Chapter 3

Chapter 3

KARA

I froze as I came in contact with the man, an electric thrill flashing through me. I looked into his eyes beneath his golden mask and it felt like I was going to get drowned in a beautiful ocean of blue. 

I could barely take in more of him or even continue dancing when my dance partner was suddenly exchanged. 

My new partner caught onto my hands and I didn't even bother to look at him as I was distracted with trying to spot the gorgeous golden mask in the sea of bodies. 

I wasn't paying attention to the dance again and when my dance partner swirled me around, I tripped on his foot and nearly fell to the floor. 

He caught me quickly and pulled me up. I looked at the red hair apologetically, muttering, "Thanks."

"You're a bit distracted I see," he replied in a cool manly voice and I caught a bit of an accent.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," I replied and he held on to my hands strongly, pulling me away from a couple that came swirling towards us.

As people switched up partners again, we missed the window so I was still with the red hair.

"I'm guessing you lost someone?" He asked as he pushed his left leg back and moved to the left. 

"Yeah, it was quick and I'm not sure what I felt," I replied and took a look around again. The mask was golden and very unique, I would immediately recognize it. 

"But if I keep switching dance partners, I will never know," I replied and wanted to let go of him so I could grab another partner on hearing the music suggest so. 

He spun us out of the way and held on to me so I looked at him curiously. 

"Then, don't switch partners, and we'll dance around the room so we find your POTENTIAL mate," he replied with an emphasis on the last words. That would be very helpful but if he was stuck with me throughout the dance how would he find his own mate? 

"Thanks, but I don't want to reduce your chances of finding a mate," I replied and I saw a smile form on his face through his eyes in his mask. 

"I'm not going to find one anyway," he stated and my eyebrows etched in curiosity.

"Why is that? Don't tell me I'm dancing with the curser of Endymion," I said and he chuckled lightly.

"I'm here to keep up appearances, but I can't meet my mate in a traditional setting like this," he replied before leaning in closer to me.

"Two guys can't particularly dance and meet at a ball like this," he whispered beside my ears and moved back. My eyes widened in surprise for a second as I realized what he implied.

"Good thing I'm wearing a mask," he said as he spun me around and caught me in his arm. 

"No, I didn't mean to be rude, of course, I respect your personal choices and preferences," I apologized quickly and he nodded.

"So, who are we looking for?" 

***

"I'm sorry we never got to find Mr. Golden Mask," Henry, as I've gotten to know his name said and he grabbed two drinks from a passing waiter.

"Thanks." I took one from him and took a sizeable gulp. My nerves were firing so much now and I still couldn't help whiffing my head around now and then to check similar masks.

"If it makes you feel better, it was nice meeting you," he said and I smiled. 

"Thanks," I replied.

"There you are," Gemma said as she found me and she slipped her hands into mine. 

"Gotta go now." I nodded and watched Henry walk away. 

"Who's that?" Gemma asked curiously. 

"Henry." 

"Am I supposed to know the name?" 

"I met him now and he helped me to look for someone I thought could be my mate," I explained. 

"What????" Gemma sounded surprised and she pulled me away from the open space to a corner. 

"Yeah, I felt something with a dance partner, but I'm not sure what I felt before I lost him," I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice. 

"Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't have let each other go if he was really your mate," Gemma said and somehow that didn't help at all.

It only brought up questions like what if they didn't want me? Or what if the Moon Goddess changed her mind at the last minute? 

I sigh and take another sip from my glass only to realize it is empty. I squint, surveying the area for another waiter. Once I spot one, I tap Gemma's arm and tell her I’d be right back.

By the time I returned with two more glasses of wine, Gemma was nowhere to be found. I rolled my eyes with a sigh and decided to wait for her. The bright blue eyes beneath the golden mask remained printed on my mind.

I take off my mask and stand off to the side, drinking myself silly so I don’t cry. I knew I shouldn’t have come. 

I heard a soft snicker beside me and I half turned to the sound, straining my ears when I heard, “How pathetic.”

My spine stiffens, and I risk a glance in that direction. A group of ladies whisper among themselves, gazing at me through their elaborate masks. As I turn to meet their eyes, not a single one of them looks away. 

“Poor lowly omega. No mate for you," one of them said mockingly.

Her group breaks out in a fit of loud giggles and tears prick the corners of my eyes. 

I drop the extra glass I got for Gemma on the floor by a fountain and gather my dress in my hands, trying not to trip as I walked away from them 

I was a bit tipsy, swaying on my feet as I went to get outside for some fresh air. 

After all this time, after all these years of taunts and mockery, their words shouldn't hurt me, but the tears trickle down my cheeks anyway, blurring my vision.

I wipe my eyes aggressively, hating myself for being so helplessly pathetic and weak and even more for crying. 

I stepped out onto the balcony, gripping the ledge as I tried to calm myself down. 

“Pathetic,” I whisper, inhaling deeply through my nose. 

The air smelled…wonderful. It was a mix of fresh trees; a hint of cedar and sandalwood. I take in another deep breath, loving the smell of the outside. I should’ve come out here sooner. I leaned forward over the railing so I could get more of the scent into my nostrils. 

“You’ll fall.”

I jumped and spun around sharply to the sound of the rough voice. The glass of wine tilted, spilling all over the man standing next to me.

“Oh!” I shrieked, “I’m so sorry,” I tried to dab his shirt, but I froze as a faintly familiar scent filled my nostrils. 

It’s much stronger and more potent now, I can almost taste it. I raised my neck to meet his eyes- he’s tall, really tall. My breath got stuck in my throat. It was the same ocean blue eyes except this time, they weren't hiding behind an expensive mask. 

His chiselled jaw highlights a stern expression, a muscle ticking beneath the light spotting of stubble. He observed me carefully, crazed bright blue orbs darting back and forth between mine. 

My mouth went dry and I couldn't bring myself to look away. The space between us thrummed with electricity, and the undeniable pull heats my skin, making my head fuzzy. 

It’s the wine, it has to be. Because the other explanation was too crazy to consider. I shook my head lightly and blinked, taking a small step backward. He was still standing there like a... Greek God. 

Instantly, his hand reached out, halting my movements with a firm grip on the back of my neck. 

“Mate.” He growled out, the sound reverberating through his chest. 

I could barely process the word before he pulled me into him and smashed his lips against mine.