I am standing by the window side in my room, looking out the window, admiring nature as Amelia’s words echo in my head. "Next time you’re serving Lucas, I’d love to come along," she’d said. I could recall those blushing smiles of hers too. The memory only curved my lips into a smile at the thought that Amelia was truly in love. So deeply, in love that seemed so obvious. Anyone who paid attention could see it in the way her eyes softened when she spoke of him and the excitement. I’m thrilled for her, my heart swelling with genuine joy.
Amelia’s excitement was a reminder of how rare and precious that feeling was. My smile widened even more as I imagined her next to Lucas with her usual blush and shyness as I turned from the window, my heart anticipating, hoping I’d witness their love story soon.
Maybe I’d play matchmaker, nudge them closer during his stay here before Luisa’s mating ceremony. The thought warmed me as I pictured her shy glances at him. Love had a way of weaving magic, didn’t it? In as much as love never favoured me, I always love to see and hear about love. There’s this feeling it gives me all the time. Love is a beautiful thing when you are with the right one.
In my past life, Amelia was a fortress, her beauty drawing the attention of many males in the pack, yet she rejected all, always turned them away. "Love is painful," she’d always say. "I’ll never let it hurt me like it did my mother." Falling in love had always been Amelia’s fear and weakness due to the trauma she’d faced while growing up in a toxic family with her mother and father.
Amelia’s mother, Elara, was and always had been a kind woman with a strong smile, raising Amelia alone after her mate, who’s now her ex husband abandoned them. He was a charming drifter, Amelia once told me, about the promises he’d made her mother believe he would love her forever which came crashing as a lie. He’d wooed her with sweet words and left her with a broken heart and a baby to raise after meeting Elara countless times in his drunkened state.
Amelia was only five when he vanished, leaving Elara to work long hours as a chief maid under my father’s rule to provide for her daughter. The experience carved deep scars into Amelia’s view of love. She grew up watching her mother’s quiet strength, but also her silent pain, and vowed never to let a man close enough to wound her emotionally and physically.
Men in the pack, drawn to Amelia always tried their luck, but the walls Amelia built around her heart were impenetrable. She’d laugh off their advances and never gave them more chances to be attracted to her and that’s why she’d switched to dressing like a tomboy to hide her curves. Though her attitude was girly.
I remember one suitor vividly, a memory from my past life. His name was Gavin, a warrior from the neighborhood. He’d approached Amelia at a pack festival with interest. "You’re too pretty to be hiding behind those clothes," he’d said, offering her a cup of wine. Amelia’s face had hardened, her eyes flashing with irritation. "And you’re too bold to think I care," she’d shot back, spilling the wine onto the ground before walking away. Later, she confessed to me that his confidence reminded her of her father. "Men like that break hearts," she’d said. I’d tried to convince her that not all men were like her father. There were good men out there like my father.
Now, Amelia’s heart, once locked tight, is opening, and the thought fills me with hope. This time, I’m determined to guide her, to help her embrace this new Chapter. I want to see her happy, to dress more feminine and to let Lucas see the woman she is, a sweet soul. Instantly my mind drifts to her wardrobe. Most of her dresses wouldn’t pass the test for a romantic look. They’re sturdy and far from something girly. But then, a memory hits me.
In my past life, Amelia’s mother gifted me a dress on Amelia’s birthday. It was a stunning, fitted gown, short enough to show off the legs but elegant enough to turn heads.
Though, not too short. Elara had handed it to me with a smile, saying, "This is for you, Iris. But maybe one day." I hadn’t worn it in years, tucked away in a box of keepsakes from a life that feels both distant and achingly familiar.
My instincts pulled me toward the box as I approached it. I pulled it out and rummaged through my clothes and surprisingly, I found the dress. I tugged it out as I held it up, assessing it and the dress still looked perfect. I lay it carefully on my bed.
Today is a day off, a break from our maid uniforms in Black Bane, and this is a perfect day for her to put this on. I can already picture Amelia in this dress, her long legs flawless, her figure mesmerizing. The thought made a smile curve out my lips as I imagine her nervous smile when she sees herself in it.
Suddenly, my door to my room burst open as I turned round startled and saw Amelia’s face streaked with tears. Her eyes are red-rimmed. Her chestnut hair is disheveled, strands sticking to her damp cheeks as if she’d been crying for a while now. She’s still clutching the doorframe.
"Amelia?" I called in concern at the sight of her. "What’s wrong?" I added as I approached.
She took a few steps inside and closed the door behind her. Her lips tremble as she tries to speak. "Alpha Lucas..." she paused, a sob catching in her throat.
"What’s wrong?" I ask again, now standing in front of her, my hands reaching for her shoulders.
"He’s been punished because of you." She added.