a month. It gives Avery and Brock a break from the babies and gives Ellie and I time to properly gossip.
It’s been about a year since I discovered my awakened magic. After I finally came to grips with it, I realized I needed someplace to start over. I couldn’t go back to my old apartment and my old job like nothing happened. I was different and I needed my life to be different too.
On my way to Doctor Flemming, I ran into a couple on the side of the road who directed me to Piltunder. There was somethingabout them that made me feel safe, like their very presence was a warm blanket wrapped around my shoulders. Doctor Flemming explained that sometimes, my feelings weren’t just feelings but rather my magic surging around me and tasting my environment. It was an instinct that helped keep me safe. That same day I drove back to where I’d last seen them and started knocking on doors until I found them again.
It only took a couple months to pick up my life and drop it back down right here in this little town. I swore an oath under Aiden, declaring him as my pack alpha. These people aren’t just my friends and neighbors, they’re so much more than that. They’ve become my family.
“Things going okay at home?”
“Oh, gods, yes!” Brock says right away, waving me off. “I love my life. I love my mate. I love my child. But Jesus, being here with you guys really helps top off the tank. You know what I mean?”
Avery nods his head. “I know exactly what you mean. There’s just something about getting together with you guys that makes all the bad days seem better.”
Ellie sniffles. “I just love you guys so much.”
“Oh lord,” I murmur, patting Ellie on the shoulder. “There, there.” I look over at Brock. “Isn’t this her first drink?”
Brock chuckles and nods his head. “Ellie, you can’t be at that stage of drinking yet, babe. Come on, girlie.”
“I’m not even drunk,” she says, “I’m just emotional, okay. Fuck off.”
Avery wraps his arm around her as best as he can from his seat. “I love you too, Ellie. Don’t let the haters win.”
“Wait, what haters? Do we need alibis?"
