Chapter 8 - Do I have to?
Living in the Cole mansion revealed a few things about my former life that I was not aware of. It answered a lot of questions that were on my mind. The Coles were extremely wealthy. Wealthier than my family would ever hope for.
My parents were rich but the Coles are on another level of their own. They were humble and kind, traits I never expected from rich people. My parents made their status their personality. Other than their money, they didn't have a lot going on for them. It’s sad, really.
Mrs. Cole explained who they were in simple terms. They were part of a pack called, The Golden Pack. It was the largest pack in the world that housed the Alpha King. He was Royalty. You can assume he's the King of Wolves, like the King of England.
He had the final say in all wolf-related matters in the country. Apparently, there were six other alpha Kings, each representing the other six continents. He was the leader of the Alpha Kings, so automatically he was the most powerful individual in the world.
I didn't understand a few things, like how I didn't know wolves existed. I assumed my former home was a gated community full of snobs. It would explain why we had all the utilities inside the community. Few people were allowed to go to other towns. And mostly they went to towns to buy essentials.
We had a school in the community that provided primary education. Once we graduated, we went to a high school outside our community that was not too far away. Technically we were in close vicinity.
Now I realized I barely knew anything from my former life. I was in the dark about everything significant. As I pieced together the fragments of my family's history, realization settled like a fog, the stories were echoes, the faces were strangers. My kin remained a mosaic of untold secrets, leaving me to realize I barely scratched the surface of who they truly were.
With each turn of a page, the distance between their shared past and my understanding widened, unveiling a deeper longing to comprehend the enigmatic lives that intertwined with mine. They hid so much from me, further proving their hate and indifference.
"I won't do this to myself!" I decided.
My family was a book I was not ready to open. I wanted to relax for a few days and clear my mind. All my memories were swirling like a storm in my mind, giving me a headache on a daily basis. I was aware of what I had to do and I was prepared to do it.
I was not going to let them live a happy life after they betrayed and killed me. They had to pay for their sins and I will be the judge, the jury, and the executioner.
"Miss Zendaya, the Madam wants to see you in her office," someone said outside my door.
I was slowly getting used to my new name. At least now I could respond when someone calls me. I closed my laptop and went to look for my mother. I gently tapped on her door and waited. I heard footsteps heading towards the door, then something turning and the door opened.
Mrs. Cole had a smile on her face, deepening the small wrinkles on the sides of her lips. Her beautiful dimples were the highlight of her face. She was a beautiful, tall, thin woman. Her short shoulder-length hair complimented her sharp look. To other people she seemed intimidating but to me, she was easy to talk to. She always sported a smile when she saw me. Her joy of having her daughter back was evident on her face.
She didn't mind I knew nothing of the family. The doctor told us of my amnesia, so everyone was patient.
"Come in my darling," her soft voice filled the room.
Her hands landed on my shoulder, she pushed me forward and placed me on a warm white couch. She went to her desk, picked up a white envelope, and came to sit next to me.
"Guess what was in the mail today?" She asked, her eyes brimming with excitement.
I don't think I have ever seen anyone this excited except my sister when she tried to hit on Kazimir, but she always ended up coming home angry and irritated.
"What?" I asked, trying to match her excitement.
"We are invited to attend a ball!" She screamed.
A ball? I've never been to one.
"What's a ball? Is it a celebration?" I asked.
"A ball is a grand affair, a symphony of elegance and opulence. The air tingles with excitement as guests adorned in magnificent gowns and polished suits glide across the sparkling floors. The ballroom itself becomes a spectacle, adorned with cascading chandeliers casting a soft, enchanting glow upon the room. The music, a melody of waltzes and gentle tunes, fills the air, inviting couples to dance with grace and finesse. Laughter and conversations create a harmonious buzz, while the aroma of decadent cuisines and floral arrangements adds to the sensory delight. It's a night where time seems to pause, a magical moment suspended in a whirlwind of beauty and sophistication," she explained dreamily.
If she wasn't my mother, I would assume she's twenty years old. It's refreshing to watch someone excited over small things. Being excited and happy in my former life was impossible. There was nothing good or exciting happening. Every day was gloomy, repetitive, and boring.
"So who is hosting the ball?"
"Why, the Alpha King of course," she shrugged like it was an obvious answer.
"The Alpha King" I mumbled.
I didn't know why but the mention of the title brought me goosebumps. In my previous life I would have never dreamt of being invited to such a place. My sister would have been invited but not me. I was a nobody who didn't deserve good things according to them.
"The Alpha King is still searching for his mate. He has been searching for twelve years now. I felt terrible every time he had a lonely look on his face, watching his age mates in love," she said.
Twelve years was a long time. Perhaps his mate was dead. The concept of mates, although Mrs. Cole explained it in simple terms, it was still foreign and seemed impossible to me. So I brushed it off like everything else that didn't matter. I had priorities and a mate was not one of them.
"Have I met the Alpha King before?" I asked.
"Yes, but you were younger then. About ten years old. You guys were very good friends. And then he left for training, so you guys didn't talk as much. This is an opportunity to see each other again. I'm so excited!" She shrieked.
"Well, sorry to disappoint you but I'm not going." I said.
"What?!" Her jaw dropped.
"I don't see the need. I don't know anyone there. I don't want to feel lonely and left out." I explained.
"But your friends will be there," she argued, "the girl you always speak about....mmmh... Essie will be there"
Essie? My sister Essie will be there. A serene smile graced my lips. My gaze fixed ahead, determined and focused.
"I'll go," I said.
Mrs. Cole started rumbling about clothes and other things but I tunned her out. Who would have thought I was going to meet my sister earlier? than expected?
Essie are you ready because I am...