The Crimson Pack

~23~

I have this one TikTok audio in my head. IF YOU EVER SEE ME IN THE FOREST WITH A GRIZZLY BEAR, HELP THE BEAR. CAUSE THAT BITCH GONNA NEED IT.

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My eyes widen as I look around at the large ballroom that easily has 1500 people in it. Everyone turns to us as my grandparents descend the stairs, hand in hand. I follow behind them, gripping tightly onto the railing to not lose my balance. I keep my eyes downcast as I hit the bottom, feeling my chin being lifted by a calloused hand. I look up, seeing Hayden's green eyes. I look past him seeing the others. Hayden grabs my hand and leads me across the floor over to another set of stairs leading to a fancy looking dinner table on a stage, where I see my grandparents already seated. Jonah grabs my other hand and we start climbing the stairs. I bite my lip at the pain of it but give the others a tight smile.

When we get to the table I see little place cards. I see Hayden's, Micah's, Jonah's and Dallas', and one in the middle of them. I squint my eyes trying to see the name before someone knocks me into the table and squeals over my groan of pain. I close my eyes, trying my best not to faint and hear parts of the conversation behind me.

"I get to sit in between you guys again, just like old times!" Stephanie. I can feel my chest get tight and my wolf growl silently, baring her teeth at the enemy.

"Over here, Dana!" I hear a familiar voice call from the other side of the table. I look up and see Cassie waving me over. I smile my first genuine smile and decide to make my way over there. I can hear the guys start to make conversation with Stephanie, which HURTS, but take a deep breath and let my anger out with my exhale, like the yoga instructor dudes do. I sit on the right side of Daniel and Cassie and give them a warm smile, wincing slightly at the stab of pain.

Daniel must see it as the first words he says to me is "What's wrong?" He looks at my body, assessing me for visible injuries, his nostrils flaring. I wave him off and lie, telling him I'm fine and scraped my knee to explain the smell of blood. Cassie also looks worried, but accepts my answer, questioning me about where I was during lunch and after school.

"See, I could've done your makeup and hair!" She points out all my imperfections on my face, telling me how she would've gotten rid of them. Halfway through her roasting session the clinking of metal on glass turns everyone's attention to the original staircase.

"I now present Our Queen, Victoria Melanie Ardan and Our King, Fredric Killian Ardan III." Everyone on the floor bows at the figures walking down the staircase. The woman has her golden hair in an intricate twist with her white lace dress and train being held up by young women rushing to keep up with her long strides. The man has graying chestnut hair and a crisp white suit. They slowly come up the stairs to the dining table before the woman stops suddenly, causing one of the girls to bump into her.

I hear gasps and see her nostrils flaring before she grabs the girl by the hair and whispering something in her ear. I see the girls familiar eyes widen before she's pushed backwards, losing her balance and falling down the stairs. Her gown flips up, exposing her underwear. I push against the seat, ready to get up, before Cassie shoves me back down harshly, whispering to sit down and shut up. I look over at Hayden and the others incredulously, but see them only give me a sharp glance.

I glance down at the mark that's peaking through my lace sleeves, feeling it becoming warm. It's a white scar, in the shape of a waning moon. My hands shake at the adrenaline coursing through me. I look up as I hear the end chairs being held out for the queen and king. My wolf desperately wants out, wanting me to help the girl. I pinch my exposed knees in anger and glare a hole through the table.

"You're dismissed." The Queen announces, and the men and women in the ballroom retreat to their own tables to talk. Soon, the ballroom fills with chatter.

Stop glaring. Hayden commands in our mind link. I harshly put down extra reinforcement, seeing him flinch in surprise.

"So, you must be Dana." I hear the Queen say. I look up at her and give her a simple nod.

"Words. Or are you mute?" She gives me a scowl on her painted red lips.

"Yes, I'm Dana." She scoffs and motions for the servers to begin serving the first course. I move in my seat, trying to get comfortable, the pain only an ache. A simple bowl of soup is placed in front of me. I thank the server, and all chatter at the table ceases. The poor boy who served me looks ready to shit his pants, trembling.

"I'm very sorry my majesties, she's new to this world and our customs." Grandpa quickly apologizes.

"Do not apologize for her Brett, let the girl explain." The King interrupts.

"My Kin-" Grandma tries.

"Explain what?" I ask, raising my brow.

"Hayden." The Queen begins. "Would you like to explain the customs of our race for Ms. Gardner? I would've expected you to tell her already, considering it was your own ancestor that put them into effect." It's not a question. I turn my attention to Hayden, who visibly swallows under my stare. Stephanie is practically sitting on his lap, making me clutch my knee in anger again.

"All other shifters are inferior to us werewolves. The only thing they're useful for is serving us." He explains robotically, not looking at me. My jaw drops. Before I can think of a response the Queen interrupts.

"Boys. What did I tell you about marking her before we met her. Now not only have you screwed yourselves, you've screwed the whole population with this dimwit of a shifter. Honestly. She's probably a witch, using her powers to trick you. The prophecy was right about one thing, she's going to certainly change this race." I open my mouth. "For the worse." I look incredulously at the guys again, seeing Stephanie smiling sweetly at me. My stomach lurches and I feel my body start shaking, my body seizing. I close my eyes and when I open them, I see the world in sharper detail, but am at the same height, which means I haven't fully shifted.

"Holy shit." Dallas exclaims, looking at our eyes. We stand, seeing the rest of the ballroom guests looking at us with shock and fear. We look down calmly at our mark, seeing it glow golden in the direct moonlight provided by the glass on the domed roof. Everyone follows our eyes, gasping. We push back our chair, walking around the table to the Queen. She clumsily stands, looking at us nervously.

"Bow." We command in a deeper voice. She immediately does so. We stare down at her fearful eyes, her body trembling. "We will not have you disrespecting us publicly, even as Queen. You are nothing but a mortal body with a corrupt mind, do not think differently. The next time you see us, heed our warning, or face the consequences." I then turn to my so-called-mates. "You've showed me you are not fit to have my hand, a real mate would not idly sit by as I was harassed, even if it was by the so-called Queen." With that we walk down the stairs and out a hallway door, leaving silence in our wake. We see the girl who was pushed down the stairs leaving out the door in front of us.

"Hey." We call out. The girl stiffens, reluctantly turning around. She looks at us and recognition flashes through her eyes.

"Dana?" She asks. We nod, walking up to her. Our senses become dull and I notice the car keys in her hand.

"Wanna take a roadtrip?"