The Lycan’s forbid desire

Chapter 4

Elara Pov

I tried to focus on Father's conversation but my mind kept drifting back to the garden. To what I'd seen, to those dark eyes that had held mine while he moved inside that woman.

My hands trembled. I clasped them together to hide it.

"Garrick your daughter looks pale." One of the merchants said. "Is she well?"

"She's fine." Father answered for me. "Just overwhelmed by the occasion."

If only he knew.

I scanned the ballroom trying to distract myself. Trying to think about anything except what had happened in those shadows.

"Boring isn't it."

I turned. A girl stood beside me wearing yellow silk and perfect blonde curls.

"What?"

"The ball. All this waiting for the prince." She sipped champagne. "Everyone's waiting to see if he'll actually show up."

"He's not here?"

"Not yet. He always arrives late." She studied me. "You're Garrick Harworth's daughter right? Engaged to Darius Myrlander."

My stomach turned. "Yes."

"Third wife. That must be interesting."

Heat crept up my neck. "Not the word I'd use."

"I'm Cecily Thornton." She offered her hand. "My father dragged me here hoping I'd catch the prince's eye. As if that would ever happen."

"Why not?"

"Have you seen the competition? Every unmated omega in the kingdom is here."

I followed her gaze. Noble daughters clustered like flowers on display. Their mothers hovered with sharp eyes and calculated smiles.

"At least you don't have to parade around hoping to be chosen." Cecily continued. "Your future is settled."

"Lucky me." The bitterness surprised even me.

She looked at me carefully, he really looked at me. "You don't want to marry him."

It wasn't a question.

"Does anyone want to be someone's third wife? To be traded like property to settle debts?"

"Fair point." She finished her champagne. "Still. Better to know your fate than stand here like cattle at auction."

Was it though? At least these girls had hope. However small, they could dream the prince might choose them.

I had nothing. My future was signed and sealed.

The musicians started a new song. Couples moved onto the dance floor in coordinated steps.

A ripple went through the crowd. Conversations stopped mid sentence, heads turned toward the entrance.

The room fell completely silent.

"Oh god." Cecily grabbed my arm hard enough to hurt. "He's here."

"Who?"

But I already knew. Everyone knew.

I looked where everyone else was looking. A man stood in the doorway. He was tall, dark haired. He commanded the space effortlessly just by standing there.

My stomach dropped.

It was him. The man from the garden.

"He's gorgeous." Cecily sighed like she'd been holding her breath. "Every girl here would kill to be his bride."

I couldn't speak, couldn't move or do anything except stare as Prince Thorne Blackstone walked into the ballroom.

He moved like he owned not just the palace but the entire kingdom. People stepped aside automatically, women watched him with hungry eyes. Men looked envious and respectful.

A man walked beside him. Tall and broad shouldered with jet black hair and warm blue eyes. He moved with the easy confidence of someone who belonged at the prince's side.

Thorne took his seat beside Queen Matilda. The scramble began immediately, nobles rushed forward with introductions. Daughters were presented with rehearsed curtsies, mothers smiled with calculated charm.

But the prince looked bored, detached. He nodded at the right moments but his eyes were empty.

Then his gaze swept the room.

Searching and hunting.

I tried to shrink back, tried to blend into the wall.

But it was too late.

His eyes found me immediately across the crowded ballroom.

Recognition flashed in his face. Instant and unmistakable.

He remembered.

Heat flooded my face but I couldn't look away. His eyes held mine like they had in the garden.

Then he leaned toward the man beside him. Murmured something, the man's blue eyes found me.

Both of them were looking at me now.

"Are you alright?" Cecily asked. "You look like you're going to faint."

I couldn't answer.

Then Thorne smiled. Slow and dangerous.

"Oh my god." Cecily squeezed my arm. "He's looking at you."

"No he's not."

"There's a wall behind us. He's looking at you."

The prince stood, started moving through the crowd. His gaze never left mine.

"What did you do? How do you know him?"

"I don't."

Prince Thorne moved through the crowd. People stepped aside. His gaze stayed locked on me.

Ten feet away. Five feet.

Then Father appeared between us.

"Your Highness." He bowed so low I thought he might fall over. "What an incredible honor."

Prince Thorne's expression didn't change, his voice was cold. "You're in my way."

Father straightened looking confused. "I apologize Your Highness. I'm Garrick Harworth. This is my daughter Elara."

"I know exactly who she is." The prince's eyes flicked to Father then back to me. "I'd like to speak with her. Alone."

"Of course. Of course." Father stepped aside so quickly he almost tripped. "Elara say hello to His Highness properly."

I managed a curtsy even though my knees felt weak. "Your Highness."

"Walk with me." It wasn't a request. It was a command.

"She's engaged." Father blurted it out like he couldn't help himself. "To Darius Myrlander, a very respectable match. The wedding is in three weeks."

Prince Thorne finally looked at Father properly. His expression was ice. "Did I ask about her engagement?"

Father paled. "No Your Highness. I just thought you should know the situation."

"I know everything I need to know about the situation." He turned back to me and offered his arm. "Shall we Miss Harworth?"

I looked at Father, he nodded frantically. His eyes begged me not to embarrass him.

What choice did I have? You didn't say no to a prince.

I took his arm. His hand covered mine, it was arm and strong. Electricity shot through me.

We walked toward the balcony. The crowd parted, eyes followed us.

Outside the night air hit my face. Prince Thorne closed the doors.

We were alone.

He leaned against the rail, looked at me. Really looked at me.

When he smiled it was slow and knowing and terrifying.

Because I understood with chilling certainty that he remembered me. He remembered everything and he wasn't going to let me forget it.