The Balling Grounds

The birthday ceremony for Weston was not as bad as we all had expected. I had spent the time serving drinks and taking away some of the plates and dishes. While the Queen had demanded that it was a ceremony for wine and champagne instead of food, the food prepared for their children had been brought by werewolf dignitaries into the pack.

Weston's birthday party was unlike anything ever seen. I couldn't help but feel that he was sleeping from my fingers already, as I watched him interact with everyone. I believed that sooner or later, things would have to change, and I wasn't sure whether that would mean our friendship dynamic as well.

Feeling rather suffocated in the presence of such loyalty and conversations, I could hardly understand. I choose to sneak out and head to the balcony. I knew that none of them would notice me going because they were all engrossed in other conversations. There were more than enough servants to distribute the rest of the remaining champagne, in case any of the guests wanted it. The Breeze in the balcony was much better, and I only needed a few seconds before I had to go back in or else I would get in trouble.

"If only the future Alpha was allowed to keep a whore around.'' someone whispered in my ear, causing me to turn around. 

I stared at the woman in confusion, wondering what she was talking about.

"Excuse me?''

"You. I'm talking about you." She pointed at me. "I've heard that you are Weston's concubine?'' The words flying out of her mouth stopped in mine, not only because of what she had said but because of the dismissiveness in her tone, and the disregard for all the people inside who could almost hear us.

"I'm sorry b..."

"You're already apologizing? I thought you are going to be more fun.'' she said with a smirk on her face.

"Would you like a refill of your champagne?'' I asked, hoping to change the subject, but she kept staring at me and I did not want her to cause a scene. I bowed my head respectfully before carefully walking away from her.

"And where the hell do you think you're going, you b****?!" 

Her voice was sharp and hoarse as I felt her hands gripping my hair and pulling me back, causing the tray of champagne in my hands to fall to the ground. The clattering sound beckoned for everyone's attention, as they turned and faced the balcony. The small linen cloth that acted as a curtain did not differ. People could still see through. The woman who I still didn't know, pulled my hair across the floor, trying to lead me towards the exit. I could hear people murmuring, yet no one dared to interfere.

"All of us. We are beautiful and we are noble. We are the daughters of Alphas and Betas and High Priestesses all across werewolf packs, yet, the future Alpha has not given attention to any of us because of you. Your behaviors and your attempt at keeping the Alpha all to yourself, when you're not even worthy of him!''

I scream as she tags about my hair and pulls me across the floor, dragging me around like I was some dog. I tried to pull myself away from her but she proved too strong. Tears cascaded down my rosy cheeks as I tried to look at anyone, hoping that my eyes were pleading enough. But no one was there to help. 

No one tried to interfere.

Suddenly, she let me go on the floor before coming to sit on top of me and hitting my face repeatedly. I let out a scream of pain, as I tried to cover my face. That was the only thing I knew about defense. Weston had once insisted on teaching me self-defense to help me protect myself against my bullies, and right now, I should have listened.

"Please… stop... I don't know what you're talking about. Please, stop." I begged and pleaded with her but my words fell on deaf ears. She kept hitting and slapping me repeatedly, punching my stomach as I cried and screamed in pain. She was cursing me and saying something, but I wasn't even sure what she was saying. All I knew is that my face had been messed up, and that the hands I was putting to shield my face from her were not really helping. I felt pathetic and helpless. I felt humiliated and embarrassed.

"Just what the f*** is going on here?!'' the sudden authoritative voice rang inside the hall. "Alondra!''

In just a few seconds the woman had been flown out on top of me and thrown against the floor, causing her to stumble back and wince in pain. Weston wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me up with him gently. My body collided against his, making me feel safe. I hated it when he did that. It made me look weak but I couldn't help myself.

He pulled me up with him, and everyone was staring at us.

"Get out, please!'' Weston's demand sounded across the hall as he held me closer.

"You're going to kick out the daughter of an Alpha because of a commoner?'' The question rang from somewhere between the congregation, yet no one was courageous enough to show themselves.

Weston remained silent, as if contemplating. Kicking a noble out was a grave mistake, even for a future Alpha.

"Weston, please, I'll just go.''

"NO.'' Weston answered in a heartbeat. 

There were shocked expressions all over the party. I tried to wipe my tears away, yet I just couldn't stop crying. Not just from the pain coursing through my body, but from how helpless I had felt until he came along.

"Son, what's this? You can't make a scene for her…'' Alpha Mark, Weston's father, came forward.

"I will do whatever I damn well please. We might be royalty here, but we cannot keep acting as though everyone who isn't doesn't deserves respect. We are royals because they are not. And we are obligated to treat everyone with respect!" He roared, matching his father's eyes.

"Weston, listen to your father. The Monroe family has been a friend of ours for years now. You cannot just try to kick out their daughter because of Alondra.'' the Queen pleaded as I looked away.

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I did not want to be here anymore and I knew that if I tried to plead with Weston on their behalf, it still wouldn't work. He was bitter. I had never seen him this angry before. I could feel his wolf emerging and for some reason I knew that it would end terribly.

"I don't care about our relationship with their family. She has lost that privilege the minute she decided to act like an animal!"

"If you're going to chase my daughter away, then you are chasing me away too.'' Alpha Michael stepped forward, folding his fist as he looked at Weston. The both of them engaged in a fierce, staring contest, and everyone in the hall held their breath.

"No, no one is chasing anyone away." Alpha Mark spoke, " No one is going anywhere.''

"But father, you can't be serious." Weston pleaded.

"I am serious. She stays here, and if she goes.'' he pointed at me, his eyes cutting through me.

Weston ignored everyone as he continued to lead me out of the party. His fathers words rang in the vicinity as he called out for him. He held me close to him, feeding me his body heat as he pulled me out. Everyone in our way stepped aside, but their scrutinizing eyes remained on me.

"All of this because of a mere servant!'' Mrs Pierce's voice echoed as we left..

********

Our quiet silence to each other was noticeable, only shifting into our wolves and taking a long run in the woods, letting our wolves enjoy the feel of the humid air. My injuries had healed almost immediately we left the party, it was as if being around everyone made me hurt more.

None of us mentioned what had happened back there. Weston seemed a little taken aback, but I was the most shocked. I couldn't help but feel guilty, yet I knew that he didn't want to talk about it. And so we continued, doing what we usually do best whenever we needed to cool off.

We had a run.

Just as we were done, we shifted back into our human forms, and then sat a few inches apart from each other in our comfortable silence.

Staring into the bushes, reflecting on how far we've come so far, the memory of that day like it was only yesterday - the day I was seated all by myself, in the woods, crying endlessly because my dad just passed on, leaving me all to myself, just a few months mom left us.

It was almost my fifth birthday. 

A day still so fresh in my head.

Weston held my hand when I slipped and almost fell down into a ditch. Then he shared his candies and chocolates with me, telling me some lively folk tales he got from his parents, soothing my aching heart.

We had become so close after that, even though almost everyone around us was against our friendship, all because I was an orphan from an almost wretched background, while he was a Blueblood, the heir apparent of BlueBlair Pack.

"Your dad sounded so disappointed at your party," I chipped in, stealing the silence of the moment.

He took a deep breath, sighing afterwards, caressing his forehead like one lost in so much thoughts. He swirled his head to look at me, taking a quick stare at me, as if wanting to say something, but looked away and shook his head. 

I tried to understand him now, but unfortunately, nothing was forthcoming. 

And finally, he did.

"I couldn't stand to be around those people anymore. and I cannot stand to see someone hurting you.'' he finally said, causing my breath to stop. 

What would I answer? That I love him? That I have always loved him?

Which? Or what?