Lights Off

For the first time in my life, I felt that someone truly had that much control over me.

In no time, he was nowhere to be seen, and I was left in the room that was suddenly full of maids.

I did as I was told as I let the ladies get me ready.

A few hours later, they were finally done fixing how I looked, and I was introduced to my new reflection in the mirror.

It took me a while before I was finally able to recognize the girl standing before me.

The dress was breathtakingly amazing, and the makeup… my goodness! It seemed more magical than magic itself.

A knock on the door brought me back to reality. This time, it wasn’t the funny guy or my mate.

It was actually the guy who seemed to hate me! I decided I wanted less trouble, which is why I set my mind on not saying a thing. I guess he didn’t do the same, since he introduced himself even before entering the room.

“Your Highness! My name is Liam, second in charge after the Alpha King… May I come in?”

I nodded while reminding myself not to speak a word. I was alone here, so the last thing I wanted was to make enemies.

“I want to apologize for the way I treated you earlier,” he started, and before he finished, I cut him off.

“Would you have apologized if I weren’t your king’s mate?”

A weird silence consumed both of us before he answered.

“No.” That was all he said ... And all he needed to trigger the anger I was feeling.

“Then you don’t need to apologize to me at all. I’m not here to be your queen or that monster’s mate to your king. I’m here as a survivor who will make you all regret not killing me when you had the chance.”

He then bowed without uttering a word. He stood waiting for me so he could escort me to a vast, huge ball.

The hall was full of dozens of Lycans; they were dressed in breathtakingly expensive suits and outstanding dresses. The dress code was for men to wear white suits and for women to wear silver dresses. Well, everyone but me.

I stepped inside the hall with Liam by my side and was escorted to Luther, who, unlike all the men here, was dressed in black.

His lavish suit made his appearance even more appealing. I felt my heart betray me as it started beating so fast that everyone seemed to hear it.

Of course, things like this couldn’t be hidden from Lycans or werewolves, thanks to their super hearing abilities.

Music added light to the darkness of the night, while the scent of champagne mixed with my mate’s scent made it hard for me to think. Human maids were not allowed into the hall to avoid unnecessary scenes; instead, they were replaced by werewolf maids.

“May I have this dance?” Luther asked, a smile on his face, but I knew better than to trust his smile.

I mean, the man who treated me cruelly this morning couldn’t be the sweet gentleman I was looking at now.

His hand met mine, and he blew a light kiss on it. That was all it took to set my heart on fire.

He then led the way to the dance floor while I followed.

Although I kept reminding myself who I was about to dance with, I couldn’t deny how much I was rejoicing in his presence.

The mate bond was playing its tricks on me, and I didn’t seem ready to fight my feelings.

The noise of the crowd filling the hall died down as we stepped onto the dance floor.

“You look truly beautiful…” he began, and I thought he was complimenting me, only to be shocked by what he said next. “Funny how makeup can make an ugly duckling look like a swan.”

I tried to ignore the glares we received, but after what he said, it was impossible.

Most of the female Lycans around seemed to believe I had no right to be mated to a Lycan since I was nothing but a werewolf... Worse, an elemental wolf.

Feeling embarrassed by everything, I decided to stand up for myself in the same way. Yes, I was afraid of him, but not in a way that would let him mistreat me.

“What’s even funnier is that even an ugly duckling doesn’t seem to be enjoying your company!”

“If it were up to me, neither of us would be here,” he stated, and I felt a bit lost. Not that I was feeling any better before. I mean, ever since the night I shifted, my life has been nothing but a mess.

“What do you mean by that?”

As if he had been waiting for me to ask, he started.

“Well, add to that my Lycan, who is dying to have his mate. The Lycans’ convent didn’t approve rejecting you since they're all afraid that my Lycan might lose his strength if he loses his mate…”

Hurt was all I could feel as he spoke. Still, I wasn’t the kind of girl to show weakness.

Before he could finish, I pushed him away and immediately hit him as hard as I could in the face. What was he expecting, humiliating me while everyone but human could clearly hear what he was saying.

Gasps flew around, and by the look on his face, I knew I had made a huge mistake I would regret.

A hideous look formed on his face as he seemed to be fighting himself not to do something he’d regret.

In no time, he lost the fight, and he started shifting.

His Lycan was the one taking control, and I knew for sure I wasn't going to survive after that.

Just as if it wasn't bad enough, a brief moment before he fully shifted, the lights turned off. We were being attacked...