Games of Fire

The full moon gala hosted by Damon was always a spectacle to behold. The preparations always had the estate buzzing with activities as the most important personalities and rulers under Damon's control always came to show their loyalty.

Today, however, seemed to be more lavish than usual. Damon had just signed a multi billion dollar deal for his company, and was in the mood of celebration. Servants hurried across with trays of crystal glasses and bottles of rare wine, while chefs served expensive delicacies.

The banquet hall was filled with Alphas, Betas, and wealthy patrons… both human and werewolves, who sought influence in his circle.

For Elena, it felt more like she was stepping on a battlefield instead of a celebration. It always was when Nyla and Lucia were always snapping at her heels.

They had tormented her all day, pulling her hair as the maids dressed her, mocking her appearance and calling her a ghost for looking too pale. They had chosen the most expensive custom made gowns for themselves, and forced the designer to make Elena a dull and plain gown.

When the doors to the banquet hall opened for the three mates to come in, Elena was amazed by the transformation in front of her. Crystal chandeliers glowed brightly overhead, bathing the hall in golden light. Musicians tuned their strings at the far end of the hall, and laughter floated across the open space as influential wolves and humans mingled.

Damon entered just after them, tall and magnificent in his black suit, hushing conversations with the power of his aura alone. He looked like a god… untouchable. Nyla and Lucia quickly attached themselves to his arms like jeweled serpents, dazzling smiles fixed on their painted lips. Elena meekly walked behind them in silence, her plain dress swallowed by the radiance of their jeweled clothes.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Damon announced in a rich and powerful voice. “Allow me to introduce my mates.”

All eyes turned at the mention of the word ‘Mates’.

Elena expected him to point out Nyla and Lucia as usual, but she was surprised instead when he deliberately introduced Nyla first, then Lucia, before finally settling on her.

“All three.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd at the introduction, and all eyes turned immediately to Elena, widening in surprise, disbelief, and even disdain.

Nyla frowned, tightening her hold around Damon’s arm, while Lucia’s false smile trembled before she forced it to be steady again. Their plan had been simple… parade themselves as Damon’s chosen favorites, leaving Elena in the shadows. But Damon, in one effortless move, had dragged Elena into the light beside them and recognized her publicly as a mate.

As the evening wore on, Nyla and Lucia sparkled like firebirds, moving through the crowd with sweet smiles and lovely words for the guests. They laughed at jokes, hung around Damon and touched him as often as they could, all the while holding on to their fake charming personalities. They even went as far as competing in cunning games, each one trying to impress Damon… each one trying to stake her invisible claim.

Elena in her plain gown sat quietly at Damon's side, sipping slowly from her glass every few minutes while paying no attention to the other two. She didn't even bother to speak, only replying when she was addressed and always keeping her head lowered in what the crowd assumed was humility. But behind her calm facade, Elena's thoughts were a raging storm.

For every time Nyla or Lucia leaned too close to Damon, his eyes would always drift in the direction of Elena… a quick glance, almost too quick, but always just enough for her to notice…. Enough for Nyla and Lucia to notice.

And each time, their jealousy burned hotter in their eyes.

At one point, Nyla shifted even closer to Damon and spoke with her perfectly rehearsed sweetness. “My Lord, wouldn’t it be better if Elena waited in the servant’s quarters? She looks terribly out of place here, and it could make you look bad in front of your guests.”

Damon's eyes flashed with a sudden anger that they never saw coming. “She is my mate. She stands where she belongs.”

The words were delivered without warmth, without flourish… but they were final and unquestionable.

Elena’s heart lurched at the contradiction in his actions. She knew for certain that he did not care about her, but his sudden change tonight had put her on edge. First he had introduced her and acknowledged her alongside the others, and now he was even standing up for her. It wasn’t affection… it was power. And she, the weakest among them, was likely being dragged into their crazy game.

As the party continued and the music rose in tempo, Damon led the three of them across the hall. Alphas bowed in respect and humility, while Betas whispered in corners. Even the humans in attendance recognized the statement that the powerful Alpha Damon was making.

Lucia was the first to make an attempt at getting a dance from Damon, but he stylishly avoided her hand, and rubbed his hand subtly against Elena's skin. It was a brief gesture, and had gone by, unnoticed by many, but not Nyla and Lucia.

They hid the fire of hatred in their eyes behind the false smiles they had been maintaining the whole time, no doubt already plotting their payback.

Elena caught the glimpse of it and almost smiled herself… Almost. For once in the miserable time she had spent here, their weapons had turned against them, and Damon, whether intentionally or not, had made her into a thorn lodged firmly in their side.

At the end of the gala, Elena's feet and back ached from standing for so long, but her spirit felt a little bit alive. Damon's sudden attention had been brief, but it had brought her respite for the day.

She had no illusions. Damon’s touch at night was cold, his words cutting, his indifference suffocating. But tonight proved something vital… he would not erase her existence in public, and that was a shield she could wield if she was clever.

And Elena vowed she would be clever.

As the guests began to depart and the grand hall emptied gradually, Nyla and Lucia’s laughter rang hollow. They had smiled all evening, but behind their jeweled eyes, rage was still burning at the scorn they had suffered from Damon.

This was not over.