C37. Safely Hidden

Continuing Jossie's POV:

     Cas had gotten us sweet and sour pork as well as two boxes of fried rice from the local restaurant not far from the apartment complex. We had sat in the bedroom together and ate the meal in silence. It might be our last. Tonight was the masquerade. I didn't want to say it but we both knew. We would have to sneak in and find a way to stop my sister. I didn't want to see her get hurt. I really didn't. As much as she resembled my mother... I couldn't blame her for anything. It was really all my mother's doing. Everything had became her fault now in my eyes. I should have never stopped my father.  

     Maybe he wasn't a good guy... Maybe I don't know who my real father was. Maybe he was mean all the time when he wasn't with me. I don't know anything past what I saw that night about him. I had spent so long loving him. Thinking he was the stars in my sky. I thought we were both in the same situation in the pack. I thought he was hated just as much. Maybe he was for different reasons. Maybe he was who they said he was. He was a rogue too.

     Casimir is a rogue.

       He's not so bad.

     There must be a difference. How else am I supposed to stay sane? He must have only snapped that one time in his whole life. Just like me. It was my first time. That wasn't who I was when I fought to save my mother. I did it all for her. I thought it was chivalry. Was it something else? Is it my bloodline? Are Cromwell Rogues just what they say we are?

    "What are you thinking about?" Cas asked softly as he began to notice I was playing with the peas I left in the box. I had lost track of thought. He was good at reading me. He reached out and rubbed my cheek. "Did you get a chance to ask your friend for help?" 

     I had called Nathalie like he said when he was gone. She had told me there was a few packages for me waiting at the diner. It had an unknown sender listed. I was hesitate about going there to unbox them. I wasn't sure what they could be but she opened them for me instead. They turned out to be items for me to wear at the masquerade. Along with some for Casimir. There was even a hand written note addressed to me. 'See you soon.' 

     I don't know who could have sent it. I didn't even know if I could trust it. But, it made our jobs easier. We wouldn't have to look for last minute arrangements. I shrugged as I looked into his eyes.

     "Yeah, we need to stop by Nathalie's," I told him nervously. She said she'd keep them at her place for us. That's if we wanted to use them. I might as well. Why would I let a chance like it go? 

     "Great." He leaned in to give me a small kiss on my lips. "How about we go now?" His eyes met mine before he frowned slightly. "Are you having second thoughts? Let's just leave this territory if you are. If your guts are telling you to leave then let's go. Jossie you don't have to look after anyone."

     "If the king... falls in her trap..." I trailed off. "We have to try to prevent it," I mumbled. He nodded as he looked slightly agitated. I knew he felt bad about giving away his feelings on his face. He quickly hid them with a comfortable smile. 

     "You're right. There's no talking you out of it. Nobody should have to love someone by force." He took my hands in his and made me sit the box down. "Let's go get ready. I'll be by your side all night. We'll tell the king about your mother's plans. Surely your sister will not be in trouble if we explain it's your mother's doing." I nodded in agreement. I have to do this. I have to. I followed him out of the apartment and we went downstairs to a lower garage where his familiar vehicle from before sat. The Mercedes he was driving the first time we met. He got the door for me before getting in on the driver's side. I would have to give him directions to Nathalie's place. He's never been there before.

Juliette's POV:

     When we arrived it had taken several hours. The limo took us from the rural area that housed our pack to the busy city life the king reined over. The home of the king was located just on the edge of the city. We wouldn't have to go directly into the heart of the city. It would be too easy for us to get lost in. Moonvally was blessed by the goddess herself. The royal family was a direct descendant of her bloodline. Alpha bloodlines were all from her royalty. Because of that the Alpha families were entitled to special gifts. Rather it be future-telling or even necromancy. Our gifts varied and came into our lives at different stages of our life. Mine connected me to my twin. Although I don't think Jossie ever picked up on our special connection. She's still too immature to discover our connection. 

     The king's manor was three times the size I thought it would be. With a tall electric fence surrounding it. It was classic. Built in the late 1800s. It held nothing from the past. In research documents I've concluded it used to house my own ancestors at one point. We're all related to someone after all. My mother's family goes way back to the royals in her family tree. We were too distantly related to be of much conversation's use. Inside it would be updated with everything within the last year's top décor. The king's omegas worked inside the manor as servants. This family was rich. Something I have to marry into.

     The limo stopped outside of the gates. A valet would come to open the door for us. My mother would step out first and I would follow. I watched as fellow valets would gather to grab our luggage. 

     "We will take this up to your rooms personally. Please meet Beta Ethan at the front," the valet said as he closed the door behind me. He tapped the side of the limo and our driver moved off. Servants suddenly appeared to take the luggage from the valets. As if on cue. I followed my mother as we went through the gates and onto the grounds of the massive estate. This was a place I could tell was only used for business affairs but I had a feeling the family lived here somewhere. They had such a massive pack territory they'd have to stay in the pack house.

      I've heard about King Camren my whole life. From the small fact we shared the same birthday. I always thought fate would bring us together. Who would thought he'd be destined for my sister? Of all people! I've never been here before. Surprisingly my mother left us behind when he came here for meetings. This was probably the cause of her cheating on my father. Camren became king at a young age of eighteen. That must have been four years ago. That's the last time my mother left for this place. Camren is only four years older than me. The only way I would recognize him would be his scent. 

     Just as promised we were greeted at the entrance. A young man stood there. His scent told me he was in fact- the beta of this pack. He must be Beta Ethan. He was wide in size with muscles popping out of his button down three part suite. Ethan was cute! No- He was fucking hot. He had an uncommon appearance about him. He was a natural red head- which was something that lacked in this region. His eyes were a bright green which made him even more appealing to me. His face was covered in freckles that peppered his rosy cheeks. He was a good looking guy. Nothing about him spoke delicate. He held a powerful dance to his shoulders. Something I thought was attractive. Red-wolves are rare here. He was like a black sheep in a flock of white. Of course I knew he was a red wolf instantly. How could he not be?

     "Welcome Luna of Rabidcrest and Ms. Juliette Rabidcrest. Please come in. I have strict orders to show you up to your quarters. Please do not leave them before the hour of the masquerade for your own safety," Ethan said as he bowed politely our way. I frowned and crossed my arms immediately. 

     "What? You're going to cramp us up inside a room all day? After making us walk here out in the open where anyone could have freely took a shot at us?" I growled out. This is suspiciously stupid!

     "The manor grounds are safe," he assured me. "There will be more guests coming shortly. Please just cooperate for your safety."

     "Juliette," my mother growled suddenly. "Learn when to hold your tongue. What he really means is its for the king's safety we remain in our room," she chuckled out. "It's to keep a better eye on us. Especially since the king's home will be busy soon." I snorted as I uncrossed my arms. Yeah- whatever. 

     We entered the manor and was stopped immediately as female guards searched our bodies. Their hands ran us up as Ethan looked away to be polite. When they found nothing we were green-lit to keep going. Ethan held in a smile as he lead us up a floor and to the private guest wing. I hope he didn't find that amusing. The scents were a bit confusing but I was able to pick up this wing wasn't used much. So, I knew what it was really used for. He stopped at a door as he opened it for us. 

     "Your belongings should be up shortly. We'll be back up at dusk. Since you're an Alpha family we've arranged for your names to be announced as you enter the ball room." He eyed us over as he looked to be thinking of something. He bowed his head suddenly. "Good day ladies." He waited as we entered the room obediently before closing it behind us. 

     The room entirely was a two bedroom suite. With a lounge separating the rooms. The lounge was set with a fake fireplace. With a matte black floor to ceiling panel wall as an accent wall. There were built in shelves holding fake house plants and extra pillows or blankets. There was a triangular coffee table sitting in the center of four chestnut leather accent chairs. There was an abstract area rug to separate your eyes off the hard wood floors that looked freshly polished. 

     The two rooms had framed lettering on them telling us which room we belonged to. I suppose whoever put us in this room had enough thought to personally design the bedroom itself in our honor. They were trying to impress us. 

     Inside my room was made with bright colors. Pink, white, green, and gold were the main colors. The entire room looked to be made from the finest materials. It smelled fresh like it just came out of the packaging. The bedding smelled washed with lavender left behind. There was king sized bed centering the room with white sheets and a hand made quilt. There was a pink throw blanket sitting at the foot. The headboard was a fax leather link. The pillows were matching in theme to the room. There was a double drawer nightstand on one side with a gold lame. Behind the bed was a floral wallpaper. Where the only green would be contained in the leaves. Across from the bed was a private desk with a pink oval lamp. 

     The only attached room was that of a private bathroom. It was small. With pattern tilework. An open concept shower with glass paneling revealed the overhead shower. It would continue the dark brown and black colors I seen before. With a unique cabinetry beneath the sink. 

     I'd meet my mother back in the lounge room where I sat down across from her in one of the chairs. I crossed my legs as I felt disheveled. The sinking pit of dread hit my mind. What if they found the potion? What if I didn't hide it well enough? Maybe I should have swallowed it in a plastic bag and then I could have just puked it up once I got here. I hate waiting. I'm just going to be here worrying the whole time until they bring up the bags. How long is this going to take? 

     A knock rose us to our feet as someone was at the door. My mother motioned for me to sit down and waited until I followed orders. She'd then clear her throat. "Come in," my mom would call out. I recognized the same faces of the ones that took the luggage from the valets. They brought our stuff into the room and bowed politely. They'd leave us as soon as they came. I waited until the door was shut all the way before I rushed to my suitcase. I opened it up as I searched for the hidden compartment. I'd open it. My fingers slowly reaching in to pull out the vile of the potion. It was safe. It was untouched. It wasn't discovered. I held it up as I looked towards my mother. 

     "We still have it," I told her as I zipped up my bag and placed the thing in my jacket. I walked back over to my mother and sat down in the chair. We should get ready soon. She sat by me as she looked pleased we got away with the first task. 

     "We still have to make him drink it," she muttered. "You should be careful slipping it to him. The guards will be on watch the whole night. You'll have one chance to get him out to the private gardens. You won't have eyes watching you there. You'll slip it to him then." She reached out and took my hand. "You're doing well. I'm so proud of you. Next time keep your mouth shut around the king's beta. We don't want unwanted attention from him." She was the one playfully accusing us earlier. She should have avoided that conversation instead of indulge. 

     "I'm going to go get ready," I whispered. 

     "Let me know if I can assist you with anything," my mother said. Her voice was cold hearted with no emotions. She didn't actually care. I'm sure she didn't want to actually help. Unless it involved getting me a step closer to what she's always wanted. This was all hers. Not mine. Although I wanted it too. This was something I've always wanted. What I really want is power. I want to break away from my mother. I don't want her ruling's authority over me anymore. I thought anything would be good. Luna of Rabidcrest or even Queen of wolves. It didn't matter to me know which one I ended up with. Now that I let Edith take the position of Rabidcrest's future alpha family... I have to make sure this position becomes mine. Even if I have to rape the king myself and sire his heir. It will be mine. 

     "Yeah, sure," I muttered. I gave her a smile to fake my affections towards her. I was beginning to be fed up with this person faking being my mother. I know what I saw that night. She was being a pretty good double... But, this is not my mother. I still wanted to take a shower before I began to fix myself up for the masquerade. I left my mother's side as I took my belongings with me to my bedroom. I'd make sure to lock the door behind me. I didn't want any interruptions while I concentrated on my beauty. King Camren... will be mine.