One thing about werewolves; they took their parties very, very seriously.
If the masquerade ball this evening was anything to go by, that much was pretty clear.
The party was set in one of the buildings that were right next to the taller, Alpha family building, except no expense was spared in the glamour and furnishing. The hall was so brightly lit that my eyes ached, and golden utensils glistened under the heavy lighting that was emitted by the large crystal chandeliers.
There were tables draped in golden and red on the periphery while the central part was slightly raised- a dance floor, given by the number of couples in exuberantly coloured outfits dancing away to their heart's content.
Waiters in black tuxes flocked the room with their silver trays, carrying glasses of champagne while also ensuring that every need of the guests was met with utmost efficiency.
I adjusted my mask against the constant perspiration on my face and took in a deep gulp of breath to calm my nerves. My hand was slightly shaking as I brought a glass of liquid gold to my lips and downed it in one go.
Not exactly a good idea for my mental clarity but it was better than my current haze of fear.
Sneaking into this elitist party had not been the best idea and I don't even know the purpose behind me putting in such trouble. I avoided as many people as I could, skirting around the party goers who were fortunately occupied but the greatest challenge was staying out of the radar of all the young, single wolves looking for a good time. Getting someone that close would out me instantly; wolves had the strongest sense of smell for identifying their kind.
In my case, for the kind who was their enemy.
I managed to get to the far side of the ballroom where a long table was set with chairs facing the dance floor- this must be where the council is going to sit.
I walk around that area trying to find a spot to stay in where I could discreetly keep an eye on the council and as I step back, my leg scrapes against two heavy set chairs.
What the…oh right, this must be where the Alpha and his future mate would sit. Dammit.
Staying here was a bad idea given how quickly Daniel would be able to spot me. I shuffle around to find a separate area, trying to remember what David told me about the various hiding spots in the ballroom that I could utilize. I seriously doubt this plan is going to work and I think about how I ended up here in the first place:
Three hours earlier….
The sun beating down on my face from the large glass windows woke me up- letting me know that I had somehow managed to sleep the night before. After that confrontation with the she-wolf- I mean, Daniel's fiancé-, I hadn't been able to rest my racing mind for even a second. Now as I yawn and attempt to stretch my locked up joints, my body burns with fatigue. My head pounds as I struggle to lift my head from the feathery pillows and I rest my back against the heavy set mahogany bedpost. Every thing in the room around me yelled regal and I felt even more overwhelmed just being here. Gathering my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around my body and curl up, trying to wrap my head around everything.
An impending possible death threat. A one-sided love, complicated by a rivalry. An inevitable broken heart and return to my lonely life.
The future that was in store for me was just great, wasn't it?
There is a brief knock at my door and I scramble out of bed and throw on my robe. I slowly make my way to the door while searching for anything I can palm as a potential defense weapon. Ah, the lamp. I grab if and pull right next to the door, sneakily looking out the peephole- when I see a golden pupil staring back me. Embarrassed, I discreetly place the lamp behind me and open the door. David's smug grin reveals itself and I sigh. wonderful. He noticed.
He moves around me before I can blink and grabs the lamp, laughing out loud.
'A lamp? Really?'
I feel my cheeks redden. 'Shut up.'
I close the door and turn to face him with my most intimidating look. He laughs even louder, even throwing his head back for full comedic effect.
'I came to see if you were okay. But after that eyeful- I mean, lamp-,' he laughs again. How rude.
'Clearly you're in high spirits. So I wanted to run something by you before I left to get ready.'
'Get ready for what?'
'That what I wanted to tell you. There's going to be a masquerade ball tonight, just for us wolves. Nothing too fancy, though, its just for Dan being back home and all.'
I nod, not quite sure where this is going. The 'just for us wolves' kind of stings.
'You see the thing about masquerade is…people can't really tell who's who under a mask. And they take the whole hiding thing pretty seriously.' He cocks an eyebrow at me.
'Wait..are you suggesting, that I crash this party?'
He nods. 'That's exactly what I'm saying. Look..I don't like not being able to tell you anything and I hate that being confused upsets you. I know it isn't like you to be so out of control with everything in your life.' His nervous tell is back, with his fingers running through his hair.
'My wolf instincts forbid me from saying anything that Dan has explicitly forbidden me from. The council will all be there and they're going to make their decision then. So what I'm saying is..why don't you take control of your life now?'
The councilmen's entry reverts my attention back to the current situation and I watch all those arrogant looking elites make their way to the table. Even their necks are stiff with their high strung pride and smug attitude.
So they will be the ones deciding whether I should be killed or not. I can already guess what their decision is going to be.
Soon enough, their conversation picks up and I hear the distinct phrases; 'worthless human', 'bewitched the alpha', 'spy spent from some rogue territories' being thrown out and I move away from them, feeling utterly disgusted.
My feet carry me across the ballroom- so much for 'nothing too fancy'-, until I stop in my tracks, my heart stuck in my throat over the scene that presents before me.
Daniel is standing in a elegant black tux and blood-red mask next to a woman who's in a dress of the same color. Her hair is dark as midnight and falls in glossy waves down her back and her face is tilted upwards towards Daniel. Her lips are pulled up in a radiant smile- despite half of her face being covered. Daniel is likewise enthralled by her as he leans over and presses his forehead against hers. His strong arms are wrapped around her waist and the love between them is so potent and obvious that I feel stained just by being in their presence.
I back away, prepared to run to my room and throw the lock. To hell with the council and whatever decision they make.
Except two heavy hands land on my shoulders and I wrench around instantly- ready to scream.
The man- wolf, is wearing a mask that covers his entire face, making his features indecipherable. Before I can ask him who he is, his hand lifts the mask off and I stare back in utter shock.
How could this be possible?