Chapter 13 - The secret Trial

Cassy wished she got a chance to see Alex before the start of the ball, but only 30 minutes after her friend stormed off, a warrior mindlinked her to come to the packhouse hall. It was earlier than the planned start time of the ball, but she assumed the competitors of the trials were being gathered sooner for a speech or to ready themselves for the event. However, when she got to the grand doors, only nine other women waited there. Of course, Katie was among them, the bitch offering her a deadly smirk as Cassy limped closer. She begrudgingly admitted the woman looked stunning, but it was dampened by her arrogant smile and the way she pushed other women out of the way to stand near the doors.

“That’s all of them.” The warrior who had escorted her told the warrior guard.

Cassy cocked an eyebrow. Nearly 50 women had passed the first Trial, where were the others? She eyed the women around her and realised only those who had completed the extra part of the race had been gathered. Only those who had won the advantage. Excited tension twisted inside her. Would they get their advantage before the Trial? Maybe a chance to prepare ahead of the matches tomorrow?

The heavy doors opened, revealing the packhouse hall in all its glory. Stone walls laced with obsidian veins had been re-vamped with ornamental lamps and decadent decorations, turning the usual cold meeting space into a room befitting royalty. The wealth and power of the pack exuded from each crystal goblet and fancy tablecloth, teasing its abundance with plenty of food laid across the tables set up around the edge of the room. 

For a moment, Cassy was worried they’d have guests from other packs coming to view the Trials earlier than expected, but a quick sniff of the room and casting her eyes around only showed other Ash Mount wolves. She still had time to reach the top ten and bail before danger arrived.

Aside from the nine other women entering the hall alongside her, Cassy took in the other guests. They were dotted around the hall, standing in half formed circles, each with a High Guard wolf inside. She recognised some of them, enough to know they were relatives to the recently promoted warriors or wolves of high standing in the packs. All were dressed as formally as herself, most choosing to wear a red pin like a fashion statement they had all agreed upon before coming. But it was the critical gazes they wore as they took in the women that put Cassy on edge. They made her feel less like a guest and more like a piece of meat waiting to be chosen and devoured.

“Welcome.” Jace stood in the middle of the crowd but somehow apart from the rest. “The other guests will arrive shortly, but until then enjoy yourselves. You’ve earned it.”

When that was all he said, Cassy deflated a little. She had hoped for a tip for the next Trial or a reward of some kind that went beyond alcohol, mini quiches and cake. Maybe a weapon advantage or a chance to pick her opponent for her match. Instead, they just got to be the first contestants to the ball. How disappointing.

The nine other women began to disperse, immediately heading towards one of the High Guard warriors as if they already had their target mate in mind. Cassy considered heading over to see Zac, but two contestants were already at his side, offering him drinks and making him smile. That, and her conversation with Alex earlier, soured her tongue so she decided to get a drink instead. She headed away from the other guests, feeling a few eyes linger on her. She hoped it was because of the dress, but it was more than likely her behaviour. The room was full of important pack members waiting to be brown-nosed by the High Guards' potential mates, but she had dedicated her life to avoiding these people, she wouldn’t change that now. 

The first sip of golden champagne eased her tension, the second calmed her nerves, the third dared a smile to her lips when Jace approached.

“Cassandra.” He greeted with a nod, grabbing a drink of his own and settling beside her. “You look beautiful this evening.”

“Thank you, Alpha Jason.” She bobbed her head respectfully, as was expected of her. Then, she waited for him to sip his drink and added. “Though how do I compare to earlier? Do you prefer your women naked and wet?”

Jace choked on the mouthful of champagne, barely keeping his composure in front of the guests as she kept her smile innocent. Inside, she was smirking. A small revenge but it felt just as sweet, though he recovered a little too quickly for her liking, turning his back on the guests to block her from view.

“What I liked about earlier, Cassandra, was that you were for my eyes only.” His whispered words felt close, brushing against her cheek as he leaned into her space.

She had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes, a crackle sharpening the air between them. For a moment, she didn’t breathe. She couldn’t for fear that any move, any sound, would break the tightening air between them. Cassy didn’t know why it couldn’t break, but she held on to it for long seconds, yet it still wasn’t enough when Jace smiled like he had won his own victory.

“I’d suggest mingling tonight, Cassandra.”

With that, the Alpha wolf turned away from her and headed back to his other guests. Cassy watched him go, stunned and waiting for the feeling to come back to her. She was light-headed, a little dizzy, and wondering, for the third time that day, what had just happened. It wasn’t until she saw Zac looking at her did she snap out of it and avert her gaze from Jace and offer him a smile. Zac barely had the time to smile back before Katie handed him a drink and stole his attention. 

Cassy rolled her eyes, then had an idea spark. She didn’t know the conditions of her new bloodline ability yet, but she did know that she wished for dark eyes earlier and they’d suddenly appeared.

“I wish that Katie Sandson began spontaneously vomiting.” She whispered.

Cassy should’ve been horrified to admit the glimmer of excitement that rose within her as she watched and waited. But nothing happened. The woman continued her grating laugh as her hand creeped up Zac’s arm.

Cassy huffed a swell of disappointment, but shrugged it off. She’d figure it out. Though that didn’t stop her from using the next 30 minutes, before the other guests began arriving, to wish more horrendous things on the bitch. Cursing her every way she could think was far more fun that mingling like the Alpha suggested.