章節 45: C43. Across
Jossie's POV:
It amazed me at the size of their pack house. It was a gigantic manor. Something you would see somewhere in Europe's museum of houses. Our costumes would certainly go well with the manor's theme. Everything was modernized besides the year this manor was build. It had been well refurbished over the years. As if every year they had nothing better to do. This place must have personal grounds keepers for the landscape was beautiful.
The place was surrounded by an electric fence. The gates were wide open with valets in waiting. I'm not sure where they would take the vehicles to. It was apparel we would walk from the gate. Nathalie made sure to have our invitations ready in case we were questioned.
Nathalie's dress was black just like mine. With a Victorian gothic appeal to it. It was probably made from fine cotton and lace. Nothing too special about it. It was round necked to compliment her flat chest. Her chocolate eyes were covered with a same material mask that would tie around into her hair and pull it back into a styled bun. She had put beads in it. Honestly, she looked very strange to be in such a dress. It didn't suit her. Whoever sent these dresses must have forgotten to compliment her with something nice to wear.
Veronica's short stature was complimented by a Victorian styled long skirt and black blouse. She had on a matching vest and tailored coat that would match Casimir's style. There was something manly behind her look and I admired it, truly. I loved Vee's short strawberry blonde hair. There was just something about it that made her stand out from all the rest. Nathalie would look good beside her. Her mask was a dark racoon-like mask that would drown out her blue eyes. She had a singular feathered hat up on her head to drown attention away from her colored hair. It was a shame really.
When we reached the entrance Beta Ethan was on standby as he greeted guests that were being welcomed inside. Ethan's red hair was first to be recognized. Despite being well dressed up and placed behind a mask. I remembered his red hair instantly the moment I saw him. It was hard to miss. Ethan recognized us instantly and gave a huge welcoming smile. "You're late," he chimed in a teasing tone. "I've been awaiting your arrival and questioning if you would come."
He had been expecting us?
"You need to learn how to answer your damn phone," Nathalie snarled. "I had something important to speak to you about."
"I had important matters. I could not deal with whatever you wanted."
"It involves the king. I'm sure it is more important than whatever you were taking care of," Nathalie growled angrily. I saw a few guards look our way and start to come towards us. Ethan held up his hand.
"Do- not speak to me in that tone. I am your beta- I will remind you." The guards got the signal and went back to their posts. "I've been instructed to lead you inside when you got here."
"Did you not listen to me just now?" Nathalie asked as he settled down her anger. "It's about the king! She needs to speak with him- privately," she snarled once more as she pointed in my direction. "Will you set it up?"
"How important is it?" He asked casually. I glanced around at peering eyes. I felt nervous all of a sudden. What if we're too late?
"I just said it involves the king. It's almost life or death," Nathalie warned. "You should answer your phone once in a while."
"I'll put her up in a room and have the king meet with her immediately," Ethan suggested. I heard Casimir growl suddenly.
"I don't want her alone. I'll come with-"
"She'll be fine. I assure you."
"I'll be fine," I said quickly as I couldn't imagine having both of them in the same room. I wouldn't be able to speak for all the growling that'll occur. I don't want to be alone with the king period. "I just won't go to the private room, Cas. Please lead me to the king," I said as I nodded towards Ethan. Casimir and Camren won't be able to smell too well if we're surrounded by all these scents. It'll be hard to sort through the different pheromones. Ethan smirked as he nodded his head and started inside to lead the way. I looked towards the girls. "How about you two stay close by. If we need you we will call for you. Just stay close..."
"We'll keep an eye out for her," Nathalie suggested. I nodded quickly. Yes, my sister will be here somewhere. Casimir took my hand in his as we separated from the girls. We followed Ethan through a crowded hall until we reached a bigger room with a double bifurcated staircase that went up two floors. It swirled around a massive diamond chandelier. Across from it was the entrance into the ballroom. It was hard to make our way through the crowd of masked people. They were hard to cooperate with. All of them were staring and I couldn't make out any scents because of the smell of alcohol as they all sipped on wine glasses. Casimir held my hand as if to be protective as he tried to keep up with Ethan. He lead us to a table holding a tower of champagne glasses.
"Please have a drink. I will find the king alone and bring him to you," Ethan said. "Stay nearby." He took a glass for himself. This must be his first chance away from the door. He looked parched as he took a sip from the glass.
"Beta Ethan, this is serious." I felt my face redden from the rage I felt at how slow he was being. I took a glass and looked to the side for Casimir but found him missing. I frowned as I turned around to look for him. When I turned back to look at Ethan he had already turned his back and left me. I could see his red hair making his way into the crowd. I stepped away from the tower as I looked for Casimir. Where did he go? I thought he wouldn't leave me! Suddenly a fanfare started up where the staircase had been. I walked towards it quickly and took a sip from my glass.
"Her majesty Late Queen of werewolves and Luna of Deepfur, Annalise Ramirez." I stopped walking as I realized I had no interest in meeting the queen's gaze. I quickly turned around. It was probably best to avoid her at all costs while here. I wouldn't even look in her direction. My eyes were focused on finding Camren. I smelled the air. I tried to push past the musk of alcohol as I tried to single out Camren's scent.
Finally, I picked up on my sister's familiar scent. Juliette was here. Tangled with her scent was something else I've never experienced before. It was stronger than any authorities scent I've met before. It was even stronger than Casimir's. This... was... possibly the king's scent. This was it... this was his...
It was wrapped in a sticky honey-like stench that consumed my throat and made it hard to swallow. It was good. It reminded me of my first time smelling Casimir's scent. It was different from all the others. It had to be Camren's. It was hard to explain how I knew. His scent marked the right qualities about him.
He was an alpha male. Not much older than me. Single- still. He was unmated. He was open for mating and he was attractive to me. His scent consumed me and made my knees weak from breathing it in. I had to go to him. I had to hunt him down, now. I wanted to let the whole world know I had found this. I wanted to claim my mark. I wanted to own it. I wanted my scent bound with his. Something scared me about his scent. I knew if I run... I will never know what drawn me in like this. Why was it I had two?
Something was off about his scent. My theories were correct. I had two mates after all. I could feel it deep in my bones. I knew he had found his way alone with my sister. I felt enraged by the very thought of what mistakes they were up to. Where were they? I had to find them! She might have already tricked him!
I followed his scent since it was the strongest. I must had just missed them. It lead towards a private balcony that was shut off from the rest of the party. It was covered in thick curtains. Two guards were posted outside of it. I would not have a chance to walk up to it, I could feel it. There was another open right beside it. I took the chance and went inside it. There was a brief sitting room before the balcony. I crawled out onto the balcony to spy on them. I sat the glass on the ground beside me.
"Will you be signing a treaty with him?" I could hear my sister asking. Her voice was so quiet I wasn't sure exactly if I was hearing that correctly. Since when did they become so close that she could ask something so privately towards the king?
"No," Camren's soft voice spoke through the midnight air. I was thrilled. It was my first time hearing it. The tune was different from how I imagined. I found myself aroused at the thought of hearing him get to speak to me. I wanted to expose myself for spying on them. "I recon I aught to not. It'll be a waste of paper. After all... I see the way he looked at you. He wants you. I will not let that happen." He sounded so sure of his decision. "He's going to hate me for it, Juliette." I felt a pain in my heart suddenly from what he said. I held my mouth as I squeezed back tears. Did she already... give him the potion? What did I miss? Who were they talking about?
"How do you know my name?" My floozy sister's voice was irritating me suddenly. I wished he knew my name! I wanted to tell him mine.
"An omega might've told me," he said in slight amusement. I heard a tap on the door to the balcony as a quiet voice spoke through. I almost jumped, thinking at first it was to my own room. I was relieved as the voice obviously came from their balcony.
"Excuse me," I heard a female's voice speak out. "One second of your time." Who was this person now? Another female?
"Bad timing," Camren's voice would echo out into the night air. It was so low I almost didn't catch it. I peaked over the balcony to get a glimpse of what was happening. Camren's face turned to somewhat of annoyance. I could see it as he turned to blankly leave my sister's side. I had only a few seconds to take in his appearance before he was gone. When the doors shut it was so quiet. The doors were soundproofed- it was impressive.
He was breathtaking. Handsome as the night was long. I was in love from one glance. I felt my heart racing in my chest from how close I was to him. I caught ahold of my chest with one hand and breathed slowly. What just happened? His eyes were like diamonds! They were blue. His face was chiseled by gods. His hair looked almost like snow! Honestly... he almost resembled my sister. What am I thinking?! I didn't come here to drool over him from afar. I have to do something! I-I can't move!
My eyes landed on my sister. I could see her eyeing a second drink over. I knew it then it was the king's drink. Something wasn't right... She hasn't drugged him yet with her potion? I was on time?! Juliette would pull out a small vile from the pocket of her dress. I could see as she plumped the drops into the glass and swirl it inside. His drink was now poison! She would quickly discard the evidence by tossing it over the balcony's edge and into the snow-covered bushes below.
I didn't have time to move away from the balcony as Camren was suddenly back outside. I could see my sister already distracted by the moon. He picked up his glass and I felt my lips part as I wanted to yell and prevent him from doing it. I quivered my lips. I couldn't speak as I felt lost of breath. He was too gorgeous for his own good. Honestly... I liked the way they looked together... Maybe because my sister looked so much like the way I wanted to be. Juliette would pick up her own glass just to mimic his movement.
"What was that about?"
"Just letting me know my mother will be here soon," he told me as he looked disappointed for some reason. That's not true. She was already here. He lied to her just now. I watched his lips lock onto his glass as he was about to drink but stopped himself. He chuckled lightly. "I tell you I'm not allowing him to have you and you're lost of words. Tell me... what are you thinking now?" He asked. I sat there unable to move as I listened to him. What was he doing? Why does he look like he was hesitating to take a sip?
"I'm not thinking anything."
"You must be thinking something."
"Perhaps... You've found me to be delightful enough to be your queen?"
His lip trembled as his expression went cold and sour. He was stiff. I felt stiff from the sight of the way he suddenly was looking at my sister. Something was very wrong and she wasn't picking up on the correct cues. I was beginning to worry for her. I'm sorry Juliette! What am I doing? I should be saving you right now! I think he might know something is off! How is she not picking up in his scent? It was slowly devouring the air in rage.
"What do you think?" He asked without seeming to mean to. "Are you worthy of me?" My sister would not respond fast enough for him. "Take off your mask," he suggested.
My sister just smiled like a dull knit wit. She gave him her glass suddenly and I could see as she took off her mask. I watched as Camren's own diamond eyes wondered over her skin with disgust. He was observing it hard. Almost as if he was trying to find something. Suddenly he took a sip of his wine. I gasped as he slowly drunk it down and then hers as well. I covered my mouth before they could hear me. Silence broke out as he sat the glasses on the ledge. It was fast as he took my sister in his arms. She'd reach up to stop him and touch his mask. I watched as she slowly took it off and revealed what I had been missing this whole time. My face flushed. Heat rose in-between my pants. I felt like a peeping tom!
"I think... You can decide that for yourself."
I held back an angry growl as my sister suddenly forced her lips on his. I was repulsed by the imagine and shrunk away from it. It hurt to watch them kiss. I ached at the mere thought it wasn't me there instead. Unfortunately... It was not me there. This was gross, I knew. I wanted Casimir more than anything just moments before I saw this strange man. Now... I was dreaming of being in my sister's shoes. I could see the displeasure on his face as he pulled back from her. There was hope for me yet.
"Come with me," he suggested. His fingers suddenly enclosed with hers. I was enraged at the thought of where he was going to take her. That bastard! He looked suddenly towards the doors. "I will announce to everyone who my chosen mate is." He looked back at her. I felt my jaw clench as anger consumed me. I felt like ripping them apart. I wanted to scream I was here. I was watching and I was not happy with them. "My fated mate," his voice echoed through my mind. It was not meant for me.
It was heart stopping.
Jaw dropping!
I was consumed with fire as I sunk low against the railing. No! No! No! How could he say such things so freely? Did- Did the potion really work on him? Was I too late? I was too late! I'm terrible! I let this happen to them!
"I will mark you in front of the whole party."
He seemed very amused and happy all of a sudden. I knew then it was the potion at work. That's right...
She won.
My heart was falling in pain as I moved away from the balcony. It was too much. I didn't even bother to sneak back into the room. I was heartbroken. I was disappointed in myself especially. I let it happen. I made my way out of the room and towards the party to find Casimir. We need to get out of here, right now.
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