~YULIA
All eyes fell on us the moment we entered the old newly renovated Victorian era home of the Cravens.
It was built in the middle of a very enormous acre of land surrounded by a massive forest of trees. The halls that connected with the entrance were filled with statues and marbles of ancient gods and medieval gothic knight suits of silver shining armor.
I felt the envy of the women as they appraised my dress and the handsome man whose arm I clung to. I realized that this was no ordinary dinner. I could see that a lot of important people were present.
A very well-suited butler came towards us with a tray of drinks. Issa took one and handed it to me, then he picked another one and held it without drinking. I figured that I was going to do the same thing. If Issa was not going to be drinking tonight, then so was I.
I looked around at the faces of the invited people and realized that I did not know one person except for Deucalion and his daughters who were clad in dazzling dresses.
“A lot of werewolf families are here tonight,” Issa told me as we stood in a corner and watched the scene.
“What is the occasion?” I asked as I realized that I had no idea what this whole elaborate dinner was about.
“It is the beginning of a new semester for the school, and this dinner is about bringing in new sponsors and showcasing potential students,” Issa replied, looking around.
“That explains the families,” I said.
I glanced around and saw Andrea and her sisters in an animated discussion with some of the guests. Leia threw hard glances at me when she believed that I was not watching. Her face was partially healed but her front hair had been cut to short fringes.
I knew that she was already planning her revenge against me. Whatever she was going to bring my way, I was more than ready.
“Issa, really glad that you decided to show up for once,” Deaucalion said as he approached us but as soon as he saw me, he did a double take and his eyes grew wide with awe. “My Goodness, Yulia!” He exclaimed and chuckled in surprise. I was sure that eyes were turned on us more this time. “That dress was made for you.”
“Thank you,” I muttered as I felt myself blush.
“Hesta made it,” Issa said with pride.
“Wait,” Andrea said as she joined us. “Hesta from the Chanel House?” She asked in disbelief as she looked at my dress with unbridled jealousy. “What did you pay her?”
“She owed me a favour,” Issa replied.
Andrea scoffed and shook her head. “That old bitch refused to make me a dress no matter the amount I offered but she just agreed because she owed you a favour?” She said in a tight voice.
“Language, Daughter, do not embarrass me,” Deucalion muttered through gritted teeth. “And Hesta would have not had a problem making any dress you want had you not frolicked with her Mate,” Deucalion added coldly.
I gasped in shock at the revelation.
“I did not know that she had a mate!” Andrea protested.
“Well, it’s quite unfortunate that you had to find out by opening up your legs,” Deaucalion replied.
Andrea scoffed and walked away in anger.
“I think you are too hard on her, Duke,” Issa said as he watched Andrea disappear into the midst of the guest.
“She has been nothing but a thorn in my flesh,” Deucalion said in a weary tone. “Why can she not be more like her sister, Iris? Or even Leia?”
I scoffed abruptly and Deucalion regarded me with a raised eyebrow before a chuckle escaped his throat. “I heard about what transpired between you and my daughter,” He said. “I am surprised that you could even take her on, she was trained by one of my best warriors,” he said as he looked at me curiously.
“I was trained by my mother,” I said with pride. “She taught me everything I know about fighting.”
“Marianna Frostwood,” Deucalion said with a longing that I could not understand. “An outstanding woman. She will be sorely missed.”
I was suddenly grateful for all the gruelling training my mother had put me through before she passed away. I had thought that she was being unfair and cruel when she had made me memorize all the one hundred forty-seven martial arts she had learnt all through my life. It was like she was preparing me for some unknown battle that was bound to happen later in my life.
“Anyway, I am glad that you for once attended, it means a lot to me, Issa,” Deucalion said as he clasped Issa on the shoulder. “Enjoy the evening while I go talk some more people into giving away their hard earned money, do not leave.” He said as he left us standing there.
“Andrea really slept with Hesta’s Mate?” I asked in awe as soon as Deucalion was out of ear shot.
Issa shrugged. “That is her thing,” he said. “She sleeps around to spite her father.”
“Why?”
“Andrea blames him for their mother leaving,” Issa told me.
“That’s true, I have never heard anything about the mother,” I said.
“She is overseas.” Leia said as she approached us. “Hello, Yulia, love the dress,” She said. “It suits you well.”
“I like what you did with your face and hair,” I said.
“Play nice,” Issa whispered.
“I want a rematch,” Leia said.
“I have better things to do,” I replied.
“Are you scared?” She taunted.
I scoffed. “I already burnt off your hair and face, there is nothing about you that scares me, Leia,” I replied.
“So, what do you have to lose?” She asked.
“My precious time,” I replied and dismissed her by glancing somewhere else, showing her that I was no longer interested in paying her any more attention.
“Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Yulia, I am coming for you,” Leia declared and looked at Issa. “Enjoy the rest of the evening, Issa,” She said and walked off.
“That went well,” Issa quipped.
I was going to be ready for her.