The pair of golden eyes

Embrace a new perspective.

That's what my mom used to believe. At least that's what she wrote in her diary. I think I should start believing that too. When life takes a turn, it does not give an announcement beforehand.

Look at me now. I am standing in a vast mansion with a glass of untouched wine, looking as clueless as ever. I do not know where Francesca is or what she is doing. All I am feeling is regret and loneliness. My hatred for gatherings was never less. They were irritating and unnecessarily lengthy. So is this.

I sigh again and put down the glass on the table nearby and ready to leave, but a loud booming voice coming from the balcony in the middle of the left side of the wall stops me and makes me turn. It was none other than the Alpha.

My blood boils seeing his face. I clench my fists. I am glad that I didn't have any glass in my hand or else there would be a bloody mess. I had this urge to just turning my back and walk away, not giving him an ounce of respect, but I am new here and I don't want to get on people's unpleasant side.

I narrow my eyes at him. Silently murdering him in my mind.

"I, Alpha Drake, welcome all the people of Gradea into our pack. They are officially the members of the Red Moon pack and they should be treated likewise. I would hope that they would feel comfortable and will not be treated like outsiders. Rules and the way how things work here will be told by Beta and Gamma. I would end my speech now. Enjoy this celebration." He says and ends without even a smile. He already sounds rude but I am not surprised.

He leaves the balcony and soon a piece of soft music plays and everyone is back to talk nonsense. I sigh softly again and try my best to blend in with the crowd.

"Celine! Are you okay?" Francesca comes out of the crowd and asks me, worry laced in her tone. I found her without a shawl covering her face and her eyes filled with concern.

I wrinkle my eyebrows in confusion and reply,

"I am fine. What would happen to me?"

"Nothing. Didn't see you for a long time so got terrified. Nothing else." she says, her voice coming out short and unsure.

I don't know what has happened to her. She seems uncanny and disturbing. Suddenly looking at the situation, I ask her,

"Why don't we go back?"

"No, not at the moment. The Alpha has given orders that no one is supposed to go out until the ceremony finishes."

I dint hear any such orders and who gives such orders.

"Why?"

"I am not the Alpha, Celine," she says, irritated by my questioning.

"What happened, Francesca?" I ask, using a hard tone.

She looks at me with worried eyes and just stares at me for a while and then looks away again.

Agitated by her behavior, I leave her and go take a drink.

That's the only thing I am going to have peacefully. Slowly I bring the mouth of the glass and take a sip and when the liquid touches my tongue, I wrinkle my eyes in distaste.

Not my drink.

When will tonight finish or afternoon, and when will I go back...

I think sadly. Socializing has never been my cup of tea. It was very tough for me to talk and speak but when the situation becomes desperate. I  do what I have to do.

It was never easy for me. I was born orphan and the only person I had was Francesca. I have no memory of our parents and for me, family is my elder sister. We were like beggars. Nothing to eat but had a barely sustainable roof. I still don't want to think about those times and just somehow my mind can't remove it, it can't erase it.

I have gone through the worst and still was glad but here just something gives me an unnatural feeling. The dream I had and the way now Francesca is acting. This place just terrifying me more.

"Good evening, Miss Celine." A smoothing and yet dominant male voice calls my name from behind.

I turn around to look who it is and my eyes collide with fascinating golden eyes staring back at me.

Those eyes.

"Yes?" I ask, trying my best not to be distracted by those eyes.

"I am Josiah, a close friend of Alpha." I take in the information, though puzzled.

Why will a friend of Alpha speak with me?