Chapter Five

Elena stood in the butterfly garden, the delicate flurry of wings around her contrasting sharply with the turmoil within. The prince's summons had left her trembling with a mix of fear and hope. The vibrant colors of the butterflies and the tranquility of the garden seemed a world away from the storm raging inside her.

As Prince Adrian appeared, his eyes cold and commanding, Elena's breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t reconcile this man with the one who had been on the verge of rejecting her.

"What can I do for you, Prince Adrian?" she asked, her voice wavering as he approached.

"Get yourself ready at 8 in the evening. We will go out," he ordered curtly, turning his back on her without waiting for a response.

Elena's eyes widened, her body freezing in shock. Why was he suddenly asking her out? Her mind raced with possibilities. Was this a romantic gesture, or another of his cruel games? Before she could voice her thoughts, he cut her off.

"I don't want to hear anything from you. Go back to your quarters and prepare yourself!" he snapped, his voice laced with irritation. "And one more thing, don't ever mention that you are my Luna. Do you understand?"

Elena nodded, her heart pounding as he stormed off. The encounter left her reeling, a strange mix of fear and anticipation settling in. What did Adrian have planned for the evening?

Returning to her room, she found Samantha waiting for her. Samantha, with her warm brown eyes and reassuring presence, had been her rock since their days in the orphanage. Their bond had been forged in hardship, and Samantha had always been the protective sister, ready to defend Elena from harm. Elena remembered the time Samantha had saved her from a group of thugs who had tried to take advantage of her. Samantha’s protective nature had been a lifeline for Elena.

"Was there something that happened, Elena?" Samantha asked, noticing the dazed expression on her friend’s face.

Elena forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "None," she replied shortly, but Samantha wasn’t fooled.

"Don’t lie to me, Elena. We’ve been through too much together. I can tell when something’s wrong," Samantha insisted, her eyes narrowing with concern.

Elena sighed, knowing she couldn’t hide the truth. "Okay, I'll tell you, but don’t ask too many questions," she said, her voice trembling.

Samantha’s curiosity was piqued. "What is it? Tell me!"

Elena took a deep breath, her heart pounding with the weight of her revelation. "I’ve found my mate, Samantha," she confessed softly, watching as shock registered on her friend's face.

"What did you say?" Samantha asked incredulously.

"I’ve found my mate. We’re going out tonight," Elena repeated, a faint smile playing on her lips despite her anxiety.

Samantha’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Is your wolf back? Is that how you know?"

Elena shook her head. "No, my wolf isn’t back yet. He told me himself."

"Are you sure he’s not just fooling you? You’re beautiful, Elena. What if he’s just trying to take advantage of you?" Samantha’s worry was evident.

Elena squeezed her friend’s hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Samantha. He has no reason to lie to me. I’m sure he’s my mate."

Samantha closed her eyes, taking in Elena’s words. Despite her concern, she had always been supportive. She would even be excited if she found out her mate was Prince Adrian.

"Who is your lucky mate?" Samantha asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I’m sorry, but he told me not to reveal his identity. If he allows me to tell, you’ll be the first to know," Elena promised.

Samantha sighed but nodded in understanding. "Fine, but you better tell me everything that happens tonight," she said, a hint of a smile returning to her face. "Now, let’s get you ready."

The next two hours were a whirlwind of preparations. Samantha ensured Elena looked stunning, helping her into a red gown adorned with artificial diamonds borrowed from a fellow maid. She styled Elena’s hair and applied makeup with meticulous care, transforming her into a vision of elegance.

"You look like a princess, Elena. You’re beautiful," Samantha said, pride in her voice.

Elena smiled, feeling a surge of confidence as she looked at her reflection. "Thank you, Samantha. I couldn’t have done it without you."

"Remember, tell me everything when you get back," Samantha reminded her, giving her a quick hug before Elena left the room.

Elena made her way to the butterfly garden, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The evening air was crisp, and the moon cast a silvery glow over the garden. When she arrived, she found no sign of Prince Adrian. Confused, she looked around until she spotted a note pinned to a plant. Her hands trembled as she read it:

"Meet me at the old oak tree by the palace gate. Don’t be late."

Elena's heart pounded as she hurried to the specified location. The old oak tree stood tall and solitary under the moonlight, its gnarled branches casting long shadows. She reached the gate and saw a black car waiting. As she approached, the door opened to reveal Prince Adrian behind the wheel, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and pants.

"Get in," he commanded, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth.

Elena obeyed, her mind swirling with questions as they drove away from the palace. The silence in the car was tense, filled with unspoken words and uncertainty. Elena stole glances at Adrian, trying to decipher his mood, but his face remained inscrutable.

After an hour of driving, Prince Adrian finally stopped the car in front of a nondescript building. The neon sign above the entrance flickered intermittently, casting an eerie glow. "Come on," he ordered, stepping out and striding towards the entrance.

Elena hesitated, staring at the building in disbelief. It was nothing like she had imagined. "Are you sure this is where we’re supposed to be?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don’t ask questions. Just follow me," Adrian replied sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She followed him into the dimly lit bar. The atmosphere was heavy with a mix of stale beer and smoke. Patrons looked up as they entered, their eyes scanning the elegantly dressed Elena with curiosity. The bar was filled with hushed conversations and the clinking of glasses, a stark contrast to the opulence of the palace.

Adrian’s demeanor grew even more ruthless as they walked through the bar. He seemed to blend into the rough surroundings effortlessly.

"Listen carefully. Tonight, you do exactly as I say. No questions, no hesitation. Understand?" he said, his voice dripping with menace.

Elena nodded, her anxiety mounting with every passing second. The night had just begun, and the unsettling feeling in her gut told her that the worst was yet to come. 

As they found a secluded booth, Adrian signaled for drinks. Elena glanced around, trying to make sense of their surroundings. The place felt foreign and dangerous, and she wondered why Adrian had chosen it. What awaited her inside? Was there a deeper purpose behind this outing?