Calling from the Mist

Bow Down, B*tch

“Are you sure about this Missy?” The drive back to Micheal’s house was uneventful and even though Jake wasn’t too fond of leaving Misty unattended with her best, male, friend he still let her go. Apparently, the Shifter had his own ceremonial clothing to wear and couldn’t just borrow something from someone else this time.

“Am I sure about being sort of forced to attend a party with people that can turn into animals? Not even ‘just’ people but Royal ones??? What do you think Mikey???” Missy yelled out from the washroom where she was finishing up after her shower and putting the dress on. She still needed to do something with her hair and maybe add a touch of makeup, but Micheal could help out with that.

Misty left the washroom and strode into Micheal’s room, noticing the young man sitting on his bed and looking concerned. She scoffed, telling him to zip up the back of her dress and help do something with her hair.

“You know I can do your hair, but not your makeup right? Remember the first and last time I helped you back in High School?” Micheal chuckled, taking his sweet time to do up Misty’s dress as his fingers seemed to linger a bit longer than they needed to on her skin. She shivered, turning, and frowning at her friend.

“Well then what the hell am I supposed to do?” Misty crossed her arms with a pout, but before Micheal could answer there was a knock on the front door. The pair looked between themselves for a moment before Micheal got up to see who was there. Misty took the opportunity to finish drying off her hair, opting to just get Micheal to put it up in a bun when the young man in question returned with Jake. “Oh wow, look at you!”

Jake was decked out in what looked to be a military-type uniform, a dark navy blue, with red and gold accents. He was wearing a red sachet across his chest and had his hair fixed in place. Misty gave him a whistle then a wink, causing the poor man to blush slightly and shake his head at her antics.

“You had better not do that in front of the Royal court…” Jake began to lecture her once more, but Misty just waved him off, simply teasing her newfound friend. He could only sigh deeply in response before motioning her to sit on the bed. “I figured you might need some help and I’m well versed in all manners of etiquette.”

Apparently what Jake had implied was that he was great at hair and makeup. After no time at all Misty was wearing a light, natural layer of makeup to highlight her radiant skin, and give more focus to her stunning, chocolate brown eyes. Jake also managed to pin up her long, wavy black hair, giving it a free-flowing look and keeping it off her neck. Overall, a job very well done!

“Damn Jake! Great job!” Misty eyed herself in the mirror of the washroom and moved a few hairs around before announcing that she was ready. Micheal had insisted on helping her put on her heels, bending down, and tying the little boot laces up so that she wouldn’t have to bend over. It might have just been a ploy to touch her legs and tease her, but Misty tried not to think too hard on it.

The boys ended up arguing since Jake had stated that Micheal couldn’t drive, that he would not be allowed anywhere near the Villa to which Micheal was not happy. Misty eventually stepped in and told her best friend that she would be alright, she had her phone on her and would see him for breakfast at the local diner the next morning. That seemed to work as Micheal nodded his head and pouted adorably in response.

It took a little while for Jake to drive all the way up to Marabelle Villa, but honestly Misty did not mind. She loved the scenery, how the forest seemingly wrapped around their car and the mist began to descend from the mountain. It was early evening, but the sun was already hidden by the trees, leaving a faint ethereal glow in their wake.

“I have to apologize in advance, Jake, I will try to be on my best behaviour, but I can’t promise I won’t piss some people off.” Misty sighed, spotting the Villa approaching as she tried to steady her nerves.

“I am fully aware of your… behaviour. I will be there to quietly support you, but I cannot interfere in matters of the court unless your safety is in danger.” Jake spoke softly, glancing at Misty from the corner of his eye before pulling up outside of the Villa. She nodded her head in response, noticing several people all dressed the same and walking towards them.

Time to put this plan into action!

~

Misty had thought of a few different methods to deal with this new and, frankly, terrifying situation. She was head strong and dominant but not stupid, so attacking face first was not high on the list. However, trying to act all submissive and scared wasn’t her cup of tea either so pretending to need help and have her hand held was definitely a no-go. So that just left passive indifference while she collected as much information as possible and revealing as little about herself in return.

It did seem that this plan of hers would be enacted as soon as she stepped out of Jake’s car and looked up towards the Villa.

“Excuse me? Are you stupid or do you just have a death wish?! You are in the presense of a Princess!” A young woman wearing way too much makeup and a giant, poufy ball gown was standing at the top of the stairs into the Villa and yelling down at Misty. She was attended by at least three people, all bowing and trying to stay out of the path of her wrath which Misty found hilarious.

I should be the one to tell you to bow down, b*tch!

Misty turned her head to find Jake just behind her and off to the side, standing straight with his gaze cast on her. Well, if the second in command wasn’t bowing down to this spoiled brat than Misty wouldn’t either.

She reached out to take the front of her dress to hold, almost as if she would curtsy towards the grumpy princess but instead, she simply ascended the steps and completely ignored the woman. It shocked her into silence, she had probably never been ignored in her life and Misty felt a strange form of satisfaction for helping someone else learn something new.

Misty did not wait around for princess prissypants to storm after her, so she strode into the magnificent Villa and headed off towards where the ballroom would be. Of course, she knew the layout of the entire building, since Jake had explained everything to her earlier at her insistence. They had arrived quickly, thanks to Misty’s memory and determination as she stopped outside of the ballroom doors and eyed two guards and a woman with a clipboard.

“Sir Jake, welcome back.” The woman practically purred towards Jake, completely ignoring Misty which was quite interesting. Yet another person of the female persuasion that had some sort of attitude towards her for no reason. “Shall I introduce you to the room?”

Jake growled lowly, automatically not liking how this woman was treating Misty but she merely shook her head and gave him a look that said, ‘ignore her behaviour and let her do whatever she wants’. He nodded in understanding, stepping forward to allow the woman to announce him while Misty took up her new place behind the two of them.

When the doors were opened revealing the glamorous ballroom, Misty was actually grateful that she wasn’t the immediate centre of attention. The place was decorated in gold and silver, full of people wearing opulent outfits and more jewelry than she could ever imagine. There was a flash in her mind of the Shifters she had met at the care centre, and those on the beach that caused her to frown slightly. These people had everything, and those others had nothing.

So why was she there?

As the woman took hold of Jake’s arm and announced him to the room, including a long list of titles and acclamations, Misty slipped off to the side unnoticed and headed towards the buffet table. She wasn’t exactly hungry, but what better way to collect information than rub elbows over dessert?

“It is good to see Beta Jake again, I wonder where he was sent this whole time?” A large man covered in metals pinned to his jacket spoke, completely ignoring Misty’s appearance as she took up a plate and scanned the desserts.

“I am just shocked that Angela is still pining after him! She isn’t even a ranked Shifter; how dare she think that he would take her as his chosen mate!” Another man spoke, but this one seemed to have noticed Misty’s appearance and gave her a once over before smirking as if he saw something he liked. “And who might you be? The daughter of one of the lords?”

Misty took a small bite of some of the fruit she had picked up before shrugging her shoulders. She wasn’t technically lying, and it seemed that this man could give her some more info.

“This is my first gathering,” Misty spoke quietly, as if she didn’t want to upset the two men conversing, but really, she just wanted to stay as unnoticed as possible. The larger man seemed to finally find interest in Misty as he waved a server over and picked up a fresh glass of Champagne and handed it over to her with a toothy grin. Misty fought not to roll her eyes.

“Oh yes my dear, these types of parties can be overwhelming at first, but we are very happy to have you here! I am Duke Alberton, and this is Duke Sacress. Have you made the rounds yet little one?” The man held a hand out for Misty, as if gesturing for her to follow him into the fray and, well, it was as good a time as any to dive right in.

Although she had assumed that the two Duke’s were gross, old, flirty men, they were actually quite nice to her. It also turned out that they were mates, so not at all interested in Misty but definitely like sponges for a bit of gossip. She had been worried about attracting attention, but as soon as the two Duke’s recognized that she seemed shy, they did most of the talking as she was introduced to a plethora of guests. For the most part she had been correct, that the Royal court consisted of vapid, greedy people that treated those beneath them like dirt. She also didn’t miss the leering gazes from many of the men, and judgemental or even jealous looks from some of the women. Even the two Duke’s seemed to have a complete disassociation from reality, ordering servers, or rather servants around without a care for how busy they seemed.

Misty sighed, now standing with a few prominent men as they spoke of war tactics and how ‘annoying’ the people they oversaw had become. It seemed there was some sort of war going on, and although Misty hadn’t asked any questions about who they were fighting, she figured that it was very taxing on the general population. In fact, she had wanted to ask some questions, but she had learned from an earlier conversation that it wasn’t normal for a woman to speak, only listen and smile when directed.

Just when Misty had had enough, someone new was being announced to the room.

“May I have the attention of the Royal court! I now introduce his Royal Highness, King of the Lycans and ruler over all Shifters, King Tristan Sutherland!” The young woman from earlier announced, including more of the supposed King’s titles and credits to his name as if she was reading off his resume. She then added another introduction of a young woman, that bratty princess to be exact. “Also introducing, Princess Regina, soon-to-be Queen of the Shifter Kingdom!”

Well, that explained her attitude for sure. But Misty hadn’t really spared the walking marshmallow another thought, her focus now on the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on.

The King, or Tristan as he had been introduced, was tall and ruggedly handsome. He was well built but not too muscular, with an athletic body and a jawline that could cut glass. His dark brown hair had a wave not unsimilar to Misty’s own, but it only seemed to be cut past his ears and was expertly styled. However, it was his mesmerizing green eyes that truly caused Misty to lose herself, sinking deeper and deeper into his swirling orbs as if by magic. Maybe it had been magic, because the next thing Misty knew the room had grown silent as she snapped back to herself and looked around.

The court had bowed at the King’s entrance, even the princess seemed to expose her neck in submission to the King. Everyone, except for Misty. She inwardly cursed, but it was no matter since she had gathered all of the information that she needed for a first meeting.

As if emerging out of the darkness, Jake had suddenly appeared by her side as everyone stepped back and allowed the King to stride forwards and towards the mysterious girl. But there wasn’t a welcoming smile on the King’s face, more like one of appraisal and ultimate acceptance as if she was a pair of trousers one might buy for everyday use. That pissed Misty off even more than the shrill squawk of the princess upon seeing whom the King was looking at.

“You! This is where you ran off to? How dare you not bow to me at the front door!” The princess, Regina, was it? Almost stomped her foot in indignation and tried to move forward towards Misty in an attempt to do… something. But a growl from Jake put her back in her place, even causing the King to raise an eyebrow in question.

“I did not run off, I simply walked up the stairs, down the hall and into the ballroom. It does not matter now; I was just about to leave so you may enjoy the rest of your evening.” Misty answered properly, remembering to be courteous and even giving the pair a teeny-tiny curtsy before she made a move to leave. However, the King had other ideas.

“You will not leave; you have only just arrived.” Tristan’s voice was deep and rough, definitely something to swoon over if his arrogant attitude wasn’t practically dripping from his pores. He made a move to walk off, as if his word was law over Misty, but she knew better.

No one had a say over what she did and did not do.

“I will be leaving, I have work at the shelter tomorrow. You may have wished to arrive to your own gathering late, which is your prerogative, but that does not concern me in the least.” Misty spoke surely, with her head held high and could have easily burst out laughing as every set of eyes in the room stared at her as if she had grown a second head. But it was the princess that spoke up, or rather screamed, as she stomped over to Misty red as a tomato.

“How dare you! Who do you think you are?!?!?” Regina screeched, the sound like nails on a chalk board but Misty never flinched. This was all a game, and this spoiled princess was not very good at playing. Misty looked the other woman in the eyes, stepping up to her without an ounce of fear or intimidation as she smiled oh so sweetly and spoke clearly for everyone to hear.

“I am the Omega.”

~