Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 31 - A frozen surprise

Just as Chloe studied her own reflection in the mirror, a sudden knock reverberated on the door and Iron walked into the room, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in her transformed appearance. "What happened?" his voice was laced with astonishment. "Did something go wrong with your dress?"

Chloe smiled, enjoying the sight of his stunned expression. "No," she replied with confidence. "I decided it was time for you to see the real me, rather than conforming to my grandmother's expectations," she chuckled. “Will you help me with the zipper?”

Iron closed the distance between them, standing just behind her. He was so close, it sent tingles down her spine. "Honestly," he whispered, his voice a low, seductive rumble, "this is far more captivating." His breath was warm against her neck, and when his hand found the zipper, his touch sent a jolt of anticipation through her.

After carefully pulling up the zipper, he settled his hands firmly on her shoulders. Their gazes locked in the mirror, and Chloe appeared tiny in contrast to his imposing, powerful frame, accentuated by his impeccable tailored suit and stylish vest.

"Have you forgiven me yet?" he murmured in her ear, as he let his hands glide down her arms.

"Not quite yet," her voice was stern, but she couldn't help but give him a wry smile. "You'll have to work a little harder, I believe."

Iron chuckled. "I will do everything in my power to prove myself worthy," he vowed, determination gleaming in his eyes.

Chloe believed him. She truly did, despite her rational mind urged her to stay vigilant. But even if he had a long way to go, her heart was gradually warming towards this man who seemed genuinally open for change. But none of that mattered...

“Iron…” Chloe let down her gaze. She felt she had to tell him the truth, no matter how difficult. "Iron, I appreciate your attention and it's very flattering. But I can't become your Luna," she bit her lip. "I can't be anyone's Luna. I’m damaged goods, haunted by my past. My fated mate is out there somewhere, and I have to deal with him first before I can even think the thought of seeing someone."

"Hey..." Iron's voice grew soft, soothing. "I'll protect you," he murmured, his hands caressing her arms. "I've been waiting for you, Chloe. For so long… Now, when I finally got to meet you, you're everything I've imagined and so much more." He hunched down, searching her gaze. "Look at me. We are perfect for each other! Just let me prove it to you."

"How can you know?" she arched her eyebrows in skepticism. "You don't truly know me."

"Because sometimes, you just know," he smiled. "My wolf worships you! He thinks just as highly of you as I do." He watched her, his eyes filled with anticipation, seemingly hoping for a similar declaration from her. However, she remained silent, causing him to eventually straighten up with a sigh.

"Come," he offered her his arm. "They are waiting for us..."

Oh s**t! She had completely forgotten the time. Hastily, she donned the blue hooded coat Freya had given her, Iron looking at her with admiration in his eyes. They left her room together, and once again, Chloe marveled at how difficult it was to find the way through the castle, yet Iron effortlessly navigated their path. As they walked closer to the main hall, the atmosphere grew livelier, with people scurrying about, putting the final touches on the festivities.

"Are you ready?" Iron glanced down at her as she held onto his arm.

"Ready for what?" Chloe wondered aloud, but before she could receive an answer, the grand doors swung open, revealing the breathtaking castle grounds filled with a multitude of beautifully dressed people, each person more outstanding than the last. Beautiful young women wore voluminous, elegant gowns and fur coats similar to Chloe's, while the young men showcased their finest suits and wool coats.

The sky was blue and the sun beamed brightly overhead, casting a radiant glow on the snow-covered landscape. The castle grounds were a mesmerizing sight, with glistening snow and intricate ice sculptures adorning every corner, capturing the awe of everyone present. However, as Iron and Chloe descended the stairs leading to the castle grounds, people paused and stared at them, hushed whispers rippled through the crowd.

Chloe!" Freya hurriedly made her way towards them, wearing the same blue hooded coat as Chloe. Her face lit up with genuine delight. "You look absolutely stunning! You truly stand out in this crowd."

Following closely behind Freya, Marcus approached with a cool gaze, his expression tinged with a hint of jealousy. "Indeed, she's impossible to miss, especially with her constant accessory," he remarked, hinting at Iron by Chloe’s side.

Iron gave him a wolfish smile. "Oh, Marcus, don't be so sour," he teased and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "It's a magnificent day, and we're here to celebrate. Let's embrace the moment."

Iron cheerfully led them through the bustling crowd, introducing Chloe, Freya, and Marcus to some of his friends along the way. They exchanged warm greetings and engaging conversations, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Winter's Ball.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd once more, capturing their attention.

All eyes turned towards the entrance of the grand castle, where another couple emerged. It was none other than Arnulf and Cassiopeia, their expressions revealing a hint of dissatisfaction in each other's company. Cassiopeia forced a stiff smile, and as soon as they descended the staircase, she released her grip on Arnulf's arm and made her way toward Chloe and the others.

"Hello," Cassiopeia greeted them with a polite smile. Her hair was elegantly styled in braids and curls, a meticulous creation that surely took hours to perfect. She donned a shimmering blue dress with graceful long sleeves, exuding an air of regality. Chloe couldn't help but think she looked like a younger version of Queen Elsa in Frozen.

“You look stunning,” Chloe smiled at her.

“She looks just like everyone else,” Chloe’s wolf muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "All those blue dresses, blond hair, and blue eyes. They're like a bunch of little ice princesses."

Looking around, Chloe couldn't help but realize her wolf had a point. Most girls did share a striking resemblance, but she and Freya stood out with their unique black and vibrant red hair, respectively.

“You look…” Cassiopeia tilted her head. “Different. Maybe you went a bit overboard with the eyeliner, sweetie."

Chloe had to bite her tongue from saying something inappropriate. That little b***h! But never mind… Suppressing the urge to give a snappy response, she brushed it off and turned to Marcus, wanting to make eye contact with him.

“Ladies, gentlemen,” Arnulf had made his way to them as well, grabbing everyone’s attention. “We can’t let the Borg siblings accompany each other to the ball, can we?” He glanced at Freya, giving her a hungry look. "Cassie, what do you say? Shall we mix things up and pair ourselves with them?"

"For once, Arnulf, I actually agree with you," Cassiopeia replied, her smile widening as she hooked her arm through Marcus's. "I'd be delighted to be your date for tonight, Marcus Borg."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes as he glanced at Chloe. "Well..." he cleared his throat, seemingly unsure of how to respond.

“That’s a great idea,” Freya beamed, sliding her arm through Arnulf's and leaning in with glittering eyes. "What a fantastic trio we'll make!"

Chloe winced, feeling a twinge of discomfort. She didn't like the way Cassiopeia looked at Marcus or the way Arnulf ogled Freya. Besides, it meant she would have a hard time finding a moment alone with Marcus and Freya to discuss whether they should stay or not... Not that any of them seemed particularly eager to leave; quite the opposite, actually. But she had a bad hunch about Arnulf... something about him wasn't right. And even if she had told her grandmother she would stay, seeing him with Freya tempted her to reconsider her decision.

“Come,” Iron gestured for them to move. “Let’s go check out the ice sculptures. The auction is about to start.”

They wandered through the enchanting display of ice sculptures, marveling at the intricate details and patterns carved into the frozen art pieces. As they circled around a massive mammoth statue, Chloe seized the opportunity to grab Marcus's arm.

"Marcus," she whispered, hoping to catch his attention. He ignored her, but she pressed on. "Can you please look at me?"

"What now?” he sneered, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Did you lose your toy boy?"

Chloe groaned, feeling slightly exasperated. "Stop it. It's not what you think. Nothing happened between me and Iron last night."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident.

"I promise I'll explain later,” Chloe whispered. “But right now, I need you to know that I didn't sleep with him, if that's what you think. However, I do want to discuss whether we should leave."

"Leave?" Marcus chuckled dryly. "We can't just leave, Chloe. The Winter's Ball has only just begun."

"But maybe later tonight or tomorrow. Marcus, I don't trust Arnulf. I don't like the way he looks at Freya," Chloe pleaded.

Marcus nodded. "You're right, we shouldn't trust them. But I can handle Arnulf. And no matter what, we can't leave at this moment. Though I'm glad to hear that Iron didn't convince you to sleep with him."

"Not yet, at least," a rumbling voice interrupted from behind, and Iron appeared, his arm slipping casually around Chloe's back. "But who knows? Maybe tonight, I'll convince this lady that the North has a lot more to offer."

Chloe swiftly maneuvered out of his grasp, sending an excusing glance to Marcus. “Very funny,” she quirked up a brow for Iron.

Iron's grin widened, his gaze locking with Marcus, who visibly tensed up. "Did you let him in on our little secret? That I've conveniently moved into the room right next to yours?" he taunted, his eyes challenging Marcus. "I need to be as close to her as possible," he added firmly. "My wolf won't have it any other way… You see, he has already become very possessive over her. We believe she might be our second chance mate."

Chloe dropped her jaw and looked at him stunned, taken aback by his words. What did he just say? But Iron just shrugged it off, flashing her a mischievous grin before sliding his arm behind her back once more, guiding her through the bustling crowd. "Come on, there's something you absolutely have to see," he whispered into her ear.

The next moment, they found themselves standing in front of a captivating ice sculpture that was truly a breathtaking work of art, the ice so beautifully carved it appeared as if the statue would spring to life at any given moment. However, as Chloe's gaze fell upon it, a gasp of disbelief escaped her lips. Her hands instinctively flew to cover her mouth, standing there in wide-eyed astonishment and completely stunned.

“What the…” she breathed, not believing her own eyes.