Chapter 19. The Introduction
Still embarrassed from what had happened a while ago. I couldn't seem to look Alpha Jack straight in the eyes when he reached out to get my hand while walking down the stairs. I was on the last steps when he opened his mouth to say something.
"Look at me Carmela, there's no reason to feel embarrassed over the passion that we shared".
His voice was a little loud so I'm afraid Claire and Cory had overheard what he said. I glanced behind me and saw both women looking down at the floor as if they had heard nothing.
"I am not embarrassed!" I almost hissed my reply.
Alpha Jack replied with a smirk and ran his eyes up and down me that I almost faltered on my last step. I am all dressed up ready to go with three-inch heels on my feet.
And I don't want to be seen as weak as a human by him so I tilted my head upwards and accepted his hands, then we started going out of his place. His warm calloused hand moved to my elbow and guided me towards where the car is parked. The heat that I felt before when he had laid me down in bed started to come back at me. I find his touch hot and electrifying. But I tried my best to push that feeling away.
Beta Matias was quick to open the door for me when we were near the car and I whispered a short thank you which he replied to with just a casual smile and bowed his head a little. I was glad to be out of Alpha Jack's hand when I got inside the car.
The road to the other side of the Palace took about five minutes to drive. We arrived at a huge red carpeted entrance to a wide hallway. Guards are watching on both sides of the door. All eyes on us. I can see them clearly from inside the car and I had hoped I'd never get out.
Panicked rose from my heart when Alpha Jack opened the door beside me. This is the first extravagant event that I am attending and the people are royalty even though they are werewolves.
"Let's go, Carmela, the wolves don't bite".
Alpha Jack gave me a look of assurance before taking my hand to the red carpeted floor.
"I'm not used to this kind of event". I whispered in the air but Jack caught it loud and clear with his wolf ears.
"I could guess that but I assure you, the people here already know that you are human. my mate, and soon to be the future Queen Luna. So they will respect and accept you as one.. starting tonight".
His words did nothing to my feelings when we faced the group of people inside. All are dressed up glamorously and I saw the King and Queen sitting on a throne at the end of the hall. The smile on their faces is very welcoming but I'm still nervous. There were tables and chairs in groups and food was served by the maids wearing white and red checkered outfits. Even they looked lovely this evening.
Then I saw the familiar face of a smiling woman walking lightly towards us. She's wearing a long satin gown in pink. Her curves are perfectly molded by the outfit and her hair was twisted upward into a bun. She looked so beautiful and elegant. Her jewels told me she belonged to royalty.
"Hello there brother! Happy to see you're back..and with you're mate".
"Jasmin!
Alpha Jack just mentioned her name before accepting her arms.
She hugged him tightly and smiled at him before turning her eyes towards me.
"Carmela right? I am Jasmin of the Royal Pack. Jack's only sister, I'm so glad we finally met. When Maleficus returned with the news about you being found, everybody was excited. And that includes me!
She laughed and opened her arms towards me, giving me a warm embrace. I lost my tongue for a moment. She's so vibrant and charming like a darling to everyone.
"Nice meeting you Princess Jasmin."
She stiffened and broke the hug.
"No Carmela, it's just Jasmin to you..please. Everybody knows you are the future queen and that makes you're status higher than mine, my dear".
She smiled and looked at my outfit.
"You looked so lovely! My brother is very lucky to have you".
"T-thank you Jasmin it is nice meeting you too". I glanced at Alpha Jack beside me and our eyes met.
"That's enough Jasmin, we have a more important matter this evening".
Alpha Jack said but not breaking eye contact with me.
"Of course I'll leave you two for the introduction..."
Jasmin smiled and motioned towards the front stage where Maleficus is now standing. We both looked at each other and then to Maleficus in the front who is trying to get everybody's attention by ringing a gold bell in his hand.
"Everybody you're attention please!
Alpha Jack moved closer towards me and grabbed my hand before making us both walk in front of the people.
"It's ok Carmela, it's about time for you to be formally announced to the pack".
Jasmin said to me from behind while standing at a place where she stands. I glanced back at her and saw that her eyes were reassuring and warm, she reminded me of my sister. I gave her a shy smile back.
Maleficus continued talking while looking towards us.
" Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are gathered to celebrate the homecoming of the King's son Alpha Prince Jack. From his recent travels".
All the guests sitting in the chairs stood up and the lights inside the huge hall suddenly dimmed. Then a flash shone at the two of us revealing the place where we stood. I blinked my eyes a few times as the bright light almost blinded my sight.
The only light that remained normal is the one on the throne for the King and Queen of the Pack.
"It is my greatest pleasure to announce the new member of our Pack, Miss Carmela White! Alpha Prince Jack's mate and the future Queen Luna!"
I heard the women gasp, and the men clapped their hands. But as the lights have focused on us. I can't see everyone around me clearly.
"Come Carmela let's go up front".
Alpha Jack holds my hand as we go up the steps towards where Maleficus is standing.
"Thank you very much Maleficus". Jack came to his side. The old man bowed to us and waved his hand to the royal people in the front.
I looked behind me while Alpha Jack was still holding my hand and he is now facing the crowd. The King and Queen are smiling happily, their eyes are glowing but I couldn't give a smile back.
All the lights have returned to normal. Now, I could feel the heat of the people's eyes who looked at us being the center of attention.
I don't think I could do this, my knees started to shake and my hands are getting cold. I am sure that my face has become pale under the makeup.
But Alpha Jack gently squeezed my hand and started talking to the crowd. His gesture calmed my feelings for a little bit.
"People of the Royal pack thank you for coming! I'm standing here tonight to officially confirm the presence of my mate Carmela White. I could not express how happy I am to finally find her. At first, I doubted Maleficus and his visions of my mate. But tonight is the living proof! She's real, my mate...my wife! The future Queen!
"Our wedding will be held on the next full moon, and tonight is the celebration of her acceptance as the new member of the Royal Pack".
"Everyone, drink and dance. Eat and enjoy until dawn!
Once more the crowd has cheered and clapped their hands.
"Long lived the Alpha Prince Jack!
Maleficus shouted and the people repeated.
"Long lived the King and Queen of the Royal Pack!
"Long live the future Queen Carmela White!
The people shouted with glee that I couldn't stop the shiver in my veins hearing their voices shouting my name. The wolves have accepted me as the new member of their pack.
The King and Queen stand up from their chairs and walk towards us.
The big smile on the face of King Darius has confirmed how happy they are about my acceptance.
"Hello there sweetie! You look absolutely stunning in that dress".
The Queen quickly grabs my hand putting it up and checking me out. I heard the King chuckled and Alpha Jack cleared his throat.
"T-thank you, Queen Helen, you look gorgeous yourself as well".
I replied shortly forcing a nervous smile on my face.
"Thank you dear, that's so kind of you. Come on, let's leave them both for the men's talk. I have a very delicious drink to offer you before we eat, a wine that is so rare it makes every woman's beauty glow".
Alpha Jack groaned in protest as I started to follow the Queen, but the King answered him.
"Let you're Queen mother and the future Queen enjoy themselves for a while Jack, she will return your mate right before we start the Royal dinner".
"But it's about time to eat!"
"No worries son, we will come back before dinner is served".
The queen smiled and encouraged me to go with her.
I didn't hear Alpha Jack's reply as the Queen had pulled my hand to walk somewhere inside the huge hall. Her shimmering one-shoulder gold gown attracted every woman's attention as we passed by. And they have bowed their heads to her as greetings.
We stopped in front of a door which the Queen gracefully opened. We came inside the beautiful room full of wines and liquors.
"This is the King's liquor room. If there's one thing you should know about wolves when it comes to drinking it's that we have a strong tolerance towards alcohol so we can drink as much as we want".
"Oh! Sounds like fun". I smiled and pretended to be interested.
"Look Sweetie, the wine is ready now! How marvelous, I have requested Maleficus to keep it here on the table specially for this evening. I want you and me to have the first taste".
I saw the golden bottle of wine sitting on a silver tray with the two wine glasses on the sides. Queen Helen started opening the bottle and pouring the on both of the wine glasses. She came around to me with two glasses of wine.
"Thank you, Queen Helen".I accepted the other one.
"Cheers, Carmela! As the new member of the Royal Pack, the mate of my son and the future Queen Luna!"
"Cheers!
We raised our wine glasses together and drank the wine. I couldn't taste the liquid at first so I drank a little more, taking a quarter of the glass content. It tasted a bit sour like normal, but then it turned hot against my throat so I almost choked. That was weird...I thought to myself.
I swallowed it down and cleared my throat. I don't find anything unusual with the taste after that, everything just seemed normal.
"Hmmm.. I think it's alright, nothing quite out of the ordinary isn't it? The Queen stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes, my Queen I think it's good." I nodded my head agreeing to her then I noticed her glass. The Queen had gulped down all the wine in her tall glass.
"Drink up Carmela, I would have someone to bring the rest of the bottle to our Royal table".
Following what she said, I finished the remaining wine in my glass. I tasted the liquid as it smoothly went down my throat, and it has now turned into something sweet with just a slight sour aftertaste.
"Hmmm, I think this wine gets better after the first taste".
I smiled at the Queen while holding the empty wine glass in my hand. I saw the Queen's eyes turn a little darker as she smiled back at me. She seemed too happy that I drank it all up.
"I'm glad you like it Carmela...oh well, I think it's about time we head out to the King's dining hall. I'm sure they are already waiting for us".
My brows furrowed I could feel that something was a bit off about the Queen's invitation for the wine. I just couldn't figure out what.