Wicked lessons from the Alpha

A full dance-card

*Faye*

One should not complain about having an abundance of something that others desperately wish to obtain. Therefore, I refrain from complaining about my aching toes, which are the result of enjoying the attention of too many gentlemen.

Instead, I comfortably settle myself on the plush ottoman in the female retiring room and raise a swollen foot, allowing my lady's maid to replace my worn-out slippers with new ones. This is the second time tonight that I have had to excuse myself from the ballroom, promising a disappointed gentleman that I will be available to entertain him in my mother's parlor the following afternoon.

However, I don't disclose that he won't be the only one in attendance. I try to leave a few dances open for some respite, but the gentlemen are persistently insistent, claiming their night would be incomplete without a turn around the ballroom floor with me in their arms.

So, I give in to their charm.

And they are indeed charming, every last one of them. That is part of my dilemma… how to differentiate genuine charm from deception?

Throughout the night, I have been searching the shadows for Hunter, but it appears that he hasn't arrived. His message a few days ago, "He will know your favorite flower," had given me hope that he would be present at Claybourne's ball to assist me in identifying the fortune hunters.

However, I cannot assume that a man with empty coffers is solely after my wealth. On my own, I have managed to eliminate some of the men who were clearly interested in my dowry. They always possess a certain greediness in their eyes and speak of grand plans they could achieve with my inheritance.

A rather pitiful approach to courtship.

However, most of my suitors are not as overt and rarely mention my financial assets.

Courtship is truly an art, and these gentlemen have certainly mastered it. As the most sought-after debutante of the mating Season, boasting the largest dowry, I attract the most attention, much to the dismay of the other she-wolves who know they will only receive the remnants.

With a sigh, I rise from my seat. "Thank you, Felicity." While it's not commonplace for the ranked wolves to express gratitude to their servants, I have grown up hearing my mother constantly thank them. Being a product of the streets, my mother appreciates everything and treats everyone as though they matter because, to her, they truly do. And she has instilled that value in me.

Felicity assists in taming my unruly hair, attempting to secure the rebellious strands. My curls have a tendency to break free from their restraints. After a final glance in the mirror, I turn and almost collide with Miss Cornelia.

She possesses all the curves that I lack.

"Please release Alpha Ambrose from your spell," Miss Cornelia whispers.

"Pardon?"

Miss Cornelia casts cautious glances around, as if she expects demons to be lurking in the corners. However, the only other two debutantes in the room are engrossed in their conversations while their maids attempt to tame their hair.

"Alpha Ambrose... if you were to inform him that he stands no chance of winning your favor, he might seek alternative means to secure the funds necessary for his horse-breeding endeavors." She says.

"Do you fancy him?" I inquire.

"He is not unattractive. I must admit I favor him. Besides, I have a profound fondness for horses, particularly his magnificent thoroughbreds. And his estate is simply enchanting. I would be thrilled to become his Luna."

Although love seems to be absent from Miss Cornelia's motivations, I ponder my dance card. It is not my place to judge what brings happiness to someone else. "Who do you have for the fifteenth dance?"

"No one. I have only managed to secure three dances thus far. My dowry is nowhere near as substantial as yours, and my father lacks the same level of influence. I am burdened with my ghastly black hair and a complexion as pale as my mother's tablecloth. My brother often compares me to a ghoul."

I offer a smile. "Brothers can be quite hideous, can't they?"

"You are fortunate that yours aren't present for this mating Season."

"I am indeed fortunate." Seeking to strengthen our bond, I clasp Miss Cornelia's arm. "Just before the fifteenth dance, meet me by the doors leading to the terrace. I suspect my feet will be in too much pain to enjoy the quadrille. Perhaps you would be kind enough to dance with Alpha Ambrose in my place."

Miss Cornelia beams, and I no longer see any resemblance to a ghoul. Instead, she appears more like an angel. "The other girls are envious of the attention you receive, you know."

"I am aware. But we always desire what others possess."

"What do you desire?"

I gently squeeze her arm. "I desire for you to have Alpha Ambrose."

Before Miss Cornelia can inquire further, I depart from the room. I have no intention of admitting to anyone, except perhaps Hunter, that I yearn for love. I do not wish to be portrayed as a pitiful creature who doubts her own worth. Yet, there are moments when I fear that love will be denied to me.

Gracefully, I descend the stairs leading to the first landing. Alpha Vexley stands there, his elbow resting on the first baluster. He is quite possibly one of the most handsome men I have ever encountered. His black hair is impeccably styled, with not a single strand of rebellion. His deep blue eyes glisten, and his smile is wide and inviting.

"I was beginning to think I would have to ascend those stairs and drag you out of that private room where she-wolves retreat to engage in who knows what," he playfully teases as I approach.

"You were waiting for me?"

"I was. The next dance is mine, and unlike some of the other gentlemen, I am not willing to relinquish a waltz with the most exquisite woman in this room." He extends his arm as I step off the last stair.

I place my hand in the crook of his elbow. "You flatter me, my Alpha."

"I truly believe we would make an extraordinary pair."

He guides me into the ballroom just as the music begins to fade into silence. Impeccable timing, indeed. And he is undeniably handsome. I do wish that I felt something more than mere contentment in his presence.

Regrettably, none of the gentlemen vying for my affections stirs my heart. It continues to beat with its same unwavering rhythm, regardless of whether I am thinking of them, dancing with them, or engaging in conversation. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of them, but there is also nothing profoundly right.

"Did my favorite tulips arrive after Ainsley's ball?" he asks.

"They did." Not my absolute favorites, but a close second. "And so did the chocolates." I had not bothered to send them to Hunter. I am willing to go only so far to convince him that I am in need of his assistance, and surrendering chocolate is a step too far.

Although I do wonder if they would have made a difference in securing his cooperation. In his younger days, chocolate had been his preferred indulgence. However, he is not the same person he once was. If he were, he would have prioritized my needs above his own and been willing to help. On the other hand, he did acknowledge the arrival of the flowers, albeit not to the extent I had hoped for, but it was better than no response at all.

It occurs to me that if I want to garner further assistance from him, I may have to resort to more drastic measures.