Call of the North

Chapter 10

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As Kai led me down the steps from our room to the base quarters of the palace, I was increasingly aware of the beating of my heart which was much faster than usual. Kai must have sensed this and squeezed my hand in comfort as we finally descended and made our way to the room full of music and voices.

Many voices.

When we approached the closed doors that separated us from the ballroom, Kai let go of my hand just to move in front of me.

"It will be alright, just focus on my parents and me and you'll do good. Among all the other Lunas, you are the first. They look up to you, not down."

He gave me a kiss on the forehead before resuming his place at my side, signaling the staff to announce us.

"You'll do great, Ainsling."

Something in his words calmed my pounding heart as the announcer began his speech.

"Prince Kai, First Alpha of Wolves, Alpha of the Crescent Pack, and heir to the throne along with his mate, Princess Ainsling, First Luna of Wolves, Luna of the Crescent Pack, and next in line to the Queen of Wolves."

While I was still trying to regain my breath after hearing the multiple titles for both of us, the door opened. I glanced towards Kai who had plastered a smile onto his features. Although it was more business-like, it was still part of Kai.

Forcing myself to do the same, I blinked just slightly at the lights that shined in my face from the multiple chandeliers as the doors were finally opened. Kai lightly squeezed my hand as he led me down to the parting room where I could see people had stopped talking and dancing to watch the new arrivals.

As we walked down the line, I saw eyes on me, curious ones that made my wolf want to snarl and make them avert their eyes. However, I kept it in and looked at the end of our path where the King and Queen sat atop their thrones, overlooking the guests in the room. Both of them were smiling and it warmed my heart, calming me down as I looked at my future family. I knew then that I had chosen the right path, that I had made the right decision in coming here and forgoing my former life in order to be a part of this new family.

Maybe I felt safer than I had ever been, but something told me that this was my home now, and I didn't want to ever leave.

With this in my head, the smile on my face was real and brighter. My steps were more confident as the Alpha's and Luna's in the room soaked in our presence. After meeting some eyes, I lowered my head in respect, not wanting to create any enemies based on a single look.

When we were finally just below the balcony where Kai's parents resided, Kai pulled lightly on my fingers, signaling us to stop.

As Kai bowed and I curtsied, I heard the King's voice booming above us to make sure everyone in the room heard him.

"In celebration of my son and future daughter-in-law, we have invited you all here today to give them the blessings of a successful courtship, and hopefully, a marriage soon."

As my head was still bowed, I felt my face heat up again and when I looked over at Kai, his cheeks were tinted pink.

"Let the celebration begin!"

The crowd began to clap. A few of them shouted congratulations as the music began. Kai looked at me and held out his hand.

"May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

I couldn't help but smile and nod.

Taking my hand, he led me to the middle of the ballroom where the dancers had parted for us. I placed my hand around his shoulder and felt his hand loop around my waist, taking most of my weight.

"I'm not very good at dancing..." I murmured quietly when his hand entwined my other.

"That's alright. I'll teach you.." He lay his head against mine and began sliding along the floor slowly, my feet somewhat in sync with his.

"Relax, and block everything else out." I heard his voice enter my thoughts as they were too focused on not tripping or falling on my face in front of many people.

"But I can feel everyone's eyes on me." I protested, hating how whiny I sounded.

"They only are because you are the most beautiful Luna they have ever seen. Just focus on me."

I willed myself to do it and suddenly, even the music was forgotten as I let myself get lost in Kai's gaze. I was aware of our movement but not our location just as I was aware of his heartbeat but not his breathing.

Kai pushed me back slightly and I felt myself twirling along and then right back into his arms. I felt like my feet were dancing on clouds and I was like a cool breeze. It was only through the hot breath of the man in front of me that I regained awareness that I was actually still lying on the ground.

I didn't realize that his face was getting closer and closer to mine until they were already on my lips. Even then, I was too distracted to realize that we had stopped dancing, and were just standing in the middle of the dance floor.

His lips were soft, lightened with the scent of rainwater in a forest, the ground damp with the smell of moss and wet grass. My body seemed to take control of the rest as I felt my hand rake through his hair. The other entwined itself to secure the back of his head. His lips melted into mine, tasting faintly of new beginnings, the promise of the night to come.

I heard him groan just a bit through the kiss and reluctantly, he pulled away. Both of us were panting slightly. Looking around, I noticed that very few people looked at us, but they turned away as a way to avoid being caught.

I didn't have to look into every corner of the ballroom to know that desire wafted off the two of us more heavily than the smell of manure. I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked behind me to see the outline of a short but bulky man. He had what looked like a sneer on his face. When I let a small amount of my power surround him, his aura was the color of black. Black signaling evil.

"May I have this dance, Princess?" I guess Kai couldn't see the look of fear on my face as I turned around to ask him but he nodded, giving me the opportunity to be alone with him.

The hands that grabbed my waist were not too gentle, but very firm. I had to wiggle and adjust myself so that he was not digging into my ribs.

"Well, Princess, how do you fare being the next in line to the Queen?" I was somewhat shocked by the blunt question but reminded myself that Kai had warned me that most people would be more interested in my soon-to-be title rather than my personal life.

While it's overwhelming, I'm confident the Queen will teach me her ways once the time comes." I replied neutrally, knowing well that any mistake could ruin my career.

"Hm, well you should keep that title, Miss. There's always a possibility that people like you will find ways to escape their titles in the future. Some secrets are just part of the issue."

He gave me a twirl, giving me a moment to think about his words while remaining calm.

"You are right. Secrets would be the definition of someone's failure if they were public. Thankfully nobody around here has those."

"Oh but Miss Ainsling, everybody does. Including yourself."

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as he gave a smile, and then the music was over, closing the end of the dance.

Afterward, I heard the man's words as he bowed and swept right past me. "Make sure nobody finds out about you, Miss Ainsling."

I couldn't help but swallow the large lump in my throat as he obviously threatened me. I felt another hand on my shoulder and looked at the man who introduced himself as Alpha Liutus. As he asked me for a dance, I couldn't help but feel my mind continue to trail back to the other man's words.

Did he know who I was?