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CHAPTER 3 Engagement Ball

POV Natalina

"Natie!" a feminine voice yells as my French doors swing open. A pair of heels clacks on my marble floor. My eyes rip away from the TV to find annoyed ocean-blue eyes.

I crack open a smile at the sight of my best friend, "Oh hey, Rissa!" I greet before shoveling a spoonful of cocoa puffs and turning my focus back onto my show.

Supernatural is one of my all-time favorite shows. Marissa steps in front of my view. I glare at her for not letting me watch Dean pick on Sam.

She raises her wrist to check the time on her watch and scoffs. "Natalina Bay Collins!" I cringe at her for calling me by my full name, "Get your ass off that couch and into the shower. It is 2 pm!" She snatches the remote off the coffee table and turns off the TV.

"What the hell, Marissa? Can't I finish the episode first?" I plead as I shovel another spoonful of cereal. Sighing, she walks up to me, rips the bowl from my hands, and places it on the coffee table. I am yanked up off the couch by my arm.

She drags me behind her, "No, Nat, we can't waste anymore time. The ball starts in 3 hours. Plus you have watched Supernatural; a million fuckin times. So, get your ass in there." She rambles, as she shoves me into the bathroom, and slams the door behind me.

Rolling my eyes before walking over to the shower, I open the sliding door to turn on the water. I strip out of my booty shorts and tank top. I step into the shower, my body immediately relaxes as I feel the hot water. I put some coconut shampoo onto the palm of my hands and massage the soap into my scalp.

My mind begins to drift as I remember last night. The burning in my chest and the stabbing is now gone, but my heart break still remains. As much as I don't want to go through with this arranged marriage I am relieved that this pain will end. I apply the coconut conditioner to the ends of my hair.

I let that sit before shaving. Lastly,I scrub head to toe with my honey scented body wash. I rinse my body off one last time before turning off the water. Then slide open the shower door, I grab my towel to dry off my body. I slip on my bathrobe, and walk up to the sink to grab my toothbrush. As I brush my teeth, I can't help but notice the bags under my eyes. I barely slept last night after the pain I felt.

Once I finished up in the bathroom I open the bathroom door to find Marissa lounging on the couch scrolling through her iphone. She turns her head to see me. An exaggerated sigh escapes her lips. "Fucking finally! I thought you were drowning in there," As she gets up, she slides her phone into her back pocket. She drags me over to my vanity and pushes me roughly into the chair. "Hey!" I growl at her, she rolls her eyes at me, but I don't miss the small smirk on her lips. She the nail kit to grab what she needs,

As she starts cutting my toenails. She fills the silence. "How have you been doing, girly?" She asks.

I sigh, debating on whether or not I should lie, "I am good… I guess." I shrug, my shoulders.

Her eyes soften, "I am sorry." She says, as she starts applying the peach nail polish.

"For what?" I ask, raising a brow.

"Being forced into this stupid fucking arranged marriage, instead of waiting for your fated mate." Her eyes look at mine, her eyes are filled with rage.

"Marissa… it is okay, don't worry about it." I say, trying to calm her down. My eyes start to water as I think about Kellen and about my pains. I know that she blames Violet for this mess. If Violet were here she would be sitting here instead of me. I was pissed about it too at first, but I have come to understand why she ran away. I wish that I would have gone with her.

Marissa stops painting my toes, she pulls out her iphone and pulls up her spotify. The sound of 'Burning Up' by the Jones Brothers fills the room. I can't help, but chuckle at her. My sister, Marissa and I would dance to this song all day long. She seems to relax a bit as she finishes up on my toes.

Marissa hums along as she moves on to my fingernails. "What happens if you find your fated mate?" She asks me. I have thought this many times over the past couple of years.

I sigh, "I am not sure. I have tried asking my parents, their only response was that with me being 24 the chances of finding my mare are slim to none." Marissa rolls her eyes, as she finishes my painting my fingernails.

"Your parents are a royal pain in the asses." She comments, I just chuckle because she is not wrong. She speaks again, changing the subject, "Has it happened again?"

"The pains? Yes, most recently last night." I whisper, looking down at my now painted fingernails. I really don't want to see the sympathy in her eyes.

"Ugh, that is horrible. Your mate sucks." She says.

"It's not his fault. He doesn't even know I exist." I point out, defending him.

"How can you defend someone that you have never met, Natie?" She scoffs at me, as she begins to apply foundation. I shrug, she is right. I don't even know the asshole and I am defending his actions.

"Alright, alright… I got some gossip to tell you!" She smiles at me. I roll my eyes at her, before I could tell her to go on she went ahead. "There is a rumor that the dragon kings are coming to your ball tomorrow."

I raise a brow, "So…?"

She rolls her eyes at me, "These dragon kings usually keep to themselves, they hardly ever leave their kingdom." My face is blank, she is looking at me as if that is supposed to mean something to me.

When I don't respond she scoffs. "These kings are well known to be cruel, but it is rumored that they are smoking hot."

I look at her confused, "Why do I care if they come or not, I hardly knew they existed."

Two hours have passed, Marissa has rambled off and on throughout the entire time, which seemed to help get my mind off this evening.

Marissa curls the last strand of hair. She steps back to make sure that everything looks perfect. She clasps her hands together and lets out a small squeal. "You look perfect, let's go get our dresses on."

I follow her over to the rack where the dresses are hanging. She hands me my peach colored ball gown. As I change into mine, Marissa is changing into hers, before she helps me tie the back of my dress. She places the tiara on my head then I slide on my heels. She pulls me in front of the mirror so I can see the final look.

My mouth drops. My best friend is an amazing makeup artist. My strawberry blonde hair is soft curls that fall to the middle of my back. The smokey eye makes the sage green stand out.

My peach colored ball gown barely brushes the ground. The neckline is heart shaped with off the shoulder straps. Marissa has on her deep blue shoulder gown. The dress makes her eyes sparkle, her straightened hair falls at her shoulders.

I turn to her, "Thank you so much!" I smile at her as I give her a tight hug.

She awkwardly pats my shoulder and steps out of my arms, "Anytime! Now, let's get going before you're late." She heads out of my room with me trailing behind her.

We walk down the hall in silence until we get to the stairs. This is where we head our separate ways. I hear her heels as she descends the stairs and heads towards the guest ballroom entrance. I walk down the hallway to the royal entrance. Down the hall, I see my mother and father chatting. When they see me coming closer, they stop.

My mother still seems annoyed with me, but she seems to hold her tongue. She gives me her best fake smile. My father just acts like I am not even in the room with him. A guard comes and opens the ballroom door, "Luna Queen Cara, King Neal, it's time." My mother gives me a nod as she loops her arm around my father's.

They enter the ballroom, leaving me alone in the hall.

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