The flight was uneventful, other than Raven's occasional disappearances to hook up with air hostesses and Adelaide's growing annoyance of not having anyone to chatter her time away with. Fantasies were a fun way to pass time, but keeping them to herself drove her to insanity and the windows weren't much of conversation holders.
Her family was rich enough to book themselves the whole First Class section of the plane---but not a private jet---so with Raven's elongated trips to the loo, Adelaide was left with no to observe and make fun of them in her head.
Luna Belle and Alpha Kane were taking a siesta, romancing in the land of merry dreams, having overworked themselves for tonight's event. With the sheer amount of effort they put in for the Lunar Ball, you'd think it was their wedding anniversary.
Adelaide had yet to understand the art of hard work and the reason why people participated in this stupidity. Just working hard was never enough; you need to have brains to get through. Smart work, that's what Adelaide believed in, -having others do her work with utmost perfection while she instructs them and goofs around with her best friend.
It wasn't because she was lazy. Goddess no!
She just had the knack of always finding an easier way through everything.
The sudden plop of Raven's weight on the seat beside her pulled Adelaide out of her thoughts; with a scowl directed towards the ravenette, Adelaide objected with spite, "I really don't understand why you keep doing this."
Raven, skillfully ignoring her mistress and best friend, replied, "I love a flight with a good crew of hostesses, don't you? Just makes the journey ten times better," there was a sly smirk on her swollen peachy lips.
"I hope you didn't show her your gun this time," Adelaide grumbled under her breath, not wanting to stare at her best friend's I've-just-had-a-miraculous-make-out face.
"Oh! I showed her much more; made my own gun," Raven grinned, shoving two of her fingers in front of Adelaide's face.
Disgusted, Adelaide swatted her hand away. Raven let out a loud laugh, haughty and snorting her way through. A laugh that sets Adelaide's mind at peace. A laugh without pretence, just carefree like she always wanted Raven to be.
"I hope you had a little more faith in our Goddess," Adelaide grumbled through gritted teeth.
Raven scoffed, "Believe me, I have a lot of faith. Just in the right places. I'm not a delusional optimist Addie, you know it. I cannot change the past, but I can shape my own future."
With unkind eyes, Adelaide bitterly spoke, "Having hope in love does not make you a delusional optimist Raven, it just proves you more human. Wanting someone to love and cherish is not a weakness, never has been. If you have a loved one by your side, it just makes you want to live with more passion and drive. It gives you a sense of security, that you have someone to count on when the sun sets. So, stop belittling my values."
Raven coughed out an amused laugh and Adelaide took direct offence from the mockery. She crossed her arms against her chest, puffed her cheeks and stared outside the glass window. The seamless and unending blue bored her in a second.
Raven pushed her lips in a pout and pulled an uninterested Adelaide in a hug, "First up, we're wolves, not humans. Secondly, I have you to love and cherish, forever; and thirdly, by Sailor Moon, I was not belittling you my wise friend, I was merely stating my perspective. If anyone got belittled, it was me."
Adelaide, being weak for any feelings that Raven ever showed, allowed herself to be pulled in a hug and smothered by Raven's love. "Yeah, yeah, by Sailor Moon, I'll have you happily mated before I die. It's the word of a future Luna."
"Only if you become the Moon Goddess. Listen to yourself, being all grown up and mature," Raven giggled, tickling Adelaide's sides and throwing her into fits of laughter.
If Adelaide was ever given a choice---she'd stay in that moment, forever. Without a care in the world, so high up in the sky, hidden in the clouds, laughing with the person she treasured the most. Without a doubt, she would choose it over everything. Choose HER over everyone. Pause time, turn the plane back and never take a step into the Shadow Empire.
"Go away! I'm still small and cute," Adelaide grinned, squishing her cheeks and Raven wholeheartedly agreed.
An air hostess walked down the aisle, pushing a trolley of snacks and stopping right beside them, giving a sultry smile to Raven. Just like most of Raven's hook-ups, she was devastatingly beautiful. Dark skin, bright blue eyes, perfect nose, a jawline to chop vegetables with and a dark mane.
If Adelaide was a serpent, she would have hissed and ejaculated poison straight down the carotid artery of the girl who was currently bending down with her neck right in front of Adelaide's face. Her back was at a perfect ninety-degree angle, as Adelaide's hand itched to balance some books and a water bottle on it.
"I loved your battle scars," the blue eyed maiden whispered while handing Raven a box of macaroons. She stood back straight in her prefect posture---her name tag read Tracey Greene.
Adelaide heard Raven's heartbeat escalate and fingers fidget with the hem of her black dress. She concluded that it was because of Tracey's effect on her naïve little best friend's sappy heart. The ravenette gave out an awkward laugh. Humans...
Tracey wiggled her fingers in farewell and cat-walked out of their bubble of privacy. Adelaide opened her mouth to speak but Raven beat her to it.
"Free complimentary box of macaroons, will you see that? Now that's what you call a perfect service! Do we give a five star rating somewhere? I love free stuff!"
Adelaide got suspiciously close to Raven's face, circled a lock of her short raven hair behind her ear and eyed her blushing beetroot ears. An evident giveaway of her lies.
"What did she mean by battle scars?" Adelaide asked in a 'you-better-tell-me-if-you-cherish-your-life' tone. The ear went redder as Raven felt her feet grow colder.
"Oh! it was nothing, I just told her some of my adventures and she hilariously termed it as battle scars. Girl has some weird humor... but great body!!" Raven held up a thumbs-up, then hastily opened the box and shoved a macaroon into Adelaide's mouth and then her own.
Adelaide's entire being burned with curiosity to the point where her fingers itched to dig out the macaroon from Raven's mouth and have her compelled to speak, but she wouldn't.
That was that.
Adelaide respected Raven's privacy. Keeping out of people's business, she learnt it the hard way. The last time she violated Raven's privacy ... it was a childish mistake that cost both of them in the most hurtful of ways possible.
Sometimes, not being yourselves helped others around you.
<3
The Royal Carriages escorted each of the Ball's foreign guests from the airport to the Shadow Castle. Luna Belle and Alpha Kane could not reject this heartfelt or merely obligatory gesture by the Royal family, without offending the them so against their pre-planned security schedule, they agreed to travel with the royal carriage---Just them tough.
Adelaide was escorted by Sir Marshall--the head of Bleu Del Luna Pack's security; A trustworthy man in his late-forties, or early fifties, with a silent demeanor and an excellent skill for quick perception and speed. Adelaide lost count, after fifteen, of how many times he'd saved her from tripping to her own death or choking over a greedy big lump of food. The man had been with her since the second she had opened her eyes and was convinced that he wasn't dying anytime before her.
In this ungrateful world his loyalty was unmatched...or nearly rivaled Raven's and that's not something Adelaide would say for the heck of it. Her lady-in-waiting, Raven Crown, also accompanied Adelaide in the car provided by their pack's security.
By the time they reached the castle, dusk had befallen in the beautiful hues of orange and pink. Raven lead Adelaide and her extravagant gown out of the Mercedes and gestured Sir Marshall to proceed with the parking process, unfortunately he didn't have an invitation to authorize his entry on the castle grounds until the Lunar Ball was done with.
"Wow, this is magnificent...!" Adelaide dragged out, marveling at the ancient structure of the castle that stood proudly like a triumphant rook in a game of chess, having cleared every other piece out.
Twelve broad, round towers surrounded the castle in a perfect circle, connected by giant walls of dark grey stone. Grand windows scattered the walls like stars on a night sky, along with asymmetric crenellations for archers and artillery.
Having studied the country's history just two days prior, Adelaide knew there were eight gates for entrance that lead to different parts of the castle, but only the great metal door with various artillery equipment and a drawbridge led the path to the throne room and residency area.
Four majestic towers rose up to the sky with conical tops and circular windows in succession.
The old stone structure was marvelous from every aspect. The way it gave rise to uncountable fantasies inside Adelaide's head had her bewildered, excited and sad at the same time. She was happy that she was here, but sad because she would be leaving too soon.
"Yeah, sure," Raven dryly muttered, unaffected by the majestic work of art standing tall in front of her. All she saw was fields of nothingness stretched outside the castle---an old architectural strategy to let the enemy be known before they enter.
"Sucks how private cars are not allowed but carriages are, now we'll have to walk all the way up there. I'll disappear," Raven sourly groaned. She side-eyed Adelaide's gown, sucked a breath in, and rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Walking in that would be pure torture..." the ravenette dragged under her breath, not wanting Adelaide to wake up from her trance-like state and use her first wish on giving her a piggyback to the castle. That'd be embarrassing and pure torture for Raven's feeble legs...
With dread clogging Raven's mind and awe clogging Adelaide's, they did not notice the Delta wolf who suddenly blocked their path in the middle of the obnoxiously unending pathway.
He was wearing, what Adelaide supposed, was the standard solider uniform of the empire: black cargo pants, dress shirt, a vest with the country's emblem on it, and a black baseball cap with sun glasses.
In the subtle reflection on his glasses, Adelaide was reminded that it was evening already.
Raven stepped in front of Adelaide in a protective stance as the wolf sneered, glasses slipping down the straight nose bridge as his onyx eyes stared down into Raven's grey ones.
"Where do you think you are going, Omega?" he questioned with a smirk, a hand proceeding to rest on Raven's waist that she swatted away at the speed of light.
Glaring right back, Raven crisply replied, "We're from the Bleu Pack, we've been invited to the Lunar Ball."
The git tried to card a hand through Raven's hair this time, while saying, "Wrong tactic, Bleu Del Luna is already here, sweetie."
Raven smiled her typical sly smile, intertwining her finger with his, before they could reach for her hair once more.
Adelaide, took a few steps back, not wanting to interfere.
Then, the ravenette twisted his hand at a one-eighty.
Caught off guard, the solider howled in pain.
"Oh, don't be a baby!" Raven pouted at him. Being a wolf meant shifting while breaking every bone inside their body, pain was something they were all well acquainted with, but still, sudden jolts did hurt.
Raven pushed him away and the man took a few frantic steps back on impulse, his glasses falling on the floor. Raven noticed that they were a nice pair of Ray Bans. She could hear his heart go ba-dump! Ba-dump!
Smirking, Raven turned to Adelaide, "let's go," when the delta wolf grabbed a hold of her hand.
"How dare you! You filthy little Omega...kneel!" His eyes sparked orange on the use of a command.
Adelaide sucked in a breath, her feet shaking as her breaths went erratic and her chest tightened, wanting to comply the second the command was given.
Resisting made him made Adelaide' blood run cold. She felt like she lost connection with her mind and body simultaneously.
He used a rank! On Raven Crown! And Adelaide was being affected by it!
Acquainted or not, pulling a rank on someone you just met was pure rude; The moon goddess did make an inherent hierarchy among the wolves, but it was in order to protect them and have a functional dynamic of teamwork rather using it for personal gains of manipulation.
Though the Kingdom had a confinement and rehab law for the use of unnecessary rank possessions but using a rank on Raven Crown was direct offence to anyone's life.
Even Kim Yuna never pulled a rank on her!
Being a superior with his head in the clouds, did he think he could take on pesky little omegas like Raven and Adelaide?
With malice in his onyx eyes, he stared at Raven--- wanting to witness her crumble before him. Kneel in front of him like a weakling born under his rule. That's what rank magic was. The command of a higher blood-born compelling the will of a lower blood-born.
But Raven didn't budge.
"Ah, what a cheap scumbag," Raven gritted, stomping over his clothed shoe.
He winced; hand impulsively leaving Raven's to hold his foot. Raven stepped over the Ray Bans as his bewildered movements became hasty and he cornered himself to a tree. In that moment, she kneed the man in his gut.
The solider groaned, doubling over in pain but before he could reach his sword or gun, Raven already had him down with a stiff but accurate neck chop.
Adelaide's heart expanded back in its cavity, and her breathing retained. Though pulling a rank did not work on Raven, its intensity repelled doubly on Adelaide.
Raven ran up to her friend and hugged her close, feeling Adelaide's thundering heart calm down in seconds. "Are you okay?" Raven questioned worriedly, to which Adelaide nodded with a pleasant smile.
"Poor man didn't even get to move a limb..." Adelaide sighed, eyeing his limp body on the floor. Raven scoffed.
"Oh! He had his fair share of limb movement. Douchebag used a command on me!" Raven bitterly repeated. Her heart thundering in her ribcage as adrenaline gushed through her blood streams.
Kneel...
The word kept revolving in her head, playing like a broken tape on auto-repeat.
"Yes, yes, my love, keep your chill now. In his defense, he didn't know you. He was just a hormonal wolf and you happened to be an available, unclaimed omega in the radius."
Raven scoffed, turning to see Adelaide grinning ear to ear. Something was ridiculously wrong with this girl. Offended, she asked, "Why are you defending him? Whose side are you on?!"
Amused, Adelaide pointed her index finger upwards.
Insulted, Raven sneered, "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"All that is upright and just people in this world!" Adelaide chirped.
"Addie, just because he was hormonal does not mean that he can attack whosoever he likes! I can defend myself just fine, but what if it was some other omega? He could have easily forced her if she showed any signs of resistance!" Raven explained in rage.
Adelaide nodded with a smile, "Yes Raven, I get your point. It was mighty wrong of him to touch you without permission, but if it was anyone other than you--- they would have shown the invitation first and attack later or called for help, not straight out twist the hand of a King's Solider!"
"He pulled a rank on me!" Raven cried out, exasperated.
Amused, Adelaide replied, "He saw you as a threat to the royal household."
"Your mind is a baffling place," Raven huffed, looking up at the sky then at Adelaide.
She turned and resumed speed walking on the seemingly never ending road.
"Hey stop! Don't walk that fast! We still have to deal with his body!"
"You say it as if he's dead and it's my problem," Raven shouted back, noticeably slowing down but still appearing to be mad.
"Nevermind me then, I'll just lag behind and come up with excuses," Adelaide huffed, dragged her steps in that magnificent dress in an un-ladylike manner.
As they approached the majestic castle gates, they saw four men at guard, wearing the same uniforms as mister local arsehole delta wore. "Hello, excuse me, good evening!" Adelaide chirped, waving at the guards.
A flustered solider shuffled forward, "Yes Madame?" he questioned politely, head remaining bowed in respect.
Adelaide giggled, "No need to be so formal, sir, please look up," she requested as the man slowly raised his head, looking like he would pee right on spot and in the moment.
"Star struck without Sterling Knight, classic Adelaide Moore," Raven muttered under her breath.
"I just wanted to inform you that one of your soldiers, on the rounds, was having some weird illusions and as we neared to help him, the poor lad hit his head on a tree and passed out. We left him there; do check him out though...it must have been the sun."
As the four people looked up, the flustered solider just nodded along with Adelaide's argument.
"She meant the Moon's pull," Raven interjected, pointing at the crescent moon above.
Adelaide shook her head ferociously, "Goddess no, it is the sun. Might have been scorching over his head all day long, you never know the dirty tricks it plays. If science didn't already declare it a star, humans would have concluded it to be some sort of an almighty kind of vampirism and started worshipping it--or worse, throwing garlic and holy water at it. That'd be so dumb though... They would probably consume it. Yes...."
Raven didn't even question, she knew better not to. Adelaide took her theories pretty seriously and there was no way you could wrap her head out of the elaborate lies it created.
So, instead, she nodded in affirmative, took her lady's hand, excused themselves from the group, shoved an invitation in one of the guard's face and entered the palace gates while one of the guards muttered, "Doesn't the sun repel vampires?"
"Shut up Bloom, this isn't Transylvania."
<3
Cown Prince, Benjamin Lockeheart, was having a bad day.
It started with the classic waking up late on the wrong side of the bed, followed by a rant from his mother that further dampened his mood for the day, then losing three consecutive games of Call of Duty to his younger siblings which resulted with Sir Peterson being assigned to him as his dresser for the day---a stylist who enjoyed an empire-wide fame for his expertise and also a bad reputation of chatting his heart out. Gossipmonger to the T.
But spending nearly four hours talking about cosmetics, dress robes, break ups and ice cream flavors wasn't enough when Adrian, Benjamin's first in command, agreed for Sir Peterson to attend the ball as well. Peterson was known to be overprotective of those he styled and tended to linger around them as much as possible in order to make sure not even a hair is shifted from its place.
Benjamin still wonders why Peterson wasn't named Perfection. Maybe because he wasn't Perfect's son.
Unfortunately, Peterson loitered around him throughout the practice speeches and the practice ball for the event tonight. If Adrian wasn't an exceptional swordsman with an outstanding loyalty to him, then Benjamin would have him demoted the second he mischievously uttered the words, "Yes, you may, Sir Peterson."
But he was, so he didn't.
Therefore, Benjamin was stuck with Sir Peterson following him like a parasite sucking away the peaceful essence of his life. Damn him to have called a bet with his deceptively cunning siblings!
"A left from here and we'll reach the door," Adrian informed while leading his way through one of the secret tunnels inside the castle. They were taking the back passage in order to avoid Sir Peterson and to follow the Queen's strict order of, "Mingle with the people as if you are one of their own."
She was already upset from her son because he woke up late on such an important day and Benjamin was not, yet, suicidal enough to ignore a direct order from her Highness and anger her even further. Heaven knows, hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.
As they reached the end of secret chamber, Adrian straightened Benjamin's tie, while complimenting, "You look handsome as always, my grace."
There was a smile on his face to which the crown prince scoffed like the brat he was.
"Even the ever so beautiful Nøkkens would steam in jealousy," Adrian tried again.
Benjamin flicked Adrian's nose ring and retorted with, "Keep your flattery to yourself. There's no way I'm forgiving you for today. My ears are still ringing."
Sighing, Adrian gave him a courteous bow and pushed opened the door that led straight inside the Ball Room.
Benjamin patted a hand over his flawless outfit as his handsome face contoured into one of a cold ruler.
He stepped inside with an unrivalled grace and an aura of supremacy. His dress robes were a hue of blood red and dancing with silver and gold lines, the colors of the Shadow Empire, representing the unison of all the bloodlines. They clung to his body in all the right places, accentuating his lean yet ripped figure.
Being handsome did not hinder his ability to defend his kingdom. His ombre hair was styled in a quiff, having his proportionate forehead on show, looking as marvelous as ever. Rumor has it, court ladies had tumblr accounts dedicated to his forehead and jawline. His deep bronze eyes sharply assessed his surroundings, taking in accord his allies and the double agents.
Talk about blending in, he was too much of a head turner.
People did not expect the Crown Prince to leave the throne balcony where his family was seated and enter through the back door. But he did, and they instantly morphed in low bows, like broken sticks, greeting His Highness.
Benjamin's wave of greeting was composed.
He was raised to do this. Born to do this. He was so accustomed to this environment that he could probably smell the next move. His neck turned to man approaching him.
"Your majesty, how noble of you to come down here and socialize with us petty people. I hope all is well with you and your family. The Crescent Moon Pack wishes you good luck and a good year!"
But today there was something else in the air. A scent. It made his wolf restless. He disliked not being calm.
Benjamin gave the old man a curt nod as his son, tall and handsome man with bright blue eyes, came forth to go over business with him.
"Your Majesty," the man bowed as Benjamin gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "The Crescent Moon Pack is grateful to be invited. We are happy to be a part of this celebration."
"Your gratefulness is not something that you can pay your bills with, Arthur. I wish I could have said the same for your annual report. Happiness is not the first emotion I'm feeling towards you," Benjamin informed with a stiff smile. "Crescent Moon used to be our strongest ally, but these days...aren't you a bit too lacking? Is the royal household not providing to your needs?"
Arthur took a breath in, silently bowing his head he replied, "My apologies, Your Highness. I can't begin to say how shamed I am to stand in your presence with my disgraceful self..."
Benjamin wanted to be a brat and roll his eyes in his face and scoff at Arthur's hypocrisy.
Now...where did that thought come from?!
Getting a grip, Benjamin pushed Arthur's chin up with his gloved index finger, "I thought you were grateful and happy, Arthur. Be relieved, I still believe in second chances, we'll see how you do at the next ball before having your position is sacked and territory conquered. Now, leave."
Arthur, with his father, quickly scrammed out of Benjamin's sight and mind.
And suddenly the restlessness was back within him.
It was unusual as Benjamin and his wolf shared a great bond and never had they both acted out of line for each other. They respected each other's powers and shared an understanding to never interrupt each other while working.
But tonight seemed to have blown his mind away, his fingers were ticking against his thighs. Her heart was dipping in an excited pitter-patter. What was this?
It was an invisible force that was pulling him toward something...A scent? But it felt so much more...He felt consumed with emptiness, as if half of his soul had been snatched away and he wanted to retrieve it back at any cost.
He wanted a sense of completion. The need to chase the invisible string increased, a small voice in his head telling him to be whole again. Unite with a part that he never knew he lost until he found it.
There was an intense need to go bashing through the walls until he reached the end. But as well, there was a soft calling that asked him to be gentle and approach it safely.
Even his wolf was confused, edgy and impatient.
Just a few steps more...
"Your Highness!" Adrian called out of the blue, pulling Benjamin out of his trance. The prince realized that he had somehow crossed half of the Ball Room without even knowing so.
Benjamin stared at Adrian with an expression his first-in-command had never witnessed on his master's face.
Lost.
Adrian introduced him to some other pack and Benjamin got a chance to distract himself yet again. They were talking about lack of resources and how the Southern part of the Empire felt that they had been abandoned by the castle and would likely join hands with Creatures of God in the upcoming chances of a rebellion...when, suddenly every guard in presence drew out their swords.
Sir Peterson screeched on top of his lungs and propelled himself in his direction.
And Benjamin had only one thought in mind-why him?