Word Count: 2125

~Dove

The house immediately swaddles us in its wealth and luxury the moment we step inside.

The place is smothered by nature. Plants rear up from hand moulded pots, crawling up to the ceiling, wrapping and knotting around pillars and even up the bifurcated stairs.

It seems as though the owner of this home doesn't mind if the lively tendrils crack through expensive panelling, marble flooring or towering statutes.

I readjust my jaw, clamping my mouth shut from where it's fallen open.

A woman sweeps out from under the stairs, her smile blooming, her arms held out as she welcomes us warmly.

"Hello sweetheart, it's wonderful to see you," the woman states, drawing Eden in, pressing a kiss to her cheek before she turns her attention to me. "You must be the lovely Dovely."

I grimace at the use of my awkward childhood nickname while I regard the woman.

She is utterly beautiful, wearing a long, flowy lavender dress that has my mind spiralling. It sighs as she moves, as ethereal as she appears to be.

I remember her from the party. Those round, searching eyes are a soft green. Her hair is lush and onyx, bundled in dense curls that frame her face beautifully.

"Only my father and Eden call me that to embarrass me." I scratch the back of my neck.

I feel overwhelmed by the easy opulence of this place, and by it's stunning owner. My posture doesn't seem to be straight enough, and I'm silently wishing I wore a dress that didn't hang so blandly over my figure.

"Well, I'm Ciella and I'm so glad to meet you," she greets warmly.

"As am I." I glance at my sister, who stares, dazed, at her lover. "Sorry about the night you first saw me."

"I warned Eden against keeping secrets, but I suppose she wasn't the only one." Ciella rests her hand on the small of my sisters back. "Just so you know, you are welcome here whenever you please, when you decide you're done with Alpha Matthias's rigid ideals. You will be judged for nothing here."

She presents the notion as light and unassuming, but I hear the lilt of seriousness in her tone.

She doesn't fit the description of Varian's Pack members that I've been fed by Matthias. She seems elegant and complex and not driven by a hunger for sin and debauchery.

"That's very kind of you." I look around. "You have a beautiful home."

There's a plethora of naked women painted on her ceiling amongst clouds and flowers and lush greenery. They lounge upon each other, hair and limbs entangled.

"It's too much for lonely old me." She sighs wistfully, lifting her pointed stare to Eden.

Eden waves her off. "Okay, I get the hint."

"I'm only teasing love." They links arms. "You take your time in your decision."

I look down at my hands, picking at my nails. Eden hasn't mentioned moving out, especially to this Pack. It makes the most sense considering the situation, but the reality is so jarring.

Father won't ever speak to her again. She'll have to choose between this life with her lover or familial obligations.

I do not envy such a decision in the slightest.

"So who is present at the dinner tonight?" Eden asks lightly as we start off through Ciella's home.

"Alissia and Ida, of course," she responds, glancing at me. "They are a lovely married couple I've known since my school days. You'll love them, Dove."

I smile tightly, my palms dampening. How many high society members of Varian's Pack am I going to meet this evening?

"I'm looking forward to meeting them."

"And I wanted you both to meet my two other friends." Ciella skips a step, unable to contain her thrill. "I've been reluctant to introduce you, Eden. I've always wanted you to take everything slowly, and Claude and Varian are the embodiment of this pack's ideology."

My steps stutter, my shoes scraping awkwardly on the polished stone flooring, giving off a shrill sound.

Both Ciella and Eden pause to give me strange looks so I force out a muffled apology, overwhelmed.

Varian and Claude are here...fuck!

I gathered that Ciella is high society with impressive connections, but I didn't think this dinner party involved Pack royalty. Eden doesn't look all that surprised, clearly aware of her lovers connection to the Alpha.

"Well, Dove has already met them," Eden tells Ciella, furrowing her brows at me as we continue walking.

She knows only that Varian and I spoke, and I later admitted Claude was involved. The content of our time together has been repressed for my own sanity, however.

Any chance of Matthias learning about that night needs to be avoided at all costs.

"Oh yes, so I heard." Ciella gives me a wink as we step through a wooden archway into another part of the house, following the scent of jasmine and sandalwood.
"I hope they didn't give you too much trouble at the party."

I scratch below my ear, my face warming.

"Not at all. I barely spoke to them."

Ciella laughs softly under her breath but keeps walking. The grim realisation that she likely knows what occurred in that room that night is repressed by my relief that she clearly has divulged my secrets to my sister.

"Oh, and Claude's latest arm candy has been brought along. I believe her name is Anita," she prattles on.

"This should be interesting," I mumble under my breath. At least Claude's attentions will be diverted tonight.

"Alright, through here loves." Ciella laces her fingers through Eden's. "Everyone is having canapés and drinks before dinner starts."

The corridor narrows before widening into a gaping sitting room. The ceiling is tall, and vast windows show off the impressive back gardens fashioned into a maze of trimmed hedges, blooming roses and marble statues almost entirely encompassed in ivy and honeysuckle.

Chaise lounges and stiff chairs litter the room, stout wooden tables between them, many with vases perched upon them, wild assortments of white and green bouquets spouting from their peculiar shapes.

I trace my gaze around the room, pausing when I see Varian.

He stands with his back to us, hands seated in his pockets as he gazes out the window. His presence itself feels powerful, magical.

Claude lounges on one of the couches, his guest, Anita, draped almost lewdly over him. He feeds her fruit from a platter with one hand, sipping wine from the other.

His smile freezes on his face as he see's us walk in, his uncanny blue eyes snapping to me.

"Eden! It's so good to see you again," a woman crowding a snack platter exclaims excitedly, trying to swallow her mouthful of smoked salmon quickly.

She rushes over to engulf my sister in a hug, her citrus perfume cloaking me as I watch on.

"I'm sorry we missed you at the party. Alissia managed to get herself sick right before!" Another woman says as she wanders over, taking her turn in hugging Eden.

They must be Alissia and Ida, Ciella's friends. The former has dyed lavender hair and cheeks flushed so red she looks like an exaggerated painting. The latter has intricately fashioned black hair and pretty gap between her two front teeth as she smiles brightly.

"All is well now, don't worry." Alissia pats her mouth, troubled that we may be concerned about catching whatever was ailing her.

"It's wonderful to see you two." Eden gestures at me.
"This is my younger sister Dove."

"What a pretty name," Alissia gushes.

"And such a pretty dress." Ida grabs the fabric of the skirt, fluffing it.

"And a beautiful smile," Alissa notes.

"Don't flirt, Alissia. Give the poor girl a moment to breathe," Ciella scolds playfully, brushing her friends off.

I smile, my pulse thrumming in my throat. "It's nice to meet you both."

"And here is the man who needs no introduction." Ciella guides our attention to the man sauntering over. "Claude, this is Eden."

His smile is broad and inviting as he holds his hand out for Eden to shake. Even she hesitates, his reputation proceeding him. I cast my eyes down to that snake signet ring, the emerald jewel glistening.

"Wonderful to meet you," he purrs.

Eden flushes. "You too."

He looks as expensive as I remember. He wears a tailored violet jacket with a black shirt beneath. I spy the silver jewellery draped around his neck, and the litany of hickey's blooming above his collarbones.

Ciella rubs her hands together. "And you remember Dove, don't you?"

"How could I possibly forget?" He murmurs, taking my hand in his before leaning close, pressing a kiss to my cheek at the same time he squeezes my waist with his other hand.

My gasp catches in my throat, his cologne washing over me, suffocating my senses.

His mouth draws close to my ear. "I hope we can have a private chat later."

My cheeks warm. "We'll see."

There will be no private chats occurring between Claude and I, but I don't feel like testing how persistent he could be. Not when everyone is watching us with keen eyes.

He pulls back, gesturing at the woman lounging on the couch. "That is Anita over there, my latest muse."

Her gaze barely brushes over us before she looks away, disinterested. She seems to have her eyes pinned on Varian instead, tracking his movements

"You collect them quickly, don't you?" I muse softly.

"Oh how I love you already Dove." Ciella clasps her hands in front of herself excitedly before she looks over her shoulder. "Varian come say hello."

He strides toward us, bringing with him a scent that plunges me back into the night I met him. I was hoping to put it behind me, but it seems fate has other intentions.

"Eden, I've been looking forward to meet you." He shakes her hand, smiling kindly. "I've been telling Ciella forever that she needs to stop hiding you away for her to enjoy."

Eden's hand quivers slightly in his grip. "I'm humbled to meet you."

My relationship with Matthias cemented the fact that Alpha's may be powerful and intimidating, but the aren't much different from us. It makes it easier not to tremble with fear whenever I'm in one's presence.

"Don't let the fact that he's the Alpha faze you. We don't!" Ciella nudges Varian, smirking up at him.

Varian's eyes glide over to me. "Good evening, Dove."

I look away, rubbing my arm. "Hey."

Everyone is watching us interact. I'm trying not to indicate to these people that something has transpired between Varian and I, but it's near impossible. I'm probably stuck in my own head about it...by now Varian must have forgotten about it entirely.

"Come now, let's all make a toast," Ciella announces, mercifully breaking the strange tension between us.

Eden grabs me a flute of wine before taking her own. Everyone else follows suit, gathering in a small semi circle facing Ciella.

"It will be the first of many this evening, I'm sure," Ida jokes warmly.

"Oh hush, this is a very important evening." Ciella's eyes soften as she looks toward my sister. "I've never known love like I have since knowing Eden. Seeing her amongst my closest friends is such a blessing."

She looks at me, and I can't help but share her smile. "And to know Dove, Eden's beautiful little sister who I've been dying to meet."

Seeing the way Ciella and Eden look at each, I'm overcome with happiness. My sister has found someone who truly cares for her, and I hate that she can't share this with our father.

"I hope you both will consider joining us in this pack soon enough." Ciella winks at Eden. "We would be more than pleased to have you."

"I can cheers to that." Varian lifts his glass.

"Me too," Claude adds with a playful smirk.

"Us third and fourth!" Alissia sings out.

"We'll see. Won't we, Dove?" Eden's smile is sad, her eyes conveying so much.

Life in Matthias' pack, especially where we live in such close proximity to him is different than life here. Our father complicates issues, as neither of us want to leave him behind to experience life here.

"Yeah," I murmur.

"Well then, cheers!" Ciella raises her glass and we all follow in unison.

I risk a glance at Varian to see him watching me as he sips his drink, sending a shiver rolling over my skin.

This is going to be a long night.

❤️••❤️

As always, you can read this book 16 chapters ahead on Inkitt and 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

Your support means a lot to me!

~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜