The Royal Palace should have simply been called a castle. Marble steps swept up the front of the mansion that was delicately landscaped for the event. People of all ages, human and werewolf were staring eagerly up the steps as they attempted not to trip on the hem of their dresses. The men travelled eloquently behind them. It wasn't until we got to the golden doors at the top that the ballroom was revealed.
It was too much to take in. Sculptures lined with gold and tall marble pillars lined the room, with people dancing and talking with champagne in their hands on the floor below us.
"Stunning, right, Cyan?" she smiled. She was in awe of the place.
"Yes, you are," came a deep voice. I turned to see Ace sweep his arms around her waist as he pulled her in for a kiss. I shifted awkwardly as I fumbled with the pendant that dangled around my neck.
"Hello, my prince," she grinned.
"Hey, Cy," Ace shot me a smile. He had a fresh shave and his dark skin radiated against his suit. Although I would never admit it to Alessia, in fear of being choked to death, he was a very attractive man. Confident and successful, I couldn't help but feel a bit inferior in the powerful couple's presence. She was 19 and already had the life of her dreams. I was the meek human girl who barely turned 18 and painted in her tiny house on the top of the hill. I wasn't meant for events like these, and certainly not to be in the presence of people like them. I had been in Alessia's shadow for years, but I was content in the shade.
Before I knew it, Ace had whisked her away to have the night of her dreams.
I, for one, knew no one here. The seamstress wasn't exaggerating when she said that little to no human girls attended these things. Everyone knew the temper that werewolves had, and for Alphas that was magnified. For the Alpha King? The Alpha of Alphas? You couldn't pay a human girl enough to get in the same room as him. Yet somehow, for the price of a pretty dress and a limousine, I was here.
I felt a wave of relief as I came across the balcony outside that overlooked the King's private beach. I could never imagine living here.
"It's pretty great, I'm not gonna lie,"
I covered my mouth with my hand as I realized that I said that out loud. I turned around to see a dirty blonde-haired man in his young twenties.
"I'm Lyon," he stuck his hand out and I shook it hesitantly.
"Cyan," I replied softly.
"Well would you look at that, our names rhyme," he gave me a lopsided smile. "I suppose we're destined to be friends."
"What brings you to the King's Coronation Ball? Unmated females lying around?" I couldn't help but smirk a little. I knew how werewolf men were. Antsy and itching to get any human girl they could in bed.
"That's cold," he put a hand across his chest. "I'll let you know that I'm a happily celebate unmated male. What I would like to know is what a pretty human girl like you is doing sulking on a balcony during the party of the century."
"I came here with a friend, but her mate showed up, I'm far too awkward to throw myself into a party of strangers head first."
"Well you're doing just fine with me, wouldn't you agree?" he offered me his hand. "Can I at least get a dance out of you?"
"A celebate man you are, indeed," I couldn't help but smile. He was a miracle worker when it came to easing the tension. He guided me inside, down the corridor to the entrance of the ballroom. There was a grand staircase flowing underneath us, and it stared at me intimidatingly.
"Don't worry, I won't let you trip," he promised. I gave him a weak smile before cascading down the steps with him on my arm. A few people stopped and stared, and it wasn't until we got to the bottom that I fully realized just who it was beside me.
"You're Beta--"
"Lyon, yes, I knew you were human when you didn't recognize me."
If he was with me, then that meant the Alpha King was nearby, and that was someone I was not prepared to encounter.
"Don't tell me you're intimidated now?" he shot me that lopsided smile again and held his arm out once more. I swallowed my nerves and looked him in the eyes.
"Not a chance, hotshot."
***
Many dances later, I ran into Alessia again and pulled her away for a bathroom break.
"And they say wolves travel in packs, women put us to shame," Ace muttered.
"Isn't it just a dream, Cy?" she beamed as the bathroom door swung closed behind us. The powder room was lined with girls fixing their lipstick and pinning their hair. "I saw you getting up close and personal with Beta Lyon," she smirked at me. "You can thank me for forcing you to come now or later, or both," she shrugged.
"I'm not in the clear yet," I dabbed at my makeup with an oil blotting tissue. Dancing had taken more of a toll on my skin than I thought.
"You're avoiding His Majesty like it's your job," she rolled her eyes as she fixed up her lipstick.
"It is," I scowled. "I know this life is for you, Less, but I'm content with my quiet life on the top of that hill."
"We'll see how you feel at the end of the night," she hummed. Before I had the chance to ask her what in the hell that meant, she twirled her way out of the bathroom. I chased after her, and pushed my way out of the door into a hard chest. Immediately, my attention was drawn to the endless mandala of tattoos that peeked out from his arms onto his hands, and onto his neck. His entire body was probably covered. My eyes traced up the large figure until I met a pair of crystal blue eyes. He had the appearance of any other were-person there. He was built, tall, and tied together with a sharp jawline. They flushed black as his grip on my forearms tightened, and I felt my heart stop in my chest. I knew that look, I saw that look in Ace the first time he ran into Alessia at that boutique.
No. No. No.
Before he had the chance to say a word, I hustled up the steps as quickly as I had come down them. His eyes followed me with longing, and while he was still flustered I ran to meet Alessia at the top of the steps. She was giggling in Ace's arms, but I pushed past them.
This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening.
"Cy!" she yelled. Ace's attention was down the steps on the man who had clung to me for his life only a few moments earlier.
I nearly tripped into the limousine and yelled for him to drive. I didn't care where I was going, I didn't care where I ended up. All I knew was that I had to get as far from this place as I possibly could. Once I arrived at my home, I ditched my dress at the door and fell in a heap on my bathroom.
I fell, and I sobbed.
YOU ARE READING
Captive
Werewolf"I need to go," I mumbled. Before I could take another breath, he had me pinned against the wall. "You aren't going to move another inch," his voice grew husky, and I watched his crystal blue eyes begin to cloud. "Your majesty," I began. I felt t...
