15.1
Guests were arriving by eight that night at the family castle. Security was high and precautions were taken very seriously. Everyone was expected at the ball, mateless wolves hoped to meet their one true love while others just wanted to see inside the famed wolf castle. Servants bustled up and down through hidden passages which were made for them, making sure the king's guests were kept happy. King Caiden and his mate Queen Rosaline stood by the entrance greeting each and everyone for an hour before going inside to enjoy the festivities.
'Where are they?' Caiden asked his mate over their link. Rosaline glanced his way to notice his clenched jaw as he sent a fake smile to a passing alpha. She knew who he spoke of and was trying her best to keep him calm. Resting a hand on his hidden clenched fists she felt his tension ease. Caiden looked down at his dark-haired beauty, always captivated by her lovely brown eyes. "Please talk to them Rose," he asked of his wife. She nodded before reaching up to kiss his lips. "I will go look for them" she reassured him. With that, she hastily left the ballroom to go in search of her children. Tiredness and guilt settled in her body, Rosaline was at her wit's end trying to understand this rebellious stage of her twins. She expected this when they were younger but at this age. The disrespect to them and their elders, their unwillingness to learn more of their people, much less care about them, it worried her. Rosaline has tried to bring this to her mate's attention but he believes its all a phase. How long can a phase be? Shaking off her worry, she pasted a smile on her face and steeled herself for the confrontation with her kids.
As Rosaline left, Prince Matthew and his mate Princess Rebecca walked in as they were announced at the start of the staircase. Walking down to their people, Rebecca politely smiled at persons who wished her good health to her and her family. The pair made their way to Caiden, "Disappearing act again?" Rebecca asked with a plastered smile on her face to the crowd.
"They would be the death of me," Caiden grumbled as his little sister laughed.
"Prince Sean and his mate Princess Ivory from Britain" the herald called out. Rebecca and Matthew watched on as their eldest son walked with pride down the stairs guiding his blushing beauty. "A beautiful match" Caiden commented. "She keeps him grounded always wants the best for him also," Rebecca said with pride.
"Prince Matthew the second and Miss Sienna De La Vega"
"Who is this girl? I never saw Matthew bringing home a girl or taking up one as his girlfriend." Caiden commented once more. "They met at school. She's an alpha's daughter. Their pack is originally from South America. She's really nice, quiet most of the time but very vocal with her thoughts." Prince Matthew the first mentioned. "I hope they know what they are doing," the king said watching closely as his nephew kissed the young girl's cheek as he sat her down at one of their tables.
The place was filled with laughter and light music as neighboring packs mingled together, couples dancing on the floor while few simply people watched.
"This is so beautiful. I can't believe you get to go to these wonderful parties all the time," Sienna said to Matthew in awe looking around with bright eyes. Matthew smiled at her taking in how beautiful she looked in her dress. It was very stylish. Her body was clad in dark purple lace with a very low back, the dress molded to her body like a second skin showing her luscious curves, sequins adorned each trail of lace, the dress was totally made for her. It looked heavenly against her pale skin, with red lips and her hair swept back in a lovely updo. She looked ten times much lovelier than the fairy tale princess Snow White.
"You look so radiant my love" Matthew murmured in her ear causing her to blush. They ate little appetizers then head to the dance floor for a moment. Ladies complimented her on her dress while others took the chance to converse with the young prince.
"Crowned Prince Cain and Crowned Princess Reign"
"It's about time those two showed up" Matthew mumbled as he brought her close to him. Sienna craned her neck to see the twins walking down the stairs with their noses up high. They didn't return any body's greeting but walked straight to their father. He didn't smile at them nor talked to them out loud, Sienna knew he was reprimanding them through their link. Their eyes gave them away as it became fearful.
"Where's Mina?" She asked still looking for her friend. Sienna hasn't seen nor heard from her all day. She knew Mina received her messages and was ignoring her, something had to be wrong. "She's probably coming in with her family. They always come in late." Matthew said leading her to the balcony for some fresh air.
"Why?" she asked curious about Mina and her family. Matthew simply shrugged and left her to her own thoughts as they took in the night sky.
Nikolai and Zarif sat on the sofa in silence dressed and ready to go to the ball. Both have been in talks since the beta returned from the fair and a broken-hearted Mina locked herself in her room all afternoon.
"I hate to see little one cry, Zarif. I respect your loyalty to her in wanting her career to be first but she loves you. She actually told you." Nikolai said to his friend.
"You know Mina will stay by my side and neglect her career to make me happy. I will feel like an idiot to let her do that." Zarif said messing up his recently styled hair. Nikolai understood his friend's plight but this was his little sister. The one he swore to protect from any kind of pain.
"It's her last term at school. I give you till then to tell her then I let cousin Zac remove the spell. Agreed?" Nikolai said coming to a final decision. Zarif nodded but in his mind were the sad green eyes he witnessed earlier. "Go to her. Please make her happy once again," the prince begged of his friend. With a simple nod, Zarif left to go find the love of his life. A moment later Nikolai's parents came in with loving smiles for their son. "Вы готовы?" Amelia asked of him as she took a seat holding his hand. "Yes, mama. I am ready. I shall meet you downstairs." he said with confidence.
Angelo walked up to his son and kissed the crown of his head after saying a little prayer for him. Both men were so alike in their demeanor that words don't have to be said to express the love they had for each other.
"Come now, sweetheart. Let's go before Caiden explodes" Angelo said stretching forth his hand for his wife. "Hurry down my little prince," Amelia said kissing his cheek before they left. Nikolai watched them leave before leaning back into the sofa.
'Are you ready my friend? There will be a lot of new faces down there' Nikolai said to his wolf.
'I- Maybe a new face is good? I feel a tugging. Do you feel it?' Vadim asked his human.
'It is faint. Not a familiar pull to family,' the prince confirmed getting off the sofa to look at himself in the mirror. Dressed in a simple all-black Armani suit Prince Nikolai Starkov looked every way the powerful Russian Prince. He adjusted the two-inch diamond and sapphire crown on his head, releasing a deep sigh at the person he was seeing in the mirror. He can't deny the distant look in his eyes, it has been there since the death of his grandfather and the betrayal soon after from an unlikely person. Closing his eyes, he prayed for serenity for the remainder of the night with the family who despise him.
Walking out of his room, he saw Zarif going into his sister's room with a sad smile on his face. 'We should let little one decide. We are not faith' Vadim said as his human turned the other way that led down to the ball.
"What do you want Zarif?" Mina huffed, going back to her bed trying to ignore his presence. "I would like you to accompany me to the ball," he said with a little hope that she would say yes.
"I'm not up for pity. I get it alright. You're already devoted to your mate. She's one lucky woman," she said with a sad smile.
"My princess" he breathed out stepping closer to her wanting to reach out and brush away her wild curls.
"Zarif. Please leave me be," she said with her voice cracking.
"No. I am not leaving my angel like this. It hurts to see you in pain. Knowing... Knowing I caused those tears," he said, anxiety coating his words while rushing to her side. He held her petite hand in his large calloused hands, loving the feel of her skin on his. Mina looked up into his mesmerizing blue eyes, getting lost as always. She gasped in shock as to what she saw. Mina shook her head blaming it on delusions. There have been studies shown that one can imprint what they want on other persons to keep sanity or to avoid heartbreak. Mina believed she was doing the same with Zarif.
"If my angel found her mate tonight would she give up future career?" he asked desperately.
"If my mate wants me by his side then I will stay." She said solemnly.
"You will give up your dream for your mate?" His heart thundered in his ears hearing her speak what he already knew.
Mina nodded yes and gave him a sad smile. "What if your mate is near but decided to stay away so you can build that dream you have been building?" he asked desperately again. His blue eyes held her green confused ones. "I'll love him even more but also hurt because he kept himself away from me," she answered softly as she brushed away tears from the beta's eyes. Though she was hurting, she hated the torn look on her Zarif's face. She grew to love and expect that shine of happiness in his blue eyes every time she sees him. Her Zarif was in pain but why?
"Meet me downstairs. I beg of you," he rushed out kissing her lips then quickly left her room. Caught in a trance, Mina touched her lips dreamily, "He kissed me."
What did he have planned for her? His questions and actions made her curious as to why he wanted her to accompany him to the ball.
'Let's go find out.'