725 Days With My Alpha Stepbrothers

anie'

curtains aside. The sun had already disappeared, and the day

om, it seemed like I was beginning to adapt, and she was thrilled about it. But in my mind, I knew the real rea

oor pulled me fr

and Nora entered the

she greeted, her voic

ing me that? Just call me Stephanie. I know it feels wrong to you, but it's t

ay, Stephanie," she said, a w

I help you?" I aske

ed," she replied, setting the bo

seemed like an elaborate performance. And for what? Someone need

ave much time left," Nora's voice

l and stepped back into my room, only to find an unfamiliar face standing beside Nora. My roo

d the stranger. "And who is this?" I gestured toward the un

plained quickly, and the

," he said, givin

"He's a well-known stylist around here, and

asn't enough, now I had to sit through a makeup session

afford to let any emotions jeopardize my plan. "It's nice

. "You're stunning already-just a few touches here and there, and yo

lly, plopping down in the cha

trapless, corseted purple ball gown adorned with silver floral patterns. The bodice was tight, m

ized the girl staring back at me. I'd always known I was p

ing," Nora said sof

still in awe. "Than

" he said with a wink before collecting his t

her hand toward me. I took it rel

inated only by the faint g

s we made our way to the staircase l

" she replied

the lights flickered on, and

nie!" my mom's voice ra

e before me. The room was packed with people

this?" I asked

she said with a grin, stepp

spotted the five brothers, each dressed in sharp black tuxedos, wine glasses

reluctantly. "Mom, thank you for being so thoughtful, but this really wasn'

're now a part of the Salvador family the most powerful family which houses the most powerf

tight smile. "Okay, Mom. Thanks." I said

ll box I hadn't noticed before. Inside

sturing for my hand. I extended it hesitantl

ading my thoughts. "It's enchanted. It will suppress y

orcing another smile

. No matter what,"

son appeared beside us, plant

y, Stephanie,"

Peter," I

he said, catching me off guard. I

d with a chuckle. "Wh

u," I sai

want to introduce you to some people," he said. R

ducing me to a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sleek

te twenties, with sharp features and an air of authority about him. Handsome, sure, bu

s asked, his deep voice sna

question. My eyes scanned the room again,

r and stepfather had disappeared into the crowd. I hadn't e

a dance?" James asked, ex

'm sorry, but I can't," I said bluntly, turning on my

my nerves. Everything about tonight-this party, the people, the expecta

I turned to see him beckoning me over. Clenc

woman standing nearby. "This is Helena Smith, the pack's do

beginning to ache, and my head felt heavy from the constant small talk. I wasn't us

gether, and the voices around me became muffled. I tried to

eality. She was at my side in an instant, her face

eling too well," I ad

or-" she began, but

ed to rest. I think I'm just tired,"

ill have a lot to handle here. Go to your room and ge

ashing over me. This was the perfe

he extravagant gown and into the maid's outfit I had stolen earli

. Tonight was the night. If I didn't esca

s and I haven't exhibited any unusual ability. There's no way I'm believing the bullshit coming out fro

de my way down the hall, keeping my head low to avoid drawing attention. Carrying a tray

risp night air filled my lungs as I glanced around, surveying the area. Guards

e hawks. No, the woods behind the mansion were my only option. Nora had mentio

ick and deliberate. My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way to the

estate one last time. This place had been nothing but a prison to me, and now I w

of branches. My breathing was heavy, each exhale visible in the cool night air. The towering trees

ng with my friends gave me the strength to push through the exhaustion. When I looked up at the sky, I noticed the mo

w, guttural howl that se

dy going rigid

spun around, searching for the source. At first, I didn't see anything. But then, in the d

lights

h bared and their eyes fixed on me. Their low growls reverberat

tephan

t ordinary wolves. They were enormous, their hulking forms radiating an unnatural power. Their tongues lolled out o

the inevitable. This was it. I shou

the sound of flesh tearing and the sickening spla

t least three times the size of the others, its deep red eyes glowing like fi

s, more powerful. And yet, instead of

f began to shift. Its form twisted and contorted until i

en and I covered

pered, my voice

alization crashed over me. Ever

something," he grunte