Chapter4
1521 Words
THIRD PERSON’S POV
All the way to the winter ball venue, Aveline's heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't sure if she was making the best decision. As she alighted from the taxi, she stood amazed by the structure before her. The castle left her frozen and speechless. The white castle stood tall and massive. The tall walls and pillars stood majestic, but the sculptures were even more mind-blowing. Beautiful lights decorated the building, giving it the feeling of light amidst darkness. It shone like it was unworldly.
The sound of the taxi driving away forced Aveline out of her frozen state. She inhaled the cold night air deeply and exhaled. Her eyes scanned her dress as she dusted off invisible dust.
“You look beautiful, and you have an invitation. There is nothing holding you back,” she muttered to herself and quickly began to climb the stairs. But as she got to the end of the stairs, her confidence quickly died. In front of the large doors were three bouncers. Each stood with their hands crossed in front of them. Their shoulders and chests puffed out. Their eyes were covered with dark shades, making them look even more impenetrable.
Aveline swallowed heavily. Her eyes fell on her invite, and for a second, doubt crept into her heart. She slowly opened the invitation, and her name was still on it.
“Ma’am?” a deep, gruff voice said suddenly beside her.
Aveline's heart leaped out of her chest. Startled, she stumbled backward and fell. “f**k me!” she cursed as she fell, but an arm wrapped around her, pulling her forward until she was on her feet again.
Her eyes popped open as she felt the ground under her feet, her heart still palpitating.
“Are you okay?” the gruff voice asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Aveline quickly replied as she arranged her dress.
“Are you here alone? What about your bodyguards?” he asked.
“Bodyguards?” Aveline thought to herself in surprise. “Well, errmmm…”
She was about to ask why she would need that when the man interrupted with another question. “Do you have an invitation?” he asked, his voice even deeper and angrier now.
“Ummm, I…I,” Aveline stuttered.
The man looked at her hands, and seeing the invitation, he snatched it from her and opened it. “What's your name?” he asked.
“Aveline Orchid,” she replied quietly.
The man turned away from her, his hand brushing the earpiece in his ear as he whispered into it and listened to the update.
He turned sharply to Aveline and inclined his head. “I am sorry for any inconveniences you might have faced, ma’am.” He handed her the invite back. “This way please, I will show you in,” he said politely.
Aveline was astonished but followed him regardless. As they walked past the other bouncers, they inclined their heads to her. It was a weird feeling, but one she didn't mind.
The moment Aveline stepped into the hall, her breath caught. The winter ball was everything she had imagined and more. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, reflecting light like falling snow. White and silver drapes flowed along the walls, soft music filling the air as couples moved gracefully across the marble floor. Laughter mingled with the clink of glasses, and for a moment, the world felt unreal.
She stood at the entrance, clutching her small purse, suddenly aware of how small she felt.
She did not belong here. She knew it, yet instead of turning around, she took a step forward. Then another.
“If I am already here,” she thought to herself, “I might as well enjoy it.”
She wandered through the room slowly, admiring the decorations, the gowns, and the effortless elegance of everyone around her. The magic wrapped around her, easing the tightness in her chest.
For the first time that night, she smiled without forcing it. “This was what Christmas is meant to feel like,” she muttered to herself.
Her eyes drifted across the crowd, following the movement of dancers, until suddenly they stopped on someone.
Her heart skipped.
Standing a few steps away from her was Louis.
Her Louis.
Relief surged through her, quick and desperate. He had come. He had not abandoned her after all. Her feet moved before her mind could catch up, hope blooming painfully in her chest.
But as soon as the relief came, it died away. Someone was standing beside Louis, and his hands were on her waist.
His body leaned in close, and before Aveline could even register what was happening, his lips pressed against the woman’s in a slow, deliberate kiss.
Aveline froze, her chest burning as if someone had ripped the air from her lungs. The music faded into a dull hum. Her hands trembled, her vision blurring. “No…” she whispered.
Without thinking, she moved forward. “What is this?” Aveline shouted, her voice slicing through the music.
Heads turned, and the conversations around them died. The woman pulled away from Louis, startled, while he turned slowly, his face hardening the moment his eyes landed on Aveline.
Her heart pounded painfully as she stepped closer. “Louis, what are you doing?” she demanded, tears threatening to spill. “You told me you would come for me.”
He scoffed. “I do not know what game you are playing,” he said coldly.
“Who is she?” the lady standing beside him asked.
“Just some good-for-nothing. I don't even know how she managed to get in here,” he hissed angrily.
“Me?” Aveline blurted out in shock.
“I helped you once out of pity. That does not mean you get to follow me around like a mad woman,” Louis snapped.
The words struck Aveline like a slap.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and whispers followed. Aveline shook her head, disbelief etched across her face.
“That is not true. You are my boyfriend. You promised—”
“Enough,” Louis snapped. “This woman is clearly disturbed. How could you allow a crazy person in here? Are the bouncers not doing their job?" he yelled angrily.
Before she could say another word, guards were already moving toward her. Hands grabbed her arms, dragging her away as humiliation burnt through her veins.
“No, please!” she cried, her voice breaking. “Louis!”
But he did not look back.
They threw her out into the cold night like she was nothing. She fell to her knees in the snow, her dress soaking through as sobs tore from her chest. Her hands pressed into the icy ground as she cried without restraint, her body shaking violently.
“I hoped too much,” she whispered brokenly. “I always do.”
As she cried, the time hit 12 AM. The cathedral bell rang once. All around, the voices of people echoed, "Merry Christmas!" The sound of rejoicing drowned out as the cathedral bell rang the second time, and on the third time, something unexpected happened.
A blinding light erupted behind her. Startled, Aveline turned her head. Where there had once been nothing now stood a vast garden, glowing softly beneath the night sky. Flowers shimmered with colors she had never seen before.
Shocked, she took a step back, but from her peripheral vision, she saw Louis coming toward the door. Her tears ran freely.
“Anything was better than this pain,” Aveline thought to herself. She rose and ran.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the world shifted. She stumbled forward and fell onto soft grass. When she looked up, she gasped. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves glowing faintly. Flowers bloomed in impossible shades, their scent calming her aching heart. Above her, the moon was larger, brighter, and unfamiliar.
Yet instead of fear, peace washed over her.
She laughed softly, standing and spinning slowly as she inhaled the sweet air. She ran through the field, touching petals, smiling like she had forgotten how to do before.
But her moment of peace quickly died as a low growl echoed. Her body stiffened.
From between the trees emerged a massive wolf, its eyes glowing as it stared directly at her.
Fear slammed into her. She turned to run, but before she could take a step, the wolf shifted. Bones cracked, fur melted away, and in its place stood a tall, beautiful man.
Aveline froze, eyes bugging out in shock.
But as their eyes locked, a sudden electric buzz surged through her body, racing through her veins and settling deep in her heart. It was overwhelming, terrifying, yet strangely comforting.
The man smiled softly. “I have finally found you,” he said gently. “You are mine.”
Aveline's lips parted, wanting to deny it, wanting to scream, yet no words came.
Before she could understand what was happening, a powerful force slammed into her, throwing her backward as darkness rushed in.
- Writer
