Chapter 118 Chapter 118
AILSA’S POV
DAY OF THE WOLF BALL
I stood in the center of my room, staring at myself in the mirror as Lina carried on.
“Stand still” Lina sounded annoyed.
“I am standing still” I retorted.
“You’re vibrating” I huffed a quiet laugh despite the knot tightening in my stomach.
Lina circled me, adjusting the delicate fall of sapphire silk at my waist. The gown shimmered under the light, deep blue with silver embroidery that traced patterns along the bodice and down into the flowing skirt.
The Wolf Ball.
The weight of it pressed against my ribs. The day had finally come and I was ready.
Every Alpha of influence and their Luna will be here. I knew there would be whispers but I was ready for it. And tonight, I would stand beside Lucian not behind him. I would stand as an equal.
“Breathe” Lina murmured, adjusting a loose curl at the nape of my neck.
“I am breathing”
“I can hear the wheels in your head moving”
That earned her a look in the mirror.
“Of course I’m thinking” She smiled knowingly.
“About the hall or about what happened on Lucian’s desk?”
Heat flooded my face instantly. Now, I regretted telling Lina what happened she never missed the opportunity to tease me with it.
I pressed my lips together, but the memory came anyway. His hands at my waist….
No, don’t think about that.
But stomach fluttered dangerously and I didn’t realize I had forgotten about Lina who was in the room with me.
“Stop smiling like that” she said, laughing softly.
“I’m not smiling”
“You are. You don’t need to deny”
I turned slightly toward the mirror, studying myself. The gown fit perfectly, hugging my waist before cascading in soft layers. My shoulders were bare, the neckline was elegant. My hair was pinned partially up, curls falling freely down my back.
I looked like a Luna. I couldn’t even recognize myself.
But doubt still whispered. Will they see it too? Or will they still question my past?
“You look breathtaking” Lina complimented adjusting a final strand of hair. I exhaled slowly.
“I feel like I’m about to be judged by the entire continent”
“You are but you’ll outshine them all” she said cheerfully. I laughed nervously.
A soft knock sounded at the door. My pulse jumped immediately.
“And here comes the Alpha” her grin widened.
“Behave” I muttered but heat climbed my cheeks.
She smoothed the skirt one last time and stepped back.
“Enter” I called.
The door opened. Lucian stepped inside. The air in the room shifted immediately. He was dressed in black tonight, it was sharp and regal. Silver thread traced subtle designs along his cuffs. His hair was pushed back slightly, exposing the strong lines of his face. But it was the way he looked at me that stole my breath.
He stopped walking. For a moment, he simply stared. The silence stretched.
“Alpha” Lina bowed.
Lucian exhaled slowly, his eyes dark and warm. He stared at me like I was the only thing in this world.
“You’re very beautiful”
Hearing that from him, made my knees weak. I also felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Only very?” I teased softly. He stepped closer.
“Devastatingly” he added.
Lina clasped her hands in delight.
“I’ll leave you two to admire each other” she announced quickly before slipping out and closing the door quietly behind her.
Suddenly, it was just us. The tension in the room softened. Lucian approached slowly, his eyes tracing the curve of my shoulders, the fall of the fabric.
“You look like a queen in this dress. You look like you were born for this” he murmured.
“I don’t feel like I was” I admitted
He reached me, brushing his fingers lightly over my waist.
“You were. You are a natural”
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. His kiss was soft and slow.
When he pulled back, his expression shifted to something more vulnerable flickering in his eyes.
“I have something for you” My brows lifted.
That’s when I saw him retrieve something from his pocket. It was a small velvet box, then he opened the velvet box.
Inside lay the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen, a fine silver chain with a tiny crescent pendant set with pale moonstones that shimmered softly in the light.
My breath caught.
“It was my mother’s,” he said quietly. I looked up sharply.
“She wore it at her first Wolf Ball as Luna” he explained. Different emotions surged through me.
“It was meant to be passed to my Luna. I had never felt the need to bring it out until today”
The words wrapped around me like silk. Tears stung my eyes before I could stop them. Lucian noticed immediately. He brushed his thumb beneath my eye gently before a tear could fall.
“No tears today” he murmured.
“They’re happy ones” I whispered.
“Turn around”
I obeyed, turning so my back was against his chest. His fingers were careful as he lifted my hair and fastened the necklace around my neck. The cool pendant settled against my skin.
Then, softly, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. My breath hitched and goosebumps traveled up my arms.
“You honor her wearing it and I’m glad you hold a part of her” he said quietly.
“I don’t deserve…” he put a finger over my mouth, shushing me.
“You do. I don’t want to hear you speak down on yourself again” My throat tightened.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful” I breathed.
“And so are you”
I felt guilty all of a sudden for not thinking about getting a gift.
“I didn’t get you anything”
“It’s fine. You being here is the greatest gift to me” his voice was very low.
Emotion swelled in my chest.
“Thank you for organizing this.You’ve handled everything flawlessly” he added.
Relief flooded me.
“I couldn’t have done it without you” He smiled faintly.
“You were the brain behind it, I wouldn’t take any credit”
He extended his hand toward me.
“Ready?”
I took it with a smile.
“Always ready”
The hall was already alive when we entered. Music drifted through the grand space. Chandeliers glittered overhead, reflecting off polished marble floors. Tables lined with crystal glasses and silver platters stretched along the sides.
Wolves of power filled the room. Alphas dressed in suits and their Luna’s draped in silk and jewels. Conversations and laughter travelled through the space. Heads turned as we descended the steps. Then whispers followed.
Lucian’s grip tightened reassuringly around my hand.
“Stay close” he murmured.
“Okay”
He began introducing me. Alpha Darius from the northern territories and his Luna, Maris they were both warm. The next was Alpha Reynold, he was polite. Each greeting was measured and hands hem form. Some of their gaze were assessing.
But as the introductions continued, I became more calm. I was no longer nervous. The music swelled louder. Couples drifted toward the dance floor. Lucian leaned close.
“Dance with me” he whispered in my ear. My heart fluttered.
“Yes”
He led me onto the polished floor. His hand settled at my waist, warm and steady. The other held mine firmly as the music guided our steps.
We moved easily and naturally. As if we had done this a thousand times before. His thumb brushed lightly against my waist in rhythm.
“You’re doing perfectly. I never thought you could dance” he murmured.
“So are you” I smiled.
“People are watching” I whispered.
“Let them” His lips curved faintly.
The song ended, replaced by a livelier one. Applause echoed lightly.
“I need to speak with Reynold” he said softly. “I’ll return” I nodded.
“I’ll make sure everyone is enjoying the party”
He brushed his knuckles lightly along my jaw before stepping away. I exhaled slowly and moved toward the refreshment table.
“That was beautiful” I turned to the unfamiliar voice.
Luna Maris stood beside me, she was tall, elegant, draped in pale blush silk. Her smile was poised.
“Thank you” I replied politely.
“I must admit” she continued smoothly, “I didn’t expect you to be this beautiful” My brows lifted slightly. I didn’t know whether to be offended by that or just ignore.
“Oh” I said instead.
“There were rumors about you” she said.
“Rumors rarely tell the truth” She laughed softly.
“True. But you look familiar. I can’t place where I’ve seen you before” My spine stiffened.
“I don’t believe we’ve me before until today” I laughed.
“I would remember. Your face….” she said thoughtfully.
Before she could finish, the doors opened. The sound was subtle. But the shift in the room was immediate.
Maris turned toward the entrance and so did I. Waiting for the entrance of whoever had caught our attention.
Then the couple worked in and my breath stopped entirely. I staggered on my feet and I heard Maris voice asking me what was wrong. I blinked my eyes praying that this was just a dream but when I opened them. They were already moving.
“Lorcan…”