His Miraculum

Chapter 002

Hayley's POV

She had always found it difficult to wake up, but today, knowing she had to go to the mating ball, all she wanted was to remain under her covers, safe from monsters.

That was not an option.

There was nowhere to hide because Damian Duke had dispatched guards to individually pick up each attendant and their families.

The day went by quickly. Before she knew it, her mother was begging her to hurry and get ready while pushing her into the bathroom.

She took a slow shower, allowing the hot water to relieve some of her shoulder stress.

After blow drying her hair, she gazed at the mirror for a considerable amount of time.

Although she didn't think her face required cosmetics and didn't like wearing it, her mother would be upset if she didn't wear it at all.

She wasn't ruthless enough to subject the guards to that dispute.

The satin felt cool and smooth on her skin as she slipped into the dress.

It had always been her father's dream to put the family bracelet on her.

It was hers now, having been handed down through the generations.

A delicate white gold chain adorned with a single little diamond and a charm shaped like the letter of their family name.

It wouldn't have seemed like much to anyone else.

It was the most exquisite item she had ever possessed.

When she noticed the tears welling up in her father's eyes as he gazed up at her, her chest constricted.

She had always been a daddy's girl, and today she fell into his arms out of fear of losing him.

She briefly gave herself the impression that she would be secure there.

Her father gently let her go and planted a kiss on her forehead as her mother entered."You look stunning," her mother remarked, her eyes gleaming as she examined her.The guard has already left."

Two other human families were already seated in the limousine that the guard was waiting in.

The ride was too brief and calm.

The automobile came to a stop before Hayley could control her heartbeat."Out," the guard murmured, his attempt at civility failing in the face of his harsh demeanor.

She had never seen Damian Duke's house before.

It didn't feel right to call it a house.

There was no denying the castle's beauty, yet there was something about it that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

With her father's arm wrapped around her mother's, her parents strolled just ahead of her.

Something sank in her chest as she watched them.

She considered the prospect that she might be claimed tonight and spent the rest of her life being dragged behind a stranger.

Matings between humans and wolves seldom worked out.

Humans were always diminished. Every time, the wolf's protectiveness gave way to something more in line with control.

She had witnessed the public incidents before, and each time it made her stomach flip.

If she had been pleased by the castle's outside, she was dumbfounded by its inside.

The walls had an ancient beauty that seemed almost timeless, a strength ingrained in them.

She had thought the Beast's house would be deserted and frigid.

The reverse was true.

In search of a familiar face, she looked over the throng and saw Marina standing next to a lovely girl, eagerly waving.

She approached cautiously, not wanting to attract more attention than Marina's desperate waving had already garnered.

Her foot hooked the edge of a couch halfway there.

She stumbled, steadied herself, and continued walking as if nothing had occurred."You succeeded," Marina remarked with a smile.Hayley whispered, "Barely."

Following introductions, Marina and her buddy received the kind of praise they so richly earned because they both looked gorgeous in their outfits.

As they conversed, Hayley stood a little apart due to her nervousness.

Ana, the other female, would not stop gushing about how thrilling it would be to find her partner.

Hayley squeezed her lips together.

She was obviously damaged by the wolf romance novels.

She had something to say. She desired to be honest with her.

However, that was not a conversation worth having tonight in front of thousands of wolves.Ana practically glowed as she said, "Imagine getting to choose curtains together."

Hayley remained silent.

Hayley was afraid she may blow out if she said anything more about curtains.

Her gaze fell on a familiar face as she searched for any diversion.

From across the room, the warrior who lived a few houses down was observing her with a smug, almost contented grin, as if he had been waiting all night for her to attempt to flee.

When he saw her glancing back, his eyes brightened.

He moved in her direction.

Her chest erupted in panic.She was already retreating when she whispered to Marina, "Distract him.""Wait, what?"

She didn't wait for a response.

His gaze burned into her back as she quickly slid out of the dinner hall.

She eventually regained her breath and looked up once she was outside the main hall.

The castle's interior, away from the commotion and clamor, was much more magnificent than its exterior had suggested.

She didn't really know where she was going and wasn't in a rush to go back to the party.

When a staff member noticed her, they kindly but forcefully requested that she come back to the banquet.

Her face went red with humiliation.

The woman sighed, obviously figuring she was one of those visitors who like straying into inappropriate areas.

Hayley muttered an apology and continued on, now totally disoriented in the expansive corridors.

She eventually came to a staircase after a long, narrow hallway.

She was drawn in by curiosity.

She was aware that going back to the party would not be possible by climbing those steps.

Nevertheless, she ascended them.

A lengthy hallway with doors lining it and an old chandelier hanging overhead stretched out in front of her at the top.

With caution, she opened the first door.

It did not return to the feast.

Rather, she discovered a room with big black couches, a pricey glass table in between, and a grand piano at the far end.

Her dad used to be a player.

They had never been able to purchase one for themselves.

Before she had even made the decision to go, her feet propelled her in its direction.

She delicately touched the keys with her fingers.

She didn't actually know how to play, but she recalled how content her father appeared when attempting to teach the fundamentals to a four-year-old version of herself.

The door opened behind her.

Her throat tightened around her breath.

Her eyes were tightly closed as she froze entirely.

With her eyes still closed, she gently turned around while mentally counting to ten, silently hoping it was staff rather than someone far more threatening.

She could feel someone's intense gaze pressing down on her face.

Her entire body shook.

She opened her eyes slowly.

A pair of golden-threaded, honey-colored eyes, rimmed by thick black lashes that gave them an almost surreal appearance, gazed back at her.

Her heart stopped totally when she heard the single word she had been dreading her entire life. "My own.