Chapter 1
The candle light cast shadows over the pages of ''The emergence of Lycans,'' capturing Elisa's attention as she stared at the pages completely oblivious to the bustling preparation around her.
''It was in the Year of Our Lord 1795 that the first werewolf publicly declared his true nature. Lord Marcus Wynthorpe, Earl of Blackmere, revealed his affliction upon the miraculous birth of his third child - a daughter, where so many others had only sons. His wife, a human and unbeknownst to the other werewolf families gave him heirs in abundance, all werewolves.''
Elisa was fascinated by their kind and the book suggested that if it weren't for Lord's Wynthorpe confession, the werewolf race might have dwindled into extinction. Birthrates were far too low to sustain them and the majority of successful births produced sons rather than daughters. Humans were the key to their survival. More specifically, human women, birthing the next generation of werewolves. Turns out most of the prestigious family from the country were werewolves, they seldom joined society in Mayfair despite their wealth. But after Wynthorpe’s relevation, it was clear why. No one knew why Lord Wynthorpe took a human wife, it was suspected that his wife was his mate, a werewolf folklore that you were destined to find a soul mate, someone designed specifically for you. However, it suggests there isn't much evidence of mates in werewolf society today to confirm if mates still exist, if they do, they are rare and far few in between. Or maybe that information was privy to werewolves only.
''Elisa! ELISA!''
The book was uncermoniously pulled from her hands and shut with a decisive thump, bringing Elisa back to the chaos around her. She blinked as she looked at her mothers frantic expression as she looked at her daughter’s undressed form.
''Tell me you have not been reading all this time!'' Her mother scolded as she made her way back to her younger sister in the adjacent room.
''I only meant to read a chapter'' Elisa admitted as she pushed a stubborn strand of her dark blonde hair behind her ear. ''But it is fascinating Mama-''
''Fascinating? if your head wasn't attached to your neck it would fall into those books, tonight is the most important night of your lives, is no one in this household taking anything seriously! Where is your stash? You look half dressed!''
Mrs Hathaway voice was stern and relentless, her husband has secured a perfect opportunity for her girls to catch the eye of a gentleman of high birth, an impossible feat for someone of their calibre. But, Mrs Hathaway was given three extremely beautiful girls and that could not have been for nothing.
''I'm perfectly dressed Mama,'' Elisa called back tightening the sash around her waist and turning to inspect herself in the mirror. ''Unless you've decided tonight's theme is peacock in court, in which case, Charlotte's stolen the spotlight''
From the next room, Charlotte's voice rang out ''I heard that!''
''You were meant to'' Elisa muttered with a smirk tugging at her lips.
''Elisa!'' Mrs Hathaway, stormed back into the room narrowing her eyes to her middle child. '' You might think yourself clever, but no one enjoys a sharp tongue on a young lady! Tonight, you will hold it, do I make myself clear?''
''Apologies Mama, I would do my best'', Elisa replied sweetly but her eyes were filled with mischief that gave her away.
''Three unruly daughters, what did I do to deserve this'' Mrs Hathaway bellowed.
''Mother Please'' Mary said, stepping gracefully into the room, her golden hair pinned half up in perfect curls and the other half cascaded effortlessly down her back. ''We will be perfect ladies tonight'' She shot Elisa a pointed look and then moved towards her to fix her stash.
Charlotte appeared next with her strawberry blonde hair styled in the same way as her sisters, less graceful and wrestling with a stubborn glove.
''Why do we even bother with these things? They're impossible''
''Because,'' Mrs Hathaway snapped, ''a man doesn't want a wife with hands rougher than his own.”
“Well if that is the case Mama, you shouldn’t have had us picking potatoes from the ground for all these years” Charlotte responded mockley at her already stressed mother. The other two sisters couldn’t help but snicker a laugh at their younger sister. Her mother opened her mouth with an audible gasp. Ignorant to it, Charlotte simply continued:
“I fear you may be the reason for any nuptial misfortunes”
“Nevermind all that! Stand up straight all of you, tonight is too important for any of your nonsense'' Mrs Hathaway instructed the girl and completely ignored Charlottes words.
Elisa sighed and crossed her arms asking ''Why exactly is tonight so important? You do realise we are mere daughters of a clerk? The ton won't be welcome to people below their station''
Mrs Hathaway's eyes flashed, must everyone in this household question her? ''Your father works for the Duke of Langston and he has kindly extended his invitation knowing he has three unmarried daughters of age. You are all beautiful and men love beautiful faces, so you will not ruin this chance with your pessimism, I shall never forgive you''
Elisa raised a brow. The whole idea of the marriage mart was beyond her comprehension, she couldn't imagine living in high society and being pruned for this her whole life. But she understood her mother's concern. With no sons, they stood to lose their home if their father were to perish. Seemed like her family has the exact opposite problem that lead the werewolves to come out of hiding. Unable yo produce Sons! So coming out to society it is, even if it’s to prospects beyond their reach.
''I understand Mama, tonight is about survival'' Elisa relented.
''Exactly,'' Charlotte interjected, smirking. '' We are being thrown into a den of wolves after all''
