Chapter 1 – The Portrait

Chapter 1 – The Portrait

“Is it going to be cold in the palace?” She asked because that was the only problem she could see right now as she admired herself in the mirror, the dress looked perfect on her — a royal blue gown with an open back, it looked simple as it was only held by a spaghetti strap, hugging her upper body and from her waist, the skirt flows down while her back was open. It was simple yet elegantly looked perfect on her.

“No. There would be so many guests to warm the room, and the palace has a heater.” Sandy said and put on her high heels.

Katherine walked out of the bathroom and looked at herself in the full length mirror.

“And here is your mask, I asked someone to quickly make those in three colors, so here is the royal blue one.” She handed it to Katherine and wore it in front of the mirror.

“I look… different,” Katherine uttered to her reflection in amazement. She indeed looked gorgeous, and at the same time with the mask on, mysterious. The mask was simply covered with tiny crystals and feathers which complimented the simplicity of design of her royal blue dress.

At the entrance of the royal hall, the guards stopped them and asked for the invitation, Sandy handed him the letter, looked at it, and glanced at Katherine and Sandy.

Sandy has two siblings, and she purposely hid the invitation from them so she has something to use with Katherine, and besides, his brother and sister were able to get in since they were with their parents who must have talked it out to the guards and gave proof that they are the children of the Beta family of Domil Pack.

“Domil Pack? They already arrived earlier, why are you two — “ Sandy cut the guard off, flashing him a seductive and flirty smile.

“Oh, we were late, my dress arrived too late, so our parents came here first not wanting to anger the royal family, and oh believe me love, our family must be waiting already, we must be introduced to the King! You do not want the king waiting for us, do you?” Sandy uttered convincingly, running her long nails at the guard’s wrist.

Katherine let Sandy handle the situation as she was lost in admiring the palace, it looked vintage and Victorian yet there was a touch of modernity in it. It does not look old but it looks historic as if it holds a number of stories and witnessed a lot of greatness of the royal family.

The guard tilted his head and thought about it, and then after a few seconds, he nodded in approval.

“Thank you love.” Sandy flirted and ran her hand on the guard’s chest, feeling the texture of his suit on her fingertips.

“Later, after the party babe?” the guard smiled playfully, suggesting to take her somewhere and do something after the party.

“Of course. See you later.” Sandy finished and held the guard’s cheek before letting it go and walked to the huge doors of the royal hall with Katherine on her side.

“Are you really going later?” Katherine curiously asked.

“Heck no, I am saving myself for my mate, duh,” Sandy said and they entered the royal hall.

The hall was a spectacle, filled with werewolves dressed in stunning ball gowns and elegant suits. Masks covered their faces, wine glasses in hand as they engaged in lively conversation, the air filled with the sound of chandeliers sparkling above. The flag symbolizing royal blood hung proudly on the walls, and at the center of it all was an empty throne. A long table draped in gold and red tablecloths stretched along the side of the room, laden with platters of food and drinks, while servants in formal attire moved gracefully, offering trays of champagne and red wine.

Just as Katherine had imagined, this is a royal banquet. The sound of the violins and harp, the mystery of not knowing the identity of the people behind every mask, the royal throne, the men dressed in suits and uniforms which Katherine does not know what their uniforms signify, whether they are a soldier, an awarded hero, a general, a royal blood from another kingdom, an Alpha, a Beta, she was not aware. 

But mostly those who are not dressed in a suit are either kings or princes of the kingdom or from another, the other Alphas and Betas and other esteemed guests are in suits for they do not have the right to wear royal uniforms, medallions and honors like a prince and a king could. But all these were unknown to Katherine, she just thought that anyone could wear whatever they wanted as long as it was appropriate for the occasion and if it was their best dress then it would do. 

It was her first time at the royal ball anyway, and she was just sneaked in by her best friend. She didn’t belong there.

Katherine felt like she had just entered a world in her fairytale books. A palace, a royal ball, guests in their fancy dresses with wines and champagne, shining crystal chandeliers, perhaps a prince just around the corner, but well, Katherine was not expecting anything from princes. As she thought, it would be impossible.

But one thing she would want to describe the place, it was…

“It is magical.” She uttered in awe while her eyes roamed around the hall.

“I know right? It is like the ones in our fairytale books.” Sandy replied.

They walked through the crowd of guests sensing the dominance coming from various Alphas of different packs and regions. They have seen faces with uncovered scars, deadly eyes peeking from the masks, cold shoulders, and deadly auras that due to the number of guests around them they are not sure anymore from whom those auras belong.

They walked around the royal hall, looking at the paintings displayed on the walls, and on the other side hung the family pictures and portraits of the rulers of the kingdom, the royal blood, the Alpha Kings, and their Lunas, generation after generation.

Katherine paused in front of a portrait that caught her eye. There was something about him that sent a shiver down her spine. He looked vicious, his gaze cold and unfeeling, even in the image. The man exuded an aura of danger. Someone that no one should cross, someone that everyone must fear. Among the other portraits and persons in them, he has the coldest and surly aura. Unlike the other portraits, where the figures had softer, friendlier features, this man exuded an aura of danger.

“He is handsome, isn’t he?” Sandy came to her side, looking up at the portrait as well.

“Yes, but… he looks cold, stern… dangerous.” Katherine listed, and she muttered to herself, “and his eyes are dead, empty, void of any emotion, nothing of joy.”

“He is ruthless. A devil like everyone deemed. The most ruthless of the royal generation. He is the Alpha King, Luther Reeds.” Sandy said and gestured Katherine to look at his name below the portrait and there, engraved on the golden frame of the portrait was his name.

Luther Reeds IV

The 27th Alpha King of Riverdawn Pack of the Northern Kingdom.