~Aurora~

　　Tonight was all about looking breathtaking and gorgeous as hell. My cheeks couldn't stop smiling so big after looking at myself in the mirror. The long teal colored dress looked so good on me, that I was admiring myself like I was my own lover! Giggling, I turned around and viewed the beauty of my own, once more.

　　"I'm pretty, pretty sure that Prince Emeric will fall in love with me all over again. And that's the point, isn't it, Aurora Fangborn?" Mimicking the voice in my head, I chuckled like a kid and sighed. The A-line gown gave me a good posture, an illusion created to make me appear taller. My skin was complemented beautifully, I knew I didn't need makeup.

　　The heels which came with them were of black, simple yet elegant. The heels gave me an even majestic look as I seemed taller than ever! This is more than great. I could see why not all men would ogle over me tonight.

　　Well, Beta Roman had emailed me once more to let me know about the kind of guests accompanying us tonight. The invitations were sent on the day of my victory, making them informed prior by three days. Hence, kings and queens and alphas from far nations will be joining us tonight.

　　However, there is pressure on me as a new alpha of an influential pack - The Darkforest Pack. They'll need me to talk to them, network with them and all in all, have a good business relationship with them. That is what Prince Emeric expects of me tonight. To be as social and eloquent as possible for my own benefit.

　　Pumping myself up for the last time, I walked out of my room, at last.

　　Again, I was mildly overwhelmed with the sound of nothing. The corridors were oddly deafening, an eerie vibe to it. I took a deep breath in and proceeded to walk faster than before. Oh, not to mention…I WAS LATE ALREADY!

　　It is bad on my part to be late as the future alpha of Darkforest pack! Yet, I couldn't help but put up a bad first impression! I hope Prince Emeric doesn't catch me and scold me later. He has my email, and probably my phone number as well. All I have as a medium of communication is this phone. Which I've stolen from Alexia and Leif.

　　"Lady Aurora," my eyes widened when I saw Beta Roman waiting for me at the door. The sound from within sounded very rich to my ears. Rich laughter, rich dining etiquette, everything was rich from there. Just then…I knew I was taking too much pressure into fitting in.

　　"Oh lord, you look stressed." Beta Roman commented on my behavior. Was I that obvious?

　　"I am, in fact. Could you help me calm down, Beta Roman?"

　　"Oh no, I don't think that's my job tonight. Why don't you talk to Prince Emeric? He's one of the more familiar people here. I know that a room full of royal strangers scare everyone. It's not just you who's weak in the knees this evening." He said, while walking with me, arms intertwined. He was speaking in a low voice with no specific accent modification. Accent, because the richness and royalty around me was forcing me to think that way. The fear of being judged as someone low and not well qualified, not to forget that I'm so young compared to them, was overwhelming.

　　"Look, he's right there." Directing me to look at Prince Emeric who was busy with a few guests of honor, he looked at me after a couple of seconds. I felt my chest tightening because of the gaze he held in his eyes. I'm pretty sure…it was for me.

　　"By the way, I helped him pick the heels." Said Beta Roman. By the time I broke eye contact with Prince Emeric and tried to look at Beta Roman for further explanation…he had run away! Then, when I tried looking back at Prince Emeric, he was already walking towards me.

　　With a glass of celebratory drink in his hand!

　　With just one clearing of his throat, the people around him, werewolves and humans alike, turned to him. There was silence spreading from the center, from where he was standing, like wildfire.

　　"Tonight, we celebrate in honor of Aurora Fangborn, the brave hero and victorious champion of the world's most anticipated event of each year, so far: The Trials of Heirs!" My audience cheered for me, my cheeks turned warm and red! Bowing politely, I looked around and waved softly. Like a princess!

　　"Raising a toast for Aurora," lifting his glass in the air, the man looked at me and flashed a soft smile,

　　"TO AURORA!" The crowd followed him, with soft clinking of glasses and giggles filling the air! Oh, that brings such joy to my saddened heart~~

　　As I was bridging the distance between him and I, a boy no less than my age quickly interrupted me. He handed me a singular champagne glass and went away, almost scurrying away!

　　Finally…

　　Prince Emeric and I…meet.

　　"Three days, Aurora." seems like we were thinking about the same thing, "Three days you've locked yourself in without me. I couldn't come either, for that, I apologize."

　　Taking the hand that held the champagne, he softly kissed my knuckles. With the kind of distance between us, I could see his long lashes cast shadows over his cheeks.

　　"You don't h-have to apologize…what are you doing?" Slowly, he was tipping the glass of drink he held through my hand towards his lips. I was confused initially, but never felt so loved and cared for until I realized why he was sipping on MY drink…

　　"It tastes good," He commented,

　　"You're a literal Prince…What if something happens to you?" I asked, worried to death already! The reason why he did that was because he wanted to make sure it didn't have poison!

　　"I'm a Prince with a wolf, who's also resistant to poison and venom. Eh, mostly." My jaw hung down to the floor with the way he casually said it! I shook my head at his bravery. Out of the blue, he put his hand over my shoulder.

　　"I would've loved to hold you by the waist, but not right now." He whispered in my ears.

　　Oh lord…

　　I could smell his alcoholic breath.

　　Something in me was ignited that night. The way he sounded in my ears, my revelation that he was drunk and might act out of his skin this way…

　　It was very exciting!

　　"Come with me." My eyes widened. Without my consent, or even the first hand reaction, Prince Emeric was dragging me out of the room to enter the balcony! There was some kind of coordination between him and Beta Roman, who nodded on his way in from the balcony!

　　"Chug it down. I have something for you. A gift." He spoke in broken sentences. Nibbling on my lip, I did as instructed. The sweet yet bitter sparkling liquid warmed up my throat. I almost coughed at the feeling! He chuckled, held my head in both of his hands!

　　"Oh Goddess…you're the most adorable thing in the world!" He exclaimed out of the blue!

　　"Fhank you…" I mumbled, my speech was little disoriented by the way he held my cheeks!