~Alaya

"It's not you, it's me."

His expression doesn't change, remaining impassive.

"I wanted this to work, I really did. We just don't have anything in common. I hope we can at least stay friends," I say solemnly.

Suddenly, his face breaks out into a grin, and he grabs my shoulders. "Awesome! Bloody Awesome Lay..."

"You think?" I exclaim excitedly, ignoring the use of the nickname I can't stand. "Like really?"

"I don't doubt for a second that you're going to get this job!"

My relief imminent, as I exhale deeply. My entire life is riding on this audition, and if I don't nail it, I'll be left living another few months off of Dad's savings. The moment I can stop taking from my dead father, the less guilt I will have to sleep with at night. And for an acting job? Life would suddenly be worth living.

"Only two more days," I say nervously, fiddling with the bag strap on my shoulder. "Still have at least 45 more seconds to learn."

My best friend and partner in crime, Carter, slings his arm over my shoulder, guiding me out the main door of the small theatre company I'm apart of. He's hardly careful of my backpack, but makes sure not to knock the coffee in my right hand. That would be devastating.

"Trust me, they won't even have to think twice about choosing you," Carter tells me, smiling down at me with a warm smile.

Carter is originally from the Harmony Pack, having moved to the Desire Pack four years ago, when we were still in school. He gives the worst advice, since he typically likes to keep the peace, but having his confirmation on things keeps my chin up. Those mellow green eyes of sharply cut emerald having been there for me since my father died...

When I lost everything. My job, my sister to her new husband. Don't get me wrong, her and I still talk, but she knows I don't agree with her choice of marrying at nineteen.

And to a banker? He's as interesting as politics.

Carter nudges me. "Listen, I gotta get back to the family. You okay to walk home by yourself?"

Carter's family are mine too. They almost adopted me once my father died, having learnt my mother had suffered the same fate at my sister's birth. Being an interior designer, Carter's mother is rather wealthy. Especially since she's known for decorating Alpha Asher's annual party, however, she never shared the information behind the scenes with Carter.

This will be his first year helping out. The amount of times I've heard the word excited whenever we walk past one of the advertisements, is huge.

"I suppose you're getting ready for the party, huh?"

The whole Pack is. From the East corner to the West, people are settling in for the busiest time of the year. Tomorrow night, the party will start, people will gather to watch the fireworks, and listen to the music.

No one will see inside though. Unless of course, you're invited.

But no one from my side of the city will be. The only part of the city that has to live by the day as well as the night. Being known as the night Pack doesn't do justice to the commoners. The perfect skinned and body entertainers from Main Street get all the jobs, and all the money. We are left working at coffee shops or hotel services, for the foreigners who can't handle a life by night.

My dream is to act on Main Street one day. Live by the night, under the lights and be more famous than even the Alpha himself.

I want away from my life right now.

Carter spies a banner strung to a window with clear tape. He pulls away from me, moving forward to grab it off.

"This is it. Can you really believe I'm going to make it inside? Inside? What if I meet the Alpha?" Carter questions widely, his hair the colour of burnt wood from the forests of the Freedom Pack flopping around his eyes. He can afford a haircut, unlike me, but won't get one.

I stare at the poster. Carter has some wild idea he's actually going to be attending the party. He doesn't get to show up dressed lavishly. He doesn't get to drink and dance or do whatever the rich do at an event like that. He will be working, making sure they all having something to eat and drink all night long.

I still envy him, though.

The poster gleams, as I tilt the page toward the setting sun. It gives us a glimpse into the life of the wealthy. They sit up on their hill, never to come down or be seen.

A small dose of silver glitter shimmers along the paper, which is the colour of rich violet. Curling letters in italic form twist tantalisingly across, inviting you to something out of reach. This probably is more expensive than what I make in a month.

I examine the page:

Alpha Asher's Wondrous and Amazing Annual Party!

Curious to know what goes on behind the closed doors of the Alpha's home?

Your time is come for a glimpse into the most fashionable, auspicious party of the year. There is none other than Alpha Asher's!

You may apply for invitation through hand written letter.

We wish you the best of luck this year!

Kindness Regards,

Alpha of Desire and his Team.

My eyes rolled. Bringing the page up, I realise it smells faintly of blueberries. Strange.

"Over the top as usual," I say honestly, thrusting the paper back at Carter. "You will have to tell me everything. "

He nods, although looks a little apprehensive. A few months ago, he had signed a contract, taking a vow of silence when asked about the party he helped create. Already, he has been reluctant to give me details, which makes me all the more curious.

"Sure thing," he says, then he glances at his watch. "I'm gonna be late. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course," I say, as he backs away from me. The sun sets around him, encasing him in a halo of brilliant orange and subtle pinks. My friend is damn attractive, and he doesn't know it either. He tells me he is saving himself for his mate, which is something hard to believe, considering our Pack's morals.

Mates are a burden. Don't get mated.

That exact motto is what our Pack is known for. Gloves are so fashionable for men here, I don't think I have seen one without them. Aside from Carter; he wants it. Main Street especially stresses the need for them, with certain entertainment agencies making it a mandatory part of the uniform.

Carter is quick to walk off, wearing his rather expensive sneaker shoes his mother brought him. I, on the other hand, turn to walk away wearing my worn down shoes that look older than me.

As I dump my empty coffee cup into the bin, I listen to the sounds from Main Street.

They drift down the dark alleyways to the forgotten backstreets I live on. The sounds are adrenaline pumping, dance-worthy beats that suggest the kind of life the more wealthy live. The poor demographic in this Pack is low, with every one person living in poverty, there are five wealthy. I just happen to be one of the few who don't have enough money to survive.

I make it to my small apartment by the time the sun falls. It's a modest little thing I bought with the funds from father's death. The moment I am rich enough, I'm donating all the money I have taken to a charity he would have liked to support.

My bed is one of guilt.

Actually though, it's just a couch I lay some blankets on. It can get cold here by night, on the outskirts of the city, so if I don't have enough blankets, I'll use some towels.

There's a note on the couch when I walk in.

Tossing my bag on the floor, I pick it up. It's from my sister.

Hey Lay,

Me and Dylan dropped by this morning but you weren't here...

Wanna drop by mine?

Have some exciting news!

Best sister ever, Sky.

I chuckle, shaking my head at how she decided to declare herself.

As much as I hate visiting my sister's home - seeing her living in wealth from her husband - she clearly needs to talk to me. Knowing her, it will be complaining about something Dylan did, since she loves to blow everything out of proportion.

I toss a coat over my shoulders, deciding to walk to her house instead of paying for a taxi. Sky doesn't live too far away, but it means traversing through a richer neighbourhood.

By the time I make it to her house, it's dark out, the air ice cold. Her house is lit magnificently, which doesn't surprise me. Her want to outdo her neighbours is ridiculous, but she hardly listens when I remind her. She knows how much she has changed since father died, but doesn't really care. Why should she? Sky lives a life everyone is envious, especially coming from our poor neighbourhood.

I knock on her door, eyeing a garden gnome beside me.

Seconds later, the door swings open, as if she was waiting for me. And there was my sister, cheeks rosy from wine, eyes bright with good news. It's strange to see her so flustered like this, her usually sleek black hair all mussed and out of place.

"Quick, get inside," Sky insist, ushering me in before closing the door behind me. I don't don't spend much time concentrating on her expression.

She's redecorated...

Originally, she had kept with Dylan's theme that was rather dark and indistinct, however, she has now managed to completely change the design. Now, I'm looking at a main foyer room completely drenched in pink, white and gold. It's all very...Sky. I can't believe her husband would let her.

"Wow," I say, my eyes narrowing on the random vase of fake white roses in the corner of the room, propped on some kind of marble case. "Nice change."

Sky bites her lips as she links her arm through mine. "Finally Dylan relented. Anyways, that isn't important."

She drags me over to a small two seater couch, sitting me down without joining me. There is something in her dark eyes that make me nervous. My sister is naturally beautiful, and she likes to use that fact to get whatever she want. She'll flick her sleek black hair over her shoulder, flash her gleaming white teeth and she will have everyone at her mercy.

It never works on me though.

"So, why did you call me over?" I question, leaning back onto the stiff couch. I can imagine Sky only has this because it looks nice rather than for the comfort.

"You know how Dad used to be obsessed with getting a ticket to the Alpha of Desire's party since we were young girls?"

I swallow. Sky and I don't talk about father that much anymore. She never visits his grave sight, saying it's too morbid and decrepit for her tastes. His sickness hit us hard, and it is still hard to think about the man who raised us after our mother died at birth with Sky. We choose not to really talk about the family neither of us have.

"The exact party he was never invited to, yes," I point out.

Sky squeals like a young child, jumping up so her heels click against the expensive flooring, probably leaving a mark. My hands are in hers as she shakes them around.

"I applied for the both of us, and you'll next guess!"

All air expelled from my body.

"We got invited!"

"I don't believe you..."

The moment I uttered those words, Sky was running out the door in a flurry of long hair and a pretty green dress. I debated following her, however, she was back in less than a second, holding a pristine piece of paper that as she got closer with, I noticed smelt like blueberries.

She shoves it in my hand.

Dear Sky Thorne,

We have considered your application.

We are happy to say, you and your sister have been accepted into Alpha Asher's annual party!

Your invitations will arrive in four days, along with your instructions and gifts.

Congratulations,

Alpha of Desire.