Word Count: 2177

~Lavelle

The music draws to its natural close before another song melts into its place.

Mel gracefully ends her dance with the stranger, whose gaze is fixed upon her face. While he is a handsome male, he's not who she is here to impress this evening.

I straighten as she approaches, a fistful of her dress in her hand in an effort not to trip on the hem. Her smile is bright and her cheeks are crimson from the alcohol she's been drinking.

"Was he looking?" She asks, gesturing over her shoulder at our Alpha.

He's moved from one cluster of gushing females to another. His smile is warm and fluid. For a man who avoids social gatherings within the village, he's awfully charismatic. I can tell from here.

I nod. "Oh definitely."

I'm certain I saw Avi's gaze drift to my friend while she danced. Whether it lingered there for more than a second is another story.

In fact, I've been trying not to study him. Every time I glance over, I find him looking at me.

He probably just thinks I'm strange, staring at him like I have been. I wish I could assure him that it's because I'm trying to decipher his level of interest in my friend.

Mel fans her face. "I'm sweating. Is my face red?"

"A little," I admit. "Drink this water."

Her hand wraps around the glass I offer her, taking a careful sip. She doesn't want to ruin her makeup.

"I need to get this right," she exclaims decidedly. "Missy is busy taking up all his attention. I doubt he even noticed me."

Missy is, in fact, absorbing all of his attention. I can see her mouth moving as she chats in his ear, although I can't help but notice how mindless his answering nods are. He clearly couldn't care less about what she is saying.

Suddenly, he mentions something to her, his eyes meeting mine again. I almost grab Mel for support as he departs from his group, crossing the floor.

"Well that's hard to imagine when he's heading directly toward us," I tell my friend, turning my attention away from him.

"What?" Mel goes to turn but I grab her arm, keeping her facing me.

"Calm down, you almost spilt your drink." I pluck the glass from her hand, the contents inside swaying precariously.

She shakes off the droplets that landed on her skin, a panicked look straying across her face. It's rare seeing her flustered, but I can understand why as our Alpha draws closer.

"Is there anything in my teeth? Is my jewellery straight? Oh Elle, please tell me my hair isn't frizzy." Mel desperately pats down her hair.

"You're fine, you look great," I assure her.

At the moment, Avi approaches us. Mel turns, pressing in close beside me as we take him in.

He's tall and imposing up close, and his eyes are so much bluer than I anticipated. He looks down at us with a polite smile, so refined in his appearance that I immediately lose all concept of language.

His appearance is almost so perfect it's uncanny. His golden hair is styled immaculately, to the point there isn't a single strand astray. His attire is pressed to perfection, not a single wrinkle visible. When he smiles, even, he reveals brilliantly straight white teeth.

I can hear my own heart beating in my ears, and I'm almost certain he can too. I'm not sure how to act around nobility, but he is another level entirely. This man commands this pack, ruling over it and me too.

"Good evening ladies," he greets smoothly, his voice like molten honey.

Mel bows her head. "Alpha."

I suppress a smile at her sultry tone. She has always claimed to be excellent at seduction, and now I am beginning to see her talents. Avi will be in love with her before the night has concluded.

Avi's smile doesn't falter as he looks between us expectantly.

"Oh, my name is Melora Edward's, and this is my dear friend Elle." Mel looks to me, her smile a little shaky from nerves.

"Lavelle," I correct softly. I suppose it doesn't matter what name Avi believes I have, but it feels wrong to present a nickname to the most important male in the pack.

Mel laughs tightly, clearing her throat. "Right, sorry. I'm Mel and she's Elle."

"It's lovely to meet you both. Thank you for attending my ball." He says each word so graciously, well practised in being polite and hospitable.

Movement from the side of us pulls my eyes. Girls mull close by, leaning closer to catch each word uttered. Some seem to be building the confidence to intervene, to grapple his attention. I shoot the most eager a sharp look, wanting to give Mel a chance to speak to him.

"It's a pleasure to be here Alpha. May I secure a dance with you at some point tonight?" My friend asks, her painted lips forming an effortlessly beautiful smile.

"You may." Avi looks to me. "And you, Lavelle?"

I pause from where I was raising my glass to my lips.

"Sorry?"

He turns his body to face me. My vision goes a little fuzzy, and I feel a sudden bout of faintness as he levels a powerful look upon me.

"Would you like a dance with me tonight?" He asks, no hint of amusement lacing his tone.

I offer a flippant wave of my hand. "Oh no, I'm fine."

Avi stills, his brows raising a touch. He's surprised. I just rejected him, and by the startled look morphing Mel's features, I made a massive social faux pas.

"I mean...certainly," I stammer, rushing to correct my mistake before I plunge my friend in social ruin.

Considering I denied his offer for my friends sake, I don't feel as though I did anything wrong. However, rushed whispers purr from behind me, making it clear our conspicuous audience is aghast at my foolishness.

Avi smiles, relieved I scraped the situation back together. "Very well. Enjoy the festivities. I shall see you later for our dances."

My mouth is so dry even the wine doesn't wet it. I'll be spending the rest of my night avoiding him and his insistence for a dance. I'm sure he was just being polite, but I can't be too sure.

I can't dance. I simply never learnt.

Mel grabs my hands, shaking them about as she grins broadly. "Oh wow, isn't he just perfection?"

"He is very handsome," I admit.

"Like an angel." She gazes after him, sighing whimsically. "I must marry him. Now there is more than just power to grab."

I chuckle under my breath. He might be the most beautiful male in the room, although even thinking that feels wrong. My mind can't help but drift to the otherworldly stranger we bumped into on our walk in.

No matter how ardently I scan the room for him, he's yet to reveal himself.

All of a sudden, one of Mel's high society friends strolls over to greet us. Her gown is a gorgeous shade of blue and her jewellery is gold; including the small tiara nestled into her copper hair. The outfit looks startlingly well matched to Avi's.

I wonder what strings she pulled to achieve that.

"Melora daring. Look at you, absolutely stunning." The girl takes my friends hands in hers, lifting them as she inspects the dress.

"Elspeth, I should have known you would be here," Mel teases.

"Of course. How else am I to secure a marriage proposal with the Alpha?" She exclaims cunningly.

Mel's smile falters, but it's so subtle Elspeth doesn't notice. It seems most eligible bachelorettes are after the same prize tonight.

"Elle, this is my friend. We attend many events together," Mel says, trying to welcome me into their conversation. "Elspeth, this is my closest friend, Lavelle."

I smile in greeting, trying not to feel awkwardly out of place.

Elspeth returning smile is tight, until her gaze drops to my dress. She inspects it with precise and unrelenting scrutiny, appearing a little disturbed by what she finds.

"Didn't you wear this dress last season, Melora?" She questions.

I can feel my shame tinting my cheeks red. I'm sure it's a sight to see against the stark white of my dress.

"I own such wonderful dresses I can't bear to let them go to waste," Mel jumps to add. "Lavelle is such a natural beauty. She can wear anything and look stunning."

Smiling gratefully at my friend, I ignore Elspeth's unimpressed sneer. If I'm completely honest, insulting this dressed based on when it was last worn is truly what is unimpressive.

"I see that." She holds her gloved hand out to me. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." The satin feels soft to the touch, but our handshake only lasts the briefest moment before Elspeth is tugging her hand away.

"Come Melora, you must come greet Daisy and Opal. They haven't seen you since last weeks luncheon," she insists.

Mel startles. "I can't leave Elle-"

"Go speak to them. I need to use the restroom," I assure her.

Really, I need to remove myself from this ballroom before I suffocate. This is all becoming too much for me.

Mel's brows crease. "You're sure?"

She's reluctant to leave me, but she has social expectations to attend to.

"Yes, go have fun."

"I won't be long," she says while Elspeth practically drags her away.

Turning on my heel, I stalk straight out of the ballroom.

The moment I'm in the adjoining corridor, I can breathe again. The atmosphere in there had a suffocating grip around my middle.

I do use the restroom down the hall after waiting in a short line. Once I'm done, I slip from the room with my skirts in my hands.

I could go back to the ballroom. I could watch Mel enjoy her time with her friends while I stand in the corner, wondering if I could feel more out of place.

I want to be having more fun. I just don't feel as though I belong.

Looking down the corridor, I see it's mostly vacant. Raucous music has started up, presumably drawing everyone onto the dance floor.

Suddenly, Avi appears through the threshold to the ballroom. He adjusts his jacket, rolls his neck around and shakes out his shoulders before he turns my way.

I stiffen.

He's looking directly at me. Not at anyone else in the bathroom line behind me, who have yet to see him.

He's looking at me. Actually, he's advancing on me.

With a soft yelp, I turn and hurry down toward the opposite end of the corridor. My heels make a terrible clicking sound against the polished stone floor, and the fabric of my dress winds haphazardly around my legs.

I don't feel like crossing paths with the Alpha. I could use the opportunity to talk up my friends best attributes, but I'm overwhelmed enough as it is.

Reaching a spiral staircase, I scale it upward. Round and round it takes me, until it spits me out at a door that I shoulder open.

Where are Avi's guards? I could be intending to steal from him right now.

The door reveals another, more narrow hallway. I pass through it, then through two more doors. The rooms they take me into are dressed in shadow and almost entirely empty.

He clearly doesn't use this wing of the house.

At one point I stop, turning around. It dawns on me in this moment that I'm not exactly sure how to backtrack.

I make a meaningful attempt, but at some point doors lead me into spaces I can't recognise, and when most rooms look like the same version of each other, disorientation sets in.

Shoving another door open, I step into the room with a huff. I like to think I'm following the music, but each way I turn seems to a viable option to explore.

This room is clearly a bedroom, although it doesn't appear to be occupied. It's large with a massive bed shoved up against the far wall, but no personal belongings can be seen. I'm mostly intrigued by the door that leads onto the balcony.

I open the double doors and step out, breathing out a sigh of relief.

The house is orientated to be facing the forest now, rather than the driveway, but it's better than wandering around this cursed palace with no sense of direction.

I lay my hands against the railing, bowing my head.

This night is—

My own thoughts are cut off by the sound of a floorboard creaking behind me. I whirl around in a rush.

Only to see that standing a few feet from me, is my Alpha.

🩷••🩷

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 💜🐈‍⬛