Predators Chasing Danielle

[Next night | Time skip]

The night finally arrived patiently and two women walked out of a shabby nearly downtrodden building. Which had nothing to hide because the sorrows of the dancers, shame and poverty had been puking out of each tainted window. The whole assumed shining outer of their lives was in reality just a rotten, moss and moth eaten building, where the stench of perverted werewolves reeked who had left their seeds and scents there.

"How are we supposed to travel to the palace?"

Danielle inquired upon seeing nothing in front of their house, whereas the whole town had been approaching the castle in lavish carriages. Both of the ladies stood there under the snow as one snowflake fell over Danielle's pointy nose. It appeared that winter was the constant weather of kingdom Selene.

People claimed that the reason for the cold climate of the kingdom was caused by the alpha's nonchalant attitude and was a punishment for the kingdom due to some curse. And for that reason the alpha used to conduct that 5 year ball so he could find his mate who would melt his heart and bring the summer back. No wonder every single woman of the kingdom took this opportunity to dress up and doll up in various colours, all the efforts were done to snag the attention of the noble blood lord alpha in order to conquer his heart.

"Oh, don't worry about that."

Martha walked out behind her with all her attention fixated on the neckline of the dress, which had been exposing Martha's cleavage in a seductive way. Danielle frowned in a complaining gesture as her eyes followed her friend's movement of hands. While Martha pushed her breasts upwards by placing her hands below to give them a defined exposure within that pink dress. Danielle could not help but blush upon the whole sight, she could feel her ears burning hot with the shyness.

"Isn't that….quite a low neckline?"

She hesitantly questioned the woman standing besides her while Martha deliberately winked at Danielle and repeated the same action. Martha knew that despite being the brothel dancer Danielle had never allowed anyone to touch her unlike Martha who used to flash her assets. Danielle was a shy type and the whole thing about finding her mate made Danielle melt in a puddle of shame.

On the other hand Martha was having emotions totally opposite to hers and it was still a surprise how both of them got along together with the contrasting visions of life. Nonetheless, it appeared that Martha has already planned something about travelling towards the castle, Belle Morte.

"That's the trick, my love. You offer something to receive something."

Danielle stared at the petite lady clad in pink silk dress having stones around the belt of the dress with a plain heavy flair which brushed against the ground.

"Don't tell me you are planning to seduce some count there. Are you? What if he is not your mate?"

Although Danielle knew the answer to her question but silently prayed her hunch to be false, she had never regarded Martha as a temptress but was also aware that she was desperate to uplift her living. Everyone at the brothel was endlessly trying to find their mates, the bunch who finally found them got rejected due to their profession.

It was already becoming hard for them to live along without a mate, a few attempted suicide while the rest continued to pull it off. But perhaps Martha and Danielle were not going to do any such thing. It was a special night for them and since the ball was called every 5 years and numerous werewolves found their fated mates there.

"Tsk tsk, why are you grouchy with whatever I do?"

Martha pursed her lips and rolled her eyes upon Danielle's words while Danielle came forward and patted her shoulder gently as to make it up to Martha.

"Okay, okay. Don't be so grumpy."

Danielle pouted while faking angry expressions as she folded her arms over the chest. Both of the ladies were standing outside the brothel and due to their excitement both of them were unable to feel the bone chilling cold.

"Although you didn't tell me how do I look?"

Martha giggled softly with a smug expression as she praised the beauty standing in front of her.

"You are looking drop dead gorgeous, absolutely ready to set every werewolf count's heart on fire!"

Although her words were absolutely true since the maroon shaded velvet dress suited Danielle as if it had been sewn after she wore the cloth. Every woman aimed to find their mates at the ball which was the biggest opportunity for all of them. However, none of them wished to be the Luna for the cold hearted alpha. And perhaps Danielle also never wished to be the mate to alpha Cyrus Rhaziel.

Her blonde hair created a perfect contrast with the dress and an eye feasting combination with her clear skin and faint freckles.

"Oh no, I'm not aiming to garner any sort of attention of anyone. It's just an adventure and food, remember?"

Martha completely shoved back her words reminding her friend that they both had a huge difference between them. And the other women of the town who had been aiming to find a suitor in the ball to marry or to date...or perhaps to become a pet to a rich count!

If Danielle had any idea that she was already the most awaited guest by the alpha himself and did not require the attention of any measly count when Lord Cyrus was willing to meet her in person! But was it really acceptance? Or the alpha was going to reject her in public? Or was it an unexpected marriage offer from Alpha Cyrus' side? Everything was vague and unclear but one thing was certain Danielle's life was about to change overnight!

"Look, the carriage is here."

Martha flung her arm out to point out at the carriage which was pretty much decent for both of them to look presentable.

"Did you rent it? Like seriously?"

Danielle did not know that Martha had been investing into their adventure diligently because to her it was nothing more than a 'one night fling' and the whole mirage would vanish the very next day. They both would practically return to their old life as brothel dancers whom nobody wants.

"Why not? Now get in, we are already late for some delicacies."

Martha hopped in as a snowflake fell on Danielle's nose once while the woman looked heavenwards and inhaled sharply. She wished for the best for both of them because the ball was open to everybody which meant every kind of person was invited and welcomed.

"You shouldn't have picked silk, only a fool would chose that in this weather."

She made a remark on Martha's dress who had been wrapping her shoulders and neck with a woollen scarf by now, while Danielle was pretty much comfortable in her wisely selected maroon velvet gown.

"Yeah, I know. Will you now keep your wise words to yourself?"

Martha snarled at her but then smiled by sticking her tongue out making Danielle chuckle at her childish act.

The carriage drove both of them towards the castle passing through the empty streets and closed shops, no wonder the town was nearly empty because the rare opportunity of attending a ball.

'I just hope everything will go fine.'

Danielle prayed in her heart clenching her fist over the chest while her eyes darted towards the glimmering castle which had been growing closer now.

"We have reached ladies."

The man informed them and they both crept out if the carriage managing the hem of their dresses while the resplendent Belle Morte stood in front of their drooling eyes!

"Oh heavens!"

Martha responded to the beauty of the historic moment and the ceremonial decorations while they both stepped inside passing through the grand entrance of the huge gate.

As soon as Danielle took her first step into the castle the walls sensed the presence of someone 'unusual' and 'forbidden' while the werewolves could only smell werewolf blood and the temptation of beauties all around them. It appeared that none of the regular werewolves were able to sense anything unusual walking among them. Meantime in the bed chamber of alpha Cyrus, the man who had been sitting on the huge bed with his legs crossed but immediately opened his eyes.

"She is here! Mate!"

His sharp fangs shone brightly as he unleashed his claws, while Cyrus' orbs glowed golden with thirst.

Meanwhile on the other hand Martha and Danielle were still trying to figure out how to react.

"Oh heavens!"

Danielle skimmed around the enormously stretched hall which was dipped into the shower of golden lights and none other than the swarm of werewolves.

"This is insane!"

She gasped in shock as the gorgeous slender beauties and uncountable hunks appeared to her sinful emerald eyes in a slow motion pace as she moved her gaze from walls towards the people.

"Hey, hey Martha are you seeing this?"

Danielle tried to elbow her friend but nothing touched her arm except the air which shivered sensing the mysterious aura from her.

"Huh? Where did she go?"

She turned her head only to see herself standing alone in the entrance like a fool as she skimmed through the hall with an anxious expression.

The lady knew they both came together but soon would split up to enjoy the royal ball, although she did not know that Martha would abandon her sooner to go on her 'hunk hunt.' .

"Where in the world did she go so fast?"

Danielle whispered to herself in a soft tone slightly clutching the hem of the gown while her searching gaze looked for her friend.

Danielle expected her to be found around the corner of delicacies but to her surprise she was in the embrace of a man while they both danced together.

".........."

The woman could not comprehend how Martha was able to snag attention each time wherever they went, she appeared to be a man attracting magnet who could have people wrapped around her pinkie.

Danielle was still trying to pass some remarks on the sight she just witnessed when she turned her head only to find a hunk standing close to her zoned out silhouette. Within the spur of the moment her face nearly touched the man's as her lips barely managed not to collide with his. Somehow they both survived the closeness, one without getting bitten and the other managing his hunger.

She immediately gasped and stepped back out of fright with her emerald orbs staring intently within the eyes of the man, who appeared to be a beta count with his aristocratic attire and the particular traits.

"Hello dear."

The man bowed slightly with his hungry eyes never leaving the sight of her face, as he greeted Danielle softly indicating that he did not mean any harm.

"H- hello."

The lady grabbed the hem and bowed as a gesture of respect to him after all he was much more respectable than her, who did not have much say in the things due to having no wolf and being a brothel dancer.

"Can I have the honour of asking the most gorgeous woman in the ball for a dance?"

The man flung his arm out when his gloved hand rested in front of her to grasp, Danielle looked down carefully knowing that she could not refuse him as not to appear rude to anybody who was present there under the alpha's roof.

'Er, should I agree or not?'

Her brain was running fastly not comprehending any possible conclusion hurriedly. She was well aware that having emotional strings attached to a werewolf was no different than wishing for water in a desert. After all, at the end of the day she was not someone who was wanted and desired by any respectable man.

'I should not refuse him only to sound rude.'

She slightly shook her head and lifted her gaze to witness a man no less than a godly figure and face.

"It will be my honour, sir."

She reluctantly agreed and bowed with the same gesture as before and placed her hand over his. The lady was aware that no harm could befall upon her since the ball was conducted under the alpha's roof and there were guards all around them. Well, harassing anybody was out of the question let alone doing any other gruesome deed.

A lopsided grin appeared on the man's lips as soon as Danielle grabbed his hand, the man pulled her closer by waist and within a jerk she was glued to his body.

'What is he doing?'

She nervously questioned to herself and looked around haphazardly to divert her attention because the situation had been getting awkward.

'Calm down Danielle, calm down. It is just a dance.'

She consistently reminded herself because a lowly woman like her could not revolt or rebel acknowledging that the resplendent hall was occupied with powerful people. Counts, merchants, betas, alphas of other packs, omegas, who had the authority all over the kingdom which was collectively ruled by Lord Cyrus Rhaziel.

'She does not smell like other werewolves at all.'

The man made a slight movement which could be considered as a dance but more like an attempt to get intimate. Since his nose was nearly on the side of her neck slightly touching her blonde hair locks.

'No wonder no one is able to sense her aromatic scent combined with the bitterness of something unknown, because no other royal blood is here to witness this strange moment.'

His eyes did not leave her face while Danielle had her one hand placed on his shoulder although she tried endless not to do anything which could be considered as rude or insolence. The man did not appeared to be a simple person since only he was able to sense Danielle's peculiar scent while other werewolves could not.

'Strange that lord Cyrus never mentioned any person who could possess such scent in this kingdom. But why?'

His thoughts ran wild with the analysis of her face, plump cherry lips, sharp features and blonde hair were a worth simping combination with emerald eyes which could bring any man on his knees.

Maybe Alpha Lord Cyrus Rhaziel was an exception!