Chapter 9

Gracefully, we crossed the bridge and made our way towards the group of gaggling girls. I glanced up and noticed the sky was a brilliant shade of blue and not a cloud in sight whilst the sun beamed down its rays.

"If the weather stays like this, we will be able to have some of our celebrations out in the garden," mused Kieran thoughtfully. "Anyway, it's time you best meet some of the other girls. You will be sitting by them for most of the day."

The group of giggly girls soon quickly fell silent as we approached them. Davina furiously glanced at my hand, still being caressed by Kieran's before smiling a sickly sweet smile at the Prince.

"My Highness, I hope you slept some well last night," sneakily shooting me a sly side glance. "Would you like me to accompany you to the celebrations?"

"Ahh, Elena, This is Davina Rosewood, but I think it's safe to say you two have already met briefly. These are the other girls that I have acquired to my possession. But there is plenty of time today for you to get to know them," Kieran announced loudly before turning to acknowledge Davina. "Thank you for your offer Davina, but I would like Elena to accompany me to the celebrations. However, I do need someone to follow the rest of the girls at the back. You know, to make sure no one gets lost or left behind?"

It took all my strength to hold back my laughter at the sight of Davina's unimpressed scowl as she turned on her heel and flounced towards the back of the group. Silently, I walked in step alongside Kieran as we walked back through the stone archway and down the marble staircase. We crossed the large hallway and made our way down a smaller flight of stone steps towards two large golden doors. As we walked nearer to the doors, the doors swung open, revealing a large ballroom filled with several long tables. A long table lined the top of the room, which housed two thrones, one golden and one black, at each end. Down the sidewalls of the room, each sat another long table filled with seats. In the middle of the room sat another two long tables sitting parallel to the first, leaving a large empty square right in the middle of the room. The room was filled with the elegant sound of classical music played by a small band hidden in one of the corners. . Above us, a great many large crystal chandeliers were hanging elegantly from the ceiling. That's when I noticed that the outer tables were already filled with important-looking people. At the same time, the inside tables began filling up with lots of girls, all in different colours.

"Girls, find your seats on the inside table on the right-hand side," ordered Kieran loudly. "The girls have their own table while my ministers and I will sit behind you on our table. Elena, I want you to sit with me."

A small whisper ran among the girls, but a quick glare from the Prince shut it down as the girls bowed their heads and walked to their seats. Just as Davina went past me, she paused and glared at me angrily.

"You best watch your back, bitch," she hissed. "He's mine!"

Before I could say a word, Davina had stormed off after the other girls and quickly took her seat as she stared stonily at the wall across the room. Biting my lip nervously, I followed Kieran down the middle of the room towards the top table, which was already filled with several important-looking men. However, I noticed the black throne was still empty. Kieran promptly sat down in the golden chair and patted his knee gently.

"Sit," he ordered before looking down at the rest of the girls, who stared back in jealousy.

A noise erupted from the other side of the room, making us look up. The girls that the Shadow Wolf selected were walking quickly into the room with their heads bowed, visibly terrified. Stomping in behind them was the Shadow Wolf himself, dressed head to toe in black. He stormed past them, not even looking at the girls and made his way towards his own black chair before sitting down on it. Slowly, he turned his head and shot Kieran a broad smile as he looked at me up and down.

"Ahh, Kieran," the Shadow Wolf sneered loudly. "I see you have finally got yourself a playmate!"

"Hello Carlton, my dear brother!" smiled Kieran lazily. "Nice to meet you too! I suggest you keep your nose out of my business when it comes to my girls!"

"When you get bored of her, which I'm sure you will, don't kill her straightaway, will you?" Carlton laughed. "She is a beauty. I'd like to give her a good go first!"

Kieran growled in warning at his words but quickly suppressed it.

"You leave Elena Alone! Or else," warned Kieran angrily, glaring daggers over at his amused brother.

"Oh, first name terms with this one, eh?" chuckled Carlton quietly. "Is she the one then? Oh, go on. I'll give you a good price for her! She must be a right babe in the bedroom!"

"Why do you want this one? Arent, you having fun with your girls?" Kieran sneered. "You've got plenty of them. Surely you can't be bored with them all by now. And actually, Elena is a virgin!"

"A virgin, eh? You have done well, dear brother. You do realise how tight and fresh a virgin is?" Carlton mused thoughtfully before turning to stare down at his girls. " There are a couple of good ones in there, but the rest are no good. I'll put them out for easy pickings in the garden later. Why do you need any more girls? You don't have that many to pick from? Once you've stretched a virgin, they are beyond repair!"

"I have plenty of girls. Don't you worry about that!" Kieran snapped suddenly, shooting his brother with a warning look. "Don't talk about Elena like that! You forget who is the true Alpha here. You will be gone soon!"

"I wouldn't like to bet my money on you throwing me out, dear brother," Carlton sneered while turning his attention back towards me. "you best keep her close. Be a shame if anything were to happen to her!"

"Is that a challenge!" hissed Kieran furiously, his body beginning to shake in anger.

Carlton just laughed and sighed happily before looking back at his brother in earnest.

"Oh no, I wouldn't dream of challenging you. I may have the brains, but unfortunately, you have the brute strength," teased Carlton silkily. "Just remember the terms of our Grandmother's Last will. Judging by my calculations, you only have 28 days left!"