Page 1 of Brandy Snap: Part Two

Melanie

Iadjusted my dress as the car pulled up to the house. I thought Sin would come to pick me up, or maybe even prepare me forthis party since they hadn’t exactly gone above and beyond for the first one, but no.

My phone pinged with a message from Sin’s assistant this morning to tell me a car would arrive to take me to the stylists, but that was all I got. At least Sin didn’t expect me to let them into my nest like last time.

For a pack that was trying to convince their family I was their scent match, they were doing a seriously poor job.

I hissed as I picked the skin around my nail too roughly, quickly slotting my thumb in my mouth to stop the blood.

It had been two days since Zania had invaded my nest, and I hadn’t slept. It was as if I’d gone insane, and not the same kind of crazy I felt after I bit Kai.

My omega instincts were demanding I clean my nest nonstop, struck with mania.

I’d cleaned my nest for a solid day, furiously scrubbing everything, drowning my nest in bleach to scour out Zania and the alphas’ scents. It didn’t need to smell of brandy—it just had to stop smelling likeher.

I’d laid there awake for hours, running through all the places I’d cleaned to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. And, when I couldn’t remember if I’d cleaned a certain spot, I had to jump straight out of bed to scrub it again.

I had to breathe through my mouth for days because I kept imagining I could smell hyacinth.

When I left my nest to visit Mum, I constantly bit and picked at my nails, trying to keep myself distracted, wanting to stay calm even though all I felt was anger, fear, and pain.

Even now, when I was attending a party at Zania’s own house, where she definitely would be, I was scared she might send people to invade my nest.

I fumbled one-handed with the clasp of a sparkling clutch. A smear of blood would show up on the light green satin that matched my dress.

I popped it open, fishing around for my compact mirror.

“We’ve arrived, Ms Sanderson,” the driver said, peering at me in the rearview mirror.

“Thanks, just one more thing.” I gave him an awkward smile, but he returned it with a sour look.

I chalked it up to more assumptions about who I was. From the way people had behaved at the last party, I wouldn’t be surprised if rumours had spread.

Flicking open the compact mirror, I glanced at my face.

Kai’s stylists really were amazing, even if they were the same people Sin said worked for Zania. There was no way they were going to leave the cut and bruise from Zania’s harsh slap exposed.

The deep blue had faded to an ugly purple, and it was obvious from the sharp red line on my cheekbone that I’d been hit.

Through all those hours of cleaning my nest, through all the rage that built up towards Zania, I’d told myself I wouldn’t hide anymore. I wasn’t going to back down. I wouldn’t let myself be so defenceless that she could invade my nest and get away with it.

So I licked the underside of my thumb, my gaze hardening as I lifted it to my cheek. One firm wipe against my tender skin, following the line of the gash she had left with her rings. I could still feel the echo of the impact and her sneer afterwards.

The stylists had to layer the concealer on thick, but it took a few quick circles to make it look as if the bruise was so heavy it had shown through my makeup.

“Ms Sanderson,” the driver pressed, and I gave him a nod.

“Okay, I’m going,” I said, more to myself than him.

I’d been preparing myself for this so furiously that I forgot to be nervous until the driver went to open my door.

As soon as I rose from the car, cameras flashed, instantly blinding me. I raised my hand, covering my eyes. Startled, I went to escape, instantly turning away. But the driver was already back behind the wheel, ready to go.

They kept shouting and flashing and asking questions I couldn’t hear. I needed to get away, but they swarmed around us.

There were alphas lining the path, keeping the cameras back. I couldn’t bolt. I had to stand tall.

I dug my fingers into the clutch, swallowing a dry breath as I stepped forward.