Chapter 5

Five

KEERA

W ell, that was mortifying .

My face still burned with embarrassment as I conversed politely with the alphas who approached Jade and I, with her brother Jack hovering just behind us. I couldn't believe I tripped in front of everyone. Luckily it was just at the entrance, so it wasn't like hordes of alphas saw what happened. But the guard who approached me had seen me fall.

I could barely look him in the eyes. His large muscular stature of a Delta was intimidating and rough. But that made my heart pound like nothing else. He had spiky rust-colored hair and tattoos on his massive arms. When he held my hand, my body grew warmer. I suddenly realized I needed a mate in my life. I felt like I was falling for every male I met now. There weren't many Deltas on Howl's Edge, and to see a few here guarding the palace was crazy. I never even met one, let alone spoke to one of them. They all had guns and thick bulletproof vests. There were beta security officers in every corner, watching everyone as well.

Upon entering the palace, I was awestruck by the architecture and design. A massive dance floor made of crystal sparkled under the chandeliers. There was an elevated section of the floor where there were six thrones. Four of the biggest thrones sat the Royal Alphas. Alpha Saku was the current king of Howl's Edge. I learned all about the Royal Pack back in school. The omega Princess Lyra sat in the middle with her omega mother, Queen Ophelia. Princess Lyra was the only child that the Royal Pack had borne. Queen Ophelia had a miscarriage after Princess Lyra was born and hasn't had another child since. It was rumored that the Queen's alphas were getting restless and slept with other omegas in secret to produce an heir.

It felt like history gazing up at the Royal Pack, who were watching the ball they hosted.

"Princess Lyra looks annoyed, huh?" commented Jade, drinking lemonade that an alpha had bought for her. For some reason, Princess Lyra didn't look too happy as she gazed at the guests. She had honey blond hair, with a small silver tiara on top. She wore a light pink dress with many layers. She was scowling and constantly whispered to her mother next to her.

"She probably doesn't have many friends. Being a princess and all," I said. "Probably lonely."

Like myself.

"Hello, miss, may I have this dance?" asked an alpha wearing a nicely-pressed black suit. He had thin eyebrows and firm features.

"Sure," I said, allowing him to take my hand as he led me to the dance floor. I looked back at Jade, who winked at me as another alpha with a large frame approached her. The music was slow, perfect for dancing couples and packs. There were omegas taking turns dancing with packs of alphas, each alpha vying for the omega's attention. There were even betas and a couple of deltas also dancing with omegas. The omegas were discernable with the mark of the wolf claw on their shoulder. Some had it covered with makeup, and some showed it off proudly.

"What's your name?" the alpha asked. I awkwardly tried not to trip on my dress as he spun me. I was no expert at dancing at all.

"Keera. What's yours?" I asked.

"Voss," he replied, his gaze scanning my body. He wasn't discreet about it either, and I was starting to feel uncomfortable despite the slight wetness drenching my panties. The room was full of alpha scents all around, overwhelming my senses and sending my hormones into overdrive. I don't even think the two heat suppressants and scent blocker cream that my father made me take were enough to cover my scent.

"I need to get some air," I said, extricating myself from his grasp. His eyes flashed for a second. Then his look of annoyance was smoothed over with a large smile.

"Of course. Take your time. I'll be waiting eagerly for you," Voss said. Even his name gave me the shivers, and I didn't have a good feeling about him. I walked to the double back doors, squeezing between the people and trying not to bump into them. The omegas were perfuming like crazy and thirsty for their alpha packs. It seemed like there were fifty omegas in this palace. The alphas looked even more desperate and predatory as they scanned the room for their perfect mate.

When I finally stepped foot into the beautiful gardens in the back, I took in a deep breath. The crisp air outside felt refreshing, clearing out the heady alpha scent playing havoc on my brain, making me want to pounce on an alpha's dick. The undertone of sexual tension in the ball was apparent. Walking around the garden, I felt calmer. There were only three omegas out here and an alpha flirting with them. I disliked crowded rooms, especially when they were full of alphas. It was sexy, but it was way too much stimulation for me.

As I walked, I was lost in thought. The gardens had rose bushes and different types of flowers in bunches growing everywhere. It reminded me of Mom and her garden. Ever since she died, the flowers died with her. The pathways were made of stone, and the further I walked away from the palace, the more I could hear the crickets chirping and the sound of the music fading away.

Suddenly, I heard a crackle of branches to my left. The peach trees lining the pathway blocked my view. A slew of fearful hiccups came over me, and I tried to keep my hiccups down as I craned my neck to see who was approaching. Damn hiccups .

A man was standing just behind the tree, watching me. I could only see his side profile but recognized his stringy red hair. I could recognize him anywhere, even from a mile away. It was my mother's killer and it felt like history was repeating itself.

I stood frozen on the stone pathway in a stupor, my heart racing out of my chest. I looked again, and he was gone. Did I imagine things? I quickly forced my feet to move, and I burst into the ballroom, every limb in my body shaking.

Where was Jade? We had to go now!

"You look like you've seen a ghost," said a male voice to my right as soon as I entered the ballroom. The sarcastic voice was familiar. I turned and saw the alpha with the long silver hair I had met at work— Mr.Lustfur.

One of the rich donors.

I took a few deep breaths. Just calm down, Keera .

"I think I might have," I said, my heart still pumping hard. "Your white hair is pretty ghostly."

"Haha, this omega got jokes, huh?" he said, walking closer to me. "How about I get you a drink?"

"I have to get going, Mr. Lustfur. Thank you for offering," I said, thinking about the evil I just saw outside. He could come in here anytime.

"Call me Jatix, Miss Keera," he said, his voice honey smooth as he gazed at me with those electric purple eyes. Ensnaring me and distracting me from the threat waiting just outside these doors. "May I have just one dance before you run away from me tonight?"

The memory of what I just saw began to fade as I looked into Jatix's eyes. He looked carefree and fun. Maybe what I just saw was my imagination. The killer was, after all, nowhere to be found here in the ballroom.

"You tried to show me your erect penis," I said. "That's disgusting."

"I was out of bounds," he said, looking down sorrowfully. "It was just a joke. I'm really sorry about that."

"It was a stupid joke."

"I know, and it won't happen again," he said. "Will you give me another chance? I don't want a gross alpha taking you home tonight."

My face cracked into a smile.

"Fine, but the only gross alpha here is you. I have to let you know that I'm a horrible dancer," I said, trying to see if that would deter him.

"Me too. Let's be horrible together," he said, taking my hands. He rolled with the punches and didn't take himself too seriously as we conversed about random stuff, and he talked so much shit about the alphas in the room while we danced, making me laugh every minute. He was good at making me forget about the harsh, cruel world, even for a second.

"Are you the only perfect alpha here, then?" I asked mockingly, letting him lead the dance. His hand was on the small of my back. He pulled me in closer, and we were within kissing distance from each other. My body warmed from the close contact. I couldn't help but stare at his lips, which curled into a small smile.

"Maybe I am," he answered. "I mean, look at my suit. Best dressed, I'd say."

Jatix wore an extravagant red suit lined in black with a blush-colored rose pinned to his right shoulder.

"It's nice," I said casually, knowing that would annoy him.

"It's not just nice ," he retorted. "It's sexy and wild."

"Okay," I laughed, already forgetting about my encounter in the gardens. This alpha was a little nuts, but he was fun.

"Is your guardian here? I'd like to talk to him and ask for your hand," he said in a serious voice.

"Nope, but my friend's older brother is here," I said. He couldn't be serious, and if he was, I wouldn't mate with him. He was too risky and I was scared of falling in love.

"How about your father? What's his name?"

I suddenly remembered that I hadn't looked at the time for a while. Looking up at the large clock on the wall, I gasped. It was freaking ten thirty. My dad was probably at my workplace now to pick me up. I prayed that he was late and drinking.

"I have to go," I said quickly, pulling away from his arms.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, not releasing my forearm.

"I have to go," I said, my heart at my throat. I was terrified of what my father would do if he ever found out I mingled with a bunch of alphas. "I'm sorry, Jatix."

"When would I get to see you again?"

"Not for a long time," I said in a rush. "I have to go. It was nice getting to know you."

During the car ride to the hospital, I was biting my nails from anxiety. There was no way I would make it in time before my dad showed up at the hospital to pick me up.

"We're so late," I said. Jade tried to drive as fast as possible, but we were still late. I had changed back into my scrubs in the car and tried to remove as much makeup as possible.

"I'm sure your dad won't care waiting for a little bit," Jade tried to comfort me. "Jack, why don't you ever wear your seatbelt?"

"Aw, you're scared I might die," said Jack. "Just don't be a terrible driver, and I'll survive."

"It's important I get there as soon as possible," I stressed. I didn't want to explain that my dad was a psycho, especially when he drank at night. That his temper was unpredictable, and his rages were terrifying. There was no way she could understand. Her family was so peaceful and loving.

"Where do I park?" asked Jade when we got to the hospital. I couldn't see my dad's car anywhere, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Go around the back, to the parking lot, and I'll walk to the front," I said.

But when Jade drove into the parking lot in the back, my heart dropped.

My dad's car was parked, and he was standing outside of it, waiting for me with a scowl on his face.

" Fuck ," I muttered.