FERAL GLOW

AMELIA'S POV

I woke up with a throbbing pain in my head. I rubbed it gently, trying to relieve some of the pain. I was probably coming down with a cold.

That would be fun.

Wait. What happened after the limo ride?

I picked at the satin sheets and furrowed my eyebrows. From all the fancy detailing of the room, it looked like I was in some kind of palace.

Suddenly, there was a knock coming from the door. I got out of bed to see who it was.

"Who is it?" I quietly asked.

There was no response.

"Who's there?" I spoke a little louder.

"It's Megan." A female voice responded.

Megan? How was I supposed to know who that was?

The door opened, and I backed away from it. Standing there was the blonde girl who forced me into the limo. My eyes widened in shock.

"Why aren't you dressed yet?" Megan said in a harsh tone.

I looked Megan up and down and noticed that her hair and makeup were done. An ocean-blue mermaid gown hugged her slim figure.

"Let me call the maids in to help you get ready."

Megan grabbed my arm.

Instantly, I pulled away. "No! Tell me where I am."

Megan looked frightened at my words. "What do you mean?"

I laughed humorlessly. "What are you talking about? You brought me here!"

"That can't be right. You smell like a — You seriously do not know where you are?" Megan questioned.

I shook my head. "No, I don't." I smell like what?

"Take me back home." I snapped, narrowing my eyes at Megan. Megan paused, seeming to be making up her mind about something. All I want is to go home. Please take me back. Please.

"I can't take you back. You'd expose all of us!" Megan's eyes grew worried.

I scoffed, "For kidnapping? Of course. How about this? You take me back, and I won't say a word about any of this."

Megan shook her head. "It's too late. You've already been guaranteed a place at the mating ball."

"The what? Can you please explain what this is all about? Why did you even take me?" I took a step closer to Megan, furious.

Megan held her hands up in surrender. "Alright! Just promise me you won't say a word of this to anyone. No human can know this. Only then will I let you go."

I raised my eyebrow. Human? What was she getting at?

"Fine. Tell me." I stated, crossing my arms.

Megan's expression grew serious.

"Once you know about this, you must swear you won't tell a soul. If you do, I have no choice but to come and find you."

I shivered but nodded. "I swear."

Megan drew in a shaky breath. "No human's ever known this. You'd better be thankful I'm explaining this to you."

I gulped in fear. "What is it?"

Her bright blue eyes darted around the room nervously.

"You're currently at the Alpha's Mansion."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Alpha? That's a weird name.

"...it is full of werewolves. And the only reason we brought you to this ball is because we thought you were one of us."

Megan sighed in relief, like she just took off a huge burden from her shoulders.

I stared at Megan for a while. "Is that what you came up with to fool me?"

Megan's mouth dropped. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me! I want the truth!" I demanded.

Megan let out a low, animalistic growl.

"I'm telling the truth. The mating ball is something extremely important to all werewolves. It's where you find your mate. It's like your other half."

A new courage grew in me.

"Are you being dead serious? You brought me to this ball, so I could join you all in finding my other half?"

Megan grabbed my shirt roughly by the collar. I watched in shock as her blue eyes became gold.

Yelping, I pushed her away. It took me a few moments to collect myself.

How was this happening? Werewolves aren't real. It's a tall tale! Just like mermaids, fairies, vampires!

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.

"So you're a werewolf. I'm at this ball where I'm supposed to find my mate, but I'm a human. Why me?" I faced Megan.

Megan groaned, "Look, I'm sorry, okay? It was a mix-up! But you need to attend this ball, uh..."

"Fuck you!" I muttered.

"Amelia, listen. Just attend the ball, stay by my side — better yet, just stay hidden, in the corner or something. Don't let a male come near you and try to claim you." She warned.

"Claim me?" I repeated in surprise.

Megan huffed, "You know! Take you, make you his, the whole end up with each other type of shit!"

"I get it, I get it. So all I have to do is attend the ball and not let a single guy come near me. Then I can go home?" I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Yes, yes, I promise. But you can't say a word or I swear......." Megan's eyes became gold again.

"I understand." I whispered, feeling the weight of her words.

Megan's eyes went back to blue, and her expression softened.

"Hey, Amelia, I'm sorry. Don't worry, okay? I'll make sure you get back home."

A lump grew in my throat. Why was I even crying? I was always like this. A crybaby.

Megan rubbed my shoulder and smiled in pity.

"Let's get you dressed up. But not too dressed up, so those guys won't set their sights on you."

I laughed, wiping my eyes.

"Trust me, no one would even come close to me if I were really dressed up."

Megan rolled her eyes. "That's what you say, but whatever. But I know for sure no person is going to step a foot close to you looking like that." Megan gestured towards my appearance.

I looked down at my damp skinny jeans and long-sleeve shirt. What was so bad about it?

Megan huffed and handed me a mirror. I cautiously peered into it and gasped. Mascara stained my cheeks, and my face looked ghastly.

"I told you so." She shrugged.