Chapter 4

"I thought I might see you here, Elma" my cousin Oakly said sweetly as she could manage giving my hair a scornful glance.

"I couldn't turn down such a generous royal invitation." I replied politely.

"But you aren't actually trying to win are you?" and she gave me a look of pity. Compared to my cousin I looked as though I might be a humble servant. Oakly was clearly trying to dress for the job she wanted to get and her off the shoulder floor length gown shown gold from head to foot. Her father happened to be a skilled jeweler and the fruits of his labors adorned her from the gold chains around her ankle to the elaborate topaz headpiece. I wore a more simple emerald green gown that I thought would be appropriate for dinner outdoors. I didn't want to accidently lead with my best outfit and look worse on every future sighting. 

"I bet you are aren't you," she continued, "To try to save the treacherous family of yours from getting what they deserve."

"My apologies, cousin. You must be worried I might take the victory from you. I didn't mean to come off as so threatening to you. Please excuse me. " I turned away and headed to a different table where I pretended to be interested in a peice of venison. Polite. I must be always polite because a Luna is always polite. You never know who is watching in a palace like this. 

"Hey beautiful" growled a wolf to my right. I turned and looked at him appalled who would have the nerve to try and hit on a potential mate for his own Alpha. The culprit was a handsome grey wolf in his man form. He had the broad shoulders of a warrior and a the regal features of nobility. His grey eyes sparkled and he gave me a mischievous grin. 

"I don't know if the Alpha would be pleased to find you flirting with me, sir." I answered trying to shut him down as politely as I could manage. The grey wolf gave a passing glance to the Alpha who was busy meeting a couple of his other potential mates. 

"I'm sure he won't mind" the grey wolf voice was as smooth as silk, "Only one wolf becomes the Luna and there are plenty of you to go around. My name is Hound." He reached out his hand I took it knowing that humoring this wolf was a bad idea. Always polite. 

"Enchanted." I said in the manner of an unenchanted person, "My name is Elma."

"Ah, like the tree. So strong and hard. You'll need someone like me to take care of you, stronger and harder." He had not yet released my hand from his larger one. When I tried to pull away I discovered he was not lying about his strength. Much to my annoyance he brought my hand up to his mouth and planted a kiss onto it. The moment he released me I quickly moved my hand out of his reach. 

"Oh I think now might be a good moment for me to introduce myself to my host, if you don't mind," I turned away from him and tried to inconspicuosly wipe his scent off my hand with my dress. 

"I'll see you around, Elma." I heard him call after me. It was not, infact, the perfect time to introduce myself so I had to wait a moment when I got to the Alpha as he greeted a charming wolf in a red gown. Her blonde hair fell in effortless curls and she had mastered the perfect feminine giggle. 

"Well I'm glad you think so, Alpha." she said backing away and batting her eyelashes, "I'm counting the seconds until I see you at the challenge tommow." She must have been so entranced by the Alpha; however, that she didn't pay enough attention to where she was stepping and she backed right into another wolf and fell directly into his lap. The Alpha's smile fell fast and she tried to get back up apologetically, but I sensed her giggle was edged with panic. A strong arm prevented her and she blushed when she relized she was pressed against his bare chest. The alpha quickly tuned alway in disgust. 

"Disloyal. Take her off the list." I heard him mutter to one of his servants beside him who gave a sharp nodd. 

"Wait! I didn't-" the blonde wolf attempted to protest.

"I guess it's just you and me now" the lucky bastard who's lap she fell into growled into her ear. She shivered. The Alpha now turned to me as if nothing had happened. 

"Your name?" He asked reaching out his hand for mine. I gave him my untouched left one and he raised one inky black eyebrow at me.

"Elma," I declared, "Sorry, I'm left handed," I excused. The Alpha gave me a gleaming smile and let go of my hand appropriately, but I wished he had held on. I felt as tough the warmth of his touch permiate my soul and save me from the troubles that surrounded me. 

"You're funny," he stated his brown eyes searching mine, "I'm glad you came." 

He knows very well that I never had a choice. I likely would have came without his messanger threatening to kill me and instantly my mood was soured. 

"Thank you. Your estate is beautiful and it is a pleasure to be here," always polite, "But I have come to bid you goodnight."

"I look forward to seeing you tommorow." He returned and I left him to entertain his other forced suitors. 

The crisp night air helped cool my head on my walk back to my cabin. Maybe he really was glad I came and I shouldn't have taken the comment so badly. He probably just actually liked me, I convinced myself. Servants whispered to each other on another path and I stopped to see if I could catch any of their gossip. Maybe they knew what kind of wolf the Alpha would favor. 

"Was that her? Was that really a witch who was sitting besides the Alpha mother, you think?" one whispered to another.

"Of course she was real. Don't you know only a real which could have delivered that prophecy?"