Alexis caught her breath as their carriage pulled into the drive. It twisted around a sensational water function with numerous water fountains surrounded by a lavish tropical garden with a sidewalk resulting in the mansion's front entryway. The exterior of the mansion is grey limestone and is three stories high. The mass of the building is characterized by alternating bands of rough and smooth finished stone and is enlivened by porticos piazzas and bay windows. From the outside of the structure, there are several noticeable leaded window panels framed by the massive façade. Never in her life had she witnessed a more beautiful creation, it looked simply stunning, and her nerves grew higher. There was no way in the world that she was going to pull this off. Her dress was not even worthy of gracing the pavement, let alone her own person. Cynthia clapped her hands and oohed and awed at the scene before her. Unlike Alex, Cynthia was actually dressed for this exact moment. "Oh, come on, Alex, look at this place; it is unlike anything I have ever dreamed of."
Alex nodded her head, swallowing hard, trying to dislodge the lump that had formed in her throat. Was it too late to turn back? Technically she had not entered the devil's domain yet, and she could tuck tail and run. Cynthia would more than likely be away for the whole season, mated off to an Alpha, and if she conceived during the season, she would be housed on Alpha land. The chances of her getting word to the others of Alex's failure seemed so small. By that time, she could have sold this dress and paid for a ship to sail her family far away from there. The carriage doors were opened by a valet, who promptly held his hand out for the first person; Alex slunk back in her seat. Cynthia made a tisking sound her way and gave her an honest to goodness look of pity, making Alex bristle. She wanted no one's pity, especially Cynthia's. Squaring her shoulders, she took the valet's hand before her companion could and stepped out of the safety of the carriage before she could change her mind.
The cold winter air bit into her bare shoulders, and for a moment, she wished that she had asked for a shawl to wear with the skimp of a dress. Instantly her inner wolf heated her core, and she no longer felt the sting in the atmosphere around her, but a shawl would have given her some sense of comfort. Once they both stood on the pavement, the valet took two small masks out of his breast pocket and handed one to each of them. "These are for you, Miss's, change color with what you are wearing; they do." His dialect was weird, Alex mused as she thanked him. A mask?
"Did you know this was a masked event?" she asked Cynthia, who giddily was already sliding hers onto her face. Alex watched in wonder as it changed to a deep shade of blue to match that of her dress. Looking down at her own mask, she wondered how it worked, was it enchanted by magic? That would be the only logical way that something could instantaneously shift colors to match a piece of cloth it had not been designed for.
"I did not, but I expect nothing less from our Alpha Lord. He is said to be a rather mysterious man."
Alex held in her snort, "How am I supposed to find him with everyone wearing these blasted things?" she slid the mask onto her face cautiously.
Cynthia took her arm, interlocking them together, and walked Alex into the beautifully haunted mansion, "You worry too much, Alex, try to have some fun, or you will be labeled a stick in the mud, then how will you ever find him?" she asked, "No one wants to dance with the stiff, and if you hope to obtain a meeting with the Lord, you need to appear interesting."
Biting her bottom lip, Alex nodded, appear interesting, flirtatious, lively…all things that her sisters had told her as she prepared that morning. All things that she definitely was not, how was one supposed to pretend to be something they were not? She had always wondered how others did it. She was a poor liar, which is exactly what it felt like, one big lie. Growing up the way she had, there was never time for such luxuries as fun, let alone flirting and acting the fool. Alex had focused her entire life on providing for her family, always worried where their next meal would be coming from if she would come home to see her mother had drowned in a pool of her own vomit. Those were the thoughts she would have to put behind her for a night. She was doing this for them, to protect them. For her family, she would brave the Alpha pigs of Tartarean. She would seek help, even if it meant forcing herself to be someone that she was not.
Entering through the magnificent double doors, Alex took in the curved staircase made of varnished oak. The newel posts are surrounded by glass. It was nothing like she expected to see in an Alpha's lair. It was exceptionally decorated, the ceiling was covered in a large mural. Two men were seen in a familiar battle pose, one clad in dark armor, while the other was in sparkling gold. Alex concluded that the painting was depicting light against dark, clashing against each other in combat. What a weird thing to have put on one's ceiling, she thought to herself with a shake of her head. The floor under her feet was made of white marble with streaks of grey and orange, and her hills clicked against it with each step she took, which brought her deeper and deeper into a cleverly disguised hell.
"Good evening ladies, can I get you a drink?"
Alex was so in her own world she did not notice when the male had approached them. Cynthia released her arm and pressed a hand to her bosom. "We would love one." She replied, smiling charmingly at the man, who in return gave her a full head-to-toe evaluation right before their eyes, not even bothering to hide his once over.
Holding in her growl, Alex bit the inside of her cheek hard, "Yes, please."
"Be right back." He gave a mock bow before heading off in search of refreshments.
"Did you see that Alex, we haven't even been here a minute, and already we had someone approach us," she gushed, "This will be easier than I thought."
Shaking her head, Alex smiled grimly, "Excuse me, Cynthia, but I am going to try and work the crowed," Cynthia waved her on, not even bothering to spare another glance in her direction. Her eyes were in the direction the young man had disappeared off to.
"Alright, Alex, keep it together. You are here for one thing, and one thing only." She whispered to herself as she skirted around the edge of the dance floor. Couples were already forming, pairing off, and getting situated for the beginning of what looked to be a tango of sorts. Alex had never bothered learning to dance herself, seeing no use for anything that could not get her food or coin. It did look like a lot of fun, though. The times she had stopped to watch couples dance in the street, pure bliss was always on their faces.
"And what exactly are you here for?"
Jumping slightly at the deep voice behind her, Alex turned to see a tall, muscular man leaning casually against a stone pillar. His dress was different than that of the other men in attendance that night. He wore a silk black button-down dress shirt, black slacks, and slick dark shoes to match. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a nicely bronzed chest, his hands were in his pockets, and his legs were crossed at the ankles as he surveyed her nonchalantly. Alex cleared her throat slightly, "I suppose what every other Beta female is here for, of course." The man's eyes gave away nothing, the deep intensity of his stare still aimed at her face. His eyes were the deepest blue she had ever seen; maybe violet was the better word for them, encased in thick dark lashes. The man's hair was a glossy black, feathered to the side. The sharp cheekbones and square to his jaw made him look almost dangerous; even though his pose suggested otherwise, it made the skin on her arms pebble. There was no other word to describe the man other than intense, this is what she pictured an Alpha to be like, and even though he also wore a mask detailed in fine jewels, it did nothing to hide his handsomeness.
"What a pity." That was all he said, Alex blinked, and when she opened her eyes he was no longer there. The man had disappeared into thin air, leaving behind no trace that he had even been there. Alex took in a gulp of air, not realizing that she had been holding her breath the whole time, had she just imagined him?