“Ready, princess?” Caspien held out his hand after tiding his soft hair that I ruined. I didn’t feel a slight bit bad about that though.
I placed my hand in his, and let him lead me out of the dramatic limo.
Omegala came up to help with our bags and gaped at us.
“Your room has your name on it,” One of them I had never seemed before curtsied and averted her gaze, “Would you like us, er me, to show you? The dinner has just started.”
“We can find it on our own,” Caspiens voice was cold but gentle, “Thank you.” We walked towards the main door our hands intertwined.
I felt his aura seep out of him, it didn’t affect me, but I could sense it. It felt almost cool. It was powerful in an ancient and unrelenting way. I was in awe of it. It brushed up on my senses, but it was almost calming, protective.
“I know what you’re doing,” I whispered. He never let his aura actually expand intentionally. I knew he kept it tightly locked away, and even that was too much for most to handle.
He cracked a small smile but kept looking ahead.
Omega’s opened the front doors for us, which seemed like a bit much. Caspien scanned the area and gave a slight nod to a warrior I recognized from the shopping trip.
I took a deep breath and settled into myself, trying to emulate a mixture of Caspien’s cool confidence and Cali’s fiery take-no-prisoners brand of confidence. They both seemed to know what they deserved and didn’t apologize for it, and even if I didn’t truly believe it myself I could fake it. I hoped at least.
We deserve this – Iris came in – I always knew I was born to be a princess – she preened in my head.
Caspien squeezed my hand gently, and it was enough to ground me, to help settle some of the butterflies trying to claw their way out of my chest.
We were led to the formal dining room, even though I could find this room with my eyes closed. Loud chatter pulsed against the closed double doors. Omegas were stationed there and opened them for us before I could think. This was it.
The room quieted, and all eyes turned to us. The only thing I could hear was my thundering heartbeat against my chest.
Caspien raised our hands slightly in front of us; it felt very formal but gave me a confidence boost I wasn’t expecting. I focused on taking one step in front of the other as Iris chanted empowering mantras in my head.
I kept my eyes level as Caspien led me into the room but didn’t take one step in front of me. He guided me, not led, and I appreciated it.
Hushed whispers followed in our wake as my train swished past them. I was thankful for the other sounds, or else I was sure everyone could hear my erratic heart.
We stopped, and I came back into myself. The train of my dress pooled around me like water, and I fought the urge to touch it. I wanted to keep the picture of calm.
“Alpha Nolan,” Caspien said, his voice dark and devoid of emotion. I couldn’t help the shiver that his powerful voice sent to my core, though.
Easy, Princess – Caspien linked me, and I smiled.
“Prince, Dracos. Alpha, Dracos,” Nolan stammered. I met the gaze of my ex-mate. I was surprised and relieved to find that I was unaffected by him when I met his familiar brown stare.
“I don’t think I have formally introduced my mate, Willa Balfour, the future princess of the royal Dracos line.” Caspien looked at me, and my eyes snapped to him. We honestly never talked about me actually taking a title, but I didn’t care. Caspien knew how to play this game better than anyone. His eyes softened when they met mine but his face was still set.
“Alpha Nola,” I forced my gaze away from my mate and nodded my head towards him, only slightly, and turned to Camilla.
Her mouth was hanging open, and I was surprised to find that I basked in it. It filled me with some twisted inner warmth. Her blonde hair, perfect as always, was piled on her head in an intricate updo. She was wearing a tight black dress covered in sequins with long flowing sleeves.
“Luna Camilla,” The words danced off my lips pushed by the warmth inside of me. No malice in them, just politeness, “Thank you for inviting us into your home.”
She opened her mouth and then shut it again, looking like a fish out of water. I didn’t break my stare and kept my polite smile.
“What a lovely party,” I honestly didn’t notice anything about it yet, I was far too focused on not tripping over myself or my words, “And a fantastic dress,” Her face turned bright red, but I wasn’t sure why. Was she mad at me? After what she did? The thought was laughable.
“Um, take a seat.” Nolan’s voice sounded dry, and he motioned to the place of honor next to him.
“Alpha Nolan, Luna Camilla,” Caspien said; somehow, his greeting sounded more like a dismissal. His power seemed to pulsate from him, and I saw both of them try to fight the submission they felt.
I nodded to both of them politely, not breaking eye contact, and let Caspien lead me around the table.
(Nolan)
The dining room had been set for hours, and even I checked in on the decorations. Camilla and I welcomed the visiting Alphas, and Lunas and omegas showed them to their rooms before we left to get ourselves ready.
No sign of The Prince, but he wasn’t one to waste time showing up before he needed to, or so I hoped.
My mom was bustling around the dining room. Camilla frowned at her display but thankfully said nothing. We mingled with the other guests, but I kept glancing at the dining room doors. If The Prince didn’t show up, that would make this whole thing really embarrassing for our pack. It was now publicly known that he was to attend and bring his mate. Even the Alphas that previously said they couldn’t make it magically rearranged their schedules to be in attendance.
Partially because he had more sway over pack matters and could help get things done, but I knew the real reason was out of their curiosity. He rarely showed himself, and to have him come with his mate, the first glimpse of her outside their pack, no one would miss that chance.
Camilla made the announcement to be seated for dinner, I grabbed her elbow gently and steered her to our seats. A short head table just for us two and the prince and his mate. My Beta and Gamma and both of our parents were seating in a longer one next to us. I wanted to be seen with him and him alone. I also wanted to get in with him, he always was so short and cold and this would be my chance to get him to talk.
“He’s still not here,” Camilla hissed, glancing at the empty chairs next to us. I didn’t know what to tell her, her worries mirrored my own.
This would be embarrassing if he didn’t show.
A cold aura filled the room. It felt constricting, powerful, all-consuming. Camilla clutched my hand. He was here, at least there was that, even if I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and he wasn’t even in the d.amn room.
Complete silence fell before the doors even opened. I had never heard quiet like it, not at a party, at least. The air buzzed with anticipation, but it was nothing to quell the sense of rumbling power that was The Prince.
The doors opened, and he walked in. He held the hand up of a gloved woman in a striking black gown. She emanated confidence, and there was an air of certainty about her, but I would expect nothing less from a mate of a prince.
She was absolutely stunning, a striking beauty that still seemed understated. My stomach flipped at the sight of her.
My brows tugged together; something was off, this scene, this woman jolted my memory.
Mate – My wolf Toby growled in my head.
No.
That was Willa.
Our Willa.
My Willa.
The prince chose her as a mate? There was no way. This had to be some sort of ploy to get revenge. I don’t know what she offered him, though, in exchange.
That’s my dress. That girl stole it – Camilla came into my mind, tugging at my arm. I could feel the anger rolling off of her, cutting through my shock.
That’s Willa I said back, and Camilla turned to look at me; her eyes widened in disbelief before she slowly looked back towards the couple approaching us. Her arm slackened at my side.
I couldn’t believe it. Toby was restless seeing her. Was she always this beautiful?
Her dark hair shone off the low lights hanging above us; it was pulled off of her beautiful face and twisted in a crown on her head.
Her lips, her plump, perfect lips, were painted a deep red, and her eyes, those green eyes that were a shade not from this world, were bright and big against dark makeup.
What game was she playing?
My eyes trailed to her figure. Her full b.reasts were pushed up slightly against the dress with every steady breath that she took. Her soft skin was perfect, glowing under the dim lights, and her mark- Her mark, his mark?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.