Chapter 5. Reunion At The Palace

* Nelika *

The pink and white dress that my mother chooses fitted me well. Fit on the top and flared at the bottom making me feel like a different person. When I look at myself in the huge mirror, I can't recognize the lady who looks back at me. I pouted and find a tiny pink rubber which I can tie my hair. It makes me feel weak like a girl who is lost and is trying to find a way back.

My dress has no sleeves showing my arms which are still in need of muscle. I pulled my hair up and then tied my hair in a ponytail, it look better than letting it down. I look for my shoes in the box which I haven't opened yet. I open the box and pulled out a white shoes with two inch heel! Oh my Gosh! Why did mom brought me something like these? It also has a pointed toe and I don't think it would make me comfortable.

I put it down and open the dressing room, all my shoes are below the hanged dresses. They were all rubber shoes or sports shoes, few sandals and few with heels that I never wore. Not one of them matches the dress that i'm wearing so I have to stick with what my mother brought me. We have to leave early as it takes hours by car to travel to the Langston palace.

"Sweetie are you ready to leave?"

My mother's voice is followed by a knock in my bedroom door.

"Yes mom, I just have to fix a few things."

"Alright, I am coming in."

The door opened revealing a beautiful woman in a fancy dress, my mother is describe as the most beautiful she wolf in the North. Sometimes, it makes my father jealous just to see the other wolves looking at her. She is a princess once and I wonder we she left everything and live with my father.

My father is grumpy sometimes, has a temper and he look like he is ready to kill every time someone speaks ill of the North. Despite that, I love him and admire the strength he possesses as the most feared Alpha. 

"Oh! My princess! Look at you? All grown up and is now a lady, you are so pretty my love. I am so proud of you!"

"Mom..."

I groaned as I don't like to be called a princess, perhaps a prince is better. However I am not gay or something, but I also don't have a crush with boys. I feel neutral, what I like is to be called strong like my father. I am a warrior!

"What's wrong my dear? Why are you not putting your shoes on?"

"It has heels mom!"

My mother took them out of the box and lowered herself to pull my foot. "They look lovely with your dress sweetie please. After this, you can buy any shoes that you want but please just this once put these shoes on."

She is good at convincing people, my mother won as when she stood up my feet had both the shoes on.

"Perfect!"

I look at my feet and wrinkled my nose then tried walking on them back and forth. They feel OK, it doesn't hurt my feet so I think it should be fine.

"Just powder your nose sweetie and come down, your father is already waiting in the car."

I look at my face in the mirror, my lips are naturally pink and I don't want to put anything unlike other girls. But my hand reached for the compact powder which I have never used since she bought it for me, I followed her advice and pressed a little bit of compact powder on my nose and cheeks.

With the shoes on, I walk out of my bedroom and down by the stairs of our mansion. The car outside honk as I open the door, Beta Loki is on the wheels beside my father and my mother is at the back waving at me. I hurriedly open the door beside my mom and get in.

"What took you so long sweetheart?"

"Sorry Dad."

My father look at me and turned his head to give my whole appearance an approving look. "The dress suits you, you look like a lady sweetie."

Beta Loki smiled at me at the rear view mirror and my mother hold my hand. "Our little Princess is growing so fast."

She exclaimed with proudness, my father agrees but I don't. I look out of the window and keep silent as my mother and father talk about my childhood and how I grow up. I have heard it many times but they never get tired of talking about it.

"Mom, is Aunt Ayah not coming to the party?"

"Hmmm, I guess not sweetie. She is busy now."

I wonder what keeps her busy, I haven't seen my Aunt for a week now. Perhaps she is at the cabin in the woods where she hangs out. I don't understand how she prefers to stay in the woods alone.

The trip to the Langston Palace seemed boring as I yawn and close my eyes on the backseat. We have almost three hours of travel so I can take a nap while on the way. My mind drifted away when Beta Loki opened relaxing music on the stereo of the car.

"Wake up sweetie and fix yourself we are already here."

I heard my mother whisper in my ear as I opened my eyes to see the lights in the huge Palace. The parking is wide and there are already several cars parked before us, music is playing inside where it mixes with the chatters of the people.

The door beside me opened and my father help me out. "You look just fine sweetheart it's alright."

His smile assured me when I reach for the ponytail in my head and fix it tightly. My mother took his other arm as we all walked together followed by Beta Loki.

"Good evening Alpha Zero and Luna Jasmin welcome back to the Langston Palace."

The warrior guards that stood on the huge entrance greeted us. They bow before my parents and me. "Welcome to the palace Princess Nelika!"

I wanted to correct them that I am not a Princess but my mother beat me to it. "Thank you, gentlemen."

My father nodded his head and we continue to walk on the huge aisle. The luxurious interior of the Palace is amazing and foods are already on the tables. The uniformed Palace maids and helpers are roaming around the guests that are seated on the individual round tables. Then I saw the Alpha King and the Luna Queen approach us.

She looks beautiful in a white long dress even with a bump on her stomach. Alpha King Vincent holds her hand while they are coming near us. 

"Welcome Alpha Zero and Luna Jasmin! We are honored to have you back."

The white tuxedo that the Alpha King wore made me think of a wedding ceremony. My father accepted the Alpha King's hand and my mother kissed Luna Queen Ashley on her cheeks.

"Congratulations on your baby!"

My father and mother greeted them both. "Oh! Nelika is it?"

Alpha King Vincent notice me and smile. "You have grown so fast, I thought you were just a baby!"

My mother laugh and Luna Ashley came to hug and kissed me on the cheeks. "Such beautiful girl, I am sure Alpha Zero will have a headache when the wolves start to vie for your attention."

My cheeks heated from her compliment while my father clears his throat. "That will be a long time from now, she might look like a lady but my daughter is still a baby inside."

While they all smile and look at me, I choose to thank the Luna Queen for her compliments without hesitating because she is pregnant. 

"Thank you, Luna Ashley."

I shyly bow my head as we all walk into a table and all the adults indulge themselves in a conversation. The party starts with all the other Alphas from different regions, I can't remember their names but I could feel their powerful presence just like my father.

Food is served while I sat and watch at the young adults dancing. I can't see where Beta Loki is and I wanted to go to the bathroom. "Mom, I have to find the restroom."

I whispered in her ear when I get the chance to talk. "Oh, shall I send someone with you sweetie?"

I shook my head and look at my father who nodded while leaning on his chair. My movements are calculated when I sand up from the chair and walk away from them. The smell of liquors and the scent of perfumes from the guests are suffocating me. I look around and saw the familiar sign of a restroom pointing to a room that lead to an empty hallway.

The noise behind me faded as I continue to walk and follow the arrow ahead. I saw the men's toilet door on the right so I headed on the opposite direction. Finally I went inside the huge room with six cubicles, I took a deep breath in when there is nobody around. I wash my hands and look at myself on the wide glass before I opened one of the cubicles and relieve myself inside.

After washing up my hands, I look in the mirror once again and then decided that I look just fine. I was walking on the hallway when I heard someone moaning on the other hall. I listened closely and stop my feet, then I look at the path where I heard the noise. A gasp came out of my throat when I saw a woman being pushed into the wall while his dress was pulled up by a man whose back is facing me.