The Gate of Shadows

My return to the room ended with Fenris utterly stunned once he saw me.

“How did you get so much flour on you to make you look so ghostly?! You’re already pale, I can’t!” He burst into laughter.

His expression left me flustered where I stood, fiddling with my dress. Yet another laugh I didn’t mind aimed at me. Melody, on the other hand, was happy with the results. She even went as far as calling our bake-out a success.

In her hands, she carried the messed-up cheesecake and a cake she forced me to make for Fenris. Handing me the box, she nudged me to give it to my wolf, who couldn’t control his chuckles, especially when Melody told him everything that had happened in the kitchen.

The bombs of flour I dropped were too much for him to handle. He wasn’t the only one, as the other boys in the room also enjoyed the story of my failures. Hesitantly, I offered the coconut cake to Fenris, triggering him to tilt his head before grabbing it.

However, the silver wolf’s cheeks turned pink when Melody announced I made it for him. A sharp snap came from his bed, where Layla broke a pencil in half upon hearing it. Shivers went down my spine, trying to ignore the death glare that soon followed.

It wouldn’t bother me for long, though. Fenris placed the box on my bed before tossing me into the bathroom with Shade.

“Shower, we’ll talk after you get cleaned.” He avoided my gaze, closing the door behind him.

Part of me wished he would have come in with me, prompting a sigh to leave my lips. While I showered, I also bathed Shade, who told me how much she hated every moment. Her coat was covered in egg and frosting from all the fumbling.

Outside the door, chatter erupted when I finished drying Shade and dressing for the night. I glanced towards the mirror, where I saw my hair had grown slightly longer than usual. Normally, I would ask Fenris to cut it, but I hesitated since other people were around.

Layla already hated every moment her future husband spent with me. If she saw him cut my hair, then she would undoubtedly blow. Ever since I destroyed Silverant, I had kept my hair short.

Exiting the bathroom, Fenris waited for me in bed while the crew devoured the cheesecake Melody had brought them. By the time I was out, though, she had already left. Not being able to say good night to her left me feeling down.

When I joined my wolf, he picked up the box to reveal a mediocre coconut cake, his favorite flavoring, something I learned from childhood. The decorations were mediocre, though. I could draw and paint, but the frosting consistency was something I never worked with before.

My attempt was nothing compared to what Melody could do. Even so, she called it pretty for my first try. I thought she was joking, but Fenris didn’t criticize the decoration skills; instead, he smiled, scotching over to me.

"Let’s share it," my wolf suggested, simpering.

Layla tried to hide her displeasure, yet I could feel her glares on me.

“Sure.” I smiled, unable to resist this wolf.

He was so pleased to receive my gift that his tail wagged, a rare sight. On the first bite, I could tell it was delicious. Melody instructed me on how to do it step by step. Even though I had failed so many times, she made me continue until I nailed it.

The cake was fluffy, moist, and rich in flavor. Once he tasted it, Fenris chuckled in delight, too. I could melt in his amber gaze when he tenderly glanced at me.

"It’s delicious, Lily. Thank you." He beamed.

His smile was too dangerous, prompting me to shift my eyes away from him.

Oh… No… I really want you!

It took everything in me to fight the urge to pounce on him. Covering my mouth, I focused on the floor, trying to calm myself before I spoke again.

"Y-You s-should t-thank Melody. S-she guided me the w-whole way." I stuttered, feeling a warmth erupt from my chest.

I knew full well that if Melody hadn’t helped me, the cake would’ve been an utter failure, making it inedible.

Many of the first batches were.

"Your hands still made it. The recipe doesn’t matter." Fenris noted.

He wouldn’t give me a break. I tried to suppress the emotions that were swelling within me, begging to come out. However, with one gaze towards Layla, I felt shivers run down my spine.

If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the spot.

Kira tried her best to seduce Liam, who appeared to have had too many drinks. The poor brown wolf was uncomfortable by her advances. It wasn’t long before Ezra jumped in to save him. My gaze traveled back to Fenris, who ate his small cake happily.

How can Melody ever see you as intimidating? You’re... adorable.

I didn’t know how I would keep my hands off him tonight. It had been days with little to no touch, filling me with frustrations I never knew I could have. Ezra and Owen teased Kira, who wanted nothing to do with them. Noticing my discomfort, Shade cuddled me, triggering me to pet her.

It wasn’t the type of touch I desired, but it would have to be enough. Layla walked over towards us before pointing at me.

"Why do you always dress like that?" she slurred, swaying to her sides.

Is she drunk?

Fenris's eyes followed her carefully, leaning closer to me.

"I don’t know what you mean by that," I answered.

The white wolf rolled her eyes, "Don't you ever want to dress sexy or get a boyfriend? Or girlfriend? From what I hear, Cora likes you. Why don't you go with her instead of hounding my fiancé all the time?"

I remained silent, gazing away from her.

Ah... This is going to be a shitty night, alright, so much for the amazing start.

"Layla that—" Fenris began, only to be interrupted by her.

"You must show off your goods if you want to have someone. You know you can’t rely on Fenris forever." She huffed, side-stepping, trying to stay straight.

"Enough, you’re out of place. Back off." Fenris confronted her, causing her to flinch and retreat from me.

She didn’t want another lesson from him.

Releasing a sigh, I shook my head. “I’m sorry for taking Fenris's time like that," I whispered, glancing down.

If keeping the peace meant groveling, then I…

I can never be like Melody.

“Lily, no, don’t say that.” He reached for me, touching my cheek, only for me to retreat away from him.

A sharp growl left him, shifting his piercing gaze towards Layla. Before he could say anything, though, Kira stood up from where she was, smelling blood in the water and wanting more.

"Yeah, you better be sorry! Geez, Fenris, why did you make her your charge?! She’s just like any other stupid witch! Useless trash!" The little white wolf snapped, shifting a glare at me.

These past few days full of kindness had made me temporally blind to what I was to most of these people.

That’s right… Why am I… trying to be nice?

"Will you two shut up? Stop reflecting yourself onto her!" Liam growled, getting up from where he was.

Ezra and Owen were shivering where they sat, attempting to avoid the fight brewing.

"No! She’s utter trash! Having to have our alpha all over her for no reason!" Kira countered the brown wolf.

The girls had drunk enough alcohol to allow them to ignore the fact they were in my room.

This is my safe spot. You… won’t…

Unlike Layla, I owed her sister nothing, and her racism made my blood boil. People like her caused the fall of Silverant, much like that older man from the beach oh so long ago. Getting off the bed, I stood in front of the two white wolves.

Hate begets hate. Yet I…