The carriage rolled steadily along the dirt path, its wheels creaking softly with every bump in the road. Emily, who had frowned and thrown a tantrum upon learning Freya was coming along, now sat opposite her, both looking outside through the window with eager eyes. Though the sky had darkened an hour ago but their carriage had fixated lanterns that gave out light outside along with other carriages that were either in front of them or behind them heading in the direction of the castle that was glowing with light.
Freya continued to look outside watching as the dense forest began to thin, when Emily broke the silence.
"Do you think we'll see the Alpha of Silvermoon tonight? Or his son?"
"I don't think the Alpha himself has time for a ball," Freya replied lightly. "And his son… well, who knows?"
Emily clasped her hands together, her displeasure long forgotten admist the excitement as she straightened in her seat, her crimson dress pooled around her. "The next Lord," she said dreamily. "Everyone says he's as strong as his father and that his ability Awakened when he was only ten, Isn't it incredible?" She continued "There's also talk about how he doesn't have a mate yet, Do you think he will find his mate tonight? What if she's someone from one of the smaller packs?"
"I think you've been reading too many stories, Emily." Freya shook her head.
Emily grinned but didn't back down. "You never know! What if I meet my mate tonight? Maybe he'll be a strong warrior or…" Her voice took on a dreamy quality again. "What if it's him?"
Freya leaned back in her seat. "This is the only event where people like us even get invited—try enjoying it, too." People who lacked money as well as status had always been separated from powerful ones let alone Royals and the pack they belong to wasn't weak but it wasn't the strongest either.
When the carriage passed through the big pillars, Emily perked up pointing toward the towering gates through the window "oh, look! we're here!"
Feyre leaned toward the window as her wide eyes took in the sprawling grounds beyond. The castle loomed ahead, its vast gardens and sparkling fountains breathtaking, like something out of a dream. Around her, other passengers craned their necks to take in the view as well.
As they approached the gates, Emily turned to Feyre. "Oh, and if you see me with someone, pretend we're strangers, alright?"
The carriage came to a halt and the door of the carriage was opened for them through which Freya stepped out first in her silver gown followed by Emily who made sure not to step on her crimson dress. A maid standing by the carriage came forward and straightened her dress before doing the same to Freya's dress.
"Thank you" Freya said softly after she had helped with her dress.
The castle was lit up with lights making it look beautiful. Emily and Freya continued to look at the castle which looked as big as the village they lived in. Freya turned her gazes around, the people around them, and the ones getting down from carriages were dressed in expensive materials and texture that was eye-catching.
She, along with her sister, walked inside the castle through the wide doors that were carved beautifully. The chandeliers hung high above casted shimmering light across the hall, reflecting off the paintings that adorned the Roof and walls. While the elites continued to walk forward, it was the poor ones who couldn't help but spare it a second glance. Music floated through the air, growing louder as they approached the ballroom.
A couple of people passed by them before two girls stopped by and knowing who they were Freya wished they'd just ignored them."Emily you look beautiful" Annie said with a smile before turning to Freya with a sneer, "And what's a lamb doing among the wolves?"
Freya sighed and decided to be the one to ignore them. It wasn't the first time she had met them as Annie was daughter of Beta of Shadowmoon pack and who seemed to take special pleasure in tormenting Feyre.
"She's probably here to find a spare mate since her fate had none," Ella, standing beside Annie added as she tried to stiffle her laugh.
Feyre tilted her head and asked, feigning innocence, "Are you Annie?"
Annie was her age, and like Feyre, this wasn't her first time attending the ball.
"She's not wolfless like you, bitch!" Ella snapped drawing the attention of nearby guests as hr gaze drifted between Annie and Feyre.
"Girls, ignore her. Let's just enjoy the night," Emily said, stepping in with a pointed glance at Feyre. She tugged Annie and Ella away, leaving Feyre standing alone.
Feyre took a steadying breath, brushing off her dress as she stepped into the ballroom forcing herself not to shrink under the weight of so many eyes, though her heart pounded in her chest.
While the guest filled the ballroom entering one after another that still leave enough space for the other who were still on their way, two man sat in one of the room upstairs. One of them casually leaned against the window frame, overlooking the garden and watched as people entered the castle.
"Thanks to Alpha we have more wolves attending the ball this year than ever before," he commented then he turned to look at the other person and asked with a grin "I can't believe you're here, you've managed to dodge this event for five years. What changed?"
"My parents," said the other man who sat on a sofa on the otherside. His black hair was combed back and his head rested against the back of the sofa with his eyes closed. "They wouldn't leave me alone about it. I thought it would be easier to just show up." he sighed.
"Still the dutiful son, huh? Well, at least it'll be entertaining to see how long you can tolerate this before you disappear." His companion chuckled, raising his glass, "will you be making your presence known?"
Hearing him, the man's lip pulled up slightly and he opened his dark blue eyes "Let's see," he hummed, pushing himself to his feet. The one leaning against the window frame stepped aside giving him room to stand in the front.
"I'm not particularly fond of watching wolves in heat," he added, his tone laced with disinterest.
"I heard Lady Marianne is also attending the ball again, thought she'd given up on it after the way she behaves around you, Rowan" commented Elliot.
"Let her be, I was keeping up with her because of my father's command. A little more, and she'd have disappeared into thin air"
A knowing smile came up on Elliot's face. This young Lord was hard to please, especially when it comes to woman. There were only few things that could hold his attention and woman wasn't one of them.
"Well, I won't keep you from sulking," Elliot said with a grin, setting his glass down. "Try not to scare anyone away, alright? You're already intimidating enough without the scowl."
"Go ahead"
Elliot made a bow and left the his side, going to join the ball.
The air was heavy with a sea of fragrances, each guest draped in their own attempt to appear alluring, but the overwhelming mix only irritated Rowan's heightened senses. However, a single scent drifted through the chaos, cutting through the cloying perfumes. It soothed his irritation, stirring his wolf within as his eyes flashed with shades of gold and blue.