The Last Alpha

Chapter Four - Defying a Prince

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Leon. I must thank you on behalf of our family for your attendance at our most precious events. I presume you will also be attending my brother's ceremony, as that is also right around the corner." I spoke frankly to the prince. I did not feel the need to jump around the subject.

I felt Edward glance at me with worry on his face. I ignored him and the mental warning he was sending my way; he was almost threatening me not to annoy the prince.

The prince just smiled sweetly at me and turned to my brother for the first time.

"I wouldn't miss it. It is an extraordinary event that even I would not dare to miss. And if I am being honest, my father is expecting a report from me on how these things work, as your pack is actually not under our kingdom. I am here to enable peace to continue between us." Something about the way he said this put me on edge. The prince then departed, stating something about greeting the rest of our guests.

I found myself on guard most of the evening. Many of the men in attendance asked me for a dance; I had probably danced with every unmated male here that I wasn't related to, except for a few that actually knew me and the prince who had spent the evening talking and flirting with all the unmated she-wolves here, most of whom were hoping were mated to Jackson and my brother.

I was taking a break and got myself something to drink. The ceremony would begin soon and I didn't need to be there, so I might as well enjoy the time I had left. I am not much of a drinker, so this is a first for me. I had been fairly distant from my emotions tonight, but now I was alone with my thoughts, it was all catching up with me, leaving me in a bit of a state. Then the person I wanted to see most came up to me.

"One dance?" Jackson said to me. I smiled a small smile and took his outstretched hand. I know he was only doing this as I was the Alphas' daughter; it was seen as a sign of respect, but that didn't make me feel any better. I wanted this to mean more to him.

Jackson kept our bodies at a distance, but not so much that people would notice. It was awful, but I really expected this dance to mean more and feel better, but it just made me feel like s**t. This isn't what I wanted out of tonight, thankfully it will be over soon.

I looked up into Jackson's eyes, thinking to myself that this was the first and last time we would be like this. Jackson held my gaze and I felt empty, I felt the need to run from this party and forget I ever loved the man in front of me. 10 months and this will be for me also; it won't be quite as grand. I am not taking an official position within the pack, so it didn't have to be, but I was still the daughter of the current Alpha.

"You look beautiful tonight", Jackson said to me after a minute of just dancing.

"Thank you. You look nice yourself." I said. I could only manage a half smile whilst saying so.

Jackson wore a black suit and white shirt, he looked good; I could see the muscles in his arms fighting with the suit to break free with each movement. I suppose it was just for one night, so it wouldn't entirely matter.

"What's wrong, Thalia? You look lost a bit tonight," Jackson pointed out.

I looked at him. I wasn't really sure what to tell him. But I wasn't expecting what was to come out of my mouth, perhaps the liquid courage from earlier aided in this.

"Today is the last time I can think about you. I don't want to see you mated with someone else." I instantly blushed, I wasn't ready to say that at all.

"Why didn't you ever tell me this?"

"How was I meant to? You're my brother's best friend. Kind of complicates things," I replied.

"Thalia, you've always been more than my friend's sister. We can talk in the morning. We should see how tonight plays out. Then we can talk." He whispered quietly. I noticed how he pulled me closer as well. My eyes widened at the sudden closeness of our bodies.

Jackson turned as someone tapped on his shoulder. It was Prince Leon.

"Mind if I step in?" He asked, his alpha aura filling the small space around us. Jackson had no choice but to let go of me.

Jackson stepped away and bowed quickly to the Prince before walking towards his father.

"That wasn't very nice your highness," I spoke as I took his hand.

"Please, call me Leon. And I am sure I don't know what you mean."

"I can still feel your aura falling back, Leon." I felt as his aura went back to normal.

"Impressive, not many notice, they just react. Except you. What makes you special, I wonder?" I had to look up at Leon, he was quite tall, taller than Jackson and Edward. Thankfully, I wasn't exactly short anyway. His suit fits much better than Jackson's; I could tell he was muscular, but his suit was made to match his body perfectly. I cursed at myself for admiring him.

"I am not special. There is nothing special about me at all. I just pay attention." I replied, and it was the truth. I was rather observant.

"So I see." His statement made me feel uneasy, but being there in his arms felt good. I felt calm touching him and being touched by him. What was this? What am I feeling?