Chapter 7 - The Prince II

"Wow... You look dashing!" She complimented. I was wearing a red backless night gown with a red fur scarf around my neck. My wavy hair swaying behind my back like the ocean. "Thanks, it's my Aunts' gift"

Perfect, I might even say. Aunt Dia really is cool.

I looked at her. "And you look sexy in that satin dress." I complimented back making her blush. Her satin dress compliments her curvy body like that of a goddess.

"Sigh...." I looked at her in confusion.

"I just complimented you, why the long face?" I asked while putting a light make-up.

She looked at me with a pout. "The prince is gonna be there with other wolves from other packs... and I'm gonna be a waiter..." she answered sounding distressed.

My eyes widened. "You're gonna be a waiter?!" I looked at her, head to toe. "In that attire?"

She nodded and folded her arms. "Hmph! What a waste"

_______________________________________________________

We arrived at the party 30 minutes earlier as requested by Faye. She's gonna be a waiter for extra credits at school.

"Oh no...." I heard the distressed Faye once more. Looking at her, I began to worry. "I left it..." she said in a distressed tone.

"What?"

"I left my scarf on my bed!" She said, suddenly slapping her forehead. I rolled my eyes at her shivering body.

"Are you that cold?" I asked in a worried tone. She nodded before lifting a tray full of drinks. "Here" Removing my scarf from my neck, I wrapped it around hers.

She smiled at me in appreciation. "Thank you!" She said before hurrying off to serve the drinks.

I followed her with my eyes. "...a child, really" My eyes wandered around the room.

Inside the two story building with 25ft tall roof, multiple round tables at the sides, magnificently large windows, and extravagant curtains were to be seen. My eyes landed at the stage. There were 5 chairs on top of it. 2 small thrones, 2 mediums and 1 large throne.

Predicting the formation, the small thrones are for the Luna and Cristinackk.

Can't even say her name properly.

The medium ones are for the Alpha and... you know who, and I'm guessing that the largest one is for the prince.

What a retrograde formation...

10 minutes later the ceremony started. One by one, important personalities were gathering around the stage.

Its unusually exciting being hitted off by other wolves, but is still quite irritating,  especially when they become hard to shake off.

Grabbing a cocktail from the waiter, I scoffed at the sight of his enthusiasm.

He was grinning from ear to ear, obviously happy that his initiation ceremony has come at last.

At his side was his leechy mate, unable to even let go of his arm for even just a minute. It was clear that she was having fun being acknowledged.

Petty, really... Turning my back at them, I swayed towards the blacony and closed its door for my privacy.

There's no much better way to protect the prince, than to guard outside using the balcony.

The cold air slapped my skin, making me shiver. "What a sight..."

The moon was full and was glowing quite beautifully.  Even my wolf was peeking through my eyes. "Someone just got the energy to move..." I said, teasing my wolf.

I couldn't help but remember that one time, Aunt Dia and I, climbed the mountain to see the moon more clearly.

FLASHBACK*

"Woww..." Feeling sentimental, I started to feel teary at the sight of the moon on it's full bloom. I heard my Sunt scoffed at me, so I looked at her.

"What a cry baby..." she teased me before slumping on the grass.  I chockled at her before copying her.

Looking at the moon, I remembered that night where I first thought that the moon was unlively to look at. That night I got slapped by my painful reality.

"Hey, Aunt Dia..." I called. I was continously fidgeting, my mind debating if I should ask her or not.

Without looking, she answered. "What is it pipsqueak?"

"Do you think second mates are real?" I asked. A long silence befell on us, as I mocked myself. "Nevermin--"

"Yes..." she answered after a long silence.

Getting up, I looked at her in confusion. "R-Really?" I asked in a excited tone.

She nodded, before pulling my hair back down the grass, forcing me to lay down again. "Believe it or not, its real..." there was a tinge him happiness on the way she said it. "But... only the ones who deserve it, can have it."

My overjoyed self became calm again. "Deserve..."

"Where have you heard that anyway?" She asked.

I looked at her and chuckled, "From... That man in the Shack... Fred"

END OF FLASHBACK*

I chuckled at my thoughts. "Deserve? How can I even guess if I do deserve it?"

I won't try to deny it, cause if I were reallly given a chance to have a mate again, I'd take that chance, even if it'll leave me in misery again.

Drinking from my cocktail, I saw my reflection.  "Maybe now, I'll be accepted." I said smiling at my reflection.

Looking back at the moon, I couldn't help but beg at it. "I don't need a mate, but I do really want to have one" I whispered to myself with a tinge of hope in getting one.

I think I was imagining it but I did see the moon glow at me, like it was giving a reply. Chuckling, I drank from my cocktail again.

'GRRRRRR!!! GET WAY! GRRRRRR!!!'

Out of nowhere, a loud growl was heard inside. The growl was...  fearsome. It sounded full authority, making me shake in fear. Is something happening inside? Did one of them Morph? It's authority hit me like it belonged to a God.

I slowly walked to peek inside but I was so unfortunate to step on my dress, making my legs wobble I dropped my cocktail making a loud sound.

I froze as everything went silent.

"Shit!" I cursed under my breath. I closed my eyes tightly as I waited for the next thing to happen.

"GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!"  I gasped as I felt a warm breath brush my nape.

Opening my eyes, I was taken aback when a 15 ft., unusually red, wolf appeared before my eyes. In its mouth was my... scarf?

Faye! Faye was wearing that! What does it even want?

I couldn't seem to get a hold of my breathing and began to stumble, shaking while leaning on the balcony terrace.

"W-wha...t...." Unknowingly,  I began sobbing in fear. The Wolf's red glowing eyes was piercing my soul into bits. "W-What d-do you w-want?"

I was so ready to break down until... it wagged its tail began wagging as its tongue stuck out. With that, he dropped my scarf wet on the floor.

Its... H- Happy?

"My Prince!" A middle aged man wearing a royal guards uniform ran to us. He was panting as he sweated vigorously.

I glanced back at the wolf, but it slowly turned into a...

A Lycan! A 8ft tall Lycan! He was dressed in his royal attire, smiling at me and was amazingly... dashing.

"I - Its the Prince!" My eyes widened in shock as I bowed at him, showing my respect. Seeing my scarf on the floor, I became more curious as to why he was biting it.

A pair of shining shoes appeared, it's the prince's!

"My Prince, forgive my ignorance for not recognizing your aura." I tried to reason out as I continued my bowed posture.

A low chuckle was heard as a hand touched my chin and raised it. I met his eyes. His red glowing eyes. I felt like diving into a pool with no plan of going back out.

It was truly... "Mesmerizing..."

"Look away!" I jumped as the middle aged man shouted at me. He was looking at me like I made a crime or something. "YOU DARE TO LOOK AT THE PRINCE ON HIS EYES!" He angrily shouted at me.

"Tsk!" His aura again mixed with the air, making us suffocate and blow to him. "Mind your Manners, Yibo." He said with full authority.

"Y-Yes, your highness. Forgive me." He replied in a nervous tone.

Yibo? Is that the angry man's name?

"And you, my lady..." His tone made me shiver. "What's your name?"

I stood straight, but, unlike last time, I avoided looking at his eyes. "Zara, your highness. Zara Okwaho"

"Interesting..." he commented then raised my hand to kiss it. I looked at him and saw his eyes again, I was unable to read what was in his my mind.

He then smiled and pulled me inside. His right hand holding mine while the other was holding the scarf.

Passing by, that man, Yibo, his eyes widened in shock as his Prince gracefully.

"My Prince!" I heard Yibo call from behind.

Upon entering, all of the guests glanced at us and began gossiping.  But, one look from the Prince and they shiver in fear, causing them to bow their heads.

Looking at the graceful back in front of me, I was confused. "Your highness..." I called. He glanced and smiled but continued to pull me.

"Your highness, is something wrong?" Alpha Kin asked when we got in front of the stage. He ran down the stage and came near us.

Cristina and the Luna was undeniably confused while bowing their heads. But... Kade was glaring at our intertwined hands.

There was another girl on stage, it was... Faye! She was shaking uncontrollably!

The Prince smiled at Alpha Kin. " I believe my sudden morphing caused panic..." He said then looked at everyone. "At ease everyone,  it was just that..."

He pulled me in front, letting me face the Alpha. Alpha Kin was confusedly looking down at me, like I did something wrong.

"...I finally found my Mate"

Everyone gasped including me when I heard what he said. "Wait... what?" I gently pulled myself from him and faced him with a bowed head. "My Prince, forgive me for my question,  but are you sure you are not mistaken?" I asked with respect.

He chuckled and pulled me by his side again. "My Lady, are you questioning me?" He asked in a gentle tone.

I shook my head and looked down on my feet in embarrassment.

"You are my MATE,  and I am sure of that..." he whispered in my ear as his hand slid in mine. We were holding hands again.

How is this even possible?! Me?! The Prince?! I already have a mate!! What the Hell?!

Alpha Kin smiled. "It's an honor to have your mate in our pack, your highness. I am delighted as It was our Pack that your Mate belonged in." He said with full joy.

"I too, can't believe that after searching half the world for my mate that I'll find her here." He happily replied as he looked at me while smiling ear to ear.

Eceryone cheered for us. Alpha Kin signalled the music to start again. But then a growl was heard.

"GRRRRR! NO!" Running down from the stairs was Kade with his Wolf Eyes.

In a sudden, The Prince hid me behind his back gently and smiled at me like it was saying that he'll protect me.

"Kade?! Bow your head and don't use that tone to the Prince!" Alpha Kin scolded his son but to no avail.

He marched towards me and pulled me away from the Prince. Unlike the Prince' touch, Kade's was rough and violent. I winced in pain as my body crashed on his.

"Kade, what are you...?" Cristina asked him in a crying state. He didn't even bothered to look at his Mate!

He was shooting daggers with his eyes while the Prince remained calm and looked at me in worry.

"Alpha Kin, What's with your... son?" The Prince said in an irritated tone.

The Alpha bowed his head in embarrassment.  "Forgive me, your highness. He will now stop this shenanigans, and calm himself." The Alpha replied while looking at Kade.

I was trying to pull away from him, but he only tightens his grip more.

"You can't be her Mate!" Kade finally talked.

I looked at him in irritation. Is he really planning to reveal that I'm her mate, now?

After everything?!

The Prince chuckled. "And why is that?" He sounded like he was competing with him.

Kade smirked. "Coz she is my mate, and mine only..."

The Prince's eyes darkened as it started to release his Wolf's threatening aura. "Give her to me" the Prince ordered with full authority.

"Never..."

The temperature in the room dropped to Zero when the ambience suddenly became hostile. It's been minutes now and still no one dared to interfere with them.

I could feel Kade touching something on his back pocket so I sneaked a peek.

A... a gun! It's a pistol!

I gritted my teeth in anger as violently pulled away from him. He looked at me in anger and was ready to pull out his gun.

Grabbing my sword that was hidden behind my hair, I shouted. "Luna!!" I was too fed up with him, that the only thing I could think of now is how to protect the Prince.

"KADE!" Cristina shouted. Everyone gasped in panic, except the Prince

I was pointing a glowing silver sword on his neck. Burning sounds were heard as the silver metal burned the skin that was touching it.

Protecting the Prince behind me, I glared at him in a threatening way. "Drop the Pistol!" I ordered him.

He glared at me before raising his hands with a pistol on his right.

Everyone gasped in fear.

I stressed the sword more on his neck making him hiss in pain.

"DROP IT OR ELSE THIS SWORD WILL SLIT YOUR THROAT!" I threatened him for the last time.

Closing his eyes tightly, he dropped the pistol and kicked it towards me.

"My Price, can we please talk this out in my office?" Alpha Kin interrupted.  The Prince nodded as he touched my sword and lowered it down.

Understanding his point, I lowered my sword and took the pistol from the ground.

Sliding his hand in mine, he pulled me again to his side. My heart began thumping again.

"L-Luna, disarm..." I whispered to my sword, making it go back to it's normal form again.

Alpha Kin, The Luna, Cristina,  and Kade was walking ahead of us. Alpha Kin was tightly holding Kade's arm as he glared at us occasionally.

"Why now?" I began. All their heads turned to me when I spoke. Looking at Kade with full hatred, I asked him again. "Why now?"

"Because now you---"

"Look pretty and not ugly?" I cut him off. "Because now... I look sexy and not skinny?"

He was dumbfounded by my sudden deduction. Guess I hit the bullseye.

"How is it that, Zara, is your mate Kade?" The Luna interrupted.

Kade looked at her. "Well, she is, and I can prove---"

I scoffed making them look at me again. "Huh, what for? I already rejected that douchebag."

Alpha Kin slapped his forehead in frustration.

"Cristina, you lied at us." The Luna disappointed looked at her. "Why?"

She was sobbing hard.  "Because we loved each other..." she reasoned out, making me gag.

The Luna ran to Cristina and slapped her with all her might. " You have disgraced your family! You have disgraced the Pack!" The Luna angrily yelled at her.

Kade was just standing there and looking at Cristina and the Luna.  "It was my fault." He suddenly said. "I dated Cristina, not because of Love..."

Looking at me with Pleading eyes he continued. "It was because, I thought it would be much better for the pack to have the Beta's daughter as a Luna."

Cristina's sobs echoed the whole office.

Alpha Kin looked at me in worry. "Zara... if Kade is your mate then--'"

Alpha Kin was cut short because of the Prince.

"Was" The Princeimmeditely corrected the Alpha's words. "You heard her, she already rejected your son." I looked at him. He smiled at me and tightened his grip on my hand.

"She's mine now." He continued. "I've been looking for my mate, for 3 years, and have searched half the world for her. Now that she'shere, I am afraid that I cannot let go of her anymore..." he confessed and looked at me with eyes full of love.

My mind went blank just by looking at his eyes.

I couldn't grasp the situation. It's a confession after a confession!

The Prince looked at Kade with a victorious smile. "I'm sorry for your loss. But, I'll be taking MY MATE now. Leave us be..." turning around, he pulled me out of the office. "...that's a royal decree..."

I was brought at the parking lot by the Prince. A royal van that was designed elegantly was waiting for us. It was designed with gold linings.

"My Prince..." I called for him as he waited for me to get inside the van.

I was bowing my head so I couldn't see his reaction. Standing still, I showed him no sign of getting inside the van with him.

"I still am so... confused" I admitted as I tightly closed my eyes.

I could see that the Prince got out of the van and was standing in front of me.

"My lady..." he called as he raised my chin to look at him. He was smiling at me...again.

"I give you my word, that when we arrive at my residence, I will answer every question you have regarding our current situation..." he said and even raised his right hand like he was taking an oath.

His eyes wrinkled upward as he chuckled with no reason. Like an infectious plague, I too smiled.

The moment he opened his eyes, it turned grey... I stared at him, mesmerized.

"Do you agree in coming with me now, my lady?" He asked in the most polite way.

"I dare not to decline the Prince' offer..." I answered and was going I  the van myself when he suddenly offered his hand. I stared at his hand before confusedly turning to him.

"My Lady, you are wearing a quite tight night gown, and is causing you difficulties in walking." He explained and gestured me to take his hand.

Flattered, I bowed my head as I took his hands.

He chuckled before getting in himself.

"My Prince!" Someone called from outside. It was Yibo. He was sweating although, he was maintaining his elegant posture. "The ceremony have been canceled." Yibo announced.

I was a tiny bit shocked, but got over it in an instant. As much as I hate Kade, it still pains me to hear that he didn't get to have his Alpha ceremony tonight. He was undeniably looking forward to it.

However, The Prince that was sitting beside me remained calm. "I've already settled everything, Yibo. You need not to worry anymore. " he calmly said and looked at him.

"Yes, your highness" Yibo nodded before gently shutting the van door. He proceeded to the passenger seat before signaling the driver to drive.

It was quite and comfortable for a whole 30 seconds until The Peince suddenly reached for my hand and held it.

I couldn't help but swallow my protest.

'Who even dares to go against the Prince?!'

"My Lady..." he called making me look at him. "You are beautiful." He said without any hesitation.

My heart began a race while my lungs abruptly stopped working.

He chuckled at me and kissed my hand. "Forgive my straightforwardness, My Lady. I believe I may have shocked you." He apologized.

I looked at him in surprise. "M-My Pr---" I didn't have the chance to finish my sentence when Yibo suddenly spoke.

"Your highness!" He said in a high tone taking the Prince by surprise. He looked at him with an irritated look on his face. "Forgive me for my behavior, your highness. But, you should apologize to ---"

"Are you certain you want to continue that sentence?" The Prince asked in a threatening way, again I was shocked because a part of him I didn't see earlier was beginning to unveil.

Yibo gulped hard before lowering his head and shutting his mouth. "My apologies..." he said before turning his head and looked straight on the road.

"Your hands are shaking, My Lady..." the Prince commented. I was brought back to reality. I looked at him and smiled politely.

"My apologi--" I didn't even had the chance to finish my sentence when he suddenly rested his head on my shoulders, while both of his hands were wrapped around my waist.

My shoulder tensed up as I held my breath in nervousness. Looking at his face, I saw his eyes were closed and that he was smiling.

"Please let me stay like this for a while..." he begged. "I've been yearning for you for 3 years... This just feels so great that I'm afraid that when I open my eyes again, you'd be gone"

I could feel the sadness in his voice as he said those words. I felt him... I too was yearning for someone to hug...

Unknowingly, I smiled and gently put my hand on his hair, while the other was holding his hand that was wrapped around my waist.

With that he cuddled me more. This is... warm.

I like it...