Chapter 6

It was the day.

The day Sophia and Meredith couldn't stop chatting about. The day they were all going to dress up, look glamorous…and the day Amelia planned to visit the human world. For her, that was the special occasion; she gazed at her reflection smugly and spread out a haughty smile. She was never one to scrutinize her looks, but she knew damn well that she was beautiful. She’d been told countless times.

Her grey eyes popped out as Emily painted her face with some strange colors.

"I don't need these things, don't you think?" She turned her head. "I think I am prettier without these beautifiers."

Emily smiled as she coiffed her hair," you're gorgeous, my lady." She replied, rotating her head back in place.

"Why aren't you getting dressed? You're going to the ball, right?" She questioned, flickering her eyes through the mirror and watching as Emily packed her hair in a bun.

"I'm afraid not. None of the suitors shall glance at my side for a second; you know how highly the packs value status."

"Well, I don't believe in segregation. I believe you're more beautiful and cleverer than half of the stuck-up Alphas," she said. "Besides, I never said it was to find a suitor. Why not go and have some fun?"

"Oh, my lady, I wish I were as free-spirited as you were," Emily smiled and gazed at Amelia's reflection in the mirror, "perfect!"

The door opened, and Veronica sauntered into the room.

"I see you're getting prepared," she muttered.

"Yes, mother," Amelia replied while Emily bowed her head.

"Be on your best behavior today. Hopefully, you find yourself a suitor." She scoffed, peering around.

"Very well, mother." Amelia smiled. She was in no mood to argue that evening.

"Even your best behavior frightens me," Veronica sighed, gazing at her daughter.

"I shall like to dress alone with Emily, "Amelia said after a while. She watched as Veronica glanced at the room one last time before taking her to leave. Amelia howled, taking a stand. She paced the room with her eyes tightened.

"Let's get you ready, my lady or I shall get in a lot of trouble." Emily broke the lingering silence. Amelia paused and glanced at her. She'd forgotten her presence.

"No need for formality,” she said, "You can call me Amelia."

Emily had been her handmaiden for some months. Shockingly, she enjoyed her company; it was high time they became acquaintances.

Emily lowered her head immediately as though she had spat out an abomination.

"What am I to wear?"

"Your mother purchased a lot from the market since you refused to go for a fitting. The blue dress, maybe?"

Emily searched through the rack, and when her eyes fell on the perfect dress, she turned.

"It's not bad." Amelia yawned, and Emily arched her brow.

"Etiquette, my lady." Emily sang. "Place your hand beneath your mouth."

"No formal—"

Suddenly, there was a scream. Emily jumped, yelling and shivering.

"It's a rat!"

Rose ran into the room in fright.

"Get the spray," Amelia ordered, not moving an inch. She watched as Rose bolted out of the room instantly.

Amelia flickered her eyes at Emily, she had been paralyzed with fear. Chuckling, she strode to her side.

"Are you alright?" She questioned, but Emily did not say a word. The rat was at the edge of the room, not moving from the spot as though it was trapped.

That same moment, Rose arrived with the spray, she stayed behind her sister, fidgeting. Amelia howled and sprayed the rat. She watched as it froze on the spot. It was strange; they'd never taken notice of rats in the house. It must have come in through the woods.

"Are you okay?" She chuckled and tapped Emily.

"Yes. Thank you." She muttered, wore a straight face and resumed her search for a dress.

After a long carriage ride, Amelia breathed out in relief as they finally arrived at the castle.

Veronica had been mumbling about how epic their entrance should be at the ball. It was sad really: how her mother was crazy about power and attention.

The palace was a huge golden building with silver linings. Huge was an understatement, it was big enough for billions of packs. Amelia adjusted her golden mask. It went well with the red dress she finally settled for.

"Don't forget, be at your best behavior," Veronica seethed.

Amelia tightened her eyes, trying her best to remain calm. If the night was to go well, she'd finally creep to the human world, find Lake and get her necklace back; luckily, the general hadn't noticed it was missing yet.

They stood at the entrance of the reception room as the Herald announced them. The room featured paintings of the past alphas framed with golden edges.

After the social dance, there was going to be a banquet which, for Amelia, was going to be the best part of the day.

"The Flowers!” The Herald bellowed Gracefully, they marched into the ballroom, all eyes on them. Amelia diverted from her pack, searching for any or both of her friends. The segregation was evident in the room. The ball was an event where the packs came in with their best dresses and fake smiles. Each one of them had an agenda; it was always the event of the year—an event of socialization and display of power and wealth.

The alphas had their spot; they stood together chatting with one another. The Betas found their way to socialize with the alphas, while the gammas and deltas stayed together, leaving the Omegas to themselves. The only good thing about the class segregation was that it was going to be easy to find Meredith "Amelia!" She turned, and a smile crept on her face as it connected with Meredith. She was wearing a purple dress and a matching mask.

"I've been searching all over for you!" Meredith exclaimed as they embraced. "I figured you were going to arrive late."

"Have you seen Sophia?" She asked.

"Yes, I have," she chortled and whispered." She's dancing with Henry."

"I should have guessed."

"Have you seen the prince?" Meredith questioned out of the blue, and Amelia shook her head. Despite the king's popularity amongst women, he only had one heir.

The Lycans could only bear children for their mates, and the Luna, unfortunately, died at an early age, bearing only one son.

Prince Harry.

"He's right there," Meredith said through the mind link. "He's next to the throne, beside the alpha king."

Amelia couldn't make out his face. He was wearing a mask next to a guard around his height. The prince had no acquaintance, but he had quite the reputation with women.

"Despite the mask he's wearing; you can tell he's extremely handsome." Meredith sighed.

"I—"

"Amelia!"

She froze. It was her mother's voice. Instantly, she knew it wasn't for a just cause. She pursed her lips and turned, her eyes connecting with the gentleman next to her.

"You forgot to pay your respects to the Hamburgs," Veronica faked a smile. "This is William, their humble son."

Amelia could tell Meredith was chuckling next to her. William stretched his hand, and threatened by Veronica's glare, she placed hers on his. He placed his lips on her hand and walked her to the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" He questioned.

"You practically dragged me here. Do I really have a choice?" She scoffed. When her eyes met with Veronica's from afar, she decided to act formally. "I mean, I am all yours," she faked a smile.

Amelia was a lot of things, but a dancer. She struggled to move in rhythm with his steps, trying to recall the moves her mother had taught her.

"Save me," Amelia said to Meredith through the mind link.

"I'm sorry, your mother wouldn't let me." She countered.

"Are you alright?" William questioned. It was about time he said a word.

"Absolutely fine," she faked a smile.

"I am intrigued by you, Miss Flower." He whispered. "I don't mind if we wed this instant."

Her mouth formed a frown; what a horrible line to impose on a lady. Now she wished he never said a word.

"You are a charmer," he complimented for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Thank you," she smiled, mostly because the dance had ended.

"I'll surely have another dance with you," he said as they strode to the congregation.

"Yes."

Instantly, she bolted out of the room, trying to avoid another moment of Veronica clouding her with suitors. Suddenly, she felt a hit, landing on the hard ground.

"Sorry about that," an audible voice spoke, and her heart flew.

"It's alright," she arose, her eyes connecting with the gentleman. Her eyes widened; she recognized him, not by his looks, but by the clothes he wore. It was the man that was next to the prince earlier.

"Are you alright, miss?" He questioned, and her stomach twisted in a way she didn't fully understand. The last time it happened was with Lake. Something within her was exciting—her wolf was excited, and her tail revealed.

"I think I know you," she said, and the man froze. "You are the guard that was standing in front with the crappy woman-crazed prince." She chuckled and then placed her hand above her mouth.

"Don't tell anyone I said that,” she whispered.

"I think everyone knows that," the guard smiled unevenly, his clear tan skin glowing in the hall. "A most enjoyable party."

"Well, I do not think I share the same view as yours, sir," she countered. "I hate dancing.”

"Good," he whispered. "I lied—about the party, I mean."

Amelia chuckled, she'd never spoken to a man for more than a minute beside her family and Lake.

"Should I tell you a little secret?" The guard said as they strode across the hall.

"If it means leaving this awful party, goodness, I'm in!" She exclaimed. "Since you work here, you should know a place around."

"I do not only work here, but I also grew up here." The guard revealed as he led her to the back of the castle. It featured a mini garden with fireflies dancing in the background.

"This is beautiful." Her eyes sparkled as they strode closer to the garden. "The only place that is as beautiful as this is the hu…" She paused. She'd forgotten the word 'human' was an abomination in the pack.

"You're speechless," the guard chuckled. "You don't seem like one to be easily impressed."

"I guess it is because you didn’t propose to me, and my wolf likes you. Trust me, you should be honored, it isn't one to fancy strangers." She snorted, and the guard barked out a laugh.

"What do you mean? A proposal—”

"My mother…well, my mother made me dance with some freak. He never allowed me to speak, yet he proposed marriage. It seems as though we ladies were made for marital life; we have no freedom—no right to work or express ourselves. We are doomed to mediocrity in the pack." Amelia said all at once, pausing to catch her breath. She feared she'd gone off point with the conversation.

She gazed up and caught the fierce glance from the guard; it was combined with an amused expression on his face.

"I've never met a lady like you. So full of life and…interesting." He smiled.

“I know I went overboard.” She lowered her gaze.

Alpha or not, women were not supposed to be chatty with just any man.

“Not really,” he chuckled and then wavered.

"I believe women are much more than we see them, much better than men, I'd say."

Amelia smiled. He was different, no doubt.

"It's been an intense conversation. How about we dance for a moment? We can hear the music from here,” he said, stretching forth his hand.

"I am not much of a dancer, remember?" She chuckled, refusing to take his hand.

"Just be yourself, and I will teach you." The guard said, waiting for her hand to connect with his. Amelia raised a brow and carefully placed her hand on his; he kissed her knuckle, sending electric waves along her spines.

It was the same wave she had felt with the human.

It was strange…new and exciting.

"What are you called, my lady." The guard questioned as he drew her close to his body.

"I am Ame—"

"Your highness!"

Someone had interrupted her speech. Another man had joined them. "I've been searching all over for you!" he said.

Your highness?

Amelia turned. The man that had spoken was wearing the prince's clothes. She tilted her head to the man next to her and turned again, slightly confused.

How was it possible?

An uneasy feeling began to settle in her mind, she tried to shove it away, but it got unbearable each second till it found a way back to her mind. Then it dawned on her.

"Bloody hell…"