Chapter 51
After the incidents at the Golden Blade, a long period of time elapsed.
First of all, I finally reached sixteen.
I had been anticipating it for a very long time, so I was presently quite eager to begin carrying out my full duties as the Beta successor. It also had the extra benefit of being able to officially graduate of high school and start full-time training for the ranked position.
Benjamin and I also had a far greater friendship. The majority of our days were spent practicing close-range fighting and dueling in the gym. It wasn’t as strange any longer and we had developed some sort of trust for one another; as everyone might anticipate after Benjamin had saved my life. Some would even claim that we had become close friends.
However, after returning home, none of us had brought up what he said in the hospital, also I dared not to inquire whether he had noticed my final words; but at least, I had become accustomed to him calling me Winona. It appeared. so trivial and unimportant, yet in my previous life, it had been a big moment for me. My full name had always appeared to put us further apart, like a barrier he employed for keeping
me out.
However, there were also additional changes.
There had changed within myself, after the accident with the rogues. A split.
There seemed to be two Winonas at this time. There was the “me” of the present, who was strong, motivated, and always working to bring about change; then there was the “me” of the past, broken, nervous, and perpetually afraid that she might be injured at any moment. She was afraid she would be turned down once more, or even worse.
The fact that I had held Benjamin’s life in my hands, as he was dying, had only served to highlight the contrast we were, even this time, it was brutally clear. I had been hearing her speaking in my brain. The screams of a young woman, who would turn into a killer in both the previous as well as today to survive.
Each moment, I saw a glimpse of the old Winona in the mirror. She appeared to be watching me continually hiding in my eyes, terrified and uneasy. As a result, I occasionally found it challenging to reassure myself that I was indeed on the correct track. I was aware that she was constantly nearby, only hidden under the surface, occasionally whispering my deepest worries.
But I was also troubled by another thing. Something had been bothering me for a while lately. But each time I tried to recall what it was, I would lose it right away. I noticed that as time passed in my new existence, I would start to have these kinds. of memory gaps more frequently.
After so many months, Benjamin’s formal coming-of-age ceremony was finally scheduled.
He was turning eighteen, so the banquet that was being held tonight was not a casual gathering. He would experience his initial shift tonight and discover how to unite with his wolf. The Alpha successor’s eighteenth was regarded as the most
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Chapter 51
significant occasion of the era and required practically months of preparation.
Thus, it was only natural that I would go too.
1288 Vouchers
I considered putting on clothing more appropriate for a Beta successor, such as pants and a shirt. A thing that would convey to others how seriously I regarded my position. However, I quickly realized how stupid that was. I didn’t spend all this time fighting for an opportunity to be taken properly as a female Beta, in order to try to seem more manly presently. In any case, they weren’t worth my time, if they were going to question me based on the things I was wearing. Without their criticism, I had the capacity to feel both attractive and confident at the same time.
I decided to wear a violet outfit since it complimented my eyes. It was undoubtedly more elegant and beautiful than the outfit I would have ordinarily picked, but considering the banquet, I thought it was perfect. Lily also enjoyed styling my hair a lot, even though I usually advise her not to bother. But she went a step farther and the outcomes were, to be honest, quite amazing.
I finally made it to the banquet an hour later. For the event, a sizable and opulent-looking building in the city had been hired out. It had two stories and a balcony around it, which faced out over the woods below. Later tonight, Benjamin would travel to that woodland with a small group of other, carefully chosen pack members, to observe his first shift. However, I wouldn’t be present, because it was customary for people who were already legal age, so they might continue on to go running in the forests after that.
I saw several faces inside, that I was familiar with and many
that I was not. But every person was dressed elegantly in their formal attire for the banquet. Some of them, I imagined, were members from coalitions showing their enthusiasm for Benjamin’s future, while others, I believed, were looking for their mate. If they were unsuccessful in locating their mate inside their own pack, it was usual for them to head out to other packs.
Having nothing to be concerned about tonight made me happy. Even though Benjamin would be of legal age, the mate connection wouldn’t be established until I was eighteen. None of us was going to encounter it until that time. It didn’t really matter, though. I have a goal of getting Beta and would take the required steps to achieve it.
As soon as all got there, Alpha Leo assembled everyone for some speeches and greetings. Thankfully, that was all very brief.
Among the guests, I turned to face Benjamin and noticed a hint of joy in his expression that I could not recognize from the previous time I had attended a banquet. His black wavy hair was still neatly styled, he was wearing the same pricey suit, but it was his look that caught the most attention. Even though his visage was often fairly stern, he appeared happy.
In my previous life, as a future Luna, I should follow him for the entire banquet. That was the very initial moment, we had actually spent a lot of time together. I recalled being totally in love with him and doubting whether he would truly be mine someday. But, Benjamin hadn’t given me a single glance all evening, as usual.
This time, I was happy that nobody was forcing me to perform a task, based on the presumption that we would one day
become intimately mated. Even yet, I didn’t think many people would be brave enough to suggest it at this time. I was sure they wouldn’t bring it up since I had been arguing for so long that I should be recognized as a Beta successor. Therefore, I merely glanced at Benjamin as he glanced at the audience; our eyes just exchanged glances until the speeches had finally concluded.
After everyone left, he came up to me, so I jokingly made a bow at his coming.
“Alpha heir, happy birthday. I pray that the goddess will favor you.”
His eyes narrowed as he smiled, at the scenario I was creating. “Take that away, Winona.”
I chuckled. “Well, I’m glad to see that at least you appear to be having fun.”
However, before he was able to respond, Leo said back, so everyone was silent.
“Oh, I nearly forgot, everyone!” he shouted, grabbing everyone’s attention once more. “The first dance must be performed by Benjamin to officially start the banquet.”
I stiffened. I obviously recalled the dance. They wouldn’t really force me to do it this time, would they?
Leo’s gaze suddenly turned to mine, so I was shocked to see that he had previously considered this.
“Winona, you are the most high ranked female in our pack and are about Benjamin’s age. Would you please come and start the banquet tonight with him?”
Inside, I grumbled. I couldn’t expect more from him.
“It would be my honor, Alpha,” I answered, forcing a fake smile on my lips.
I bowed my head and curtsied to Benjamin. I was flattered to see him reach out to me, because I was sure he couldn’t say
We immediately began to dance after that.
I was able to keep up, despite the classical music’s a little bit upbeat. Even though it had been quite a while since I had practiced this kind of dance, I had flawless recall of the
moves.
It felt good to be so near to Benjamin without feeling threatened by him, especially with his grasp at my waist and mine resting on his shoulder. Since we had been training together for so long, it had somehow made us closer.
As we danced smoothly, everyone was watching while they stood around. I anticipated being anxious from the onlookers’ eyes, as well as fearing that I might make a mistake at any moment, but instead I felt secure enough to hold my head up. I had to keep telling myself that I wasn’t ‘her.’ The previous Winona. I could handle it better than her.
After finishing one song, the audience was clapping, so we moved back to bow to each other. I grinned at him, grateful that nothing had gone wrong throughout every step.
The melody for the following song had just begun, so
suddenly everyone began chatting loudly and leaving to start the dance themselves.
“You look really…,” Benjamin tried to say, but crowds and noise drowned out his words.
Having missed all he said, I scowled.
“Could you repeat that?” I screamed back.
However, I was unable to catch anything, then suddenly I felt
a touch on my shoulder and heard someone speaking next to
“Would you like to dance with me for the next song?” he questioned.
My legs started to sag and my heart started to race. Mostly because I was familiar with that voice.
But it was impossible. Could it be…?
I quickly turned back, then I found… Bash was standing there.
Bash.
In reality. He showed up. Truly present.
Bash was smiling, his golden eyes were stunning and, in some strange way, much brighter than I had imagined them to be.
“Hey, little wolf,” he remarked, casually. “Long time no see, I guess?”
