UNDER THE MASK

RUBY JUNE. (PRESENT DAY.)

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I was

so much different now. Five years could do a lot for anyone. I had changed drastically; I was no longer that skinny, shy girl. I was a young, beautiful woman. During those five years, puberty hit, and I added weight in all the right places. I had dyed my ginger hair black, keeping them stylishly short. My transformation had caught the attention of most of the influential and affluent men. However, as a mature woman, I no longer craved their validation. I now possessed the self-assurance that seventeen year old me lacked, and to top it off, I was the heiress to a multi-billionaire company.

A lot had changed, but one thing remained constant: my burning hatred for Charles Fox. I yearned to make him pay for what he did to me and my family. Perhaps that's why, after all these years away from the Lunar pack, I decided to return to where all my nightmares began.

"What do you think?" I asked, turning to my personal assistant, Doreen.

"You look beautiful as always, ma'am. You are going to take everyone's breath away," she said with a smile.

I nodded. "Have you checked the guest list yet?" I inquired.

"Yes, ma'am and Charles Fox will be in attendance," she replied. "I looked into him, and he's a multimillionaire. If we collaborate with him, we can expand our company," she suggested.

"Nice," I murmured.

"Also, he is an eligible bachelor and hasn't found his mate yet," she said slowly.

I frowned. "How is that information useful to me?"

"I thought you might want to know. You have been single for so long, ma'am. People are starting to think you are a lesbian."

I shook my head. "People are going to talk, whether I'm with a man or not. Besides, I do not need a man, much less someone like Charles Fox."

Doreen looked at me in disbelief . "Are you kidding me? Charles Fox is the epitome of perfection. He is tall, sexy, and smart. He was always at the top of his class and the best graduating student. He is also the Alpha of the biggest pack. He is every woman's dream man," she gushed like a fangirl.

I frowned. "He is definitely not this woman's dream man. I won't bat an eye in his direction."

Doreen wanted to say more, but I cut her short. "Just get me my mask," I said firmly. "We have a party to grace with my presence."

************

We arrived at the party; it was a masquerade theme party meant to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of my clients. It was filled with only men and women who were affluent and powerful. I stood with my head high, the dimmed room and my mask would make it impossible for them to see my face. I strolled through the room, my aura commanding respect, people turned and whispered among themselves. The theme for the party was black and White, but I was wearing a red gown. Mr Bunny, the host and birthday celebrant, did not mind, after I had called him an hour early , telling him I had a malfunction on my white dress and would not be able to make it and he insisted I come with anything after all I was his good business partner.

I was sipping my champagne when my gaze locked with none other than Charles Fox. It was unmistakably him, even with the masquerade mask barely concealing his features. Our eyes met for a moment, and I could feel my heartbeat quicken. I had thought that seeing him again would leave me indifferent, but at that moment, I was experiencing every emotion in the book. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure.

Charles had matured into a fine young man, surpassing the handsome image I remembered. He was like a walking deity, his beauty next to none, and his captivating gray eyes never wavered from me. Before I knew it, he stood before me.

"Mate," he growled as he stood in front of me. "You are my mate."

I swallowed hard, my eyes widening in horror. I could not possibly be mated to Charles Fox. He was an asshole and my bully. What was the moon goddess thinking? Despite my inner rage, I could feel my wolf jubilating at the thought of finally having a mate.

"I did not expect to see my mate today, but of course, the moon goddess definitely had other plans," he smirked.

"She definitely does," I replied dryly.

"So, do you mind telling me what your name is, My Cherry?" he asked.

"Already starting with the nickname calling," I said, gulping down the entire contents of my glass.

"It's never too early for my mate," he smiled.

I shook my head, then spotted an usher and grabbed two more glasses of champagne from his tray, downing them in one gulp before returning the empty glasses to the tray. I glanced over to see Charles staring at me.

"I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this. It's just... I was not expecting to have a mate now," I said, feeling a faint blush creep onto my cheeks.

Why was I apologizing? I did not owe him an apology, he is an asshole and I should not care about what he thinks of me. I hissed.

"It's okay... not judging," he said, amused.

I rolled my eyes but he did not seem fazed by it.

"What is your name, Cherry?" he said.

I swallowed, wondering if he still remembered my real name, Ruby June. I doubted he ever knew it, as everyone referred to me as Broomstick.

"I don't tell my name to strangers," I replied softly.

"I'm Charles Fox, the Alpha of the Lunar Pack, and you, my beautiful lady, what's your name?" he asked, his eyes never leaving mine. He stared at me as if I were the most precious woman he had ever known.

"Tell me your name, please," he pleaded.

"Morana," I blurted out.

"Morana," I repeated more gently.

"Such a unique name. So, are you named after the goddess of Death and Winter?" he asked.

I nodded, offering him a small smile. "I destroy everyone who wrongs me," I said.

"Then whoever has wronged you must be shaking in their boots. I won't want to be in your bad book," he teased.

"Of course," I smiled softly, though inside, I thought, 'You should be shaking in your boots because I will make you pay for what you did to me.'

But Charles was oblivious to the fact that he was in my bad book, and he stretched out his hands. "Come dance with me, Morana," he said with a smile.

I shook my head. "I don't know how to dance."

"Don't worry, My Cherry. I will guide you," he said softly, and before I could stop myself, I agreed.