"So bitch, your big day, huh?" She raised her eyebrows confirming it to a question. The obscene use of words had no negative impact on my being as I brushed it off, walking closer to where she sat.

The pair of glasses clutched tightly between my fingers clinked as I stumbled on my two feet, the bottle of liquor gaining extra weight in my other hand as the influence of the alcohol we had been drinking for the past few hours started to catch up. I caught myself before my face greeted the lush carpets of her room, my teeth biting down my bottom lip just as my gaze found its way to her features through my lashes, past the blonde waves that caved my face in.

"No." I rolled my eyes, dragging out the word as long as I could, lining it with a thick coat of sarcasm.

"Fuck off, you liar." Mila scoffed as I sat right by her crossed legs, sinking into the soft bed. I slipped the new glass into her hand, topping it off with the clear liquid that burned our throats and buzzed in our veins. "We all know you're gonna get married any day now. And that, to an Alpha," she raised her glass full of liquor above her head with a raise of her brow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Scored the bullseye, ay Aulora?" She winked.

"Oh you know Mila, that's just how it is." My lips slightly curved upwards just as I took a sip. "Why, jealous?" I raised a brow and chuckled.

I knew the girl I considered my sister at heart was nowhere near jealous of me or my relationship with the pack Alpha. Not only that, I was also very well aware of her hatred for relationships.

Mila was happy with only those meaningless one-night stands, where feelings were not concerned; no strings attached. She knew that feeling was that one bitch that messed everything up, she learned that lesson the hard way when she tangled her strings with the wrong man-child.

"What if I was?" She teased. "Afraid I'll steal your man with my good looks?" Mila flicked her hair back with her hand.

The silence swallowed the room in one quick second, the white noise screeching near my eardrums just as I choked on my drink, giving it a fiery passage through my nose. The fits of laughter that broke out knew no end.

"You? Oh, come on, that joke is too far gone." I managed to sound out, the back of my hand coming up to wipe the corners of my mouth snickering.

"Agreed," Mila piped in.

A comfortable lull embraced us. I lifted the glass to my lips, letting the cool liquid damage my inside as it left a trail of fire down my pipes.

I looked around the familiar room that belonged to Mila for over years now. It had changed so much since Mila first claimed it as her own.

Now, it had dark brown walls instead of that awful beige with golden lights that illuminated the room magnificently. A queen-sized bed took its place in the middle with two bedside tables on either side, both littered with random items Mila refused to put away, claiming she might need them in a minute. Three doors in total were in her room, one which led to her separate bathroom and the other one led to the closet. Off to one corner was a sofa with one small coffee table she usually occupied when sketching her designs.

"Aulora, are you happy?" This sudden question caused a furrow in my brows, bringing a sour taste to my tongue. I quickly brushed it off as the aftertaste of alcohol.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" My answer came with a quick, laboured breath, trying to put on the suit of confidence as I let the chuckle escape to build an extra layer of trust.

"Just making sure." Mila finished the last of her drink and placed the glass on the bedside table before flopping right down on the bed. Her leg nudged me, forcing me to the corner of her mattress as she pulled the cover over her body. The hazel orbs rolled back, seemingly losing the battle she waged with her sleep, rightfully feeling drowsy after those many drinks we'd snuck in today.

I was in a similarly drunken state. Eyeing Mila all comfortable and cosy in her bed, obviously worn out, I decided it was also time for me to hit the hay. It was already much later than expected.

"Okay Mimi, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." With a pat on her side, my legs lifted me off the bed but the liquor buzzing in my blood did my balance no good, causing the sway in my steps as I wobbled with wide gawking eyes. My drunken state doesn't do me well.

"Lora, don't leave me." It was barely a mumble followed by a pathetic attempt to reach out to grasp onto my hand. Mila's eyelids obscured her vision, her hand blindly reaching out to hold on.

"Oh, darling, I'll see you in the morning. Don't worry." I assured her, pulling the blanket on top of Mila's body, and tucking her in.

Mila simply hummed in response as she gave in to her slumber.

A soft smile took its place on my lips as I took in her relaxed state before turning on my heels to lead myself out. My hand smacked itself on every flat surface on my way out in an attempt to hit the light switch. When I did manage to switch off the lights, I stumbled out of the room on shaky limbs, closing the door behind me

The haze due to the alcohol in my body made it a challenge for me to cross the hallway, making it near impossible to be careful as I climbed up the staircase towards the direction of my room which was inconveniently at the top level of the pack house.

With immense focus, I made my way up, forcing my eyes wide to not miss a single step and wake the entire pack house with the sound of my body falling down the stairs. I was successful in my task until my last few steps when my gaze and mind got distracted by the handsome young man.

"Hello there." My drunken self winked at him, or at least attempted to.

The alarm was pretty evident in his features, his wide eyes scanned my figure up and down multiple times.

"Lora, are you drunk?" He asked in disbelief as he stepped closer.

"That's a stupid question." I giggled with a hiccup.

"Are you seriously drunk on a weekday? You had training early morning." He said, taking another step towards me with disapproval shining bright in those blues.

"Well-" My sentence was cut short, getting replaced by a gasp as I missed a step, losing my balance and giving in to gravity. I awaited the hard surface of the stairs but it never came. Everett was fast enough to grab my wrist.

My heart raced, throbbing against my chest as my lungs supplied oxygen in quick pants. My useless body did nothing but giggle at the circumstance and Everett tried his absolute best to bring out the anger in him at my casual, dangerous attitude but failed miserably as the corners of his lips lifted in a small smile.

"You, my love, are insensible." He pulled me up, relieving my legs of my weight as he wrapped his arms around my waist and under my knees, picking me up before any other accidents could take place. I was quick enough to wrap my arms around his neck as he carried me.

On the way, I shamelessly stare at his handsome face, sighing contently at the sight of the man who I'll be marrying soon. Jet black hair that complimented the light blue eyes. A perfect combination that suited his well-sculpted face. I couldn't help the dreamy look that marred my features.

I closed my eyes, the image of him burning behind my eyelids as I took a deep breath, basking in his scent. My thoughts battled with my senses to remain conscious but as my body swayed with each step he took in the direction of the room, I danced on the thin line between consciousness and sleep, falling in and out.

As the door turned on its hinges, I internally cringed, the sound screeching loud in my head but I remained motionless, too drained to complain. It was no later I felt my body sinking into the soft mattress of his bed, the thick duvet falling over my body to protect against the chill.

I felt his breath tickling my face as he slowly leaned in, his warm lips coming in contact with the skin on my forehead as he left a chaste kiss.

He was quick to leave me to my own in the room to go back to his office, I presumed. As soon as the click of the door rang inside the silent room, my eyelids lifted, granting me sight.

My observant gaze took everything in and soon groaned at the realisation of being in his room. Drunken me barely held the reins over my thoughts and as they drifted towards the bitter end, I braced myself.

You're making a mistake, Aulora! The finger was pointed at me by me. The tormenting words struck like a bullet, causing damage to the conscious.

My blank stare glowered at the high, dark ceiling of his room as I countered, it can't be a mistake if it's necessary.

Both of you are using each other! He needs a Luna and you need a place to belong.

I despised my inner thoughts that reeked of the pungent and bitter truth I refused to stomach. I always buried that fact away in the furthest corners of my mind, but all the alcohol I had been drinking to forget things had infused into my blood, loosening my control over them, forcing me to face it, compelling me to look head-on at the grotesque truth of the matter.

It was common knowledge that an Alpha without a Luna was a weak one, their potential locked away, and Everett, despite excelling in his Alpha duties with utmost strength and valour, wasn't ready for the threats looming over the horizon without his Luna.

His father made it pretty clear for him to either find his mate, his Luna or find another position in the pack.

But luck wasn't on his side. All his travels to numerous packs ended in vain as he always returned without a mate at his arm. With the tensions rising around our pack borders, he had no choice but to turn to his most recent love interest, who also happened to be mate-less, me.

Everett to me was my teenage love that was bound to be outgrown but when the opportunity was presented to me, I jumped at it as gracefully as I could, because why shouldn't I? I was also tired of hunting for my mate who, for all I know, is six feet under.

I physically winced at the thought, the wolf circling inside my being clawing at me, refusing to accept that statement as she still believes our mate is still out there, waiting.

I had long pushed my wolf and its optimistic ambitions regarding a mate to the back of my mind because I knew I had to think more practically especially since I had no one to call my own, no parents, no siblings.

I needed the stability and Everett was my best option just as I was his.

A heavy sigh escaped past my parted lips at the sombre realisation, my hands abandoning the warmth of the duvet just to cover up my face, attempting to diffuse some of the turmoil.

At least the past few months we spent together rekindled some of the sparks we had between us. It was nothing compared to a mate but I could get by.

With the after-effects of the intoxicants weighing me down, my mind drifted past the thin line into a deep slumber, but the nagging thought of 'what if...' still pierced my brain with its sharp blade. I willingly gave myself into the dark, a feeble endeavour to evade the dire consequences of my choices.

☆☆☆
So, how was it? I do hope it was good enough for a start.

Anyway, don't forget to kick the votes, comment your thoughts and follow. Fan and share.

Have a day, my Brave Lights.

Truly yours; J. N. Light.