Chapter 6: The Party

The man walked up to me and said, 'May I have this dance, my princess?'

I looked at him and found that he was one of the young wolves who had been frequenting our parties. I couldn't be sure but I must have turned him down previously as well. My mind had also not registered the fact that there was music playing.

'I'd be delighted!' I said smiling, as though I had been waiting for him to ask. I threw a sideways glance at my parents and I could just imagine the surprise and relief on both their faces.

The young man led me to the dance floor and we started moving our bodies to the music.

'I am Prince Lyndon Woods of the Borderline Park', he said. 'It is a privilege dancing with you, Princess Iris'.

'Oh, I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Prince Lyndon', I replied.

We danced for a while and I felt him staring at me. 'Do I have anything on my face?' I asked suddenly.

'What?' he asked shocked, then laughed. 'No, I was just wondering if you would want allow me court you?'

'We just met', I said, not ready to go that far as just yet. 'Let's take it slow'.

'Sorry, if I am rushing you', he said, his voice apologetic. 'I have admired and wanted you to be my bride from afar for so long that I do not want to risk losing you', he confessed. 'Please pardon my imprudence. Can we be friends?'

'It will be my pleasure', I said, smiling at him. Friendship I could handle for now.

We danced for a while longer, and just when I was going to suggest that we go back to our seat, when a voice spoke as the music changed.

'I believe it's my turn to dance with you, Iris'.

I looked up, into the eyes of Alpha Andrew and my face lit up once more. I hadn't known till I saw him just now how I had missed his presence at the party.

Prince Lyndon relinguished my hands and Andrew took my hands and swirled with me to the beat of the music.

'It's good to see you having fun and smiling sincerely for once', he said, smiling. 'Don't get me wrong, it is totally time', he added.

'It is totally time', I agreed, smiling at him. 'I need this distraction'.

'I'll gladly be your distraction anytime you want me to', he volunteered.

'Oh, Andrew', I said, thinking of what to say to change the subject. I didn't care for where this discussion was leading. 'Thanks. I shall take you up on your offer anytime I am in need. 'How is your pack matters going?' I asked. The last time you visited, you told me of a very difficult case you had to judge'.

He led me out of the hall and we sat and spoke for a long time. He told me of the challenges he was facing and how he had solved the case I asked him about.

'You can always ask my father and brothers for advise and help anytime you have need of it', I suggested.

'Your father is a great wolf king indeed. He is my mentor and I have learnt alot from his tutorship'.

I shook my head, thinking that I had buried myself iny sorrow that I hadn't known what was happening around me. I didn't know for instance that Dad had been given Andrew advise nor that Andrew had been seeking his advice. It really totally time' I came out of mourning and start to live again.

'We'd better get back in before we are missed', I said.

'We are adults and I doubt anyone would miss us in this crowded party', he said but I was already up and he opened his mouth to say something else, but thought better of it as he nodded and getting up, followed me back, inside.

As we went back inside, I could feel his eyes on me and I could not help recalling something else he had told me the last time we had spoken - about how he met and look ved me first.

He had been surrounded by other wolves who were beating and clawing at him. He could not scream for help because he had escaped the mansion against his mother's warning. I had happened to be passing and had shouted at them to stop their bullying and alot of them had been older than him. They had been bullying him out of jealousy or spite that he was the Alpha's son.

Seeing me and recognizing me as the Alpha King's daughter - my fame had risen since my abduction and subsequent rescue from the Lilibeth witch, they had run off, in fear that I might have learnt some spells while in the witch's custody. They said as such, ' Run, before she cast a spell on you. Or get her father to end your lives!'

He said he had looked up.atvme, wondering if what they had said was the truth but not caring since it had saved him from whatever plans they had in store for him.

'Are you okay?' I asked as I went to him. I had escaped the mansion as well. Mum would not allow me out since that incident with the witch but I felt like a prisoner and after a while, she allowed some guards to take me for a walk. I had deliberately lost them, tired of their persistent fussing when I happened on the young boy being bullied.

'Yes, now that you are here's, he said and I smiled.

'Great! Now run off to your house before they come back to complete what they started', I advised.

He smiled but before he could say any other thing, my guards located me. 'Its time to head back to the palace, Princess', the head guard said. 'And please don't pull the kind of stunt you pulled just now. What do you mean running out on us, do you want to get us into trouble with your parents, Alpha King Sylvester and the great Luna Millicent? You want them to have our heads on a platter?'

'Thanks for saving me! We shall meet again, soon', the boy said as my guards led me away.

That was how I knew who your parents were, though your face is an Unforgettable one. I could never forget such a strikingly beautiful face as yours' Andrew had confessed to her.