C42.P2. Deadly

Continuing Juliette's POV:

     "I asked the lady for a dance," I heard the stranger say suddenly. Who was this guy? Did he have a death wish? He shocked me as I never guessed those words would come from him. It was very bold of him to speak against a king. It was very... attractive. My eyes hesitated as I resisted looking away from Camren. Every excuse in my body told me to deny Camren from getting his moment alone with me. I wanted to hear out what this stranger would say. I wanted to glide against the ball room's floor with him as lead. A dance sounded fun. It sounded exciting. 

     "It can wait. This is more important," Camren said suddenly. His eyes would hold their gaze upon me. 

     "You have a choice," the guy whispered in my ear. "You don't have to listen to him just because of his title. You're just as important." I widened my eyes slightly. I was... just as important? Who was this guy? Was he not from around here? This was crazy. Camren's eyebrows lowered in a scowl. He clearly did not enjoy hearing the guy's words. He did hear them, of course. It was loud enough to be heard from anyone as close as Camren was to us.

     Which one would I choose? The King? Or- this complete stranger? I don't even know if this guy would hold up much longer against him. King Camren was made out of the finest genetics. With looks strong enough to make anyone faint with the right look. Camren had always been my idea type. His crown was my idea type. Every drop of muscle and power he held in his body came with his attitude he was holding in his tone. This man was not someone to trifled with. I looked away in final shame as I found myself unable to choose. 

     Suddenly a familiar scent caught my nose as that weakling from before showed up with a two glasses of wine. Henley looked shocked to see us. His fingers trembled in fear as he looked about ready to spill both glasses. I stepped in and stole them away. Damn, idiot. I need these. It was still good timing. I looked at the man I had not figured out what his status was and shrugged as I took Camren's side. Aligning myself with my true purpose here at this masquerade. I did not have time for silly games. 

     "If his majesty says its important then I must go with him," I told the complete stranger. I'll find out who he is later. "I'll take you up on your offer later." I motioned for Camren to lead the way. The corner of Camren's lip curled up into a smirk as he won. He was so handsome with the way he looked. I stared in awe. Henley took this as his cue and got in front of the stranger. 

     "I'll show you a sculpture of the monarch butterfly," Henley suggested. "It's detail is exquisite." I could hear the light rumble in the stranger's chest at his lose. I felt a little sad from how quickly he gave up. It was probably for the best. I handed over Camren's glass as he showed me outside and towards a private balcony overseeing a snowed in garden. We leaned up against the railing as we both took a sip of our drinks. What exactly am I to do now?

     "Who was that man?" I questioned curiously. I would stake my claim first in moving this conversation forward. I should tease him into thinking I could be interested. 

     "Nobody good," Camren said suddenly. His eyes narrowed with hatred. "I wasn't sure how he got invited. He's my cousin, Artyom."

     "I never heard of him. Is he from around here?" I asked curiously. 

     "He's the Alpha of Silverback pack. He's come for a treaty," he said as he swirled the liquid in his glass with the flick of his hand. "That's probably why he's restraining himself and trying not to make a fool out of himself."

     "Why is he not good?"

     "He killed his father for the title."

     "For... the Alpha position?" I asked. I felt shock flush through my cheeks and drain them from any heat remaining. I felt my heart skip a beat at the thought of killing a parent for power. It was appetizing. I wish I had thought about that. I wanted to kill my own parents. I wanted it for so long... To be rid of them. Especially of my mother. 

     "He killed his elder brothers for it as well," he whispered in a low voice. I felt a shiver cross my spine. The thought of ripping my sister's throat open was fresh in the back of my mind. It was so good I could taste it. What kind of evil wicker could do such a thing? How is his pack stabilizing? Surely things should be falling apart for him. "He'll be looking for his own luna tonight." 

     Artyom,

       Is my mate?

     I bit down into my bottom lip until it bled slightly. It stung so harsh I had to bite my tongue to swallow the pain. If only... I had known him sooner. I could have made my decision at a wiser pace. 

     "Will you be signing a treaty with him?" I asked quickly. I was too quick with my question. Did he already sign?

     "No," he said softly. "I recon I aught to not. It'll be a waste of paper. After all... I see the way he looked at you," he said as he looked into my eyes. "He wants you. I will not let that happen." He sounded so sure of his decision. "He's going to hate me for it, Juliette."

     "How do you know my name?" I asked softly. 

     "An omega might've told me," he said in slight amusement. I wooed him. I've accomplished winning his affections. He is mine now. He was interested in me. Did I still need to use the potion? Maybe, I should wait and see how things play out. I heard a tap on the door to the balcony as a quiet voice spoke through.

     "Excuse me," I heard Charlotte's voice speak out. "One second of your time."

     "Bad timing," Camren's voice would echo only low enough for our ears.

     Camren's face turned to annoyance as he left my side to turn his back on me. He went through the doors and closed them to talk with her. I was sure they were out of sight. I couldn't even hear the sounds of the ball. Soundproof? I found myself eyeing his drink over as he had left it behind. Now is my chance. Would he come back? I had to be quick. I pulled out the vile I was given and plumped it into the glass farthest from me. It surely would be his. I tossed the vile over the balcony and into a bush to get rid of any evidence. I will find it later- if I have time.

     Camren was back out as I found myself looking up at a near full moon. I felt terrible immediately for what I did. An aching plead begged he wouldn't drink it. Let my plans go up into smoke. Camren smiled as he picked up his glass. 

     "What was that about?" I asked in amusement and picked up my own.

     "Just letting me know my mother will be here soon," he told me as he looked disappointed for some reason. I wouldn't pry into the reason why. I didn't really care. I watched his lips lock onto his glass as he was about to drink but stopped himself. He chuckled lightly. "I tell you I'm not allowing him to have you and you're lost of words. Tell me... what are you thinking now?" He asked. I tsked. He seemed to be stalling. Maybe it was my imagination. He could be too smart for his own good.

     "I'm not thinking anything."

       "You must be thinking something."

     "Perhaps... You've found me to be delightful enough to be your queen?" I asked curiously. What did he think of it? I squinted my eyes as I focused in on his own beautiful blue ones. His lip trembled as his expression went cold and sour. He was stiff. 

     "What do you think?" He asked without seeming to mean to. "Are you worthy of me?" I parted my lips as I strained to think about what he could mean. How should I answer? Was he really smelling my pheromones right now to be the same as Josephine? Did he think we were already a bonded pair? Should I act the part? Will I pull it off? "Take off your mask," he suggested. I felt my lips pull into a smile. I gave my glass to him as I pulled out the string slowly. My mask slipped off as I clutched the cloth holding it together. His eyes wondered over my skin as if observing every inch. He was trying to find something there. He took a sip of his wine- slowly drinking his down and mine together. I stayed put as I watched him. It was silent. He sat the two glasses on the ledge. His body moving to mine. I reached up to stop him as I touched his mask and slowly slid it off his face. 

     "I think..." I said slowly as I clutched both now in my hand. "You can decide that for yourself." Everything was working as I planned. It was going smooth. I leaned forward and brought my lips to his. I stole them as I forced our lips to connect. Deep down I was repulsed. I ached to discover what it would be like to kiss his cousin instead. I wanted Artyom. I dreamed now of Artyom as my eyes were wide open. Unfortunately... this was the truth. This was not who I wanted after all. This was unsatisfaction. I was displeased with the uncanny feeling it left me when he pulled back from my lips. 

     "Come with me," he suggested. His fingers suddenly enclosed with my own. He held me as he looked towards the doors. "I will announce to everyone who my chosen mate is." He looked back at me then. "My fated mate," his voice echoed through my mind. "I will mark you in front of the whole party." He seemed very amused and happy all of a sudden. I knew then it was the potion at work. He spun me suddenly out and back into him. "Let's see what he'll have to say then!" 

     "I don't want... that in front of a whole crowd," I whispered. Not that it would be of much difference. It seemed like something so intimate. I didn't want it the way he imagined. Not in front of my own- mate.

     I stared him down in wonder. It was strange how I was feeling about him. I spent my whole time wanting and dreaming of only him since he announced this masquerade. Now- he was acting how I wanted. I tilted my head to the side. I haven't said it...

     "Happy birthday," I said quickly to him. "It's funny... it's my birthday too." He would look good beside Josephine. Her frail complexion would be safe in his arms. He laughed as he pushed me up against the railing. 

     "It's your birthday?" He asked quickly. I nodded. I thought he'd know. How foolish of me. He mustn't know. He's got so much to do already on a day like this one. I felt him pick me up and rest me on the railing. His hands pushing the dress apart at his pleasure to get between my legs. I was quickly grinning. Fighting back disgust at the thought of what he might do next. "Happy birthday." His hands trailed up my body as his face leaned in towards my neck. Until I felt his breath touching my bare skin. "You know what I should give you?" 

     "I-I'm not sure," I whispered. I felt my mouth drying up. I wasn't sure what he would say. He suddenly pulled back. Repulsion gleaming in his eyes. I felt fear traveling up from my stomach. He grabbed my neck suddenly and began choking me. I scratched quickly at his arm as I tried to get him to stop. He's going to kill me! HELP! "HELP!" I choked up. "Stop!"

     'MOTHER HELP!' I begged. I begged for her to hear me. To come find and save me.

     "Do you honestly think I would fall for your shit?" Camren hissed through his teeth as he leaned in towards my face. "You greedy bitch! I know what was in that drink! Before I even drunk it!" D-did it not work!? How!? "You're probably wondering how I found out! It was simple! Always have a motherfucking chess piece on another board!" He pushed back. Suddenly my legs buckled against the railing as I wrapped my foot against the beams to prevent from falling. He held onto my neck as he threatened to let go. "I should let him have you," he suggested as he laughed hysterically. "But- you would only cause trouble for me further down the road. No... I would like to kill you first!"

     "No- Please don-" He squeezed tighter. I was feeling faint. Hardly able to hold onto the railing. I was going to fall. He was beating into me as he locked his grip. 

     "I was going to tease you longer..." He trailed off in disappointment. "But- we have already been spotted," he said as he threw me. The force knocked my legs free from their hold. I was suddenly falling. His back already turning away from the balcony. The ground came at me before I had the chance to breath. It was hard as the impact knocked the air from me. I heard my head snap before I could feel the pain. My neck throbbed as I realized where the sound actually came from. I howled in pain. My screaming echoing across the manor. I could taste blood as it flooded my airway and drained out of my mouth.

     'Mother... mother... mother, please help me,' I begged. 

     I don't want to die. A face came into my vison. It was his face, Artyom. He pulled off his mask as he reached my side. He stared into my eyes in pure shock. He must have saw everything. I could see it in his eyes. I felt his hand touching mine as he looked worried for me. He looked like he cared as his scent comforted me. 

     "I don't even know your name," he whispered. "Don't leave me so soon."

       'I won't,' I wanted to promise. I couldn't say anything as tears formed in my eyes. 

     "WE NEED A DOCTOR!" I heard him shout as he looked away from me. His face was fading from my vison. I was struggling to see. My eyes looked away from him as I stared up at the moon.

     'Please... help me,' I begged her. 'Please have mercy on me moon goddess. I did not know better.' At least that's what I believe. I've felt so foolish all the way up to this point. This man before me was loosing me before he could even have me. I want so badly... to be his.

     "I'm a doctor!" I heard a voice shout. It was no use. I was loosing my senses now. I was falling into darkness. Someone make sure that man never gets ahold of Josephine. She deserves a life better than this.