Word Count: 2015

~Lavelle

I think I may faint.

My breath is coming out in stilted gasps as I stare out the carriage window, taking in the encroaching palace.

Night is draped over the land, although the palace stands tall and imposing atop the hill. It's grand façade is lit by firelight, becoming more visible as we climb toward it.

I swallow, but my throat is dry. I've seen the palace in the far distance, although most days it's either bathed in fog or concealed by shadow. Now I can see it in all its glory, and it's utterly magnificent.

Tall spires vanish into low cloud, which is stained in dusky shades of violet and blue as night wanes on. Narrow and arched windows are shrouded in shadow, concealing the truth of the great palace as guests draw near.

Mel sits opposite to me, her gloved fingers tapping a strange rhythm against her thigh. Her neck, wrists and ears glisten with jewels, contrasting against the beautiful dark of her sapphire dress.

The carriage sweeps past the main gate and upward, hooves clattering against stone.

This is really happening...I'm about to witness my very first ball.

The carriage eventually comes to a stop. Mel doesn't hesitate in opening the door, giving me a wink before she glides out.

The rich hum of music strains in the night air, meeting my ears as I peer out into the night. People chatter and laugh animatedly as they step from their transports and approach the sprawling entrance to the palace.

The air is spangled gold from firelight, sparks cracking all around. Guards stand proud in blue uniforms, eyes tracking the movements of the guests as they hurry inside, avoiding the bite of the cold before it strips the blush from their cheeks.

"Are you coming?" Mel asks, turning to offer me her hand.

Slowly, I step from the carriage to take her hand.

"Are you certain this is a good idea?" I ask numbly, taking in my surroundings. I'm afraid to move, lest this imagery dissolve and it becomes nothing more than a dream.

"We are going to have so much fun tonight. Isn't that what you said to me earlier this week?" Mel gives me a long look, glitter sparkling on her eyelids.

I look around. "Everyone is going to know I'm a fraud."

I'm already shivering, although I'm not certain it's from the chill weaving through the night air. Anxiety is getting the better of me, causing a splintery sharpness to form in my side.

"All eyes will be on Alpha Avi tonight, dear friend. You have nothing to worry about." Mel leads me a step closer to the entrance, just as our carriage pulls away to make room for someone else's.

"I suppose..."

"Plus you're absolutely breathtaking tonight. Perhaps you can secure yourself a match here as well." She winks.

I look around at all the suited men escorting lavishly dressed women. There will be some coming alone tonight, set on using this romantic setting as an opportunity to find courtship.

"The kinds of people here wouldn't be interested in me. I have no money, remember," I say through my teeth, hoping no one will overhear.

Thankfully, I'm the least of their concerns.

Mel sweeps to my side, hooking her arm into mine. "Well start assuming differently."

"I suppose I am open to finding someone. Especially if it feels right."

The problem, is that I harbour a dark secret that I can't risk revealing. Any romantic match would be put off once they learnt it. But I'm ready to find love, to find comfort in another person. At this point, I'm willing to risk it.

"Well then there's no time to wait!" Mel exclaims excitedly.

She tugs me through the entrance to the palace. A massive golden archway extends above us, gilded by firelight. It leads us into a wide atrium, filled with a swarm of music and the echo of chatter.

I look down at the marble floor, trying my best not to slip. Mel holds tightly to my arm as she looks up, taking in the space.

"Can you believe this place? It's incredible," she marvels softly, her eyes glistening.

A massive statute of a wolf rearing up on its hind legs stands proudly in the centre of the space. People pause to admire it, although its imposing nature sends a chill across my skin.

This place almost feels too grand, too vast. The walls adorned with curving blind arcades seem to press up into the air for miles, the glass ceiling above so distant it could be considered a part of the night sky.

I don't belong here. The opulence and wealth is unlike anything I've seen before, and it's incredibly intimidating.

"Can you believe I'll be living in it soon?" She looks at me, wanting me to share in her otherworldly fantasy that might just come true tonight.

I nod along, a little overwhelmed. "You'll fit right in."

She will too. She's as brilliant and luxurious as this palace is, and will brighten even the dullest of corners.

"And you'll visit of course. You'll have your own room right on the top story." She tugs me closer to herself as she giggles with mirth. I can't help but share in her smiles.

For a moment, I allow myself to believe in her fantastical ideas. Maybe I could visit, and have my own room. I could pretend I'm a part of this life, even when I very much am not. I already feel like an outsider in the village, but here...

Even with Mel, it would be a lot to handle.

"I'm not very good with heights—"

I'm cut off as we make it through the atrium and into a corridor as wide and long as a main city street. My shoulder slams into a man who appears around the corner, causing me to stumble and bump Mel off course.

"Oh—"

My protests choke in my throat as I see the male now turning to acknowledge me.

Holy fuck.

He stands close, lavishly dressed in black, bespoke attire that would appear to cost more than my entire years' salary. It's foreign in appearance, and so is he.

No one from around here can be so decadently handsome, in a striking, unusual way. His raven hair is thick and almost curly, falling just above the collar of his coat at the back. He looks down a straight nose at me, his whisky coloured eyes appearing bored and disinterested.

"My apologies." He bows his head politely, although he's already looking past me, wanting to move onward.

My mouth dries at the pitch and depth of his unusual accent. I vaguely remember that it belongs to another pack that flanks our own.

"It's okay, it's — I'm clumsy. My bad," I excuse, stumbling stupidly over each word.

I could melt into the floor from mortification. It's just, I've never seen someone so attractive in my life. He has a beauty that is beyond this realm, and yet he's standing right before me like an apparition.

He smiles tightly, adjusting the lapels of his jacket with fine, slender fingers. The forced curve of his mouth reveals deep dimples in his cheeks that make my heartbeat stutter.

"Enjoy the ball," he exclaims graciously before shifting past us, vanishing into the crowd.

Mel is gaping after him, her eyes glazed.

"He's gorgeous. Wow. I suppose I know who'll I'll be going for if it doesn't work out with the Alpha," she marvels.

He showed us no more than a fleeting interest, and yet here we are, both wondering what we might sacrifice for one dance with him.

"Who is he?" I ask, less to Mel and more to the realm, to whoever may be listening.

"I don't know actually, which is strange for me. I usually know everyone at these events." Mel appears genuinely confounded at her own ignorance. "He sounded foreign. I bet he's important."

Important, and deliriously wealthy, if his attire is any indication. But that is hardly what my mind is on.

"He's beautiful," I whisper.

"Maybe we'll see him later." Mel tugs on my arm impatiently. "Come now. We have a ball to attend, after all."

With Mel's hand entwined with mine, I allow her to guide me through a dense cluster of people in the corridor and into the ballroom.

It's a fine, sweeping space. It's bigger than two of my houses combined, and the ceiling is so tall the extraordinary chandelier feels miles away. Hundreds of candles light the room, casting a halo of gilded light over the dancing figure and their magnificent gowns.

Light and whimsical music plays, accompanied by the faint chatter of people.

Mel yanks me to her side, pointing through the crowd.

"There he is. Our Alpha," he says in my ear.

He difficult to miss, even amongst the clamouring crowd. He's at least a head taller than most others, and walks proudly through a crowd of people, acknowledging them each in turn with a decorous nod.

I've never seen him before. He's come down from his palace to our village a few times, but each I was too busy working to see him.

His hair is the colour of honey, although is burnished gold beneath candlelight. Even from a distance I can see the perfection of his features, and the ease at which he smiles.

People paw at his royal blue jacket and at the golden filigree adorning it, unabashed. He doesn't seem to mind, wading through the crowd like it's water.

"I've only ever seen him once, at his commencement. He's an elusive creature, that man." Mel drifts toward him. "I should go say—"

I promptly pull her back to me.

"Woah, wait a minute," I say. "Don't play all your cards yet. Everyone is approaching him, and if you're not careful, you'll blend into a sea of faces."

Mel may be exceptionally beautiful, but so are many other guests tonight. He's barely chattering to each person for more than a fleeting moment right now, and I don't want my friend to wind up disappointed.

Mel frowns, patting down her hair. "I know how to stand out."

"I know you do, but you should try get his attention first.  See if he'll come up to you," I encourage.

"How to I do that?" She's intrigued. This is a game to her, with high stakes and infinitely higher rewards.

Too bad this game is more stressful than fun. I'm sweating through my dress at this point.

"First we take a drink, enjoy it together by, then you take an offer to dance from a handsome gentleman. Make sure you dance somewhere in the Alpha's proximity." I gesture at him, then at the space on the dance floor a few feet away.  "Your beauty and magnetism will ultimately attract his eye."

Mel's eyes brighten my proposal. When she looks back at Avi, her teeth are biting down into her lower lip thoughtfully.

When she turns back to me, she's rubbing her hands togethe. "You're right, thank you. Name the suitor."

I inspect the edge of the crowd, looking for handsome males who are on their own. I spot one almost immediately, who looks out over the dance floor longingly.

"That guy over there. Very good looking." I point at him.

Mel follows my gesture, nodding appreciatively. "Great choice. Will you be okay here?"

"Of course. Go have fun," I encourage, giving her a gentle push in the males direction.

She strolls off, making a direct beeline toward him. I smile to myself. Mel will eat him alive, and he'll love every moment of it.

While my friend engages him in conversation, I let my attention drift back to Alpha Avi.

Only to find him looking right back at me.

❤️••❤️

If you want to read ahead, you can find this story on Inkitt 15 chapters ahead! The first five chapters are available for free (:

(Just search up my profile 'Midika' and you will find it under the stories tab!)

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛