Three: The Mad Prince.

CHAPTER THREE:

Anastasia's POV:

THREE MONTHS LATER…

I like pastel colors too, I like pink, hell, lilac makes my heart beat faster. So why do most of the ceremonial ball gowns Kai had his stylists make for me seem dull or too dark? 

Don't get me wrong. 

I love dark clothes too. It especially helps us blend in with the crowd when we are on a mission but right now, standing in this gigantic ballroom with twenty other young women my age, I look like the odd one out in the army green gown that I could have sworn looked black.

Standing out was the last thing I needed right now.

Huffing, I scan the ballroom for Rhea and Shane who were supposed to be my handmaiden and body guards, respectively. 

My eyes fall on them at the other side with all the other bodyguards and handmaids, they look on high alert just like me. 

CLINK!! CLINK!! CLINK!!

The sound of steel against glass echoes and we all turn in the direction of the noise to see a short, burly man holding a spoon against a wine glass.

“Ladies, may I have your attention, please!” His voice reverberates. 

He waits a beat, until the chattering dies down and even the air is still.

 “Alright, I apologize for the delay… we had a uh, a bit of a situation. But! It has been sorted. All I need you to do is wait in line with your handmaids and listen attentively while I call your family names.”

He looks around the room. “Please, while I get ready, get in line.” 

Gahhhh I already hate being here and I hated all these baseless procedures as if we were children. But like everyone else, I get in line just as Rhea joins me as requested.

The man takes a folder from the thin, slightly, taller man beside him—both men had three giant royal guards behind them, dressed in their signature navy-blue and white uniforms. 

“Lady Smith-Snyder!” He calls out loudly.

A very pretty girl, in a sky blue, shimmering gown steps forward. I notice they ask her questions and whatnot. I stop paying attention by the time he reaches the sixth girl.

“Put a smile on your face, babes,” Rhea says with a laugh. “You look like you'd rather be anywhere but here.”

“You're not far from the truth. If only I'd taken your advice and eaten earlier. I feel like I might pass out soon,” I groan and then gesture to my chest area. “...and this corset? It's killing me.”

She snorts. “Sorry, milady, but you'll have to manage. The prince wants nothing but a tiny waist, a well-shaped bosom, and strong hips for bearing children.” 

I laugh.

Maybe a little too loudly because the hall grows deathly quiet and all eyes are on us.

Shit.

“Well, fuck,” Rhea mutters beside me as the man in charge approaches us with his companion and guards.

The man in charge looks furious—I really should have paid attention to get his name cause I can't keep calling him that.

Please don't tell me I've fucked this mission up even before I could start?!

He stops before me and he's a foot or two shorter than me—maybe it was the heels. 

“Do you have no manners?” He snaps, eyes blazing.

I grimace, bowing slightly as I've been taught. “I'm sorry, sir.” 

“What family are you from!” He sneers, clearly disgusted by my lack of manners. 

But I did apologize, didn't I? 

Sigh. Now isn't the time to play smartypants with him. One wrong move, I'll lose this opportunity.

Wait, what was my fake family's name again? Gods.

Mr man is fuming now. “I asked you a question!”

“Erm, sir—”

His eyes narrow suspiciously. “Do you not know your family's name?” 

He doesn't wait for a response, he looks behind him, “Bennett, I think there's something fishy about her—” 

“Whitemore!” I blurt, my pulse roaring. 

How could I have forgotten that? 

I never forget the details of a mission!!!

He gives me his attention again and this time, he looks even more suspicious of me.

My heart leaps to my throat.

 “We'll have to—” 

Suddenly, there's commotion in the hall. The girls gasp, murmurs erupt, and some make happy squeals. 

Man in charge—fuck it, we'll call him little man, for now—momentarily forgets me and turns in the direction of the noise. 

My chest is still heaving from the exertion I put my poor heart to as Rhea squeezes my hand reassuringly.

“Girl, that was close,” she whispers.

“Your highness! You shouldn't be here! Gods!” It's the alarm in little man’s voice that has me spinning, laying my eyes on the rumored ‘Mad Prince.’

Alpha Zayne.

He has both arms around two stunning omegas.

He's shirtless, with tattooed torso on display. His stomach is hard with abs, his chest is broad—good heavens, his body is a work of art, perfectly sculptured, and his face…? 

Goddess.

The tabloids did not do justice to it. Dark, shoulder-length hair frames his chiseled jaw, perfect lips and eyes as grey as gun metal.

My stomach flips as those stormy eyes lock with mine.

What the hell? 

I quickly look away.

 Yeah, he's extremely attractive unlike what tabloids show—they show him drunk and mostly looking deranged in shady high-class nightclubs or sex clubs—but he's still the psycho everyone avoids! 

And I have Kai, I don't need anyone else. He's the one I ask the goddess for every night.

“You.” A deep baritone, a bit raspy, reaches my ears, making me shiver.

I'd like to believe I shivered because I hadn't expected him to walk up to me—speak to me even.

Slowly, I meet his gaze. The intensity of those eyes knocks the wind out of my lungs.

He stares for too long. My heart is slamming against my ribs as I try to force my lungs to take in air.

Why am I reacting like this? 

What is wrong with you, Anastasia? Get a grip!

But then, he smiles. And logic flees.

I'll admit, it's the prettiest fucking smile ever.

And then he leans over, his lips brushing my ears, “You are my salvation, little killer.”

I freeze. My heart stops as my stomach bottoms out.

L-l… little killer?!

It can’t be… no…

For a second, I think I’m overreacting but then he pulls back and winks. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”

He… he knows?