Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Zenovia
Drusilla was so startled that she too screamed, thinking that there was a bug or something around her, and swatted her hands wildly.
“Drusilla, what did you do?” I asked, staring at my reflection in shock.
“What? What did I do?” she hurriedly came over to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“That does not look like me,” I said, and she only slapped my shoulder lightly.
“God, you scared me”
1 felt tears brimming in my eyes as I looked at her. “Thank you”
She placed her chin on my head and replied, “You worked hard for the event. You deserve some pampering”
For a good five minutes, I had trouble believing that the reflection staring back at me was indeed mine.
It seemed like Drusilla had waved some wand over me and turned me into a beautiful princess. She had chosen an off shoulder dress with a deep neckline that gave some bounce to my breasts. The gown hugged my body up to the waist before flaring down the knees a little.
There were beads and small flowers running through the neckline and a delicate lace pattern that ran along the waistline.
My hair was curled a bit, giving them a bounce as they fell gracefully on my shoulders. She had only put on light make up but I had never looked this pretty in my life.
“You look amazing, Zen.” She breathed, and I quirked an eyebrow.
“Zen? I like that name,” she giggled and replied. “Ok now you go out and slay the event. Who knows, maybe you will find your mate too today.”
She wriggled her eyebrows, and I only tried hard not to blush. At least, somebody was holding hope for me despite knowing that I was wolfless.
Drusilla turned to walk out of the room, but she bumped into something or someone.
“Ouch,” she rubbed her forehead and looked up to see Elijah.
“Don’t you have eyes?” she asked with a scowl, but his eyes were fixated on me.
For a moment he said nothing and ran his eyes from my feet up to my face before letting out a breath.
“Wow”
He muttered, and I tried not to blush.
Drusilla rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of him.
“Hello? You should apologize to me” But Elijah simply shot his hand forward and pushed her away, making her slap him on the back again.
“You idiot” She winced, but he paid her no attention.
He stepped inside the room and muttered, “You look gorgeous, Zen” He said and held his hand forward.
Drusilla threw her hands up in despair and walked off, leaving him and me alone.
I smiled at him and replied, “So do you”
Elijah was wearing a crisp suit, and his hair was perfectly combed.
“Not as good as you,” He said and offered me a hand. I gave him a small smile, and I took it as he placed a small kiss on my hand, making me blush.
“Shall we?” He asked, and I nodded my head.
I figured if I was going to leave this mansion, I might as well have some fun before leaving this world behind me.
Tonight was going to be fun and tomorrow would be the dawn of a new chapter in my life.
Thus, I let Elijah guide me outside the mansion.
However, instead of taking me out through the front door, he redirected us both toward the back door.
“Why are we going through this door?” I asked him and he smiled.
“The crowd and noise is too much. Let us talk in silence for a while and then we join the others. Is that okay?”
He asked, and I readily agreed. I did not want to see the girls all coming up with devious ways to seduce Callahan.
Speaking of which, where was he?
My gaze flitted in the direction of his office, but I could not spot him. The lights were still on, so probably he was still inside.
It had only been a few days since I had talked to him, but it already felt like ages. I wanted to see him smile or even show me that devilishly delicious smirk of his.
My disappointment must be evident on my face because Elijah asked, “Is something worrying you?”
I tore my gaze away from the windows of Callahan’s office and replied, “N–nothing”
He patted my arm, and we took a stroll through the wide lawn.
The night was starry and the full moon shining above was casting a soft glow on the trees around us.
“The moon is very beautiful,” I said while gazing at the sky and he, too, looked up.
“Yeah, I don’t even remember when was the last time I waited to admire its beauty”
I added, “I and my mother used to gaze at the moon and the stars at night as she would tell me bedtime stories.”
“Sounds like a dream. I guess you were close to your mother” Elijah asked, and I tried to not show the lump forming in my
throat.
“She loved me a lot and was my pillar of strength. I miss her,” I said softly, and he halted in his tracks.
“Was? But King Callahan told me that your pack disowned you”
I tried not to show how that memory affected me and said, “Well, that is my father and his mate. Luna Celeste. She is not my biological mother”
“Ahh. I see.” He said and then fell silent.
The memories of Celeste, Sid, and my father made the remaining happiness dissipate into thin air.
“I am sorry. Just forget about anything I said today.” Elijah said, and I nodded meekly while eyeing the ground.
He could tell that my mood had dipped, so he held me by the shoulders and whirled me around.
“You know what? Let us go and join the party.”
I bit my lower lip nervously. “But there are so many alphas and betas around there. I feel nervous”
Elijah waved his hand in the air, dismissing my concern. “I am there with you. All of the alphas and betas are still lower to me by rank”
“How is that possible?” I asked.
Usually, alphas were at the top, followed by betas and gammas.
Elijah winked. “Because I am gamma to the Lycan King. You know that he is THE king, right?”
I nodded, my heart fluttering at the mention of his name again. I dismissed that thought as Elijah dragged me through the front door and towards the open lawns.
A few groups had formed, and people had already started drinking. Elijah lowered his head to whisper,
The arrangements are spectacular. I never knew this ghost mansion could look so lively”
I gave him a small bow and replied, “Compliment well received”
We both laughed and his face brightened. “That is what I am talking about. Loosen up a little, girl”
He said and then looked around. “You know what? I know the right thing to do. Let me grab you a drink.”
Elijah said and before I could stop him, he had walked to the drinks counter that had been set up in the far corner.
I had also asked the servants to help create a vacant space in the middle to serve as a dance floor for people who wanted to dance.
any familiar faces. Soft music was playing as my gaze flitted through the crowd, trying to sense if I would find “Well, well, look who we have here,” A voice spoke loudly followed by giggles and a bit of booing. I turned around to see Cynthia standing in front of me, a few girls beside her, all glaring at me. Cynthia was wearing a lavish dress with diamonds and jewels studded to it, the fabric clinging to her curves and leaving only little to the imagination.
She was holding a glass in her hand and took a sip.
“Who is that? Look at her face. She looks as if she accidentally sneaked out of prison and stumbled upon rich people’s
event
Her words made a few of them giggle as 1 subconsciously took a step back. The girls formed a loose circle around me while Cynthia stood facing me.
“She is the breeder that the Lycan King got for himself. But just look at her. She is already dreaming about Callahan.” One of her friends spoke in disgust. “Ew, does she even know her standard? Not even
a rogue will look at her.” “Please, I don’t want any trouble. Leave me alone” I tried to speak, but the girls did not listen to me.
“Just because a ball is being held, you think you stand a chance, you lowly breeder?” Cynthia scowled and the other girls booed loudly.
“I don’t want anyone or anything. Please go get your Lycan King. I know he will pick one of the girls present today”
I answered truthfully. That was also one more reason I had decided to run away. I had to leave him before my feelings for him intensified and 1 stayed back, watching him pick someone else.
“Look at her say those words as if she is doing us a favor.” Cynthia’s friends circled me as they began poking me, playing with my hair, and pulling at my dress.
“Stop!” I cried as Cynthia smirked and then threw the contents of her glass in my face.