Chapter 14
Ollie’s POV
I don’t even have a dress prepared, so it feels like something of a miracle when Ella’s mom swings by the school at lunch to drop us off two gowns in sealed up bags, as well as decorative masks and makeup kits. Ella stores them in the locker room before returning to the cafeteria and giving me the thumbs up.
After school, we make our way back to the locker room where we change into the gowns. Mine is lined with peacock feathers. The mask, which matches, has a pair of large peacock feathers that flow out to one side, lacing back in with my hair.
Ella’s gown is covered in jaguar spots. Her mask has cat ears and whiskers.
“Ready?” she asks me.
I’m a little unsure. I’ve never been to anything like a masquerade before, yet with the promise of allowing my true scent to flourish, I can’t resist saying, “Yes.”
At first, entering the ballroom filled with masked faces and grandiose outfits, I’m a bit nervous. However, after a few drinks, I feel myself start to loosen up enough that I ease up on suppressing my wolf.
My wolf hums contentedly as my scent starts to flow. The relief hits me too, as the strange feeling dissipates. I no longer feel sick.
A man beside me wearing the mask of a viper and a suit made of snakeskin turns to me. “Gods, you smell delicious.”
“Better than that,” says the man he has been talking to, whose mask resembled that of a black cat. “You smell positively divine, my dear. That scent is so… penetrating.” He holds out his hand. “May I know who you are?”
“This isn’t that kind of event, fellas,” Ella cuts in at once. Lacing her arm with mine, she
pulls me away from the pair.
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“Is my scent so noticeable?” I ask her.
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“Only to those who want to notice it,” Ella says. “Watch out for the guys here. Playboys, every last one of them.”
I take her words to heart. After all, I’m not here to find love, I only want the space to be myself. Here in this pack far from our own, I don’t have to worry about running into any familiar faces. Even if I do, my mask will conceal me.
Here, I can allow myself to be free. Even if for only one night.
“This isn’t enough,” Scarlet says in my mind. “I want to run. We’ve waited too long
already.”
“Soon,” I promise her in return.
Ella must see the strange look on my face. “What’s wrong?”
“My wolf. I haven’t shifted yet, and we haven’t run. She’s not happy about it.”
“I don’t blame her,” Ella says. “But ask her to be patient. Next time, I’ll take you to the mountains and you guys can shift and run in the wild.”
“That sounds perfect,” Scarlet says.
“She’d like that,” I say. “I would too.”
“Good,” Ella says and downs the rest of her drink. Noticing my glass is also empty, she plucks it from my hand. “Stay right here. I’ll get us some refills. Remember, no man can be
trusted!”
As she scurries away, I make my way over to one of the walls. There’s a window there, and I look out, trying to see the stars. All I can see at the moment is the bright lights of the
ballroom behind me and my own reflection.
I’m still amazed by the transition this dress and this mask have made on my appearance.
With my cheekbones and brows covered, I could be anyone.
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Chapter 14
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Perhaps vainly, I’m so immersed in my own strange reflection that I don’t notice someone approach me until they clear their throat at my side and I see their reflection beside mine in the mirror.
I recognize him instantly, even with his mask. Though, if I couldn’t see him at all, I would still know him. The scent of one of my mates is strong.
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