CHAPTER SIX- THE BALL (Part 2)
Killian saw her first.
No amount of camouflage or mask could hide Kendra from him. He knew her both inside and out,
Well not exactly inside, but you get my drift.
She looked so ravishing, dressed in a strapless burgundy ball gown, her face concealed by a black, elegant lace like mask. For the first time in a really really long time, her curly hair had been styled in an intricate chignon.
Only her mum used to plead with her to wear it like that.
Killian was mesmerized,
What was she doing here?
The Beta didn’t do balls.
He basically had to blackmail her sometimes to tag along with him, and even then, she never took the time to look this… lovely.
The feeling he felt was so foreign that he stumbled in his dance routine a bit, the action causing Artemis to look up at him in concern. “Hey, it’s everything all right?”
“Yeah, yeah…” He brushed her question off, his attention shifting back to Kendra,
But she was nowhere to be seen.
****
Maybe this was a bad idea.
Kendra Sullivan thought to herself.
She didn’t know how to do the whole mingling thing and she felt so out of her element in the huge ballroom.
Oh, but give her a sword, or a stick even… and boy, would she show you who was boss any day.
Kendra couldn’t believe she had let Rhea talk her into coming for the ball, but at least she knew that there was no way she would see Killian and Artemis around… for Killian hated these things with a passion, so she knew there was no way he was going to be here.
Her corset seemed to have been done too tight, because she didn’t think she was breathing well… but then again, maybe it was just nerves.
The she-wolf sashayed over to the drink stands, and poured herself the first thing she could reach for,
She needed to be slightly buzzed if she was going to survive the night.
Kendra was on her second glass when she saw them.
Waltzing across the dance floor like they were the only people in the room.
They were masked, of course, but she’d recognize Killian’s towering frame anywhere, and Artemis’ hair wasn’t exactly subtle.
That pang that was starting to become familiar started in the dark she-wolf’s chest again.
Killian didn’t even like attending balls.
And yet here he was, dancing the night away with so much joy.
Kendra poured herself two more glasses of the bitter drink, grimacing at the heat that burned down her throat,
“Whoa, Kendra slow down…” A deep voice voiced out in concern, reaching out to snatch the glass from her hands. Kendra looked up and glared at him. “It’s Beta Sullivan to you, and I’d suggest you mind your own business.”
The handsome man grinned. “Still feisty as ever, I see. Come on Kendra, today’s supposed to be a night of truces and new beginnings. What say you we actually step on the floor for one dance at least?”
Kendra glared up at him.
He surely was a catch, and he always had this goofy air around him that would have been funny if he didn’t try to be annoying most of the time.
She had promised Rhea that she’d have fun, plus… maybe it was best if she tried to get her mind off her Alpha and his dancing companion.
“Alright, fine.” She conceded, “But only one dance only.”
The male wolf smirked in amusement. “That’s even more than I was expecting, to be honest.”
****
One dance quickly turned to three.
And even though Kendra didn’t want to admit it, she was having fun.
The Alpha wolf just wouldn’t stop tickling her insides with his hilarious tales and crazy antics.
“Admit it Kendra, you are enjoying my company.” He teased after a little bit.
Kendra rolled her eyes.
She wasn’t going to admit it and make his already over the top ego grow any further. “You’re… alright.”
“Hah, now we both know that’s a lie, princess.”
“Okay fine… you know, when you’re not being your usual jerky self, you’re actually not so bad.” She admitted a little bit, the words causing the wolf to burst out in laughter. “Ouch, Kendra.” He placed his hand against his heart like she had badly wounded him. “Well I must say, when you’re not going round following Killian like some lost pet with a stick up her arse, you’re actually not so bad yourself.”
Kendra took the barb in good stride and didn’t lash out, grinning even.
“Speaking of, where’s he? I find it hard to believe that he’d let you out of his sight like that.” The Alpha-wolf said, the statement causing Kendra to look up at him in surprise.
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s very protective of you, come on… even you should have pieced it together by now that his feelings for you aren’t so innocent.”
Now Kendra had to burst into laughter at that.
“God, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not what you think it is.” She told him in conviction, absolutely believing every word.
She and Killian were friends, and that was what they were always going to be.
True, she did have some more than friendly thoughts about him from time to time, but she was absolutely convinced that he didn’t feel that way about her at all.
Hell, if he did… he would have saved them all the trouble and asked to court her instead!
But he had chosen instead to resign himself to his fate, offering to even give away the entire pack so he could face the curse alone.
And now she had pitched in to help, and everything was going pretty well so far.
A part of her wanted to seek them out on the dance floor again, but she didn’t do that. It didn’t make sense to punish herself in that manner.
“Well then I guess that clears the way for me to make my move then,” The Alpha wolf joked, but there was something in his hazel eyes that made Kendra think that maybe he wasn’t really jesting.
He liked her?
“Not a chance, Sunshine.” She threw at him with a brazen laugh, her breath catching in her throat when he pulled her oh so close. “Why do I feel like even you don’t believe your own words?” He asked, breath hot against her lips.
The Alpha had always wished for this day, and it seemed that the fates were finally heeding to his prayer.
Kendra swallowed shakily.
A part of her wanted to blame the alcohol for the weird sensations she was feeling, but she knew better. “Y-you,” She pushed him away a little bit to clear her head. “You and I are never going to happen.” She swore passionately, her head raised like a very haughty princess.
The Alpha grinned, reaching for her hand and tugging her close to spin her along to the tune. “Well… never say never, Princess.”
****
It finally made so much sense!
Why his Beta was dressed to the nines.
She had come to meet a wolf at the ball!
Killian was seething.
He had wanted it to be a false alarm, wanted it to be a polite gesture— one dance as a polite gesture, because he knew Kendra, and he knew she hated dancing.
Hell, even when he managed to drag her along to these things with him, she always managed to steer clear off dancing.
And now she had danced three times with whoever that was— three times!
Killian had watched her from afar, watched how she had thrown her head back as she laughed at something he said…
Who the fuck was he?
Killian couldn’t really tell because of his mask.
The emotions coursing through him were more than he could bear… hell, he was this close to shifting.
“Killian? Are you okay?” Artemis asked when she noticed his struggle and the way his hold of her had tightened.
Killian let go of her and moved back. “Excuse me,” He said gruffly and walked off without another word.
He was going to find out.
CHAPTER SEVEN- THE KISSA growl escaped Killian’s lips as he closed in on the couple obliviously dancing to the sound of the lively music.“Kendra!”Well, he’ll be damned.Of all the wolves present at the gathering that his Beta could have danced with, she had to go and pick the one that he hated most,Tyrone Riverdale.Alpha of the Riverdale Pack, who took great delight in causing mischief and encouraging excessive violence among his wolves.His Beta had the decency to look like a cat that had been caught trying to swallow the family mouse, with her wide eyes and lace-masked face.Good. He’ll deal with her later.“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Killian Silvercrest.” Tyrone boomed, his voice taunting as he held on to a frozen Kendra. “You know, I was wondering when you were going to show up, since you somehow always manage to keep your Beta o
CHAPTER 8- The Ultimate SacrificeKillian didn’t even make it out of the building when he shifted into his wolf form, the action causing his clothes to tear into mere rags, into shreds.He dashed off, heading into the forests, a shortcut that would take him straight to the pack borders.Back at the grand hall, Kendra was cursing the Alpha,In her head, of course.She had barely managed to bark the words Wait, we need to plan first, when the infuriating beast had burst out of the grand hall, heading for the borders.Kendra knew how important the pack was to the Alpha… he was as possessive of it as a mother wolf was of her cubs, but he didn’t know how many of the curers were out there, and granted… he was a very powerful wolf, but a few Silver weapons too many, and he would be just like a normal human being— completely mortal and at the mercy of the evil humans.Now a l
CHAPTER 9- THIS WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DO “Any changes, Maymunah?” Kendra asked for the umpteenth time as she observed the comatose Alpha. “Still nothing, child.” The Oracle confirmed. “Honestly speaking, it’s a miracle he’s still alive, Kendra. No wolf should be breathing after having that much silver in their system.” If it was a miracle, why wasn’t the brute fucking awakening then? Kendra didn’t ask the Oracle this though. She already knew what the answer was going to be. Only the Gods knew why. At this point, and with everything that had been going on, Kendra wasn’t even sure she believed in them anymore, but for the sake of her best friend, she prayed to all of them… Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Athena… she prayed to whoever cared to listen to save her friend who was simply put, nothing but a pure heart. It had already been three days. Three days since their clash
CHAPTER 10- Wet Killian was trying to work out, but he couldn’t concentrate. What in the fuck had he gotten himself into? He couldn’t really explain it, but it was like now that he had gotten a taste of Kendra… gotten a taste of her lips, of her skin, he just couldn’t seem to stop himself and his thoughts. He wanted more! But that did not even make any sense. He had never felt that way with anyone, not even Artemis whose company he was growing to appreciate more and more each day, the feelings just… confused him. Was he feeling this way because inwardly, she was the one he wanted to be with? Or was it because he was afraid that she would find her love in the arms of another man from another pack and leave him all alone? At this point, he didn’t know anymore… and he didn’t care. All he knew was that he was a very stubborn man, and that he was goi
Chapter 11- Tyrone RiverdaleKendra Sullivan was in the pack gardens, tending to a patch of vibrant, red roses.It was one of the little things she loved to do when she wasn’t playing Beta, or taking her wolf for a run, or sparring, or drawing…Yeah, the she-wolf was quite talented.It was early morn, that time of day where the sun was out, but not too hot or shiny.It really was a beautiful day to be out.Kendra felt at peace in that moment, it was a much welcome respite after being so tense for days.She had spent the whole week avoiding Killian, because after his recovery, it became apparent that the very air they both breathed was charged with some indescribable force.The Alpha wanted to talk about the kiss, but she surprisingly didn’t, because she had a hunch as to what he was going to say.And she wasn’t sure it was going to be something that would make her heart flutter with
Chapter 12- Sheer will For the whole period of the council meeting, Killian did not say a single word to Kendra. Everything he wanted to say that required him addressing her, he threw to their gamma, Miguel, instead. He had seen how much that had unnerved her, but he literally didn’t care. It wasn’t like she had cared about his feelings when she had turned up late to the meeting with his worst enemy anyway. By the time the meeting had ended, Killian was a complete thinking mess. Was Tyrone courting his Beta? It seemed like the only logical explanation… the only reason why they were suddenly spending so much time together. But if that were so, why hadn’t Kendra told him about it? Of course she knows you’re going to blow your fucking fuse, you arrogant brute! His conscience mocked darkly, but he brushed the thoughts aside. He didn’t care. Kendra could do wha
Chapter 13- SpentAnd then she was spent.Kendra’s eyes fluttered close and she sunk into the bathtub to shield her body from her friend’s watchful gaze, horror seeping into her veins as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened and the implications it was going to have on their lives and their relationship.The female-Beta took a deep breath and stepped out of the tub, pretending not to care that the Alpha could see her… all of her. It was the only thing she could think of to grasp onto the remaining thin ropes that were holding their relationship together.She brushed past him nonchalantly and reached for her robe to cover her nakedness, and then turned to him when she was fully dressed. “What are you doing here?”Killian just didn’t understand.How was she so cool and unconcerned about what had just happened? He was literally struggling to come to terms with it&
Chapter 14- Seeking AnswersLove.Now Killian just had to laugh at that.As much as that would have been a very wonderful piece of news, it was unfortunately not true. There was no way he was in love with Kendra.No literally, there was no way.He had been cursed. Or had everyone suddenly forgotten about that?“You seem to have forgotten that I’m still cursed—”“No, I know that… but think about it, man…” Tyrone cut him off excitedly, “Until yesterday, you thought you were impotent… hell, we all thought you were. Honestly speaking, I’d wager everything I have if it came down to it, but I think you’re slowly breaking all the other aspects of the curse, Killian.”Killian pondered over the blonde Alpha’s words…Could he be telling the truth?And if he was, what did that mean for him?