Chapter 5

(Lily POV)

The train ride to the countryside was long. Longer than I would have expected. Ignoring what country we were in, I caught up on some needed sleep. Eventually, we arrive and a long black limo waited for us at the train station. My aunt had made sure I looked fresh and looked appropriately royal. The dress was a form-fitting white lace with blue embroidered trees and curling vines. It covered every inch of my body. The neck of the dress even covered the underside of my jaw.

I settled myself into the limo and rested my hands on my lap, and waited nervously. My aunt leaned to the side and whispered in my ear, "We are the last to arrive. I wanted you to be noticed, and you shall be. I want you walking in like the princess you are. Head up, shoulders back. You might be human, but you are a Laine. You're the descendant of the fiercest wolves that ever existed. "

I nodded nervously, and my aunt nudged me again. "You can't appear weak. They already think you're weak. Prove them wrong. But these mongrels in their place."

I swallowed nervously and my aunt smiled, "you'll be fine Lily." She reassured me.

"How long is this entire ordeal supposed to be, exactly?"

"Oh, enough time for you to greet who I introduce you to. You are not to even look at anyone I don't introduce you to. Especially your competition. They will be more than excited to intimidate you. Also, no eating or drinking anything I do not give you myself, understand?"

I nodded. "You think they're going to poison me?"

My aunt nodded as the limo stopped. A limo stopped in front of a palace. The dome was made of glass and with guided struts. The stones were chiseled with runes. She checked the Sapphire-encrusted combs and barrettes and then straightened me out. She stepped out, flipped open her parasol, and then reached down and held her hand out for me. I grabbed it and got out of the car, buttoning up the long jacket as the chilly wind hit. My aunt kissed my cheek and guided me into the palace.

When we handed over our invitations, a smartly dressed man with a long staff banged it loudly, announcing our arrival to the room. My aunt took her time closing her parasol and handing it over to a waiting servant. I took my time unbuttoning my jacket and allowed another servant to help me out of it.

I turned away from the man batting at a soft curl that kept tickling my cheek and followed my aunt into the ballroom. The music, the dancing, and laughing all stopped as hundreds of lupine eyes turned to stare at me. My Aunt straightened her back, reminding me to do the same, and I looked straight ahead, only looking at my aunt. The guests parted around us as we walked straight to a familiar-looking group.

They smiled when they saw me, and I was introduced to my mother's relatives. I greeted the four of them. I noticed them assessing everything about me and then looking behind my shoulder with worry. My aunt started speaking heatedly to my cousin in what sounded like French, and I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I straightened and turned slightly to look into a pair of green eyes set in a matronly face. "I am Baroness Stratta." Behind her stood the other two betrothed. "So, you're the little human that dares to pollute the royal bloodline."

I felt everyone freeze. I might be human, but I was, in fact, still royalty. She must have some grass balls. I looked at the old bitch before rolling my eyes and turning my back on her. My aunt was silent, but her glare was chilling. I might not have the strength to teach this old bitch a lesson, but my aunt could rip her a new one ten times over.

When our eyes met, a malicious smile broke across her face. She stepped around me to handle the Baroness. I greeted my cousins, thanking them for being here to support me.

"Family is family." The oldest among them said. She was tall with chestnut hair. Her name was Kaija if I remembered right. "It's unfortunate you drew the genetic short straw, but you're still blood."

The other three nodded in agreement and each embraced me. I did my best to ignore what was happening behind me, but I caught the Baroness making a hasty retreat. I smiled and focused on my cousins. They caught me up with everything that happened after my parents left for the states.

The family here in Europe had been ridiculed for a few years before my aunt and other pack leaders put an end to it. They let the other packs have their fun for a few years, then put them back in their place. But unfortunately, since my father's pack was still in the states I could expect more wolves boldly disrespecting me.

After a while, my aunt grabbed my hand, and I dipped my head and thanked them. I followed my aunt and looked straight ahead, ignoring the glares as my aunt and I made the rounds. Eventually, we reached an ancient vampire woman who spoke very loud French to my aunt and then turned to me and gasped in shock.

"A human? Isadora, you should know better than to bring a human here. Things could get too rowdy and she might get hurt." The vampire chided my aunt.

My aunt began to explain who I was and why I was here, "Oh, you poor thing. But you are rather lovely. Isn't she Isadora?"

My aunt nodded and smiled. "She is rare."

The old vampire laughed. "Oh Isadora, the game is afoot. Is that the angle, then? My money is on Yuki. The king cares not for females, but he intends to have heirs. He might make Yuki since she's proper and demure."

My aunt laughed, "Yes. But my Lily has the only legitimate claim. A blood oath was taken. I doubt the king would risk war. Or incurring the moon goddesses' wrath."

"You have a point. But he's far more stubborn than his father. He's already slept with the foreign bitch. She has a paw up on your niece."

My aunt's eyes narrowed, but her smile never wavered. "As I understand it, he sticks his dick into many bitches. I doubt they all have a chance with him."

I inwardly cringed. So my potential future husband was a woman-hating man whore. It just got better and better. My aunt led me away from the old vampire. She whispered to a butler, and we were escorted through the ballroom and out the doors.

My aunt was walking swiftly, and I was close behind her until I tripped and knocked over a vase. I stopped and looked around for help. See no one in the empty corridor. I knelt down and picked up the bigger pieces, and put them back on the pedestal. When I finished, I looked around and realized Isadora was gone.

Unsure, It took me a moment before I continued down the hall. I thought I knew which direction she was going, but I couldn't be sure. I didn't run or do anything that would draw attention to me.

I felt a presence behind me before I heard a deep velvet voice. "What are you doing?"

I froze and turned slowly to look into a pair of ice-blue eyes. "I'm lost."

He took a step toward me. He was tall, a head taller than me, and he was muscular, not the very lean body of most werewolf nobility, but his body was powerful. My pulse quickened. His midnight-black hair was slicked back. He had a powerful jaw and full lips. This wolf was sex on a stick and it made me want to howl. But there was something intimidating about him.

"Who are you?" He asked me.

I straightened my spine and stared at him. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Answer my question." His eyes hardened, and I fought the urge to take a step back. He was an alpha. I could feel his alpha power in his command. But since I was human, it didn't work on me the same way it would on a Werewolf. Humans could feel the compulsion, but he would have to put in much more power to get me to obey.

Instead of answering, I stared him down. I tried to embody my aunt's commanding presence, but I could see it had no effect on him. I sighed and answered him. "I am Lilly Laine, betrothed to Prince Dimitri Grayson."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The little human betrothed to the king?"

I slouched a bit in annoyance. "Would everyone quit calling me the little human? Compared to all the other women in this place, I'm a rock to their twigs."

He barked out a laugh. He tried to cover it as a cough, but he had trouble hiding his wicked grin. As I studied him, I realized we were almost the same age. Maybe a year older. Two tops. He was breathtakingly handsome. My pulse quickened, and I had to take a few discreet deep breaths to calm it. What the hell was I doing? Here I was getting twitterpated over a stranger when my betrothed was in this palace somewhere.

"You are peculiar." He mused. His eyes were roaming over my body, heating every spot his gaze passed over. Oh lord, I was in trouble.

"Normal is overrated," I told him. "Why be like everyone else when I can be unique?"

The stranger stepped closer. I could see a strange light glowing in his eyes. I dark spice permeated him. It smelled wonderful. He smelled wonderful. I unconsciously leaned toward the smell and he was leaning toward me. Before I knew what was happening, our lips met in a long, passionate kiss. His tongue licked along my lower lip asking for entrance and I parted them.

Our tongues tangled as the kiss deepened. My mind was fuzzy. I couldn't think straight. All I wanted was to taste him and touch him. My pussy dampened with need. The stranger abruptly broke the kiss with a low growl. I stood there, dazed and confused. My mind cleared enough for me to see lust, anger, and resentment in his eyes before he stormed off.

I was left clutching the wall and holding my chest, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart. My lips were swollen from our kiss and I had trouble catching my breath. Oh, Lily, what have you done? I was betrothed. Even if I wasn't, I couldn't get involved with a werewolf. I was human. I didn't belong in their world. I needed to find a human husband and live a human life. But my body was craving the kisses and touch of a man that turned into a furry beast.

My aunt found me moments later a look of absolute worry on her face as she took in my state, "There you are! Did something happen?"

"I'm fine. I just met a guy."

"Oh, sweetheart, you need to stick closer to me. You're lucky he didn't hurt you. Werewolf males have short tempers and they can be vicious."

I nodded my head. Very viscous, sexy, muscular, and good smelling. Stop it! I ordered myself. My aunt was right. I was lucky he just kissed my ever-loving brains out. He could have killed me. Or eaten me. There were some werewolves who like human flesh. They were despised by both races, but they existed.

But try as I might, I knew my dreams would be haunted by ice-blue eyes, strong callous hands, silky ebony hair, and full savory lips. Oh, Lily. What are you doing? What mess are you getting yourself into?