6. THE BALL- (part 2)

CHAPTER SIX- THE BALL (Part 2)

Killian saw her first.

No amount of camouflage or mask could hide Kendra from him. He knew her both inside and out,

Well not exactly inside, but you get my drift.

She looked so ravishing, dressed in a strapless burgundy ball gown, her face concealed by a black, elegant lace like mask. For the first time in a really really long time, her curly hair had been styled in an intricate chignon.

Only her mum used to plead with her to wear it like that.

Killian was mesmerized,

What was she doing here?

The Beta didn’t do balls.

He basically had to blackmail her sometimes to tag along with him, and even then, she never took the time to look this… lovely.

The feeling he felt was so foreign that he stumbled in his dance routine a bit, the action causing Artemis to look up at him in concern. “Hey, it’s everything all right?”

“Yeah, yeah…” He brushed her question off, his attention shifting back to Kendra,

But she was nowhere to be seen.

****

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Kendra Sullivan thought to herself.

She didn’t know how to do the whole mingling thing and she felt so out of her element in the huge ballroom.

Oh, but give her a sword, or a stick even… and boy, would she show you who was boss any day.

Kendra couldn’t believe she had let Rhea talk her into coming for the ball, but at least she knew that there was no way she would see Killian and Artemis around… for Killian hated these things with a passion, so she knew there was no way he was going to be here.

Her corset seemed to have been done too tight, because she didn’t think she was breathing well… but then again, maybe it was just nerves.

The she-wolf sashayed over to the drink stands, and poured herself the first thing she could reach for,

She needed to be slightly buzzed if she was going to survive the night.

Kendra was on her second glass when she saw them.

Waltzing across the dance floor like they were the only people in the room.

They were masked, of course, but she’d recognize Killian’s towering frame anywhere, and Artemis’ hair wasn’t exactly subtle.

That pang that was starting to become familiar started in the dark she-wolf’s chest again.

Killian didn’t even like attending balls.

And yet here he was, dancing the night away with so much joy.

Kendra poured herself two more glasses of the bitter drink, grimacing at the heat that burned down her throat,

“Whoa, Kendra slow down…” A deep voice voiced out in concern, reaching out to snatch the glass from her hands. Kendra looked up and glared at him. “It’s Beta Sullivan to you, and I’d suggest you mind your own business.”

The handsome man grinned. “Still feisty as ever, I see. Come on Kendra, today’s supposed to be a night of truces and new beginnings. What say you we actually step on the floor for one dance at least?”

Kendra glared up at him.

He surely was a catch, and he always had this goofy air around him that would have been funny if he didn’t try to be annoying most of the time.

She had promised Rhea that she’d have fun, plus… maybe it was best if she tried to get her mind off her Alpha and his dancing companion.

“Alright, fine.” She conceded, “But only one dance only.”

The male wolf smirked in amusement. “That’s even more than I was expecting, to be honest.”

****

One dance quickly turned to three.

And even though Kendra didn’t want to admit it, she was having fun.

The Alpha wolf just wouldn’t stop tickling her insides with his hilarious tales and crazy antics.

“Admit it Kendra, you are enjoying my company.” He teased after a little bit.

Kendra rolled her eyes.

She wasn’t going to admit it and make his already over the top ego grow any further. “You’re… alright.”

“Hah, now we both know that’s a lie, princess.”

“Okay fine… you know, when you’re not being your usual jerky self, you’re actually not so bad.” She admitted a little bit, the words causing the wolf to burst out in laughter. “Ouch, Kendra.” He placed his hand against his heart like she had badly wounded him. “Well I must say, when you’re not going round following Killian like some lost pet with a stick up her arse, you’re actually not so bad yourself.”

Kendra took the barb in good stride and didn’t lash out, grinning even.

“Speaking of, where’s he? I find it hard to believe that he’d let you out of his sight like that.” The Alpha-wolf said, the statement causing Kendra to look up at him in surprise.

“Why do you say that?”

“He’s very protective of you, come on… even you should have pieced it together by now that his feelings for you aren’t so innocent.”

Now Kendra had to burst into laughter at that.

“God, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not what you think it is.” She told him in conviction, absolutely believing every word.

She and Killian were friends, and that was what they were always going to be.

True, she did have some more than friendly thoughts about him from time to time, but she was absolutely convinced that he didn’t feel that way about her at all.

Hell, if he did… he would have saved them all the trouble and asked to court her instead!

But he had chosen instead to resign himself to his fate, offering to even give away the entire pack so he could face the curse alone.

And now she had pitched in to help, and everything was going pretty well so far.

A part of her wanted to seek them out on the dance floor again, but she didn’t do that. It didn’t make sense to punish herself in that manner.

“Well then I guess that clears the way for me to make my move then,” The Alpha wolf joked, but there was something in his hazel eyes that made Kendra think that maybe he wasn’t really jesting.

He liked her?

“Not a chance, Sunshine.” She threw at him with a brazen laugh, her breath catching in her throat when he pulled her oh so close. “Why do I feel like even you don’t believe your own words?” He asked, breath hot against her lips.

The Alpha had always wished for this day, and it seemed that the fates were finally heeding to his prayer.

Kendra swallowed shakily.

A part of her wanted to blame the alcohol for the weird sensations she was feeling, but she knew better. “Y-you,” She pushed him away a little bit to clear her head. “You and I are never going to happen.” She swore passionately, her head raised like a very haughty princess.

The Alpha grinned, reaching for her hand and tugging her close to spin her along to the tune. “Well… never say never, Princess.”

****

It finally made so much sense!

Why his Beta was dressed to the nines.

She had come to meet a wolf at the ball!

Killian was seething.

He had wanted it to be a false alarm, wanted it to be a polite gesture— one dance as a polite gesture, because he knew Kendra, and he knew she hated dancing.

Hell, even when he managed to drag her along to these things with him, she always managed to steer clear off dancing.

And now she had danced three times with whoever that was— three times!

Killian had watched her from afar, watched how she had thrown her head back as she laughed at something he said…

Who the fuck was he?

Killian couldn’t really tell because of his mask.

The emotions coursing through him were more than he could bear… hell, he was this close to shifting.

“Killian? Are you okay?” Artemis asked when she noticed his struggle and the way his hold of her had tightened.

Killian let go of her and moved back. “Excuse me,” He said gruffly and walked off without another word.

He was going to find out.