The Price of the Luna's Vengeance

Chapter 7: The First Task

*Elias*

While I had never set foot within the Shimmer Stone Pack’s borders, I was very much aware of the reputation that they upheld as a large and successful pack community.

In a way, I found the pack similar to my own found family. They have been around for far longer, generations and generations but they were supposedly formed by an Alpha who had been kicked out of his own pack. These were only rumors of course so I couldn’t say for certain if they were true but I was willing to investigate further in the future to find out.

I was surprised by the lack of security upon passing the borders of Shimmer Stone. All I had to do was tell the young shifter patrolling that I had an invitation to the ball and he let me through without question, no identification or anything.

How foolish.

Shimmer Stone’s city was sprawling with bustling shops and laughing citizens. The buildings were towering and clean, the streets clear of any garbage. It was almost utopian in nature. One little girl, holding her father’s hand, waved at me. It was like something in a fairy tale opening scene.

I had debated bringing a few of my men with me, or perhaps just Marcus but ultimately decided against it. First of all, it was unclear how many people could attend the party under one invitation but also, my men were a bit rough around the edges and could raise suspicion if they accompanied me.

Now, as I traveled on my own through the streets, I found that I blended in easily. No one looked wary of me. Part of that could have been the dark, tailored suit that I was wearing. I must have looked unassuming. It was probably no secret that there was an eventful ball happening at the Alpha and Luna’s estate.

I felt a smirk touch the corner of my mouth as I thought about the way Kya had tried to avoid mentioning that she was the daughter of an Alpha. It had obvious since she was carried through my door that she had something to hide from me. She only mentioned her first name, which had been my first real clue.

It was unfortunate for her that I was able to obtain an invitation to her ball.

The Shimmer Stone estate was just as immaculate than I imagined it would be. The pack was the largest and most economically successful for hundreds of miles. It was definitely apparent in the lush gardens surrounding the opulent marble fountain. The garden was huge and was a labyrinth of rare and imported plants.

The home itself was a marvel of architectural brilliance with stark white pillars and arched windows. It looked like the ball was already in full swing judging from the music pouring out from inside and the fact that there were only a few people arriving. I could hear a plethora of laughter and cheerful chatter from inside as well, mingling nicely with the music.

I ascended the sleek steps leading up to the large double doors. They opened before I could reach out and I was immediately greeted by a couple of nicely-dressed guards who nodded curtly to me but swept their hands out as if I were their Alpha.

As I entered, I was greeted by a scene of colorful ballgowns and golden fixtures. There were more men than women, which was to be expected given the point of the event. I craned my neck, scanning the large ballroom but didn’t immediately see Kya. Perhaps she would be making some kind of grand entrance later on in the night.

I smirked a bit imagining the look on her face when she saw me here. Something I learned from our first and only interaction was that she wasn’t the best at hiding her emotions. She had an expressive face that tended to give her thoughts and feelings away.

That was a dangerous trait to have but at least it meant that she wouldn’t be able to hide anything from me throughout the duration of our agreement.

She would be a good little servant.

“Good evening.”

I looked up to find a young woman standing before me, her blue eyes wide with what could only be described as hope.

“Good evening,” I greeted her, trying to understand the look in her eye.

She looked down almost shyly. “Forgive me, I noticed you over here by yourself and thought that you might appreciate some company.”

I felt my eyebrows rise up but I controlled my expression. “I’m quite content on my own,” I said at last.

The girl looked down, disappointed, her plump lower lip poking out in a pout. “I suppose you wouldn’t fancy a dance then?” she asked, almost petulantly.

I could feel my annoyance starting to rise. “You would suppose correctly,” I said, waving her off.

She gasped before glowering at me. I watched with some amusement as she stomped off.

Unfortunately for me, that wasn’t the last time I was approached by a female. I was amazed that it happened almost a dozen more times. I had hoped to keep a lower profile than this but it didn’t seem as if that was going to be possible.

“Elias,” a tiny voice hissed.

I turned to find Kya standing before me, dressed in a gorgeous blue gown with crystals embedded into it. I might have spent far too long allowing my eyes to rake up and down her body, taking in the way that the soft fabric clung to her small frame and then flared out around her full hips.

“Good evening, Miss Kya,” I said in a low voice, bowing for effect. “Might I say that that is a beautiful dress. It suits you.”

Kya’s cheekbones colored a dusty pink before she shook her head hard as if to clear it. She refused to be distracted. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a hushed voice, obviously not wanting anyone else to hear.

I couldn’t help but tilt my head innocently. “Is me being here posing some kind of problem?” I asked. “I was under the impression that every eligible gentleman was invited tonight.”

Kya narrowed her eyes, her jaw clenching as she glowered up at me. “Yes, that is correct,” she said. “And you are not an eligible gentleman. How did you acquire an invitation? You shouldn’t have been able to get in here without one.”

I could feel the amusement on my face growing and I reached into my jacket pocket, producing the invitation and holding it out to her. She snatched it from my hands immediately and studied it carefully. After a long moment, she handed it back, looking puzzled by the whole situation.

I watched her for a moment. “I could leave if you want me to,” I said finally, mostly just wanting to get some kind of reaction out of her.

It had the desired effect. Her eyes rounded and her head snapped up so she was once again looking up at me. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, studying every inch of my face, as if my intentions would be written somewhere if she looked hard enough.

I glanced over to a group of people who were watching us curiously. I made a big show of bowing low and offering her my arm. “I would be honored if you danced with me, Miss Kya,” I said, loud enough for the people closest to us to hear.

Her face reddened but she didn’t stop glaring at me. She jutted her chin up but looked almost wary. “Is that an order?”

I smirked. “Not unless you force me into making it one.”

She considered that for a moment. I could practically see the wheels turning in her mind as she debated what to do. She was suspicious of me, which was understandable due to my reputation. She must have been extremely desperate to avenge her late fiance if she was willing to seek me out.

Finally, she too noticed that we were being watched by quite a few of the guests. It made her cheekbones color nicely once again. She hastily grabbed my arm and I wasted no time in guiding her to the middle of the dance floor.

The next song was about to start so as soon as we were in the middle of the room, I settled one hand on her waist and took her hand in my other one.

I was also gathering that Kya wasn’t like a lot of women. She was sharp and seemed to have a deep understanding that people had layers.

She barely knew me and she already seemed to be slowly trying to unpeel mine. I would need to be careful around her for that reason.

“You have a beautiful home,” I complimented as the music started. I began to lead us into a simple spin, carefully guiding her away from me before pulling her back.

“Thank you,” she said curtly. She pursed her lips for a moment. “Forgive me but you have traveled all of this way and I doubt it was to attempt to woo me.”

I chuckled. “Are you fairly certain of that?” I asked in a low voice.

Her face flamed once again but she shook it off just as quickly as she had before. “Yes,” she said. “Did you come to give me my first assignment? I was under the impression you were going to send for me when you needed me.”

“You are already completing your first task as we speak,” I told her.

Her jaw dropped. “By dancing with you?” she asked.

I didn’t answer but craned my neck when I noticed an older couple who could only be the Alpha and Luna of Shimmer Stone. They looked pleased as they watched me dancing with their daughter.

Kya looked behind her to follow my gaze and her eyes widened when she saw her parents watching us.

After the song was over, the Alpha and Luna approached us. The Alpha held out his hand toward me. “Forgive me but I don’t believe we’ve met. May I ask where you come from?”

I lowered my head respectfully to both the Alpha and Luna. “Good evening,” I said. “My name is Elias Thornfield. I come from a pack far away called QuickSilver Pack.”

I could feel Kya’s intense gaze on me but I ignored it. Of course I couldn’t give my true identity. I could very well be detained and then killed if they found out who I really was.

“A pleasure,” the Alpha said, gripping my hand firmly. He chuckled then, giving me an almost sly look. “I must say that I haven’t seen my daughter dance more enthusiastically than when she danced with you just now.”

“Father!” Kya snapped embarrasedly.

I chuckled good-naturedly. “I would hope that she enjoys dancing with me since we are engaged.”

Kya’s head whipped around while her parents gasped.