The lycan queen

Recap;:-

Summer solstice 

It was the Summer Solstice. The only night of the year when all the werewolf packs of our region come together to celebrate the beginning of the packs. Only adult pack members have access to the celebrations, and Sarah and I each turned eighteen a few months ago. We passed the final examinations just in time to join the rest of our pack members. Most werewolves regard The Summer Solstice as a formal event, a time for the packs to mingle in peace. But that will not stop Sarah and me from fully indulging in our newfound freedom. With that thought in mind, I finally slept off.

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Crya's pov:-

"A lady is someone who isn't easy to please". Charlie was now staring at the wall. I saw a smile creep up on his face.

He had never talked about love before, but I could sense there was a special lady he was directly talking about.

"So what does that mean?" I gave him a questioning look.

"Well, it means' that it takes time to let them see the real you. They won't settle for a 10-minute chat, they need longer. A lady befriends like that. Well, as you see in life, girls chat with a guy for 2 seconds and the next minute they are swapping saliva. A lady doesn't do that" he elaborated, his eyes were long away, but then a sad smile splayed on his lips.

I couldn't help but notice that his eyes sparkled a little. The green outline of his pupils was dilated but his blue eyes were so intense, like he wanted to forget.

"So she needs to play hard to get," I said, trying to ease the tension. It felt like he was in another world, a world that only seemed to be in.

I can't believe this whole lecture started from a post he saw on instagram. I didn't see it, he did so. Why is he lecturing me. And this whole thing is also connected to my best friend who is, by the way, painting her nails on the same bed, but I get to hear the lecture.

But he started again. "Secondly, a lady never gets into someone's pants after a few hours of knowing them; a lady needs time to gain trust and to build a wall." he paused, smiling at himself.

Then his eyes trained on me. "Most of all, a lady is someone who takes on huge responsibilities and isn't afraid to give up."

I couldn't help but smile slightly, because everything he mentioned about the qualities of a lady had me thinking that his exact description of a woman was a woman he loved. Maybe I'm hallucinating, or maybe I am reading too much into it. But the way he stared into space gave me the feeling that maybe he might be talking about a woman who stole his heart.

'Stop!' I could hear my mind shouting at me. I'm only 18, and he's 27. I'm nothing but a girl to him. How would I know if he ever loved someone? Besides, he says he's not married, and the only love I ever experienced was rejection. So how do I know he loved or loved someone?

Part of me hopes I am right, so I can be proud of myself for getting a good read on him.

Charlie is the designer Sarah brought to dress and, coincidentally, he happens to be my neighbor at the mall too, though we never got to talk much get but we still hi each other anytime we see each other.

I vividly remember him asking me what a typical lady was, and I replied "A lady is a person that shouldn't be messed with". He then said correct and asked again if that was all, and I said "Yes". He just shook his head and the lecture began.

After what seemed like forever, he finally shut up and said, "I have your measurements now. Don't worry, you'll have your clothes by tomorrow"

"thank you" I responded 

When he left, I turned to look at my so-called best friend to see her still on her phone. I covered her screen and when she looked up I looked at her like, "why the f**k did you do?

"Relax, you guys started off on a good start. I didn't see you coming then."

"That's because I didn't want to be rude."

"So don't be. Take your hand off. I've got to finish this movie" 

"On one condition"

"What!" She asked with anxiety. 

"You use earphones or something to watch your movie. I need to read something"

She waited a few seconds thinking it over before an OK could be heard.

Few minutes into my novel, I could hear a soft snore beside me. I gently took her phone and earplugs, turned off the movie and played her phone on the only night stand I had.

I loved reading. It was my favorite pastime—I know geeky, right? Sue me. But I loved it and that was all that mattered. Setting the book 'City of Ashes' by Cassandra Clare on my lap, I begin reading. Although I loved Cassandra Clare and her books, previously reading the Infernal Devices series, I was constantly groaning about Jace and Clary getting their sh** together. I mean honestly, I felt like I was watching a soap opera.

I remember getting and reading all of these books in the school library, not the library itself, but from Mrs Jessica, who owns a book collection in her home. She lends me books from time to time. I swear if it wasn't that she practically lived 5 hours away in her pack I would have stayed with her, I would visit her every day just to take some more. But how can good people like her come from this pack? Sometimes, she lends 4 for the weekend and I end up finishing before Sunday ends, making me want to ask for more.

"What are you doing, Crya?" I heard the sleepy voice ask me, smiling immediately at the sound of her voice and stated the obvious: "I'm reading."

Waving the book in front of her face with a 'duh' expression on my face, I listened to her next question.

"City of Ashes? What's it about?" I then proceeded to tell her all about the book.

Unsurprisingly, when I mentioned the Vampires, Werewolves, Warlocks and Faeries she scoffed, and I scolded her.

"Sarah! This is an amason book and is actually a bestseller, so don't knock it until you try it."

The evening rowed out faster than expected, but I made something of it. Sarah asked the boys to pick us up while she, Persephone and I dressed at my place.

I never liked going to parties. But tonight, I made an exception.

We're now getting ready. They did my makeup and there's, what is left now is the clothes.

"What do you think" Persephone asked us? Sarah and I were seated on my bed waiting for her to finish dressing, to be the judge and for the fun of surprising ourselves, and surprised we were. Another point for our account is because I don't have a mirror in the bathroom, but I have one in my room.

A mermaid dress, with a V-shaped back and a wild strawberry color, a vivid, almost electric shade of pink that stands out with its intense brightness and slight undertone of red. This unique color is often seen in nature, particularly in the lush, ripe strawberries of summer, and in vibrant floral flowers, and here it is on Persephone sculpting her already sculptured body. It complimented her hair and eyes making her eye-catching. Felix is going to have a hard time getting boys off her tonight. 

Next was Sarah, it took her forever to get dressed, but when she did, it was also worth the wait. "Ta daaa". I was left mouth agape upon seeing her outfit. If hers is like this, then what am I supposed to wear?

A blush pink ballgown with a tightly fitted, heart-shaped bodice and off-the-shoulder straps. The full skirt requires layers of petticoats or a hoopskirt. It looks like tulle over satin, with appliqued, satin flowers in pastel-colors centered on the bodice and tapering off as they move down past the waist.

"Say something" she called me out of my daze.

"Wow" was all I could mutter before I heard Charlie say "it's your turn, Crya," 'go now' he pushing me towards my bathroom.

After minutes of struggling with the clothes, I decided to step out. With the look everyone gave me, I thought I was a goner. Sarah just handed me the mirror and the looks they had on them moments before just made sense.

An icy blue ball gown that accentuates my waist. The fitted bodice and full skirt create a flattering hourglass shape that enhances my curves.

The flared voluminous skirt gives this silhouette a dramatic look. The layered skirt of this dress style creates a grand effect that will create a lasting impression on everyone who sees me.

This gown is a great fit for different body shapes. With the right accessories and hemline, it can be suitable for formal or semiformal events. You can adapt it to different settings and themes. It is a perfect choice.

I let out a sigh of relief when Sarah placed a sliver necklace on my neck, making me love bad a**.

She had a gold necklace while Persephone threw on a black lace choker.

Finally, we were ready to go after taking forever to dress up. Persephone got a text that the boys were downstairs, so we made our way there.

Wherever we passed by, I could hear either whistles from the guys or whispers from the girls and I refused anything to spoil my day. Except it was unavoidable, because I saw Jordan standing with Tiffany both in the arms of each other. Now, being with them isn't so annoying anymore, but standing on our way out is, and I know he's going to say something to get me angry.

"Where are you going dressed like that, Crya?" Jordan said just when we passed him.

I chanted my usual mantra, wanting to face him and reply, but something else caught my attention.

The two handsome men standing beside their cars looking more radiant in their black tuxedos with a touch of pink.

Engrossed with the way they looked, my legs moved on their own towards them, ignoring the boy that was shouting my name. It didn't take me time to get to them and tell them that they looked good, only to get a thank you from Felix and a nod from Antonio.

Our aim was to go when the party was in full swing, not when the elders were giving us advice. I've had enough advice to last me for a long time. Not long after, we pulled up in Alpha Nolan's pack only to be greeted with a majestic structure, the inside looking grand and opulent, with crystal chandeliers and gilded mirrors, making it more intimate and mysterious, lit only by candlelight.

The ball was in full swing. My best friend pulled me through the crowded room with astonishing determination, navigating through the sea of party-goers. I, on the other hand, threw my head back in unattractive laughter and enjoyed the ride. Eventually, we reached our destination: the refreshment table.

Sarah and I had already forgotten we came with people. All we wanted was to fulfill our wishes and dreams. A variety of bubbling wines and dark-colored liquor lined the table, an impressive display that promised intoxication.

But no one seemed to mind. Not even the lightest of light-weights. We were werewolves, after all.

Werewolves supposedly possessed immunity to the effects of alcohol, at least to some degree. But, at the moment, I seriously doubted the fact. My best friend, Sarah, swayed drunkenly as she reached for another glass.

Hours later, my white-haired best friend downed another glass of champagne, burped, and offered me a sly grin, "Look Crya, some boys from the Celestial Pack are checking us out! Can we please go talk to them?"

I glanced over my shoulder, drunken blue eyes scanning the crowd to find the boys in question. I could easily separate the packs based on their clothing-- each wearing a touch of their own pack's colors on them.

Finally, I spotted the boys watching us. Before I could conclude anything else, Antonio and some other guy came and swooped out of our seats and into their hands. When I tried to struggle myself out, the new guy simply said, "We have a room for you both upstairs". I don't know what made me trust my life in Antonio's hands, but whatever it was calmed me enough to make me sleep off in Antonio's arms.