chapter 3

Eleanor's pov

The last thing I remembered before the darkness swllowed my consciousness was me fighting for my life in the dark river and now, I was alive and not just alive but I was on my way to Sebastian's pack.

How in the world did this happen?

I looked down at my hands. The hands my rapists had stabbed when I tried to claw at their faces. There were no scars or bruises on them instead they were silky and smooth. I felt my face. I was warm and alive. The Moon Goddess really granted me my request.

The carriage hurtled to a stop and the horses snorted loudly. We had arrived at the BloodMoon pack.

The carriage door was held open and the coachman, a middle-aged man in black uniform, held out his hand for me.

“We're here, my lady.” Amelia said quietly.

For a moment, I hesitated.

“My lady?” The coachman repeated, his voice snapping me from my intrusive thoughts.

“Right.” I took his hand and was helped down from the carriage.

Amelia came down and held an umbrella over my head. “Shall we, My Lady?”

“S - Sure.”

The tailor's shop was just a few paces ahead and as usual, ladies flooded the entrance. They always did this time of the year. No female wolf missed this season's celebration — The Mating Ceremony. It was a period where everyone would meet their fated mates. 2 years ago, I was excited like they were. I danced like there was no tomorrow and I drank whatever wine was given to me. That same year, I thought I met my mate, not knowing I met the devil himself.

“Make way! Coming through!” Amelia yelled over the uproar. She grabbed my worst as she skewered through the crowd of ladies. Finally, we got in.

“Phew!” Amelia wiped an invisible sweat off her brow. “That was close.”

“I know, right?” I smiled, not because it was funny but because of what was about to happen next.

“Sister?”

“Eleanor!”

Came the voices of two people I never thought I'd see again — Gerta, my seamstress and Loretta, my backstabbing sister.

“You're late, Eleanor.” Loretta linked arms with me. “What happened? I told you to meet me an hour ago.”

Amelia answered in my stead. “She wanted to have one more taste of my apple pie.”

“You’re a greedy little one, aren't you?” Loretta pinched my cheek playfully.

I slapped her hand away, startling her. “Gerta, I want to see my dress, please.”

“Right this way, Eleanor.” Gerta led the way and I followed behind her to the dressing room.

My dress — a pink ball gown shimmering with diamonds and festooned with silver flowers. It was as radiant as it was 2 years ago and I had loved it. I still do.

“Try it on.” Gerta said with a smile.

“Okay.”

With Gerta’s help, I slipped into the gown. She made sure to tighten the corset and add silk where it needed to be added.

Then she took a step back to admire her work. “Gosh. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever made. Go show your sister.”

I bunched the flowing gown at the side and carefully stepped out of the dressing room.

Loretta gasped in suprise when I walked in and so did Amelia.

“Oh my Goodness. You look very beautiful, Eleanor.” Amelia's blue eye sparkled as she gushed over the dress.

“I know, right?” Loretta smiled even though it didn't reach her eyes.

Her dress was purple and was a much dimmer colour. It was difficult to make out the designs etched on the dress. 2 years ago, I had called it a washboard and she had laughed it off. If only I had know she would have her revenge on me.

“I love the dress.” A girl walking past me said with a smile.

I mumbled a “Thank you.” to her and she bade me goodbye as she left the shop.

“So? Are we ready to go? More embellishments?” Gerta pushed her glasses to her face, smiling proudly.

Amelia protested in shock. “Oh no. The diamonds are okay. Do you want her dress to blind everyone at the ceremony?”

Gerta laughed. “Yes. It'll make spending news : Eleanor Caddal and the blinding dress.”

Both women laughed. With a narrowed eyes, I watched Loretta. She tried aid heard to hold her smile. I could tell she was tired and so was I.

“I don't want the dress.” I blurted out.

The two looked at me like I had grown an extra head.

“What?” They asked in unison.

I repeated. “I don't want the dress.”

Gerta rushed to my side. “But why? You want more diamonds? I can make that happen.”

“No,” I laughed. I had almost forgotten how funny Gerta was. Then I cleared my throat. “I want Loretta’s dress. Shiny isn't really my thing.”

“Really?” Loretta asked. Fake tears were already building in her eyes. She really wanted the dress.

“Yeah,” I smiled. “You'd look perfect in it.”

Loretta threw her arms around me in a warm embrace. “Aww. Thank you so much, Sis.”

I patted her back softly. “Anything for my sweet sister.”

“Thank you.”

We pulled away briefly and I touched her hair. She had no idea what I had in store in her.

Night came as quickly as afternoon left and it was time for the mating ceremony.

I slipped into Loretta's dress. It was the perfect fit. I even styled my hair like she did 2 years ago. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I decide on my last look. I made a black dot on my upper lip with my lip liner. It was a natural look Loretta was born with but I couldn't let her wear it tonight. It'd ruin my plan.

When I was satisfied with my look, I pushed back my seat and went to her room.

“Hey, Loretta.” I greeted as soon as I arrived. “Let me do your makeup.”

“Really?” she asked with surprise.

“Of course.” I beamed her a smile.

“Thanks.”

I painted her face the same way I did years ago. I even hid her birthmark. Lastly, I tapped my finger on an open pomegranate and smeared it all over the lips.

“I'm done.” I passed her a mirror.

“Goodness. This is amazing. You have a gift, Eleanor,” Loretta rose to her feet, admiring her looks. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, sis.” I wrapped my arms around her and quickly took the potion she had hidden in the flounce of her dress.

“I'll go get the carriage ready” she skipped away happily.

I took one look at the potion bottle. The same potion bottle that helped ruin my life. Before my death, at the mating ceremony, Loretta had slipped a drop of this potion into my drink and Sebastian's. Her plan was to make him sleep with me to avoid getting married to him and when that happened, father insisted I get married to him and being stupid, I happily agreed but no. History won't repeat itself. This time I'll have the last laugh.

We arrived at the pack and few minutes into entering the ballroom, a lot of people were calling me Loretta and Loretta, me. We'd laugh at the misunderstanding and correct them. While Loretta's was more of a joke, mine was a real laugh. I was enjoying the way things were playing out.

The moment the trumpetters announced the arrival of the Lycan King, I took that as my cue.

I grabbed two champagne flutes and slipped a drop of the potion into them.

“Hold that thought.” I poured the entire thing into both flutes and gave them a good swirl. “Good. Now, you can fuck each other to your heart's content.”

I carefully took both glasses to Loretta. “You must be thirsty. Here.”

“Thanks.” She grabbed the glass from me and took a sip. “You don't know how I've wanted one. I can barely breathe in this dress.”

Don't worry. Sebastian will rip it off your body.

“Can you hold this? I'll be right back.” I said.

“Okay.”

I literally flew out tof sight and hid behind a pillar.

Just in time, Sebastian appeared and began to talk to her. Then I watched him take the glass from her and down everything.

“Brilliant.” I whispered.

He linked arms with her and they disappeared from the hall. This was almost too easy.

I snatched a champagne flute from one of the maids and took a sip. Plan A was done. It's all down to Plan B. In two years time, I'll have my powers and I can't wait for it to happen.