I sigh as I watch my children move into their new home. Richard was kind enough to take my family in after Davon's deeds.

Reduced to watching them through a screen, I find comfort in knowing they are close. This is as close y I can be with them for now. We are ao close, yet we are so far.

If only Annie could be there too, my mind would be at ease, but she is not. I sigh. Richard sent her away while they put me in a coma to protect me. Of couse, I intended for her to get an education, but not so far. Somethings were out of mu control, I couldn't always have the last word.

Besides, since Davon was looking for Annie, sending her far away was the better outcome. Richard made the decision in the end and I trust him. We always made contingency plans and he knew what my wishes were for my family. In the end, he's loyal to me and everything he did was almost what I would have chosen on my own. He wouldn't tell me the full story for some reason. He wanted to avoid overwhelming me with things that had little matter.

I flick a button. Annie's new appartement appears. I can only wonder how she will react to such luxuries. It was beautifully decorated like a picture from a magazine.

The only thing I disagreed with Richard was the lack of cameras in her bedroom. Annie spends so much time there that I might miss the crucial details in her behavior. There is no way to know how long the spell would keep her wolf or her magic in that cage.

She is a creature like Damon, a strong one, and a perfect match for Davon's devious plans. The seal had to endure and keep her safe.

My hands ache.  I rub them noticing how hard I had tighten the arm of the chair.

Davon, that devious creature was always plotting and seeking control. Couldn't he leave us alone? We left a long time ago. How could he know about the beast inside her, or is he just looking for her to bring me back in exchange?

It all started the day I met my husband.

Memories of happier days wander through my mind, taking me back to a younger me.

╔═.✵.══════════╗

Isabella, Annie's mother.

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Our town was quite peaceful. We come from a long line. The purebloods, as they like to call us, our magic or wolves are stronger, and because of that we have a good life, because the caste system is determined by blood and strength.

"Lola, stop looking everywhere as if you were here for the first time. We have to find my dress.

Lola is a little wolf at my service. I killed the last one by mistake. Nora, my witch servant, died because of my magic.

╔═.✵.══════════╗

Nora's death

╚══════════.✵.═╝

Today Dad left earlier than before. He used to do this twice a year. No one told me about this until my sixteenth birthday. That was when I was told about my duties to the empire. It seemed unfair. Boys had many jobs to choose from and shine in, while I was to be cast into the breeding department. That was what they expected of a woman with my abilities. They even got to go to nice gatherings like this one. I had missed the first one due to lack of preparation. This time, I was ready to witness the Red Moon event.

It was a big secret that no one could talk about. Only men and mated women over the age of sixteen could attend with an invitation. I was sixteen and a half, but they hadn't mated me and wouldn't force me until my seventeenth anniversary, and I didn't want to wait that long.

"Hush, hurry," I urged her, pushing her down the ladder I had made with rope. "We're going to miss it! Hurry!" The red moon was higher in the sky.

"Come on, Isabella, if this is just a werewolf event, there must be a reason!" Nora argued as I pulled her into the forest.

Curiosity was at its peak, but I didn't have the courage to go alone.

"They just don't want to be overcrowded when the werewolves do their first mutation, but there are only two of us. What harm can we do?" I walked faster towards the place.

Nora pulled me back a bit.
"Isabella, don't you think it's strange to see so many servants in the forest?" She pointed to the trees where the servants were hiding.

I shrugged.
"They want to be witnesses too, but we are getting better seats. Let's get closer."

I ran when I heard a trumpet, not wanting to give a servant the best view so easily. I ran, pulling Lola with me, but a wolf blocked our path.

"Sorry, we got lost. Can you point us in the right direction?" I played innocently with my hair.

It showed me its canniness and claws as it moved forward. I gave up and backed up, annoyed at being sent back like a grounded child.

"Okay! Sorry! I just wanted to be a part of the event," I said, throwing my hands in the air, "I'm leaving now!" I pushed Nora back.

Instead of leaving, they followed, bickering among themselves. A few left, three stayed. They howled, making the servants scream out of terror, desperation rise over the forest.

My throat went dry.

The beast was lunging at us,
I raised a hand and sent an arrow into its forehead. It yelped and we took the path between the trees, avoiding more wolves on the way.

The remaining two attacked us, the other seemed unwilling to fight me. Encouraged, I launched another attack, knowing it would only slow them down, since werewolves are immune to magic at some point.

There was a stream.

If only I could reach it. It could save us.

Still running, I sent out lightning bolts to scare them off, but they easily dodged them.

More wolves joined the chase, the last one coming back with help. They came at us again and again, but my magic kept them at bay, my energy dwindling with each blow. Then the beasts growled and howled. It was summoning others for a group attack. This one wasn't a brainless wolf, but a high-ranking one. It was young, with gray fur, clearly giving orders to the group. I had seen this behavior many times when Father was training the troops. It was clearly preparing a circle attack, and the trees would hardly slow them down. In the end, they would trap us like rats.

Aware of the precarious situation I was in, my emotions went out of control. It was clear now that they were going to kill me as part of the ritual! I was the prey and I came here like a fool.

The movements in their eyes came to a halt, I screamed, "Enough!"

Thunderbolts ripped out of my body as I closed my eyes. There was an explosion, and when I opened my eyes again, my little witch servant was dead, burned by my magical outburst. Servants come from a lower line of magic. Even if she had tried, her magic wouldn't have been enough.

The wolves, however, were still alive. Their kind is a resilient race. Trembling and whimpering, they got up on their paws, already healing their wounds, leaving me little time to jump into the stream.

I ran to the water and swam away, thinking it was over, but it wasn't.

A few of them, still injured, ran down the creek. Then I heard another growl that sent shivers down my spine. Some ran away, others held their speed.

Then I saw it, a white wolf, a huge one, the biggest I'd ever seen. He snapped at the rest, growling and biting at their limbs.

How am I going to get rid of this animal? He is a beast!

I looked at the beast in horror, if it caught me, I wouldn't stand a chance. Only the stream could save me now, knowing that it would split a few meters away.

This was my last hope to get rid of him. My heart was pounding in my ears and I kept drifting in the water. I kicked a few rocks here and there, pushing my body as far away as I could, while still looking at the beast.

The wolf jumped over the rocks to get to me. My heart stopped for a second.

The realization washed over me. The beast was willing to hurt itself to get to me. It wasn't so inexperienced in its paws. All I could do was slow it down and hope for the best.

Time was running out, I was sleepy from lack of energy, and physically I was shaking from the fear coursing through my veins. My magic was low.

I know I can die with my next move. Knowing it was my only choice, I gathered all my energy into my core. Lifting my hands as high as I could and shaking them to dry them, I threw a horizontal bolt. The wolf growled at me, ducked and slowed.

My heart jumped in my chest and I couldn't breathe for a moment. I had missed! Did I miss my last shot?

A loud crack followed by several more eased my fear. The trees cracked and fell, blocking the road.

He couldn't see me.

This was my moment.

Diving underwater, I swam to the waterfall. I inhaled one last time and put my hands over my mouth. If I yelped for just a split second as I fell, the wolf would pick up my scent.

And then...

I fell. I fell for what seemed like an eternity.
Now I had to fight the water, pulling and pushing and twisting me like a tornado. My lungs were screaming for air. I gave up and stopped fighting the current.

I am dying,' my lungs urged me to breathe.

Just as I was about to give up and let my body fill with water, the raging current released my body.

The waterfall hadn't taken my life. Panting, I swam to the edge.

I walked heavily to a tree and dug into its roots, drawing energy with an incantation. It would help for a short time, giving me just enough to get home.

The next morning, my parents broke the news of the missing servant. I hid my bruises and no one questioned me.

After that, I got a new servant.

I mourned in silence, hiding like the criminal I was.

I fooled everyone, but my parents, I had to work their brains. Deleting, changing parts here and there. Until Lola. (1)

╔═.✵.══════════╗

Six months later...

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That night still filled me with nightmares. This world was below my expectations. Father had trained me and given me a voice since I was a child. He thought I should use my status to help others around me, when I knew that could only be done by being a man. There was no place for me here. After the ball, someone would choose my life for me, and I would have no voice unless my husband deemed me worthy.

I roll my eyes as Lola looks next door. As I walked back, I grabbed her arm without looking at her. She stumbled a little, but I held on tight.

Once inside, she wasn't much help. She was mesmerized by everything. The dresses were dreamy even to my eyes, but I couldn't enjoy the moment knowing that the dress would carve my future.

I called a salesman.

"I need a dress. A cute dress, formal, not too fancy."

She came out in a full-cleavage dress.

With a tone of annoyance. "I said cute. I never asked for a slutty dress."

The girl didn't look at me, knowing her place, and bowed a little.

Hearing my groan, the girl trembled and bowed deeper.

"Is it for the ball? Isn't it?" She asks.

I rub my temples.

"It is, but I'm not interested, never mind. Bring me something more suitable for a funeral."

The girl stops moving.
"Lola, help her." They go.

Yes, a funeral dress is what I need. The whole thing is a masquerade.

The king just expects us to find a suitable candidate and start making puppies or little witches. I do not expect to find love. They just want us to breed and make a stronger population by breeding the strongest to the elite chosen by the king.

It's not a ball, it's the funeral of a future.

Every woman has to get pregnant every five years until she is 45. The eggs are not so healthy after that, unless you are a wolf. They can reproduce for hundreds of years.

A werewolf woman, or a sorceress mated to a werewolf, will live longer. I've heard that some have lived as long as 500 years, like our king.

I can't bear the thought of being mated with a wolf. That would be the end of me.

I would rather die.

Finally they came back. I am sitting on a leather couch. She has at least twenty dresses on a rolling rack. I drank a glass of water, served by another employee.

"Lola, be the mannequin. Dress up and let me see." I say, waving my hand.

She's about my size, but thinner because she can't eat as much as she should because of her low status.

"Really?" she asks, clapping a little and looking at me with bright eyes. I nod.

"But, Miss... I don't know... this is unusual." The clerk says.

"Then I refuse to buy. Let her try them on and I'll buy not one, but three, as a reward for your help."

I know these clothes are very expensive. My father won't let me go anywhere else. I might as well make him pay for his bold choice.

"Let me talk to my manager." She says.

"Of course," I knew they wouldn't let me go that easily. The servants are like pets. Who would let you into their most precious possessions? I smile. I like things to go my way. Every victory I can get, I get! I will see to it.

I see a clerk closing the store and pulling the blinds.

Perfect.

"Allow me," the clerk says to Lola. I can see how happy they both are. This must be a first for this clerk.

One: "Too much cleavage. I have big breasts, so it's a no."

Two: "It shows too much at the back, it almost shows the ass.

Three: "No, no, no."

I am served coffee, a much needed coffee. It takes longer than expected, but Lola enjoys it. At least for a few hours, she is no longer a servant. She even moves gracefully and turns around, grabbing the cloth as if it were the most precious thing.

"This one. Keep it as a maybe." I say.

Then there are a few more no's, some I don't need her to try on to know it's a no, but I say nothing. It's my little pleasure of the day. Lola gets to try them all. She's having so much fun that I can't convince myself to cut the session short.

"That one." Keep that one. I have found the perfect one. Long sleeves, no cleavage, thighs from the waist up and loose at the bottom like a bell. I can see myself in a black veil and black gloves. Perfect. Showing as little as possible.

They both look at me in surprise. I show no emotion.

I wave my hand as if bored. Lola tried the rest.

"I can't decide which one will be my last. Pick one for me!" I say to the saleswoman.

She does.

Finally I have my three dresses.

"Call the manager now." I move my eyes. "Lola has gathered your things."

I push this further. I can't wait to see her face.

The manager arrives as Lola comes out of the dressing room.

She makes a funny face. I smile as I stand up.

"Finally, I thought I was going to wait all day for you to get here. Is that how you treat your customers?" I say.

She gasps quickly and leans back slightly. I work hard not to smile under the servant's gaze.

"No, uh, excuse me. This is..."

I wave to shut her up. I add with disdain.

"You're lucky your servant did such a good job. You weren't polite even after being told I'm buying three dresses!" I insist theatrically. "You never once came to see who your customer was. Don't you know who I am?"

She doesn't, because I hate those places. I always ask Mom to get me whatever she wants when I need to dress up.

Still, I let the silence sink in. Her clenched fists tell me I have done my deed.

Then I break the silence.

"I am the daughter of His Majesty's Beta."

She squeals and bows. The servant bows lower than before.

I smile proudly. I hate this title, but I use it whenever I think it appropriate.

"Now stand up, let's get started, shall we?" She stands. I wave my hand as if I were hot.

She takes a fan from her bag and refreshes me.

I smile politely while Lola tries hard not to laugh.

She's going to ruin everything.

"You," I point to the employee. "Show her the one you recommended. Lola, grab the other two dresses."

They do as I ask.

I turn and look at the dresses. I give her the details of the accessories I want with the black long sleeve dress.

"Deliver it to my house in a size four. That one," I point to the second dress in Lola's hand. "I'll take it in a size two now." Lola's jaw drops. She knows her size. We often laugh about this. It's not the first time we've played dress up.

The woman claps her fingers and both dresses disappear from her arms.

"What about the last one?" She asks, one eyebrow raised, a nervous tic.

I smile back broadly.

"I don't know." I cross my arms. And slowly turn around the clerk. With a straight face, "What's your size?" I ask her.

I see her body shaking. She looks at her boss.

"Don't worry, I will pay. She has no words. She smiles at me and I can't help but smile back.

"One, my size is one." I nod.

"You heard me," I said to her boss. I look at employee L. "I want you to take this with you and fix your hair. Take a picture. In a week, Lola will come back for the photo. That is all I ask of you."

She smiles brightly and nods vigorously.

I know the boss won't dare take the dress back. She wouldn't risk it, and I wouldn't hesitate to show the picture to my friends as a 'charitable donation'. I do this once in a while.

I look back at her boss and hold her gaze.

She has retreated faster than I expected.

I smile.

"Is my package ready? We are ready to go."

I see Lola smile broadly and pick up her precious parcel.

Then I go out.

"You know which account to withdraw the money from and where to send it all. After all, my mother is your usual client. Do your job right: I want it delivered three hours before the reception."

I hear her struggling to find the words. My last sentence surprises her.

That is the shop's closing time.

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ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

(1) red moon or blood moon occurs 2-4 times a year. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon turns red because the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth's atmosphere. (Real data)

The force field created stimulates the dormant wolf and calls him out. Strong wolves will emerge on their owns, but if the human is emotionally or mentally disturbed it will prevent them from becoming one with their wolf. The problem could also come from the wolf being too weak to emerge and will also need the call from the alpha.

It is also a belief that offspring from a mixed race can choose between the witch and wolf heritage, but no one really talks about what really happens inside the host.

Thanks you for reading my story, please make sure to :

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