The Time I Tripped into a Curse and got two Mates

Chapter 21

When the music shifted to a slower, more melodic tune, I gave the princes a graceful curtsy to signal the end of our time dancing. I turned to make my way toward a nearby table as I hoped to catch my breath and calm my fluttering heart. However, both Ivan and Malcolm followed closely behind me as if we three were magnetic forces unable to separate. As we walked to the table, the crowd’s whispers spread like wildfire and I had to admit, I sort of liked this positive attention. It was a welcomed change to what I was used to.

Before we could reach the table, we were intercepted by Alpha James and Luna Mora. The usually stern looking Alpha attempted a welcoming smile as he stood tall with his shoulders back. But it was Luna who captured my attention. Her grin was wide and artificial and her eyes gleamed with a predatory satisfaction that made Selene growl quietly in the back of my mind.

“Prince Ivan, Prince Malcolm,” Alpha James began. His tone was laced with formality and a touch of deference was noticeable, which he rarely used. “We are so pleased that you have joined us for the ball this year. I hope everyone has been welcoming and shown you the respect you deserve.” As he spoke, his gaze flicked to me and I knew the pointed remark was meant for my ears.

“The welcome we have received has been nothing less than extraordinary,” Ivan replied smoothly. As he spoke, he took a deliberate step closer to me and his arm brushed against mine in a gesture of subtle calm. His voice sounded rich and had an undertone that warned not to question him.

Malcolm, not to be outdone, leaned in from the other side and pressed his shoulder into mine as he grinned at me with a teasing wink. “Not to mention, the entertainment has been exemplary,” he added. His wink at me didn’t go unnoticed as I saw Alpha James raise his eyebrows.

Luna Mora’s smile shifted and became tighter, more strained. She turned her attention fully to me and I could see the underlying annoyance flicker behind her eyes. “Evelette, I’m glad I tasked you with welcoming the Lycans,” she said sweetly, though her voice carried a razor thin edge. “However, I think it’s time to stop monopolizing the prince’s evening. I’m sure they would like to mingle with other women.” She said as she gestured vaguely to the throngs of hopeful females who were now glaring daggers in my direction.

Malcolm’s expression hardened instantly and his tone took on a sharpness that cut through Luna’s pleasant facade.

“Actually,” he said, his voice held a dangerous edge, “we’d like to continue spending time with Evelette. She is our mate, afterall.” He reached for my hand and interlaced his fingers with mine in a possessive grip that sent a spark of heat up my arm.

Luna Mora’s face twisted into a mask of shock as her eyes widened to saucers. The look of pure astonishment on her face was almost too much for me and I had to bite down on the inside of my cheek to suppress a laugh. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she struggled to find words.

“Your ma…mate?” she stammered, barely able to get the word out. “Both of you are her mates?” Her voice was high pitched and squeaked a tad. Her mouth hung wide open and I silently hoped a fly might choose this moment to investigate.

Malcolm raised a single, dark eyebrow at Luna Mora and his lips parted as if to deliver a sharp retort. However, before she could speak, Alpha James intervened, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Please excuse Luna Mora,” he said hastily. “She simply assumed that two esteemed individuals such as yourselves would be mated to a woman of…higher rank.”

There it was…the dig I was expecting. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but before I could respond, Ivan’s gaze was already on me and his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Is she not of high rank?” he asked, his tone was genuinely puzzled.

I seized the moment to speak up before Luna or Alpha could poison the conversation further. “My father is the Gamma of the Blue Pearl Pack,” I explained as I lifted my chin slightly to meet Ivan’s gaze. “So, in all honesty, if we are talking about rank, I do have a higher rank than most.”

I could see the gears turning in Ivan’s mind as he processed my words. What would he have done if I wasn’t of higher rank? The thought prickled at me, but I pushed it aside.

Ivan’s lips quirked into a small, knowing smile as he looked back at Alpha James and Luna Mora. “Seems like everything is in order then,” he said simply.

“Regardless of her rank, we’d want her anyway,” Malcolm added swiftly and his tone filled with a fierce protectiveness that surprised me.

He shot a pointed look at Ivan, who nodded in agreement. A rush of warmth filled my chest at Malcolm’s words and I couldn’t help but feel a small spark of gratitude toward him. Despite his teasing nature and the cocky smile, he was standing up for me…no, claiming me…as his own. It was enough to make me soften a little more toward him.

Alpha James’ face darkened and his jaw tightened. Luna Mora’s false smile had completely vanished and was replaced by a thin, tight lipped expression that screamed frustration. The power dynamics had shifted and I could tell that neither of them liked it. Good. Let them stew in it for a while.

“Of course,” Alpha James finally said, his voice strained but polite. “We only wanted the best for our princes. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“Yes, enjoy the ball,” Luna Mora echoed, her voice hollow and bitter. She took a step back and I could tell she was practically seething.

As the Alpha and Luna moved away, I turned back to Ivan and Malcolm and felt the weight of their gazes upon me. The heat between us was undeniable, and as I stood there, still holding Malcolm’s hand, I realized just how much everything had changed.

We finally reached the table, and strangely, I was more nervous for this first real conversation than I had been during that sultry dance display we’d just put on. My heart pounded with every step and I could feel the weight of Ivan and Malcolm’s gazes burning into me. I felt exposed. Vulnerable.

Ivan, apparently never the one for small talk, leaned forward. “What was that about?” he asked without preamble.

Good, something direct that I could answer. “That was the Alpha and the Luna trying to dissuade you from accepting me,” I said matter-of-factly as I kept my tone steady, even though my nerves were anything but.

Ivan’s expression shifted to one of incredulity as his brows knitted together. “And why would they do that?” His voice held a mixture of disbelief and a touch of anger.

I hesitated and dropped my gaze to my hands. My fingers toyed with the edge of the tablecloth, twisting it nervously.

“Well,” I began, my voice a bit quieter now, “because I was actually going to be exiled to live with the humans after the ball.” I forced myself to look up and meet Ivan’s gaze head on.

Ivan’s reaction was immediate and he took in a sharp breath as his eyes narrowed into slits. “I ask again, why?” he demanded. His voice was colder now, almost like an ice blade.

I took a deep breath and the air felt heavy in my lungs. “He gave me a deadline for my first shift. He said if I wasn’t able to shift by tonight, then I would have to leave the pack and live with the humans.” I explained. My voice was steady but it was filled with a quiet anger that simmered beneath the surface.

Ivan’s eyes widened and the shock was evident in his face. “And I take it you haven’t shifted yet tonight,” he stated, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

“You would be correct,” I confirmed and nodded slightly. “Though I wasn’t planning on actually going to live with the humans.” I paused and felt the heat rise in my cheeks. “I had a plan to…erm…leave with the Lycans and live in the Lycan Kingdom.” I glanced up at them and felt a bit sheepish now that I was saying it out loud.

Malcolm’s chuckle broke the tension. “Did you now?” he asked with amusement dancing in his golden eyes. “And I’m guessing Captain Luke had something to do with that plan.” He finished with a devilish glint in his eyes, clearly enjoying himself. This man had an interesting sense of humor.