Black is such a regal color...

"...Eighteen Black Sheep, Nineteen Black Sheep, Twenty Black Sheep! Okay, here I come!"

Past the satin white curtains and through the floral scented aqua hallways, Adelaide Moore paced with ambition. Her sharp blue eyes scrutinizing each room as her nose focused on a sole scent, a hideous mix of lemon tart, musky wood and strawberries.

Then, like a faint ring of a church bell carried over by the spring winds, she heard it. Her Soul twin.

A broad smile graced her face.

"Good Morning Lady Adelaide!" A pack member chirped, rounding the corner opposite to her.

"Morning Mathew!" Adelaide waved back, a pleasant smile lingering on her face as she paced downstairs, her silk lilac gown flowing behind.

"Are you going about your duties?" Mathew called out, balancing two piles of neatly folded clothes on his hands.

"I'm not, but I see you are," Adelaide grinned, giving him a mock salute in encouragement.

"Have a good day Lady!" Mathew chirped back, blushing subtly as he rounded a corner with hasty steps and waddled away.

Adelaide giggled to herself, wanting to tease her packmates further but not having the time to do so. "You need to find her within five minutes! It's a matter of pride, Adelaide. You can do it!" she encouraged herself, "I will win the bet!"

The fresh aroma of morning breakfast followed by the realization of neglected responsibilities swayed her sense of direction momentarily. If the Luna finds her, she'll be so mad...

"No Adelaide, hocus-pocus you have to focus! I can already feel her!"

The strawberry blonde pulled up her lilac gown and replaced her pacing with running now. A series of giddy greetings followed her along with goofy giggles, surprised shrieks, worried words and suddenly — Aunt Yuna.

Her graceful slave-driver aunt stood smack in the middle of the hallway, in all her hourglass figure and sophisticated glory, looking in the opposite direction and most probably grumbling about how 'careless Adelaide had managed to escape duties, yet again!'

"Ah! No! No! No!" Adelaide mumbled to herself but her feet were too loud and before she could open a door and hide to save her life, time, ears and dignity, her mother's part-Korean-part-French sister spotted her.

Now her life, time, ears and dignity were all at stake...

"Oh! Dear me, Adelaide, your breakfast is ready, served and waiting for you to grace it. Where have you been? What were you even doing? And where is that Omega of yours? Don't tell me she is slacking off again---she is, isn't she? Ah! I knew I should not have agreed to give her a day off today...Oh! My Love, why don't you just eat your breakfast? We still have a lot of preparations to do. Good Heavens! Is that sweat that I see? What have you been up to, my lady? You weren't engaged in some actions that would do you no proud, now were you? You still need to get ready! And go over the treaties with your father! Dearest Adelaide the plane leaves at 3 in the afternoon, just-"

Adelaide cut in Aunt Yuna's rant- which was accompanied by some extreme hand gestures that nearly poked her eye out- with her sweet, honey laced voice that she used for ulterior motives only. "Dearest, Dearest, Auntie, I'll be down in the dining hall in five minutes! I promise! And no, I wasn't being notorious. You will give me five minutes, won't you?" the additional puppy eyes and batty eyelashes always did the trick.

Adelaide was Bleu Del Luna pack's little princess. She was beautiful to the bone, charming to the core and kind to everyone around her. Adelaide was the north star of her pack, shinning brilliantly even in the darkest of times, a lending hand to everyone out there. They admired her, loved her and cherished her.

Aunt Yuna's sharp raven eyes softened, the crease on her forehead disappearing. She ruffled her short, perfectly styled hair and gave a deep sigh.

Because who would not have a soft spot for a creature as marvelously beautiful and pure as Adelaide Moore.

"Just five more minutes darling?" Aunt Yuna pouted unlike her thirty-five year old persona.

Adelaide nodded her head vigorously which made her blonde curls swing along. Aunt Yuna ruffled her hair, eyeing her favorite niece endearingly as she turned round the corner and proceeded, yet again, to involve herself into chaotic preparations for the event tonight.

Adelaide huffed out a breath and focused her senses once again. "I hope she didn't waste much of my time..." she huffed out.

Her supernatural hearing confirmed that her target was near.

Two right turns, almost bumping into the flower lady, sneaking a macaroon from a maid's tray and a left turn later Adelaide found herself standing in front of a three-way. Another left turn, a stairway to the tunnels or jumping down into the gardens.

She took a deep breath in and inhaled the obnoxious scent once again.

Oh it was too easy~

>---------<3

Beyond the garden pond and behind the grass hedge sat Raven Crown feasting on a plate full of sweet delicacies. Her small body perfectly slotted in the little-to-no-space between the hedge and a big apple tree as her greedy little mouth stuffed the lemon tart mixed with butterscotch ice-cream.

The overloading prevented her from closing her mouth as it went chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

That's Raven, not giving a damn about anyone or anything around-unless it benefited her. Funny, because for her the universe acted like a fifteen-year-old boy hitting puberty and having his first crush. As much as she wanted for things to not happen, the more they did-always demanding her attention like a love sick puppy that she kicked aside but was back again wagging its tail. So she goes along with the flow...wanting the teenage boy to get over his crush and the puppy to take its treats and retreat.

And when she heard a light jump on the grass and hurried footsteps shuffling on the wooden bridge over the pond and heading towards her, she wiped the sweet crumbs on her dark uniform pants, checked the timer on her phone, cursed a little 'shit' under her breath and advanced to crawl away... when suddenly a hand grabbed the back of her collar and roughly pulled her against the hedge. For once, she was dissatisfied by the long lasting quality of her dress shirt.

"You are busted, Raven Crown! Where do you think you are crawling off to? Not cheating again, are we?" demanded the panting voice of Adelaide.

The ravenette sheepishly looked behind and saw the blonde giving her a stink eye as her fingers wiggled in a come-hither gesture. Like a naughty child caught playing a prank, by her parents, Raven gulped.

"Okay, okay, you got me. In record time that is; how did you even manage to catch me within four minutes and thirty-eight seconds?" Raven asked while getting up, dusting her black dress pants and letting herself be squished in Adelaide's bear hug. She noticed the hem of Adelaide's gown was soiled by the garden mud.

If Kim Yuna saw that, she'd have her head.

"Oh it's too easy. You always hide in a place you can eat peacefully, preferably outside where you can avoid Aunt Yuna and you chew obnoxiously loud," Adelaide informed while Raven skillfully jumped over the hedge.

"I do not!" Raven loudly protested as Adelaide slung her petite arm across the ravenette's shoulders and rested her head on them.

"I'm tired, and you so do! You never close your mouth and if I concentrate it's always the first thing I hear! Over Aunt Yuna's fretting, over the loud kitchen maids yelling at each other and over the alphas training out in the fields. It's that loud!" Adelaide diligently explained as Raven sat down on one knee with her back toward Adelaide. "You're the best!" the blonde cooed, jumping on Raven's back as she piggybacked her Lady across the blossoming spring garden and reached the Main Hall's balcony.

The doors were out of bounds in fear of being ratted to Kim Yuna by one of the pack members.

"Oh please! In the name of Sailor Moon, I'm never that loud! And I do close my mouth! Often...seldom...At least I was never told off by the Luna or the Alpha," Raven reluctantly retorted, sitting back down to let Adelaide off. "And you know they both can very strict when it comes to manners," she said, grabbing the wooden railing and effortlessly climbing over. She balanced her entire weight on the five-centimeter-in-width railing and reached out a hand for Adelaide to take.

"By Sailor Moon's graciously gorgeous hair, if you were to ever eat in front of Aunt Yuna, the poor soul would convulse! She'd have a heart attack just by watching you tear your food apart!" Adelaide exclaimed while taking Raven's hand and carefully climbing up the short railing and jumping down on the Oakwood flooring of the aqua hallways. She huffed, "It never gets easier..."

"Please Addie, now you are exaggerating. I don't eat like a starved animal..." Raven spoke in a tone that did not even convince her own self. "And you are in some serious need of cardio. Skipping morning exercise or replacing it with games like tag and hide-'n-seek is doing you no good."

Adelaide grinned and patted her maid-of-honor's raven hair, "Whatever you say soul twin, you eat like a total princess! And I'm doing just fine, as long as you are here, I don't need to run."

Raven pressed her lips in line as she stared at Adelaide's smiling face.

Adelaide had gorgeous hair, not as brilliant as spun gold or as delicious as dark chocolate. Hers were the colour of sand, burning sand, spirited and alive, sparking joy and shining brilliance, creating an aura of enigma and peace around her. They hid her scarred forehead like warriors in armors whose protective sheath lasted till her waistline. Her eyes were the love child of melting ice and everything nice, though if you dive deeper, you'd see hints of silver. To look into her eyes was to look into hope, in a future that's bright, where darkness would always be overpowered by light. Her long lashes were the guardians to these precious gems and they descended down to her blossom cheeks like a lush rose garden in the middle of spring. Her small nose bridged a gap in the fields of roses, equating the two ever so perfectly and heading to her sharp cupid's bow over her plum lips, kissing which was the fantasy of every man she'd ever met. And when they'd smile, in the name of Sailor Moon, the sun loses its brilliance and a new star is awakened. Her smile, that contoured the rose fields to meet melting ice, for spring to meet winter, it was a miracle. A contagious miracle worth witnessing.

And as if on cue Raven too was giggling along.

Raven jumped down, "Well we better get going now before Kim Yuna comes for my head." The ravenette shuddered involuntarily as Adelaide intertwined their fingers and started swinging their hands. They headed to the back hallways to avoid punishments at the hands of a scary pack moderator.

"I reckon she'd go for your kidney...or a spleen, you can survive without that and it will be a win-win, she can sell it to earn money and still slave you around. Besides, she wouldn't dream of killing you on father's watch," Adelaide spoke in a matter-of-factly tone while Raven grumbled, "You never know..."

"And if you thought that you had me distracted, I wasn't. I remember our bet. So, now that I have won-you'll be granting me three wishes! Can't say no, we swore on the name of Sailor Moon!" Adelaide twirled on spot, not leaving Raven's hand and dragging her scowling person around.

"Oh common, I thought it was working..." Raven whined, pouting as Adelaide supported her elbow on her shoulder, cooing at her pout.

"Nah baby, I always win!" Adelaide grinned smugly.

Raven scoffed. "Oh please, you're just having a good day."

"And you're having a bad one! And you're going to do what I say!"

Raven was about rave on how Adelaide rarely has bad days and why she should consider her wishes thoroughly before asking, when Akari Kim, Aunt Yuna's precious, genius, America-return daughter, rounded the corner and comically widened her eyes in surprise. For a medical trainee at such a young age, she surely acted like a sugar-high child. Stuffing a syringe inside her lab coat she tip-toed toward Adelaide and Raven as if having channeled the spirit of Pink Panther and stopped them from moving further like she was Mr. Plod from Noddy.

Hands and legs spread wide. Raven rolled her eyes in Akari's face.

"Morning Akari! What happened?" Adelaide questioned her cousin's not-so-unusual but weirder-than-normal behavior.

If it were possible, Akari's eyes widened even further. Sliding into maim mode, she zipped Adelaide's lips close and threw the key away. She used sign language to communicate, "Stop talking! Mother is just two rooms down finalizing the gift packages and everybody is done with their breakfast and was asking about you. So, run away before she catches you!"

Raven rolled her eyes, translating for Adelaide she whispered, "Run. Use the tunnels to DR. I'll buy you some time."

Not questioning, Adelaide waved Akari a cheerful goodbye-who waved back with equal enthusiasm-and retraced her steps back to the three-way that led to underground tunnels. Raven, watching Akari wave like a five-year-old-unicorn-believing-child-stuck-inside-the-body-of-a-nineteen-year-old-doctor-in-training, cringed.

"Okay, enough with the dramatics. It's still a wonder to me how you are nearly a doctor...," Raven voiced out.

Pulling down her surgical mask, Akari smirked, "Wouldn't be a wonder if you ever picked up a book."

Raven scoffed. The audacity of this girl...

Akari cheekily poked her tongue out and skipped away, haughtily rapping what she called the Raven-anthem,

"Look up in the sky it's a bird, it's a raven!

She be a jerk, but she'll let you finish,

Without shittin',

If you're pleadin',

So make way,

'cuz she finna wanna sneezin'

Or you'd end up with some white in your black... bruh! "

The sheer ridiculousness of the song never ceased to intrigue or astound Raven to the core. Though Adelaide, who is perfect in 12 different languages that also include Akariandumbassery, concluded that the song was about Raven being a mean bird and shitting on people for pleasure.

Every time Akari opened her mouth, it made Raven want to punch it close. She wondered whether Akari genuinely spent so much time thinking about her to write a derogatory song or was she just innately bizarre enough to babble random things spontaneously in public. A small voice in her head said that it was definitely the latter. If Kim Yuna wasn't a wolf with supernatural hearing, Raven would have ended Akari before the little Einstein she could whisper 'help'.

"How about you get out of my face and I spare your life?" Raven questioned with all the pretense of kindness she could muster.

"How about you get out of mine and I keep my shut about this little incident?" Akari smiled, ever so brightly, squinting up at the sunny skies.

"Sure," Raven muttered, about to turn when she witnessed Akari's smug smile of victory. Suddenly her sanity exiled her last working brain cell and Raven hooked her foot with Akari's, turning so as to make the teenager trip and fall on her back with a loud thump and a yelp in the process.

And she calls herself a wolf with that instinct...

"Oops! Did you fall? I'd help you if I didn't have to get away from you face. Sorry!" Raven mocked her back on Akari's seething face as she walked away. The young doctor's not so subtle curses rang resonant in the background.

Smiling, Raven took the direct route to the dining room and against her luck, bumped her shoulders with Yuna Kim's.

'Honestly, does this woman live in the hallways or something? Or maybe she has teleportation magic...? Or maybe she's just so obsessed with me that she can't help but bully me...yes. That must be it!' Raven's thoughts ran rampant.

Raven sucked in a breath as Yuna's cold black eyes penetrated through her soul, like a scaly hand wanting to plunge out her darkest secrets. The things I do for Adelaide...

"Ahem, excuse yourself, Omega. Where have you been? Just because I gave you a day off does not means that you can loll around the place and distract Lady Adelaide from her responsibilities! She was already late for breakfast this morning, skipped exercise and I was reported that she was running in the corridors-alone!? For the love of our Moon Goddess, do you even have an ounce of diligence within? What if she tripped and fell? Or worse, what if she got lost? What if someone took her?! You would never know! Because you were out there obnoxiously chomping on goddess-knows-what! Have you forgotten your vow, Omega? Lady Adelaide is your first priority till death does you part! But some way or the other you just get carried away and wrap her up in all your notorious schemes! Oh, why do I even waste my breath on you? Be ready for your whippings. You must be really thick skinned. Don't you feel the pain? Can there not be a week where you don't have to be punished for neglecting responsibilities? Oh goddess my breath... my blood pressure...!"

Yuna took a few deep breaths in, controlled her temper then a cold smile graced her ever-so-cherry lips. "Now, go to your chamber and strip. I'll be there in a few."

Raven gave her a curt nod and headed in the opposite direction all the while wondering if she really chewed that loudly.

<3

Adelaide silently finished a delicious breakfast of pancakes that the kitchen maid oh-so-graciously reheated and then stealthily sneaked inside her room where the stylists were waiting for her.

"Good Morning," Adelaide gave a smile which left half of them flustered. They replied to her greeting unanimously but Adelaide's eyes were searching someone else.

Raven still isn't here...

Three racks of beautiful gowns and dresses, mannequins laden with accessories, make-up and hair products neatly arranged all over her dressing table. All a mere formality of being the first born of Europe's most powerful pack-Bleu Del Luna. They were given a special invitation from the Royal Household to attend the Spring Lunar Ball, informally known as the King and Queen's Wedding Anniversary. Now being twenty-one, it was her duty as the next heir of the pack to strengthen their relations with the other packs and re-establish treaties and connections with richer households. This would be her very first visit out of her pack territories, out of Europe and into the world of real Royalty.

The stylist laid out her outfit for the day and Adelaide was left in awe. In awe of how much dedication people could possess for tasks as trivial as dress makings. "Wow, Mother and Auntie really outdid themselves..." she whispered as the head stylist gestured for her to sit.

Excitement wasn't a word to express her feelings at this moment; it was dormant.

He explained her the day's routine but all Adelaide saw was his lips moving and understood nothing but high-end gibberish. Big tacky words were never her thing. Her mind drifted to Raven instead.

Was Aunt Yuna harsh on her today...?

"We'll run you a bath now, My Lady," Adelaide heard a maid announce.

I hope not, she'll be fine!

Her handmaids undressed her as they ran a bubble bath for her.

Raven is brave! She can get over anything!

Or...is she...?

Maybe I should not have begged her to play with me this morning...ugh I don't know!

The bath helped her mind relax and she let herself be pampered by the people at her service. It was scented and she enjoyed its warmth as the maids ran their hands along her body, gently scrubbing her body and shampooing her hair.

Adelaide wished Raven was there...She'd be passing snarky comments all along...

--"Is this woman bathing you or feeling you up?"

--"By the moon, she's having the time of her life touching you. Can you not do it by yourself? Should I call someone else?"

--"She looks like a person who would put Shampoo in people's eyes just for fun."

--"Make her eyes burn and I'll have yours wrapped in pickles for a month. I kid you not."

--"I bet she'll get soap in your mouth."

--"Will you use your eyes for once?! She's hurt there! Stop rubbing her elbow before I drag out your last working brain cell and drown it in your blood."

--"Why can't your lame arse do it by yourself?"

And usually Adelaide would reply:

"Why don't you do it yourself then? If you know everything so well!"

To which Raven would go all flustered, looking astray and avoiding eye contact she would bluff:

"Wh-hat? M-m-me? No! Hmph. Clean your own dirty self, peasant. I have a boyfriend, stop dreaming!"

Raven was precious to Adelaide in all ways. Raven was small, but not quite short. Just perfect for Adelaide to place her elbow on her shoulders and use Raven as a portable hand support.

Raven was slender, but not quite thin. Just perfect for Adelaide to cuddle with her all winter without having her bones pierce her.

Raven was cute, but not in a girly way that makes you want to braid each other's hairs and talk about Prince Charmings. She was cute in a way where if you caught her flustered she'd punch you where it hurts but you'd enjoy it either way because it would be worth it in her flustered mad frenzy. Though she'd never hit Adelaide, and that's why it was more fun to witness.

A flustered Raven was one with her guard down and with her defenses low, Adelaide could manipulate Raven in partnering up for all sorts of petty crimes.

Adelaide's abrupt giggle surprised her hairdresser, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut. Adelaide had a one-way mind and if it was not brewing new plans to sneak out or distill chaos or prank the living daylights out of Akari and Yuna then it was hung up on ways to deal with Raven.

How to make her laugh, how to make her play with her, how to make her share food, Raven this, Raven that-so much so that, if Adelaide had literary skills she would have published a 'Raven Handbook: An easy guide to deal with a hard girl,' by now.

And the first chapter would be titled, 'Bad girl gets sugar high.'

Then around, her mind drifted to the Lunar Ball.

Adelaide loved making up stories and fantasizing over everything and nothing. Exaggeration was her favorite hobby. Elaborate lies were her specialty, but no one needed to know that.

And thus, she went on dreaming a series of unnatural things that could happen at the ball tonight, but somehow she always ended up having a happy ending.

Adelaide disliked happy endings.

She indeed was having a good day-not even bad thoughts came across.

Nevertheless, in approximately three hours, she was ready. All posh and coddled for the upcoming ball. Ocher hair in an elegant side bun, adorned with a crown of pearls. A sweetheart neckline, strapless mermaid gown with bejeweled bodice and extravagant flowers and pearl strings spreading from her bust making her look like an ancient treasure. A Queen of her own caliber. Adelaide smiled a satisfied smile. "It's beautiful! You all did a marvelous job. Thank you for helping me," she graciously praised.

"It was our pleasure working for you, My Lady," the head stylist gave her a curt bow. "We'll be gone now."

Adelaide bade them farewell as the door opened and someone blew a cheap wolf-whistle.

"By Sailor Moon, you look ravishing, my Addie!" Raven chirped, kicking the door shut behind her. Adelaide noticed she'd changed from her white dress shirt to a loose grey one. 'Must have gotten dirty' she thought, 'Aunt Yuna hates soiled clothing.'

Adelaide gave her a bright smile and pulled her in a bear hug. "Well of course, I am me!"

Raven winced a tad when Adelaide assaulted her back with mock-anger punches, "And didn't you take your sweet time coming here! I was worried! Just tell me you didn't get in trouble because of me again...?" she pulled back and looked up at her best friend.

Raven chuckled, eyeing Adelaide's nervous eyes and self-conscious lip bit. "I'm alive, aren't I? Both kidneys intact, no scars to prove a forced spleen donation. So, you can rest in peace, My Lady," she cheekily replied with a mock bow.

Adelaide punched her left arm, "I hate you, Goddess! You are such a nuisance!"

Then she proceeded to un-tuck Raven's grey shirt from her dress pants and checks her stomach for any operation marks. The ravenette breaks out in laughter, trying to keep Adelaide's hasty hands away from any other part.

The young heiress found nothing but Raven's perfectly toned stomach. As toned as the day she flexed her training for the first time and birthed insecurities in the soft bellies of every maid around the pack hall.

Raven grinned, heading toward Adelaide's dressing table, "Well of course, I am me!" she picked up a single crème pearl necklace with a rose gold chain. "Com 'ere," she gestured with her chin and like a lost puppy, Adelaide followed suit.

Because if Raven was a political leader, then Adelaide would be a blind follower.

If she was a celebrity, Adelaide would be her number one fangirl.

Even if she was a plushy, or a ring--which Adelaide hated for some reason--she'd still cherish her in any way possible.

Raven smiled and locked the pendent around Adelaide's neck. "And now, it's complete. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it's your wedding day." Raven eyed her lovingly, as if she was her older sister. She wasn't. Or maybe she was...she'd never know.

Back in her childhood, Raven never knew how to count her age, nor did anyone kept a track of her birthday. The poor girl did not even know when she was born. Adelaide took care of it, though, of everything that related to or regarded Raven Crown, and she'd do it forever and a day.

Adelaide giggled, "Tell me about it. This Royal Lunar Ball has everyone fretting over first impressions. And you know Aunt Yuna and mother, they never stop panicking." She touched the pearl and smiled even brighter, "It's prefect!"

"It's me," Raven smugly rolled her eyes.

A knock on the door distracted the girls.

"Will I be allowed to intrude your beloved privacy?" a sweet voice questioned. The door opened and in poked the head of Adelaide's mother-the pack's Luna. Her lush mane of brown locks flowing freely past her waist as her hazel eyes glimmered in adoration toward her daughter.

"Luna!"

"Mother!"

The girls exclaimed in unison, as Raven proceeded to bow and Adelaide gestured her to come inside. Luna Belle swung open the door and entered the room with big regal strides. Unfortunately, Aunt Yuna followed behind.

"Oh, don't you look stunning, darling!" Luna Belle exclaimed, pulling her daughter in a hug. "Doesn't she looks absolutely beautiful, Yuna?" she asked for confirmation while staring at her daughter with proud eyes. Luna Belle had always been a wonderful mother-understanding, caring, overprotective but supportive.

"Well of course she looks wonderful Belle that dress is custom made by one of best designers in France. We were friends back in the day, but sadly we lost touch during our middle age...I reconnected with him two years back... I reckon he had a crush on me...," Aunt Yuna continued like a proper snob.

No one paid heed to her words.

Filtering out aunt Yuna's rants was an art you mastered at a very young age.

"You look fabulous as well, mother," Adelaide praised. Luna Belle shrugged her off.

"Oh dear, you flatter me. It was your father's choice. As magnificent as ever!" the Luna grinned in a child-like demeanor. Raven felt her heart flutter; the Luna and Adelaide had a marvelous bond. It warmed her heart.

"Well he is my father after all, isn't he?" Adelaide proudly declared and the four shared a chuckle.

"Talking about your father, now darling, why don't you go over the treaties with him? We'll meet you down in an hour, okay?" she instructed as Adelaide nodded. After kissing her mother's cheek in farewell, she disappeared behind the doors. "Omega Raven, darling, why are you not ready yet? Please proceed to change we don't have much time!"

Raven gave her Luna a cheeky grin. "Unlike you all, it'll take me a mere five minutes. I don't need pampering, I was born fabulous!" she flicked her short raven hair, winked and retraced Adelaide's steps.

Kim Yuna scoffed bitterly. Luna Belle chuckled endearingly.

"Of course, of course, why not, you have a lot of self love my girl," Luna Belle humored her.

Raven waved her farewell and was gone with the wind.

"I don't get why you let her be that way. She works for you, she needs to know her place," Kim Yuna grumbled bitterly.

"Now, now sister, doesn't she remind you of someone we know? Don't ponder over that silly thought though, get a move on, we still have to load the gifts in the car."

<3

"You wore black!" Adelaide exclaimed as soon as she descended down the staircase and was escorted to her car by a maid at her hand and two behind her, carrying her trail.

Luna Belle was already inside her car, receiving last minute instructions from Yuna which were irrelevant to everyone but her own ego. Adelaide's sudden remark brought them back to reality.

"Well it is our favorite color," Raven said, turning around to show off her figure-hugging, sleeveless, turtleneck, black dress. It's not like she had many colour choices apart from Black, Grey, Brown or plain White.

"But I picked out a white dress for you!" Aunt Yuna bellowed in exasperation. Not having her way through things offended her.

Adelaide and Raven scoffed in sync. That was before we met in the morning...

"But white is such a funeral colour!" they retaliated in unison, chuckling amongst themselves. Yuna Kim looked beyond horrified. Luna Belle chuckled.

"But you wear white at weddings, darling," she pointed out kindly to which Yuna nodded vigorously.

"But that's so lame and dull!" the soul twins timed again.

"White is a symbol of peace, purity, chastity and-"

"Yuna, for a change, stop bickering."

The girls turned to see Adelaide's father, Alpha Kane, looking devastatingly handsome in a black suit and tie.

"Black is such a regal color..." the soul twins sighed in unison.

"Don't you both look splendid, come 'ere my darlings." He opened his arms for Adelaide and Raven happily ran up to hug him. Alpha Kane was one of the better rulers of the land. Classic Alpha stereotypes were beyond him. Kane was a father to all his packmates and they adored him equally. He was strict when he needed to be, harsh when he needed to be but usually a happy-go-lucky man with a wonderful family to count on. He was a man of charm and personality, shouldering responsibilities and executing duties with his sense of morality ever intact.

Yuna eyed him as if she was forced to chew on a sour candy.

And Alpha Kane also had a very evident detest toward his wife's sister.

"Come along now, Kane, we need to reach the airport on time!" Luna Belle exclaimed while Alpha Kane was busy kissing both of his girls' foreheads.

"Coming darling," he replied, blowing his wife a quick kiss. He turned back to talk business, "Raven dear, I hope you are prepared? Did you have a review meeting over the security issues with Marshall?"

Raven switched from the cheeky best friend to the loyal bodyguard that she was.

"Yes Alpha, did it this morning. I'll brief you now. The road to the airport is in our territory, so no danger is to be expected, but we will still monitor the journey with a drone. During the flight, I'll stay on guard at all times. Sir Marshall and his security team will be taking the private helicopter; they'll reach the castle before us and have the perimeter checked. The ball and our one night stay in the castle will be supervised under the Royal Security Unit, but they agreed to keep Sir Marshall and I in a loop. Tomorrow, similar procedures will follow suit during our return," Raven explained in a breath, ending with one of her genuine smiles.

Alpha Kane gave her a satisfied smile and head-pat. "And that's why you are our best, Ms. Crown. Let's get going then, shall we?" He patted Raven's back, ignored Yuna's bow and got inside his car. He kissed his wife in greeting while Raven escorted Adelaide and her extravagant gown safely inside the car, buckled her up and closed the door, taking shotgun herself.

"I don't get why you people are such security freaks..." Adelaide grumbled, shuffling her gown around in her Rolls-Royce Limousine.

"Don't worry your pretty little head around it Addie. We have a long way to go."

That was Raven's standard way of avoiding this question. Or she'd just emotional blackmail Adelaide by saying, "I signed a security contract darling, do you want to give Aunt Yuna a reason to plan my funeral?"

It had been like this since she was young. Being raised under tight security, never letting her out alone, always keeping her under surveillance and by no means hinting at the thing they were so scared of. Adelaide liked to wonder, fantasize, if there was a powerful vampire out to suck her dry or a legendary hunter waiting and wanting to take her heart in his hands- quite literally.

But the fantasy always ended at one question-why her?