CHAPTER 4: THE KING SELECTION BALL

I sit by the window of the orphanage, chin resting on my hand, and my thoughts drifting again to Orvyn. 

His mismatched eyes, the strange warmth of his touch, his calm voice. 

Oh God! How can I stop thinking about him?!

I remember Monique's words. “I already have a dress made by the best designer in the kingdom”, which means she’ll attend the ball too!

If she’s going… then Orvyn may be there too to support her!

My heart flutters. 

Will I get to see him again?

Suddenly,...

Loud chatter fills the air, snapping me out of my thoughts. 

Outside, the Chief Delta stands in the middle of the courtyard, holding a thick stack of cream-colored envelopes. She-wolves aged eighteen and above surround her, excited, anxious, some on the edge of tears.

Those are the recommendation letters from Alpha Heath and Luna Mireth for the King Selection Ball.

One by one, names are called. Squeals of joy echo. Others leave quietly, their dreams crushed. In the end, only ten are chosen.

I’m not one of them, of course. But I refuse to accept it.

I descend from my room, run through the village and reach the tall gates of Alpha Heath’s mansion where two Gammas block my path.

“Let me in,” I beg.

They don’t move, let alone glance at me.

Desperate, I step back and shout with all of my strength, “Father! Be fair to me for once! I’m your daughter too, and therefore, I’m half highborn and should be allowed to attend the ball!”

A moment later, Luna Mireth steps out of the front door, her face cold, her steps sharp.

She stops just behind the gate and glares at me. “Stop being so ambitious like your mother! You can never be more than what you are now! If you continue this kind of behavior, you may end up in the guillotine like her!”

Soon, Alpha Heath appears behind Luna Mireth. His expression is just as harsh. “Your existence is already humiliating me. And sending you to the ball will shame not just me, but the entire pack.”

Pain pierces and twists inside me like a dagger. I blink my tears away, refusing to cry for the wolves who don’t deserve it.

“It’s not my fault I was conceived and born. That’s on you. So maybe blame yourself, and stop putting it all on me? If I had a choice, I wouldn’t pick you as my father, or this pack as my home,” I retaliate without any hint of regret.

For a second, Alpha Heath flinches—but he quickly covers. Luna Mireth clenches her fists, her mouth opening, ready to lash out again.

But then,...

The Chief Delta comes running toward them, holding an envelope high in the air. It shimmers gold, unlike the others.

“This just came from the Main Palace written by the Lycan King himself,” the Chief Delta says breathlessly as she passes it through the gate to Alpha Heath. 

Both Alpha Heath and Luna Mireth read the letter together.

Then,...

They shift their wide eyes between each other, then to me, before hesitantly handing the envelope to me.

“Don’t humiliate me and our pack,” Alpha Heath mutters

My heart thunders as I open the letter with my trembling hands. 

-[As Karyndor’s Lycan King, I’m personally and formally inviting Thalissia of the Frostveil Pack, daughter of Alpha Heath, to attend the King Selection Ball.]-

Though grateful, how did the Lycan King know my name? And why, out of all the she-wolves in our pack, am I the only one who receives his invitation?

I shake my head, dismissing the confusion.

It doesn’t matter. What matters is—I’m going to the ball! Alpha Heath and Luna Mireth can’t stop me now!

I hurry back to the orphanage. When I arrive, my pink dress is finally there. 

Excitement courses through me as I slip it on. I twirl once, giggling like a little girl, feeling beautiful for the first time.

Then I see another package inside the box. I open it and gasp - A pair of white heels and a white clutch!

A smile slowly creeps on my lips. Orvyn, it must be you. Who else would be kind to me, if not him? He’s both my prince charming and my fairy godfather. 

“Thank you,” I murmur.

Later that afternoon, the ten chosen she-wolves gather in their finest clothes. Their parents fuss over them, fixing hair, dabbing makeup, helping with jewelry. 

On the other hand, my face is bare, and my hair is just combed neatly behind my ears.

One by one, the girls climb into expensive cars sent by their families, while I stand aside, knowing that Alpha Heath will never lend me even his cheapest car.

But,...

To my surprise, one of his expensive cars pulls up in front of me. 

“You represent our pack. Therefore, Alpha Heath doesn’t want you to be an embarrassment,” the driver says as he motions for me to get in.

Right! It really is gonna be an embarrassment if I arrive at the Main Palace via a taxi. Glad father takes that into consideration.

I hop in and fidget the whole trip towards the Main palace.

When we arrive an hour later, my jaw drops in awe!

The Main Palace towers before me, glowing under the soft light of the setting sun. Its marble walls gleam white, and gold details shimmer on every edge. The driveway stretches long and wide, filled with cars and elegant wolves. 

Me and the other she-wolves are led to the massive grand hall with chandeliers hanging like stars from the ceiling. The floor is polished like glass. Music plays softly in the background.

The other she-wolves look stunning, and I suddenly feel small, plain, wondering if I’m enough.

Each stays close to their pack, refusing to mingle with other packs. I spot Alpha Nympha with the Frostveil she-wolves, and consider joining them—but the way they glance at me with annoyance makes me stop.

So, I stand alone near the edge of the room with no one to talk to, like I don’t belong.

So what if I’m alone? I’ve come too far to doubt myself now.

Soon enough, a man in white, holding a microphone, speaks, snatching everyone’s attention. “Ladies and Gentlemen, give respect to our newly crowned King!”

Cheers and claps erupt as the blue velvet curtain parts.

The Lycan King steps forward and stands tall at the top of the marble stairs.

My heart thuds aggressively, as if wanting to explode out of my chest.

I can’t believe my faltering wide eyes - Orvyn is the Lycan King!