THE BALL

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The evening has come. Castle walls rise out of the darkness. Each and everyone in the Kingdom is invited to the resplendent night, the mascarade ball. They gather in the castle through the different carriages sent by the King for transportation means. 

At a later time, a fancy white carriage travels from one house to the Palace with a white rose flag attached to its folding head. The first carriage to arrive is from the noble family, a shiny black shoe stamp on the folding step. It's Duke Marko, wearing a blue lounge suit, giving a hand to his wife, Duchess Antoinette, and daughter, Marionette. Both women wear a blue long flowing dress with gold damask patterns on both dresses made from luxurious fabric satin.

The Duke's family walks in the staircase layered with a red carpet on the center aisle. The royal guards standing guarding the entrance could not help but in awe of Lady Marionette's unique beauty. Her wavy black hair glimmers under the moonlight as it compliments her blue gown, snow-white skin. Even though with a mask, it makes her feature details. Her dark blue eyes look seductive with her sakura cheeks and rosy red lips.

Then, the family approaches the royal announcer who's holding a sharp spear, which causes him to wince at the dominant pheromones he scent from the Duke's family. They whisper their names to him, and his eyes widen---

"DUKE MARKO!"

"DUCHESS ANTIONETTE!"

"LADY MARIONETTE!"

The royal announcer says the names loudly that echoes in the wall of the hall area while he trembles, making an awkward smile. 

"The Duke and Duchess are here with their dazzling daughter, Your Highness," Minister puts his hand on his chin, staring daggers to Lady Marionette. Then he smirks to himself, thinking Lady Marionette is a perfect match to the Prince appearance-wise. 

"She looks like a vulnerable girl like you have to be extra careful with her safety. I doubt my son will like her," The King tells Kingsley monotonously. 

"There are more to come, Your Highness," Minister Kingsley pats the back of the King while Hedery feels like his soul wants to go away since no one gets his interest. 

A lot of people come to the castle, such as the Marquess family, Earl's family, Viscount's family, and the Baron's family. Nevertheless, some of the guests are not nobles. Still, the King did not find anyone in his type of daughter-in-law. But the place becomes noisier and colorful. 

Most of the guests are men, and The King did not expect it to make him disappointed. 

Moreover, Hedery hides in the shadow, wearing pajamas contrasting the formal attire of Minister Kingsley, avoiding the presence of the guests. 

"Kingsley, call me in my room if someone fearless comes in," The King sighs heavily while turning his back to walk away from the crowd.

"WAI-WAIT! YOUR HIGHNESS! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY FEARLESS? SOMEONE WHO CRASH THE PARTY?" Minister Kingsley screams to Hedery in a panic. He holds his head as if it is about to explode because of the King's childish behavior.

"AND IF YOU FAILED TO INFORM ME!" The King quickly faces Kingsley with wrath on his face while using his thumb finger, slicing his neck as a warning, "CRKKK!" Kingsley's body is electrified as he knows the meaning of the signal---his death. He doesn't have a choice but to nod to the King and gives him a stiff salute. 

Hedery's face blooms as he claps his hand together, hopping away from the hall, humming in glee while he proceeds to his room to nap.

WHILE, Alphonso stares at his Mother's beautiful portrait in the hall with adoration, getting lost in the warmth in his heart. 

"Brother? Let's meet the guests?" Corine wears her butterfly red mask, and Alphonso smiles at her weakly while wearing his lion gold mask.

"You look lavish, Brother." Corine comments while looking at her brother's attire. 

Alphonso wears richly embellished cloaks, and tunics, leggings, and trousers. His coat has embroidery of their family crest as the crown prince of the Kingdom. 

He snickers to his sister's praise, "Thank you."

"Shall we?" Alphonso asks in a sexy tone.

"We shall," Corine squeals happily.

Minister Kingsley spots the siblings with their bright faces while chattering to themselves. He immediately signals the royal musicians to announce the Royals' presence.

The royal musician blows the horn that makes the people stop and stare at the entrance of the Royal siblings. No mask can conceal their one-of-a-kind beauty. All gasp at their dynamic charm and can't take their eyes off of them. Like their body move is elegant in anyone's eyes.  

Alphonso stops at the center to make his welcoming speech confidently, "WELCOME TO THE RAPHBARG CASTLE, MY DEAR GUEST! IN MIDNIGHT ONE OF THE LADIES MIGHT BECOME MY MATE, BUT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, LET'S RAISE OUR GLASS AND CHEERS FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENT! CHEERS MY PEOPLE!" 

The people raise their cups and say all together, "CHEERS! YOUNG MAJESTY! LONG LIVE YOUNG HIGHNESS!"

Princess Corine claps her hand, feeling proud of her brother. She is excited to meet her brother's mate and can't wait to get to know her. Then, she walks to her brother and pokes him, "Brother, can we have this dance?" 

Alphonso smirks and bows to his sister to take his hand for a dance. Kingsley observes the siblings and snaps his finger to make the musicians play the waltz. 

They dance in the hall gracefully while giving others a hint to join them. Corine turns around in Alphonso's arms and looks at the ladies, searching for a woman to replace her. 

Some whisper to each other, reluctant to join them, but some can't ignore the Prince and Princess, so they dance as well.

Corine's eyes land on the seductive blue eyes that intrigues her, so she stops to dance with her brother and walks to her. Alphonso watches his sister slip from his hand. 

Corine pulls the lady out, which surprises the young woman. Corine leads her to the Prince, and the woman blushes in front of Alphonso's eyes. 

"What is your name, M'lady?" Alphonso asks gently. 

The lady bows to him lithely. "The name's Marionette, Daughter of the Duke's House." The way she opens her mouth is like an angel talking. 

It makes Alphonso tingling inside. He can't deny the woman's elegance is flowing from one's fingertip. It captivates him. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Marionette. May I have this dance?" The Prince offers his hand to her, which she giggles in accepting the invitation. Alphonso kiss the top of her hand, which makes her heart skip a beat.

They dance together while Corine looks satisfied watching them. Kingsley's jaw drops widely. Then, he regains his composure, looking around, hoping no one sees his reaction. He clears his throat in relief, seeing people are not looking at him because they have their eyes on the dance floor. 

"WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A PRINCE AND A DUCHESS," Kingsley says while swinging his body with the music. He knew they look together.

The Knights perform the "dance of sword" with the Prince and Lady Marionette, encircling them. 

"You are beautiful, Marionette," The Prince speaks in his deep raspy voice that weakens Marionette's legs as it sounds sexy in her ears.

"You are gorgeous, Your Highness," She replies breathlessly.

Alphonso gives her a sincere smile. He gets lost in the track of time while he enjoys dancing with her.

"Have you met your mate, Marionette?" Alphonso asks curiously.

She shakes her head, "I haven't... I hope it is you."

"I hope so too, Marionette..."

The trumpets play, and the people halt from dancing. They all run outside to witness the fireworks. 

The firework shots in the dark sky, filling it with hue and shades, and they all feel delighted. As the fireworks shine in the sky in Marionette's eyes, Alphonso shines the most. She couldn't hold herself as she wants to be the one for him.

The big loud clocks ring in the castle. Most of the young werewolves start to scent their mates. Marionette smells strawberry pheromones in her nose. Then boosts her pheromones. She transforms into her grey wolf form, and she exclaims, "MATE!" 

Without realizing it, she runs to the son of the Viscount, Kurt, leaving Alphonso alone in his spot.

Alphonso starts to feel something odd, to feel empty. He looks at the sky to see the bright full moon. Then, he looks at his palm, shaking. 

"What's wrong with me?" He asks in confusion as he catches his breath.

He runs back inside to go to their terrace to see a much better view of the moon. 

Under his fingers, the concrete walls of the castle are rugged than the calloused skin of an old man, and it leaves his skin frigid, portraying dankness into his osteal. 

Before he could reach the terrace, he falls on his knees. His heart beats hundreds per second. He feels abnormally, not normal.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" Kingsley chases him, panting hard while getting closer to Alphonso.

"WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME? MINISTER KINGSLEY? I CAN'T SCENT SOMEONE. I CAN'T TRANS-FORM IN MY WOLF FORM. WHAT I-IS WRONG WITH ME?" Alphonso shutters in the horror of what he feels. He seems to break into pieces. 

Kingsley pales and couldn't talk to the Prince because he knows, but he can't say, for he does not want to offend him. The King will be alarmed by this news, waking up for this terrible truth.

"KINGSLEY! PLEASE TELL ME! TELL ME! DOES THE GODDESS HATE ME? WHAT DID I DO TO HER? HOW DARE SHE ABANDON ME!" Alphonso asks as his eyes become lifeless, dull, and his voice is screaming in wrath. 

Kingsley remains muted and claps his hand together, breathing anxiously.

"MINISTER KINGSLEY, SAY IT TO MY FACE, I AM MATELESS, RIGHT?" 

The Prince did not hear any answer from the Minister because he refuses to open his mouth to Alphonso, so Alphonso confirms to himself weakly, "I AM MATELESS." 

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