CHAPTER 2
2119 Words
AMELIA
His words echo in the hall, filling the air with palpable tension. I swallow hard, struggling to control the waves of panic threatening to engulf me. The man begins to pace the hall, stopping in front of each of us to examine closely.
When he finally approaches me, I feel my heart freeze in my chest. His dark eyes fixed on me, probing me as if reading my deepest thoughts.
For an endless moment, we stand in silence, locked in a game of gazes that seems to transcend time and space. Then, finally, he moves away, and his interest seemingly dissipates.
A collective sigh of relief echoes through the hall, but I can barely breathe. My legs tremble under the weight of relief, and I lean against one of the marble columns to prevent myself from falling to the ground.
As the man continues his inspection of the other girls, I find myself lost in my thoughts.
What would happen now? And where is the king?
These thoughts whirl in my mind like a furious storm, clouding my reasoning and undermining my determination.
I wish with every fiber of my being that he would simply ignore me, that he would choose another girl to be his wife. But deep down, I know I cannot escape my destiny. I am destined to be one of the twelve chosen ones, no matter how much I wish otherwise.
"The ball will begin now, and each of you is free to explore and enjoy yourselves before our king's decision. Explore and enchant your king.", he says with a smile. The murmurs intensify, and the girls begin to move, following the man who has been assigned to lead them through the double doors.
I join the group, my heart still pounding hard in my chest. The tension in the air is palpable as we advance through the hall, each step feeling heavier than the last.
When the doors open before us, I am greeted by a stunning sight. A larger hall stretches out before me, illuminated by chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Richly decorated tables are arranged around the space, covered with a variety of foods and drinks that I have never seen before.
My eyes widen at the scene, absorbing every detail with fascination and a hint of apprehension. There are beings of all kinds and sizes gathered there, a mishmash of supernatural creatures that seem to have stepped out of legends and fairy tales.
As the twelve girls enter the hall, I feel curious and suspicious looking at us. I feel more nervous than ever, aware that we are the center of attention at that moment.
I decide to walk towards one of the tables, seeking some kind of refuge in the familiarity of the furniture. Around me, elegantly dressed people converse animatedly, their smiles and laughter filling the air with a festive atmosphere.
Soft music begins to echo through the hall, filling it with its enveloping melody. I look around in wonder, trying to absorb all the grandeur and opulence of the place.
The enticing aromas of the food and drinks float through the air, arousing my curiosity and appetite. I approach the nearest table, observing the exotic dishes and sparkling glasses laid out there.
As I help myself to an unknown drink, I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turn to find the warm gaze of an older woman, dressed in an extravagant outfit that exudes elegance and sophistication.
A vampire.
"You seem a little lost, my dear.", she says with a friendly smile.
"Can I help?", I thank her for her kindness with a nod, trying to hide my anxiety.
"I'm just... trying to get used to all this.", I admit timidly.
The woman nods understandingly, placing a comforting hand on my arm.
"I understand perfectly. This is a new and dazzling world for many of us. But don't worry, soon you'll feel at home."
Home. Surely this castle was not my home.
As we talk, I continue to observe the hall around me, absorbing every detail with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. There was something magical about that place, something that aroused a sense of wonder and admiration within me.
As the night unfolds before me, I know I will face many challenges and adversities. But with the help of people like that kind woman by my side, I am determined to persevere.
The sound of the doors opening echoes through the hall, cutting through the murmurs of conversations and bringing palpable tension to the air. My body tenses, muscles constricted, as I eagerly await the entrance of the Alpha King.
A part of me imagines an ugly, fat man with a cruel and relentless expression. But when I see the man who strides into the hall, my heart leaps into my chest.
He is strong and imposing, with black hair cascading in curls over broad shoulders. A shiny crown adorns his head, casting reflections of light around the hall. His dark cloak glides across the castle floor with majestic elegance.
My eyes widen at the beauty of the man before me, but a wave of apprehension also washes over me. I know many speak of him as a cruel king, capable of inflicting pain and suffering with a mere glance.
He is a wolf king, and his presence emanates an air of undeniable authority and power. His golden, piercing eyes sweep over the twelve girls before him, assessing each one with an intensity that makes me tremble.
When his gaze finally settles on me, my heart begins to beat uncontrollably in my chest. I feel like prey before a predator, cornered by his dominant presence.
He is more than just handsome; he is magnetic and hypnotizing. His face is sculpted in firm, angular lines, and there is an aura of danger around him that sends shivers down my spine.
I join the other girls in a bow, bowing before the king with a mixture of respect and fear. His eyes sparkle with fierce intensity, and I feel as if I am being scrutinized to the soul.
He sits on his royal throne, his imposing figure standing out against the dark backdrop of the hall. The silence is deafening as everyone awaits his words, eager to know what his next move will be.
As he begins to speak, his voice is deep and melodious, filling the hall with his undeniable authority. He informs us of the rituals and traditions that will be followed during the ball, detailing the expectations and protocols we should adhere to.
"As every subject of this kingdom knows our traditions of thousands of years, in this ball I will choose my chosen one, a girl who may become my queen."
"The chosen girl will have wealth, power, and a crown by my side. She will have my protection and the loyalty of all my kingdom by marrying me."
I listen attentively, absorbing every word with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. I am immersed in a world completely different from mine, a world of political intrigues and fragile alliances where danger lurks in every shadow.
As the king speaks, I find myself studying him with a mixture of fascination and fear. He is so different from anyone I have ever known—so distant and mysterious.
As he continues to speak, I find myself being swept away by the whirlwind of emotions surrounding him. There is something about him that intrigues me, that stirs an unsettling curiosity within me.
"Only one girl will be chosen so enjoy the ball."
I know I can't trust him completely and that there is a latent danger in his presence. But at the same time, there is a magnetic attraction that I can't deny—a feeling that he is more than just a cruel king.
As the ball continues and the music fills the air, I find myself being swept into the center of the festivities. I dance with the other guests, trying to ignore the feeling that something sinister is unfolding around me.
But try as I might to distract myself, I can't shake the Alpha King from my mind. His golden, piercing eyes continue to haunt me, reminding me of the true nature of the world I have entered.
As the ball continues, I find myself caught up in a dangerous game of intrigue and betrayal, struggling to find my place in a world where appearances deceive and alliances shift like the wind.
At the center of it all is the Alpha King, a dark and imposing presence that threatens to consume everything around him. I know I need to be careful with him; I can't trust his words or his gentle gestures.
But as frightening as he is, there is also something about him that draws me in—something I can't ignore.
Hours drag on since the triumphant entrance of the Alpha King, every moment feeling like an eternity as I stand, watching closely every move of the sovereign. The tension in the air is palpable; suspense grows as the king approaches the twelve girls, dancing with each of them in a succession of graceful and elegant movements.
I remain still, eyes fixed on the monarch as he glides through the hall with his chosen ones. Each step he takes seems to echo in my mind, amplifying my anxiety and anticipation.
Finally, it is my turn. My heart races as the Alpha King approaches me, his golden eyes fixed on me with an overwhelming intensity. I bow before him, feeling small and vulnerable in the face of his imposing presence.
"Your Majesty.", I murmur, my words barely audible amidst the crowd's murmur.
He watches me for a moment, his eyes trailing the length of my red dress with an indecipherable expression. A faint smile curves his lips as he speaks, his voice deep and melodious echoing in the hall.
"The red color suits you very well...", he says, his voice reverberating with authority and admiration.
"Thank you, Majesty.", I reply, a wave of gratitude washing over me for his praise.
He extends his hand to me; his gesture is a silent invitation to begin dancing. I accept with a nod, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor with a grace and elegance that leaves me breathless.
His fingers wrap around my waist firmly, yet delicately, as we move in harmony with the music. His golden eyes remain fixed on me, piercing and captivating, as if trying to unravel the secrets hidden behind my own.
I am incredibly nervous, my mind spinning with a mixture of fear and curiosity. The proximity of the Alpha King is overwhelming, his dominant presence filling the surrounding space.
"Are you afraid of me?", he suddenly asks, breaking the tense silence between us.
His question catches me off guard, and I hesitate for a moment before answering honestly.
"I've never been before a wolf, Majesty.", I admit, my voice trembling slightly.
A gentle smile plays on the king's lips, a flash of understanding passing through his golden eyes.
"The rumors about me are true, then.", he murmurs to himself more than to me.
I swallow hard, a sense of discomfort settling in my gut. I know the Alpha King is known for his cruelty and fierceness, a leader who doesn't hesitate to use his strength to maintain his dominion over his kingdom.
But despite it all, I can also see another facet of him - kindness and compassion that seem to struggle to manifest themselves behind his impenetrable façade.
As we dance, I find myself engaged in a sincere conversation with the king, sharing stories and experiences from our past lives. The tension that exists between us gradually dissipates, replaced by a sense of connection and mutual understanding.
"What's your name?"
"Amelia...", I whisper.
"It seems like you wouldn't wish to be here today, Amelia."
"You're right, I didn't want to, but people like me don't have choices..."
"People like you? Humans?", he asks, and I nod my head as I realize everyone is looking at us at that moment.
"You seem like a brave girl, Amelia. I like that."
"My mother always told me that."
"Your mother seems to be a kind and wise person."
"Yes, she's the person I love the most in the world."
"Tell me your greatest wish, Amelia."
"My wish? It's freedom to run into the forest and be completely free.", I whisper, widening my eyes when I realize what I did.
I shake my head as the king smiles at me.
"I won't send you to the dungeon for just telling me what you wish, Amelia."
- Writer
