The curse of the royalty is to maintain one's countenance even if you hit the rock bottom. As it is often said, the show must go on and so did Artemis restrained herself from breaking down and took a final sip of wine from her glass before putting it away.
Making her way through the mob of royals and officials, she scoured down the stairs to look for her daughter, Ariel. She surveyed the ball room quickly within a couple of few minutes and found Ariel talking with Oberon and Tethys.
As if sensing her mother's eyes on her, Ariel turned towards the direction her mother stood and smiled at her. She could tell her mother was not in the mood to listen to any excuses as she stomped with temper but still carrying elegance with every step.
"Mother!" Ariel faked a smile and welcomed her mother, "Are you enjoying the evening?"
With a smile much sweeter than daughter's, Artemis commanded, "Drop the courtesy and step forward I need to have a word with you. . . this instant!"
Ariel nodded and instantly stepped forward, both if them then walking to a more secluded area where they could converse without the unease of catching eavesdroppers.
"Where has Selene been? I demand the gospel truth." She warned her about any excuses.
Ariel flinched with the sheer intensity her words held yet she recovered quick as she told her, "After father declared the news of Selene and Alexander tying the knot, Selene grew despondent and wanted to have a word with father but since you know how father has been engaged with the King lately, she couldn't do so. And when it was turned too hard for her digest the news she wanted to go out for a little walk. Brother Callisto is keeping her company."
And with that Ariel finished her concocted story.
Being well aware of the fact that, Callisto went missing an hour later after Selene, Artemis's face turned into an upright scowl but it seemed like the luck was on Ariel's favour as she then called, "Oh. . ."
"There they are!" She pointed in the direction of the entrance.
Artemis turned back instantly and the incessant jitters she had been feeling finally ceased. She was not in the mood to waste any second as she dashed through the room with Ariel following her.
Selene and Callisto discreetly tried to mix back into the crowd without anyone suspecting them. And just when Selene thought everything was fine, she saw her mother barging towards her. She dug her mind clean to come up with a story but Ariel was quick.
"So, are you feeling any better Selene?" Ariel stood by her side as she snaked her arm around her shoulder.
Selene was aware her sister is covering up for her so she played along.
"Brother Callisto had been very kind to walk me through the gardens. I feel like I have gained my strength back!" She lied.
"What was wrong with you, if I may know?" Artemis interrupted their little act of innocence.
"I was feeling under the weather." Selene answered in a low voice.
"Hmm . . ." Artemis scrutinized her from head to toe. "That's so unlikely of you!" She scoffed.
"Your dress has got mud and dirt on the edges and your hair might come undone soon. Is there anything you might like to add to your statement?"
Artemis was barraging questions on Selene but those were only her disquieting thoughts laced with frustration, she was more content than anyone else to see her daughter back in the court.
"I didn't realize the mud was wet in the garden outside and I accidentally tripped on a bush." She lied again.
Artemis recognized it was a fabricated story and given the place if she inquires her other children, they will corroborate her statements. So, she dropped the inquiry and let the matter go.
Minutes after Artemis walked back to catch up with other ladies present in the ballroom, Callisto and Ariel felt it was a suitable timing to converse with Selene. They were bothered about their sister as well.
"Are you really feeling better now?" Asked Callisto as he put a hand around her shoulder to comfort her.
Selene nodded and smiled at him.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ariel questioned, hoping it won't cause her to break down.
"I'm feeling good sister. Don't worry! Let's chat when we get back home." She promised, thus preventing the situation.
Ariel gave a her a warm understanding smile and then the three of them walked away from the spot to mingle themselves with the rest of the people present at the ball.
Far away, in the land of Ardolf, the moon was still at its peak and the light illuminated every spot bringing out the surviving beauty of the land. The wolves were still out, some patrolling the land while others enjoying the transformation bathing themselves in the moonlight.
When Deimos arrived, the wolves bowed as a symbol of respect and admiration to their Alpha. His was content and pleased with his packmates, it reminded him of the dream his nation carried and the hopes his packmates had.
He climbed the castle walls and the front stairs of the castle which led inside. Once he was inside his grand bedroom, he transformed back into his human form. His bones cracked and returned to the normal size while his eyes were still glowing red. Once his consciousness was back, he picked up a robe and covered his naked body.
It didn't take him a single second to realize that he was not alone in the room. The heartbeat and the scent of this person was familiar to him and he knew who the person was.
"What are you doing here Luciana?" He asked nonchalantly, without even looking at her direction.
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Attention readers : New character introduced, who do you guys think she is???? Drop your thoughts in the comments!!!