Ultimate Temptation

~Chapter 13~

Damien lifted another glass off a passing waiter. This time, he took his time in surveying the hall as he waited patiently for the arrival of the princess.

His future bride.

He took a gulp of his wine to quench the fire that suddenly spiked in the pit of his stomach at the thought. "Mate" was something thoroughly revered by werewolves, their nana had told them stories of how beautiful it was to have a mate, the yin to your yan;the other half which completed you.

But once again, his father had found a way to snatch his happiness. Here he was, dressed in a tuxedo, expected to be on his best behavior while sucking up to sorceresses and demons.

His ears perked up as his father guffawed at something the king said and he couldn't resist rolling his eyes.

Calling him names unprovoked back at home but laughing with him here. The way of kings as father says.

"Princess Aris of the Kingdom Demonia", the bellman suddenly announced the arrival of the princess. The ballroom fell into a hush as the princess slowly made her descent down the stairs.

She was gorgeous.

The cream gown she wore blended perfectly with her skin, pale thighs clad in knee length boots flashing from the slit on her gown. Her small black horns glittered with her hair as light danced through them, it had been decorated with tiny pearls, the same kind that was on her gown. The dazzling smile she flashed at her father revealed the bronze glow on her cheeks.

Damien found himself striding forward towards her and stopped halfway confused.

How did he get here?

He was about to go to his seat when he smelled her. A combination of rose, jasmine,honey and something more.

A chord struck in him and his wolf, Aegeus pranced around restlessly.

Mate

What?

Mate! It shouted with certainty and Damien's eyes followed Aris as she took her seat.

No...Way...

Damien searched around for his twin but he was no where in sight. He had probably taken one wanting female for a quick thrust in the shack.

His heart pounded as he left the ballroom through the second entrance in search of the gardens. He was in need of fresh air to calm his raging wolf who was scratching harshly at him to claim his mate there and then but he was in no hurry. She would be his in a year's time.

He loosened his tie and took deep breaths until his heart rate had calmed.

Finally deciding he was rational enough to be in the same room as her, he headed back. The sight he met made his blood boil and his vision reddened for a quick second.

She was in the hands of a demon boy, who held her closely to him. She was squeezed into his lanky frame and her face was set into a disgusted grimace. His hand rested on the curve of her waist just above her ass as they danced with his eyes never leaving her petite bust and Damien relished the thought of breaking his fingers knuckle by knuckle.

The song ended at that moment and she quickly stepped away from the demon, making her way quickly back to her seat. The demon passed right by him and Damien let out a dangerous growl that had him jumping in fear.

"We should punish him for touching what's ours", Aegeus said.

"Then we'll be proving them right that we're nothing but savages as they call us. Is that the first impression you want to show our mate?"

" No", Aegeus grumbled, receding back.

He watched as Aris had a little quarrel with her mom and then she was back on the dance floor.

Now was his chance.

He made his way to her but just before he reached her, she scurried quickly away. It so happened that the same thought had run through every male in the ballroom; they all saw an opportunity to dance with the princess. If he approached her now, he'll definitely be met with hostility.

He wondered how to introduce himself to her. Good evening my lady, it's Damien Hilas and you're betrothed to me?

He cringed at the way it sounded in his head. That was wrong. Maybe he should slow down abit. He wasn't even sure if she had been told about her betrothal to him.

Defeated, he headed back to his seat at the corner only to find it occupied by whom he wanted to see the most and he blurted out the first thing that came to his head.

Did you lose something?"

Aegeus mentally slapped his forehead in exasperation. Really?

She didn't seem to hear him so he tried again. "Excuse me miss?", he asked, tapping her shoulder gently.

"What?" She snapped, facing him with a scowl.

"Ah Princess, apologies. I had no idea it was you", he lied. "You were in my seat."

"Oh, s-sorry", she stuttered, immediately getting up.

She stood there staring at him and he felt his ears grow hot. Just as he was about to start a conversation with her, she spun on her heels, heading for the door, and he couldn't resist calling out to her once more before she fled.

"May I have this dance, Princess?"

She halted in her tracks to look at his outstretched hand and then looked over at his shoulder with alarm.

"Yes", she answered, placing her warm hands gently in mine. Sparks ignited as Damien grasped her hands and Aegeus shouted mate once more with glee.

There was a question in her eyes as she searched his face momentarily before looking away. Damien knew she felt the pull too.

"You are no demon, neither are you a witch, so what are you?" She asked, regarding him with her gray eyes.

"My name is Damien and I'm a werewolf", Damien answered, making fur cover his cheeks. Her eyes widened but she didn't back away, instead, she raised a hand to his cheeks and tentatively touched the patch of hair.l

Aris was intrigued. She had read and heard many stories about the werewolves and their world but had never met one. The patch of fur which covered his cheeks receded into his skin and his jaw was once more tanned clean shaven.

Incredible.

It would be really cool if she could somehow hide her horns whenever she wanted.

"I can do a lot more than just bring out fur, I can turn into a full wolf if I want to" Damien said, spinning her as the music's tempo rose. She showed no recognition

" I would love to see it", she whispered, and he pulled her closer, peering into her grey eyes as they danced.

The song ended and Aris wished he would ask her for another dance. Instead, he took her right hand in his and lifted it to his lips, brushing his lips gently on it.

She stood rooted to the spot as the spot he kissed pulsed. There was something about him which just seemed to call her.

The music stopped as her father gently hit his spoon on his glass of wine and cleared his throat.

"We are gathered here to celebrate the homecoming of the princess of the three kingdoms. My only and beloved daughter, Aris", Father said, gesturing in her direction. An applause rang out but was cut short with a raise of his hand.

" There is also another big announcement to make. As most of us know, there is an alliance between the werewolves and the demons. Years ago, we asked them for help during the second war and, in return, my daughter was to marry one of their sons.The union of our families will take place next year."

Aris took a step back as she processed what her father had just said. She was to marry someone she had never met for political reasons? What about true love? Her fated one? Something like what her parents had. In a year at that?!

She met the eyes of her mother from her position on the dance floor but her mom guiltily looked away. This can't be true.

"King Sedian of the werewolves would like to say a few words," Father said, gesturing to a large middle-aged man.

" My sons and I, Damien and Darius look forward to this union." Her most recent dance partner and his lookalike moved up to the podium.

Damien.... He was Damien. Damien, the son of the werewolf king. It all clicked now. Mom forced her into this incredulously snug gown, her being forced to dance and "mingle". It was all to introduce her to court, like the way you showcase a valuable item just before it's auctioned.

"May it strengthen both our worlds". King Sedian raised his cup to toast."To an everlasting union."

"To an everlasting union", the whole room chorused.

Bile rose from deep within her and she ran out of the ballroom.

*************

I am so sorry for keeping you all waiting. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who chatted me up on f*******:. I really really appreciate it all. Please add up my new book. Love you all.