A Cinderella Ball

Terra's POV

"I can't possibly wear this," I informed my best friend, but I couldn't take my eyes off the mirror.

The dress was a luscious forest green that clung to my curves before flaring out beautifully.

The girl in the mirror looked beautiful, daring, and audacious. She looked nothing like me.

Naya's long blond hair swished across the ground as she regarded me upside down from her precarious position at the bed's edge.

"Why not? I'll lend it to you. Besides, it fits you like it was made for you."

Reluctantly turning away from the mirror, I spun to face Naya. "What does the fit matter if I'm not even invited to the ball?"

Naya straightened smoothly, tucking her legs beneath her.

"It's open to all eligible supernaturals who wish to attend."

"All high-ranking eligible supernaturals," I corrected before pointing at myself. "I'm an omega in case you've forgotten."

It was an unspoken rule of the so-called inclusive supernatural ball.

From the ticket price point to the absurdity of the prices of outfits that fit the dress code of the supernatural ball, it was obviously only designed for the elites of the elites.

I wasn't an elite.

"It doesn't matter," Naya refused to be discouraged. "We have a ticket and a dress. Plus this year's theme is a mask party. With a bit of concealing spray, you are good to go."

My jaw dropped at the sight of the minuscule spray in her hands.

"Glamour", a mist that could completely obliterate the scent of a supernatural. It was so good at masking scents, especially at group events, that it had been banned.

"That is illegal. How did you even get it?" I gaped.

"That doesn't matter," Naya repeated, her hazel eyes locked onto mine. "All that matters is the fact that you, Terra Morgan, are going to the ball."

"Naya, Beverly gifted you the ticket. You should go. I can't." I looked away, a gnawing feeling in my stomach.

Wanting things that were above my station was dangerous.

I didn't do dangerous things.

"Terra, look at me," Naya cupped my cheeks forcing me to maintain eye contact with her. "You will go to this ball because you cannot continue to sentence yourself to a life devoid of actual living simply because you are scared of the unknown."

She was right. I was used to my routine. My routine of keeping my head down and blending into the background.

It kept me safe but at what cost?

The dress felt like liquid silk in my hands.

Maybe… just maybe I could put aside my reservations for one night. Just one.

I offered Naya a weak nervous smile.

"Can I at least wear a less… conspicuous dress?"

"No!" Naya scowled but I could see the mirth glistening in her eyes.

Oh, Goddess.

I wasn't even at the ball yet and I was already feeling overwhelmed.

I didn't leave the buffet table at the ball. I couldn't.

I might have been decked out in the most stunning clothes I'd ever worn but it had never been more obvious to me that I didn't belong with these people.

These supernaturals with their elaborate masks, intricate outfits and an air of sophistication no Glamour could fake. Their practiced gliding, easy conversations and polite laughter.

I never should have let Naya talk me into this, I had to leave and-

"Care for a dance, miss?"

I glanced at the masked man standing in front of me with an outstretched hand then I looked behind me to see who he was addressing.

There was no one behind me.

He was talking to me.

Anxiety flooded my veins. My lips parted and shut without any actual words leaving them.

The man continued to stare at me expectantly and my cheeks burned.

"Uh, I… I'm good, thanks." I managed to croak out before turning away and walking as fast as I could out of the hall.

So much for having fun tonight. Diana yawned inside me. She is my wolf and my faithful partner.

I walked even faster. I wanted nothing more than to hide myself. Forever.

I was so flustered that I took the wrong turn, ending up on a secluded balcony overlooking the area rather than the staircase leading out.

Sucking in deep steadying breaths, I pulled my mask off.

I wanted to go back home.

Diana stirred within me but stayed silent this time.

Naya shouldn't have given up her chance to come here for me, Terra Morgan, the orphaned omega, who was spooked by her own shadow. I couldn't even have one dance without having a minor panic attack in the process.

The direction of the wind shifted and I scented him just a second before I felt his hand on my ass.

Flinching away, I spun to meet familiar cruel golden brown eyes.

Eric pulled back his mask and smiled at me. "Well, well, if it isn't little Terra."

Eric Teal, the Beta in training and son of the current Beta of my pack, and possibly the most vile wolf I knew.

I'd heard stories of him, seen how he'd treated female omegas with the misfortune of catching his attention, how he broke them.

Eric had gotten me whipped a couple of times for some perceived slight but in my nineteen years living in the Shadow Pack, he'd never looked at me as he did now.

Hungrily.

I suddenly realized how isolated we were from the main event and a chill went up my spine.