The red book seemed scary to me. What was so important that a sacrifice had to be made? I was still thinking about it when grandma snapped her fingers in front of my face. I snapped out of it and said "I'm sorry. What was it you were saying?"
I asked if you have any questions." I didn't say anything. "Well do you?" she asked again.
"Umm yes. I do. It is written here that I can't get killed with wolfsbane. It will only burn my skin for few minutes and then I heal." Grandma nodded to that. "So this has me asking, what is it that can hurt me badly and make me weak?" I asked. Grandma looked alarmed and told me "I don't want you to ever think of it again. Just be happy that you are almost invisible to any harm." Grandma said.
After leaving the library. I went back to my chamber. I was informed by Louise that Henry won't be coming for practice because he and father were having a meeting with the Blue Moon Pack. This meant more time in my room bored. Yay!I thought sarcastically.
"Let's go and see Mark." Emily said. I didn't think that was a good idea, I thought it was a great idea. I wanted to meet Mark again and spending time with him is better than spending time alone in my room. I tied my hair in a bun style and dressed simply.
I went out of my room and turned to lock the door. I know that nobody is allowed in this wing of the castle but we don't want anyone to come and find a well-decorated and furnished chamber in here, now do we?
I locked the door and turned to see someone I never expected to see there. I jumped and placed my hand on my chest. "You scared me." I said. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to." He said with his deep voice that had my heart beating faster. I was sure he heard it, even if he did he didn't show any sign of it.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him. "I should be asking you the same thing." Mack said. "Well, this is my ...... I mean I came to clean this room. Don't you know that no one is allowed in the east wing of the castle?" I asked him. "I do. I was told yesterday when we came. I am here because I was looking for you. I searched everywhere then I felt like I should look here." He answered.
"What a wonderful coincidence. We were going to do the same thing." Emily said. "Oh umm. Why were you looking for me?" I asked. "I can't find the library and I wanted to see you again." He replied giving me a million-dollar smile. "Aww he's got me weak in the bones." Emily said. He did have a killer smile. He had dimples too.
"Let's go then." I said moving forward. As we were going to the library he asked me where I was in the morning that he didn't see me eating with the other maids. I told him that I was busy and that I ate alone. When we got to the library he went to the section where the books for torture were kept. The books contained various old and modern ways of torturing people. He chooses a book from the old ones. "You have a weird taste." I said to him. He looked at me and smiled. "Did you expect me to go for the romance books like you princess?"
He asked. I blushed while he smirked and I said "No! I mean there are other interesting books and I don't only read romance. I read everything except for horror and those books."I said pointing at the shelf he got the book he was interested in.
"I am a guard so I have to help my Alpha when he needs my assistance, plus I want a promotion. I smiled and said "OH."
"Oh" Really Rose?" Emily asked. "So for how long have you been a guard?" I asked. I have been a guard for two years now. My elder brother was the guard in our family. After he died someone from the family had to go and so being the only male with a younger sister to care for, I took the position." It's sad that in the entire kingdom and each pack, from each family a male must join the guards. Mack's story was touching. He took the position to take care of his sister because whoever didn't join the guards will be summoned to the king's court because it will be seen as if that person is disobeying the law which is a great offense.
"You love her don't you?" I asked. He smiled as if he could see her and said "Very much." He replied. We talked for what felt like minutes to me but in reality, was two hours.
"Rose come to your chamber now. I want to speak with you." Mother told me through the pack's link. "Do we have to go? I could listen to him all day." Emily said. "Same here but yes we have to go." I said. He stopped talking when he realized I was communicating through the pack's link. "What's wrong?" he asked concerned. I'm sorry but I have to go. The Queen wants to see me." I replied.
"No problem. Duty first right?"
"Yeah." I said. "See you later then." He said. Even though I knew I wouldn't see him again today I nodded and left.
When I went to my chamber, I met my mother waiting for me in my living room. "Good afternoon mother." I greeted. "Good afternoon Rose. Where were you and why haven't you eaten your lunch?" she asked pointing to my covered untouched food.
"I'm sorry mother. I was in the library and I lost track of time." I said.
She smiled and patted the seat next to her. I sat down and she said "Your father and I have decided to finally introduce you to the people at the ball. "I was elated. All those years of waiting and trying to sneak into the ballroom. I am going to the ball. Wait, it almost sounds too good to be true. "Really? I asked hoping she would say yes and not laugh saying she was joking. She nodded. "Thank you, mother." I hugged her tight till she patted my hands. "You are welcome and because of the prophecy we have agreed that after the ball you will only meet and interact with our most trusted people."
"Finally." Emily said.
"I am going to send in Kate with some dresses for you to choose from." Mother said. I hugged her and thanked her again before she left. A few minutes after she left Kate came in with the dresses. There were so many wonderful designs on them and they looked so pretty. I felt like if I choose just one it would be unjust to the rest.
Kate suggested that I should choose a hairstyle first. She told me that she had learned a new style and wanted to show me. We went into my bedroom and I sat down. Kate got the hairbrush. She untied my hair from the bun I made earlier and gasped. "What's wrong?" I asked concerned. She started going back towards the door looking at me as if I was her worst nightmare.
"Kate?"
"I have to go." She said before she ran out. It happed so quickly it took my brain a few seconds to register what was happening. A few seconds after Kate left, mother and grandma came in. They must have used their werewolf speed. I looked at them confused. "What is going on?" I asked.
They both rushed to my sides and mother turned me around so that my back was facing them. "Oh no!" grandma exclaimed. "Why didn't I notice this before?" Mother asked no one in particular. "Notice what?" Okay, this isn't funny. They are scaring me. "What is going on?" Emily asked. "I have no idea."
I replied. I turned to face them. Mother was looking down with her eyes closed while grandma was looking at me questionably. "Who did you meet today Rose?" Grandma asked. "I met Louise, Kaden......" She cut me off and asked, "No I mean who did you meet today that we don't know of?"
"No one." I lied. I know I shouldn't have but it's just that I couldn't have them know about Mark and forbid me to meet him. I finally had a new friend and they will not take him away from me. "Are you sure?" Grandma asked. I nodded. "Don't leave your room. I am going to discuss this with your father." Mother said and left.
I faced grandma and asked again "What is going on?" she sighed and said, "One of the reasons we don't let you go outside is because it will affect you negatively." "I still don't understand." "The world is full of good people and bad people. Your white hair was more because you were around good people. The hidden and less bad side of you will seize any opportunity it gets to be more and it did. I know you met someone today Rose, I advise you not to meet that person again."
"Why are you talking about my hair in the past tense?" I asked scared of the answer I was about to get. She pointed towards the mirror behind me. I slowly turned and saw that the black side of my hair was now equal to that of my white. I gasped and shook my head. Grandma held my shoulders from behind and looked at me through the mirror.
"I'm sorry Rose but you are not going to the ball."