I sighed as Linda helped me get ready. I really don't want to go to this party, I don't know why but I have a pretty bad feeling about it. I won't let myself be fooled by him, I'm pretty sure that Zephyr has a motive behind this party but I can't seem to figure out what it is.
Even though I don't want to, I have no choice but to go and besides, I want to know what Zephyr has planned for me.
She finishes putting my hair in a tight bun and places a tiara on my head.
"Take it off." I order instantly and she seems stunned for a moment.
"But why your highness? It suits you perfectly, delicately complimenting your beauty and besides, you're a Princess." She said with a smile and I wanted to play into her innocent mindset but I couldn't. She's ignorant and naive, she has no idea about my past and she certainly doesn't know how much I want to avoid Zephyr and hide the truth of my current life from him.
"You don't have the right to question me Linda, I said take it off now." I replied harshly and she seemed a bit frightened before complying to my order.
"Yes, your highness. I apologise if I offended you." She said humbly and took off the tiara while I clutched the edge of my dress, in guilt. I really don't want to sound mean but if I truly wish to protect all that is dear to me, it's a necessary approach sometimes.
She gives my makeup a few light but finishing touches before helping me stand up. I took a look at myself in the mirror and I wanted to smile at how gorgeous I look but I quickly resisted the temptation. There's really nothing to be happy about. I had worn a black dress on purpose, I wanted to low-key let Zephyr know that I'm not attending the party willingly, I'm only going because I don't really have a choice.
I walked over to the bed and stared at Nevaeh a bit, she was sleeping peacefully and it warmed my heart.
Thankfully, the party is taking place in the evening so in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the party, I had made sure to put Nevaeh to bed early.
I'm not confident in Linda's skills, if Emily had been here, I certainly wouldn't have any worries but as for Linda, not only is she new, she's also very clumsy as well and for something as crucial as this, I don't want to allow room for mistakes.
In this regard, even if Linda's attention on Nevie is divided, I won't have to worry since my little angel will be asleep.
I only plan to show up at the party for a short while, two hours max and I'll politely retire back to the room. I've endured Zephyr's tricks up until this moment but after this party, I won't take any bullshit excuse from him anymore, we'll have the discussion tomorrow whether he's willing or not.
I kiss my daughter on the forehead before heading towards the door but before I leave, I give final instructions to Linda.
"Linda please stay with Nevaeh at all times and try not to leave this room till I return." I order her and she nods continuously. "Yes, your highness." She replied and I left the room.
It took a few minutes but I finally arrived at the Grand Hall where the party was taking place and it already seemed to be in full swing. I'm fashionably late but I honestly don't care, it's not like I'm excited to be here.
The place is full of people but not much is going on yet. A small band plays soft music in the corner of the room, all the Pack members are well dressed and are conversing with each other, some are eating or drinking and the Alpha is surprisingly nowhere to be found.
At this point, I have to convince myself not to be shocked by whatever Zephyr does anymore.
Since he's not here to acknowledge my presence then I don't see any reason why I should stay here. I'd rather just return to my room and get some rest. At least it's not my fault anymore, what am I supposed to do in a party in which the host is missing?
I turn around and head back towards the way I had come. I had barely taken two steps away from the Great Hall when I nearly fell down, courtesy of the heels I was wearing. Thankfully, I had held on to the wall in good time or I might have sprained my ankle. I groaned internally as I tried to stand straight. I'm not used to wearing five inch stilettos, I'm more of a flats type of girl but Linda had practically pressured me into wearing them since they matched my dress.
Thank goodness I won't have to wear these anymore or else I might have embarrassed myself at the party.
I stand properly and instead decide to concentrate on my feet so I won't miss my step and fall but that turned out to be a mistake in the short run.
Barely two minutes later, I bumped into someone and quickly closed my eyes, bracing myself for the fall and the pain that would erupt immediately after but instead of meeting with the hard floor, big hands wrapped around my small waist and stopped my fall before easily bringing my body to press against theirs.
I kept my eyes closed and my cheeks heated up from a mixture of fear and embarrassment.
I feel a hand come to my ear, pushing back a stray lock of hair and soon after, a soft breeze brushes past my ear, causing the hairs behind my neck to rise on their own as his deep and somewhat sensual voice filters into my ear, his hands still securely wrapping around me.
"You're safe with me now, I won't ever let you fall again." The words instead of comforting me, only brought shivers down my spine because of who was saying it.
"You look very beautiful tonight, Evelyn." He continued, still whispering.
Despite the fact that I know this voice all too well, it still takes a minute for my brain to register, my body stiff on the spot.
"Act, Evelyn. Act." Tara screams at me and I quickly recover from my stupefied state, my heart starting to beat rapidly again. I quickly detach myself from him, pushing him away from me. I soon came face to face with Zephyr. He's very nicely dressed and he gives me his biggest smile which I quickly return with a frown.
"What is the meaning of this, Alpha? I must admit I expected better from you. Don't you know that you should always respect a woman's personal space or is this just a bad habit that you learnt over the years." I asked tactfully, my words carefully selected to display my angst.
"But I just saved you." He defended. "I didn't ask you to save me, Alpha, you did that on your own and even so, that shouldn't be an excuse for you to misbehave with me." I fired back at him.
"You know what I really like about you? It's the fact that you never relent and you just don't give up. Why don't we put this act aside and discuss this as adults, shall we? " He requested and I felt the urge to laugh long and hard. If only he knew how much restraint I'm exercising.