Chapter 9
1466words
"Paris! Paris!" my sister Christina called out as I followed Ember's scent.
But her call barely registered. Not when my mind was so consumed with thoughts of finding Ember. So much, we had so much that needed to be said. I had so many wrongs that I needed to atone for.
I looked left and right as her scent grew stronger, but I could barely even find her.
"where the hell are you?" I ground out, growing frustrated as moments passed by and I still could not see her. I was ready to move in circles, like a dog chasing after its own tail. That's if I didn't already look like one.
But the hall suddenly grew quiet as the lights were dim, and footsteps were suddenly heard on the stage that once was empty.
I raised a brow as a tall man with a distinguished aura appeared and I was captivated by the intense presence of the Lycan king.
"So this is what power feels like," I whispered to myself, unbeknownst.
"distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, for honoring me with your presence this fine evening." I listened attentively, thoughts offending ember halting for that moment. The Lycan king was just that captivating.
"It is with high esteem that I would like to present to you, my daughter." Suddenly, a woman of average height appeared, in a pale blue ankle-length dress. It had a sweetheart neckline that hugged her body without being all too revealing. Her body wasn't exposed, but that only made a man wonder what lay beneath that dress.
"stop it. " I growled to my wolf, "she isn't why we are here." I chided. But even I had to admit that the woman was breathtaking.
There were murmurs as the girl sat beside her father, but Lycan king Henry hushed them all with the single utterance of the word, "Silence!"
After that, the hall was quiet once again. So quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Just as the king expected. But he wasn't able to quail the envy I saw in the eyes of some of the women. I'm not sure anyone could
However, I understand the reason for most of the disquiet. The king's daughter was one everyone knew of, but didn't really know. No one knew what she looked like. Even now, she had a blue veil covering her face, but for her jaw and red painted lips.
"Blessed be the God of the moon, for it is with deep gratitude to him that I announce my daughter as the one who will ascend the throne before me." There was a sharp intake of breath from the person standing beside me and gasps all around, but the king was unfazed by all of it. If he even noticed he said nothing.
"And so, seeing as she will be the one who will rule after me, from this day on she will be integrated into the affairs of the kingdom. So, every Alpha present here should have it in mind that you will have to work in harmony with her. Disrespect toward her and her dealings will not be tolerated. " said the king in his booming and majestic voice.
"There will be time yet to get to know her, but as of now, her privacy is important to her and to me. So at this juncture, this is all the knowledge I will share tonight. With all that being said, thank you all once again for coming, and please, enjoy the feast."
I watched as the princess got up, placed her hand on the king's elbow, and left the stage.
I know within me that I have never met the princess. I know that. And so why did I feel such familiarity every time I looked at her?
I couldn't say for sure and didn't really waste my time thinking about where I could have met her from. Nobody in all the kingdoms knew the princess. Her lips at this point, are all the knowledge anyone had of her. And I suppose that killer body.
"Is it me, or does the princess look like…” I turned to Kate as she trailed off. At what point did she come to my side, and I hadn't even noticed?
"look like who?"
She shook her head, "Never mind. Forget it."
I eyed her curiously for a moment, and watched as she nervously looked away, "have you seen Christina?" she asked, turning to look at me again, and only then did I remember what had brought me out to this point.
Ember!
But her scent that was so strong moments ago had finally faded and I might have groaned in frustration if Kate hadn't been there. I didn't want to have to explain why I was looking for Ember to her.
"no," I said, still irritated by Ember and what she had done. " No, I haven't." I began to stalk off, Kate at my heels.
"there you are! I was looking everywhere for both of you! And did you see the princess? I bet she's ugly and that's why they are hiding her face that way!" Christina said maliciously and I prayed to the heavens for patience.
"Please don't do this right now," I said wearily and walked to the bar for some drinks. My sister and Kate followed.
Why did they have to follow?
"I don't know. I kind of thought she and Ember shared a resemblance." Kate said quietly, and I felt her eyes on me as I sipped from my glass.
Ember. Was that the reason why the princess felt familiar?
"Oh please!" Christina said maliciously, "Ember? As a princess? In what world?" Christina said cuttingly and poured herself some wine.
"yeah. I guess." Kate said, her eyes still on me, "Paris, you know, you haven't said anything."
I finally turned to her and shrugged, "What is there to say? I couldn't care less if the princess looked like Ember. " I said way more rudely than I intended to be.
A lie. I was lying through my teeth,
"What's with him?" Christina asked Kate and sipped from her glass. Kate just shrugged and looked around.
"well…” she started to say and got distracted by a couple of men who came to the bar as well. They were dressed in Armani suits and gave off an air that said power. They were probably Alphas, and very handsome,
"I'm telling you, she's a beauty, that one. No wonder the Lycan prince can't keep his hands off her." one of the men said
"but if he has some claim on her, she's probably off limits." the other one replied,
"maybe. But that doesn't mean a man can't try. The trick is to get her alone." the first one said, and the other one laughed,
"Now which one of us is it going to be?"
The first one stretched out his hand, "I say finders keepers, and may the best man win."
"you're on." His mate enthusiastically took his hand enthusiastically and they shook on it.
I watched as both men left and couldn't help but feel my blood grow hot,
"that girl is nothing but a whore." I heard Christina say, "I'll bet anything she came here just to entice men. Bloody social climber." she spat.
"Better them than Paris, if you ask me," Kate said and shrugged.
Unable to take any of it anymore, I set my glass out and left to go find Ember. Damn if I'd let those bunch of hoodlums touch her.
~~~~
I walked outside hoping I'd catch a glimpse of Ember. Her scent had come on both strong and weak as I made my way through the crowds, and I only went where it was stronger. That had somehow led me to the gardens.
But what would she be doing away from the party?
"still lurking I see?" it was her voice, and I turned around hastily to come face to face with her,
"What are you doing out here alone?" The question came out sharper than I intended. But I was just so frustrated from looking for her the way I had.
"How is that any of your business?" she said coldly.
"Now you listen to me. I have had enough of your childish game. You're coming home with me, right now."
Her eyes drew into slits, and she jutted out her jaw, a look of defiance I had never really seen,
"And what makes you think I'm going to do as you have said?" she asked, and got even closer, excluding an aura of authority I had never really gotten from her, "let me remind you, Alpha Paris, that I have nothing to do with you anymore. Don't be presumptuous."
