章 20: HOW TO BE LONELY

After the wedding ceremony, the guests went inside to start the party. I was taken upstairs to my room by Yasmin to change into something more comfortable. I was dressed in a deep green suede sleeveless gown with gold embroideries at the front. The veil was taken away from my head and my hair was let down and twisted to the side. When I was done, I was taken downstairs to the room where the party was already in full effect.

Music played from somewhere in the corner of the room. People were already dancing and everyone was in a merry mood. I could see Aurora dancing with a brown haired guy, laughing as he swung her around. I could also see Kiran in the midst of four ladies who looked absolutely smitten by his charms. One was even tugging her gown so low, I could see her creamy flesh from where I was standing.

I rolled my eyes at her and my gaze went to the long table where delicious food was laid on top. Five fat roasted pig was placed in the center with other delicious delicacies around it. I could see the lamb chops, potato salad, roasted chicken and others.

Seated at the head of the table was Ivan who had his gaze on me. I watched as he slowly took in the gown I was in and I resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze. He had gotten rid of his clothes and he was now dressed in big white see through shirt. His hair which had been styled perfectly in place was now hanging loosely around his nape. This man was beautiful and he knows it.

"HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN!"

Someone suddenly yelled from behind startling me a little. I turned to find a man standing at the entrance of the door, he was the one who announced my entrance. I turned only to find everyone's focus already on me. I suddenly remembered the first time I had come here when Ivan had requested to see me for the first time and I was dressed in that horrible see through dress that made everyone stare at me.

I felt my hands suddenly get clammy as I could feel more eyes on me. I felt suddenly self conscious and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around myself and flee the room, but I couldn't do that. Instead I clenched my now trembling hands tightly into a fist and stood still, staring at the other guests.

I heard the scraping of chair but I didn't bother to look. It was only till I perceived his sandalwood and leather scent did I look up into the eyes of Ivan who was directly in front of me. He didn't say anything. Instead, he reached for my hand and brought it to his lips. The spot where he kissed left a tingling sensation and I blinked up at him.

Ivan then grabbed my hand and began leading me towards the table. He pulled a seat that was beside him for me. I mumbled my thanks as I sat down. I could still feel eyes on me but this time I didn't mind, Ivan was right beside me.

Everyone begin to return to their seats, since the king and queen were already seated. A male servant came to carve out a slice of pork for me, another male servant filled my glass with wine. I smiled at him before I turned towards the food in front of me.

"Alright!" I heard Kiran say loudly as he stood up from the chair. "As the King's brother I'd like to propose a toast." He said beaming at us while Aurora groaned loudly from beside him.

I smiled at that but Kiran chose to ignore his sister and instead he continued. "As you all know, my brother has long been searching for his mate and now he has finally found her. No one expected her to be human but Arianne_" Kiran paused to look at me, "Arianne is one heck of a human. She put up a hell of a fight on her first week here, between jumping out her bedroom window using multiple silk bed sheets, getting captured by rogue werewolves and she even single-handedly killed one of them!" Kiran announced and a loud murmur arose round the table.

Ivan shot his brother a warning growl. "Hurry up your toast brother!"

Ivan merely grinned at his brother before he continued. "Cranky one my brother is, Eh?" He asked earning another growl from Ivan while everyone let rounds of laughter. "Anyway all I want to say is, I'm glad you found each other! Welcome to the family Arianne." Kiran finished and raised his glass in a toast.

Loud chants of 'Hear Hear' filled the table before they began eating. I took a sip of my wine and I was amazed at out sweet it was. I immediately began to gulp it down and when I finished I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Madam Cordelia gave me a look of disapproval while Aurora shot me a nervous smile.

"Wow! Easy there love, save some for the rest of us!" Kiran joked and everyone laughed again.

I smiled awkwardly at the table and begin to eat my food. The male servant came to refill my wine again. This time when I drank my wine, I remembered to sip and not gulp down the whole content this time. I also gently ate my food, cutting down small pieces to fit in my mouth and to chew gently. Proper table etiquette for a queen.

I looked up to find Ivan looking at me.

"You okay?" He mouthed looking at me with concern.

I smiled and nodded my head at him, then we went back to our dinner. Halfway through the dinner the door suddenly bust open and women dressed in black shimmery see through dresses entered. They had black clothes covering their faces, they wore black small tops that was tied at the back. The top left little to the imagination because I could see the gold star shaped tape they used to cover their nipples. The skirt they wore was slit so high if they spread their legs I can see the small tiny undergarment they wore inside.

"Ha! Finally the main event!" Kiran yelled clapping, "My gift to you brother! Enjoy!" Kiran said stretching his hands towards the women, I counted sixteen of them.

Music started playing and the women started dancing, moving in slow seductive ways. The women twisted their waist and moved in ways I didn't think was possible. I watched in awe as they danced and one of them went down on her back using her hands to support herself before she raised one of her legs up in the air.

Everyone started getting up to go and join the dancers. A man even went into their mist and pulled one of the women away and slammed his mouth on hers. I looked away from them and instead focused on the women who were dancing.

I noticed two of them begin to approach me. No, not me, Ivan! I corrected myself as the women produced a black scarf as they walked seductively towards Ivan. I watched as they draped the scarf around Ivan's neck and one sat down on his laps, going all the way down her hair touched the ground.

Around us cheers erupted, everyone raising their glasses to their alpha. The girl rose up and she began pulling the scarf around Ivan's neck, using it to pull him up.

"Go on brother! This is your night!" Kiran yelled encouragely at his brother and I saw that he was already in the midst of three dancers. One of them was already grinding on his laps.

Ivan let out a chuckle as he shooked his head at his little brother but he allowed the girls to pull him up. They pulled him into their midst and one of them stood in front of him, then bent forward and began wiggling her butt against him.

I immediately averted my gaze away from them, feeling my cheeks go red. I finally understood what was happening. The girls weren't just dancers, they were prostitutes and Kiran presented them to Ivan! Deciding I wanted no part in this, I stood up and began heading to my room.

"Can you believe it?" I heard someone murmur as I walked past and I quickly hid in a corner.

Not far from where I hid were two women. They appeared to be ladies of the court, I could tell from the way dressed in the finest of silks. Also, their fans had the kingdom's crest on it.

"A human Luna? Never in all my years did I think I'd see the day." The second woman said puffing on a pipe.

The other woman scoffed. "I mean I understand she's pretty and if he wanted her as a plaything, that is completely understandable but a Luna? The horror!"

"I reckon she knows nothing about being a Luna" The woman puffing the pipe said, "She must think it must be fancy dresses and fancy parties where she can gulp down wine." She finished with a laugh.

"Of course, I dare say she won't last a week."

"Why do you say so?" The woman with the pipe asked with curiosity.

The other woman rolled her eyes. "Oh please Georgina, do you really believe a human can survive in a werewolf kingdom, besides with the king making so many enemies it's only a matter of time before a war happens. I even hear the Zeagia Kingdom are getting prepared for it!" The pipe woman said her voice falling into a hush.

Georgina let out a sigh. "Of course, I heard about the princess the king turned down. It's a shame though, poor little thing. She was a much better candidate and going to make a fine Luna no doubt." Georgina finished her voice filled with sympathy.

Deciding I didn't want to hear anymore, I hiked my skirt up and fled the dining room as quietly as I could. I was still running when I collided into someone, I looked up only to see it was Aurora.

"What's wrong Arianne? Leaving the party so soon?" Aurora asked me with a smile.

I returned her smile and nodded my head. "Yes, I...I just feel so tired."

Aurora was about to open her mouth and say something but she must have seen something in my eyes, because she gave me a small smile and grabbed my hand. "Alright, come with me."

We walked down the hall and climbed up the stairs. We walked past the door of my bedroom and we took another turn. I realized we were going to Ivan's room. Aurora pushed open the door and I saw that most of my things had already been brought in.

This was really happening! I thought to myself as I let out a small sigh, one Aurora heard.

"You okay?"

I turned to see Aurora looking at me with concern and I smiled at her. "Of course, but I was just wondering if I could sleep in my room today?"

"Ah." Aurora said thoughtfully, "I'm afraid, that isn't going to be possible. You are married now, so no more separate rooms. Beside if you are worried about Ivan showing up, he isn't..." Aurora's voice trailed off when she noticed the sad expression on my face.

"Shit!" Aurora cursed before she looked at me with a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry Arianne, Ivan isn't normally like this_" She defended her brother but I just smiled at her, "Um, do you perhaps need anything?"

I shook my head at her and she nodded her head at me.

"Of course, I...uh...I guess I'll leave you to rest now."

I gave her a tired smile. "Thank you."

Aurora nodded her head at me with a smile before she turned to leave. But just before she reached the door, she paused and turned back to look at me. "Just so you know Arianne, I'm glad it's you." She told me and I could see the sincerity in her eyes.

I gave her a smile at that which she returned before she left. After she shut the door, I went to Ivan's bed and sat down on it. I could still hear the music coming from the dining room and the faint laughter of people.

Minutes passed but Ivan didn't come up. Minutes slowly turned into hours and it was starting to become really hard to keep my eyes open. Deciding to give up, I curled myself on the bed and closed my eyes to sleep, but not before a single tear rolled down my cheek.