The Ball

LYRAEA.

When he said his name, his thoughts were a bit distant. "That's all I can remember, just my name." He sounded disappointed.

"Don't worry, I believe you will remember as time goes by." I encouraged him. Immediately, a smile curled on his lips, and he neared closer to me as he whispered.

"Care for a dance."

"I can't dance," I said shyly, which was something that I hardly do, unless with someone very special to me.

We went back to the wedding ceremony, and we danced to our hearts's desires. I felt myself feeling very happy for the first time.

I was enjoying myself, but not until I sighted Rhain. He was watching me; his fists were clenched tightly, his brows were slightly creased, and it was clear he was angry.

Thinking of the pain he had caused me, I don't know when I had managed to wrap my hands around Kaelos' neck, as I immediately locked lips with his. I knew my actions were immature, but I just wanted to forget about Rhain. I wanted to see if Rhain would feel the pain I felt.

I felt how his lips were soft and tender. He wrapped his hand around me, bringing me closer to him as he deepened the kiss.

I eventually let go of him with the aid of a slight push; he was now staring at me with so much intensity in his eyes that the golden pecks in his eyes burned.

I turned to look back at Rhain. I was shocked that he was no longer there. We dance a little awkwardly because I can still recall the kiss that just happened.

We went back home, and I felt so good after a long time. We couldn't talk to each other while coming home because we were both silent. it was very awkward for both of us. He managed to break the silence.

"I love your lips and your boldness; it makes me want you." He said it innocently, and the pupils in his eyes burned as he said that.

"I..." I was about to say something, only for Mae to come badging in as she interrupted me mid-sentence.

She looked infuriated as she came close to me. "There would be a ball on Sunday. Rhain instructed all the savants to start getting ready for the ball because he was expecting a great and mighty guest. She said.

"And all because he is officially crowning Mynth as the new Luna of the pack," she added with a clenched fist.

It hurts. I almost shed a tear, but with a deep breath, I told myself I had to be calm. "Okay, no problem. We would start getting ready by tomorrow, so that everything can be intact on that day."

Mae stared at me, shocked. "You can't be serious, right? You are just going to let your husband leave and crown another woman just like that?"

"Please specify by saying Ex, my ex-husband, not my husband. I can't continue hoping for someone who doesn't care or worries about where I am, how I eat, or where I go." I said this with a clenched fist. I am trying so hard not to show my emotions or my pain, but deep within, my heart aches whenever I recall the way he looks at my sister and the way he holds her tightly. I always wonder if the mood goddess paired me with him or if he paired him with my sister.

Days went by. Sunday cast its morning rays. I stretched my body, feeling drained due to the work we did yesterday. I opened my eyes, and there Martha was standing. She was taking gentle strides towards Kaelos, who was sleeping on the wooden bed. She went close to him; she was about to kiss him. I waited patiently on what would be the outcome. But I was surprised when Kaelos immediately opened his eyes, stopping her from continuing her action.

"What were you trying to do, Martha?" He asked intimidatingly.

I let out a laugh. Mae woke up to see the embarrassment on Martha's face. She left the room hurriedly, in embarrassment. Time went by, and Martha intentionally added more work for the three of us; we were so exhausted. The ball event was occurring in the evening. We got ready, and we managed to wear one of our best outfits. Kaelos would often steal glances at me as we carried out tasks, and I could see on his face that he was tired, knowing how he had been volunteering to help me with most of the house chores.

"I know you must be tired; please just rest." I sounded concerned.

"No, I can't let you carry all the task rendered by Martha all alone, knowing things would be much on you; I'm not complaining, Lyraea," he said my name so tenderly. I felt a blush crept on my cheeks.

We were serving drinks and making sure that everyone got a drink. There were people of the nobles, the great and powerful, dressed in all kinds of expensive clothes, exuding so much wealth and power with their gaze, dress, and style.

I felt so intimidated by their presence, but I still managed to serve them their drinks. I'll always watch Kaelos in the corner of my eyes. I will see how many ladies gawk at him. Some will say that he should meet them in a private room, but we would politely say no. He was such a gentleman, yet so innocent in his dealings.

I was instructed by Martha to serve Mynth and Rhain a drink and some fruits. I did as I was told. I don't want to get entangled with them right now, but I just want to do what I was told, and I'll leave.

I went closer to them, lowered my gaze as I tried not to look at him, and immediately served them a drink with a plate of fruits. I was about to leave, only to feel the strong hands of Rhain stop me from moving. He stared at me intensely. "I never knew you were such a whore that you now settle for boys in brothels," he said intimidatingly.

I wanted to yell and scream at him for his betrayal, but rather I took a deep breath as I said, "At least having to be in bed with someone in a brothel is more dignifying than being in bed with a man who has no regard for his wife and decides to settle for the wife's sister."

"Don't you dare mess with me, Lyraea; remember, I'm still your alpha," he said with gritted teeth.

I withdrew my hand as I made my way to leave. As I was leaving, I felt myself being slightly pushed by someone, only to land on one of the nobles. I looked up to see who I might have landed on, and I was surprised when I saw the King of Auestra.

I immediately stood up and said, "I am very sorry, my lord. I'm sorry." I was begging fervently because I knew what I just did might cause me great harm.

"I am not accepting any apology; this is too grievous to forgive. Do you know how much this dress is worth?" He asked.

"I..." my voice croaked. I turned to Rhain; maybe he'd be of help, but rather he turned his gaze with no ounce of care. I turned to look at Mynth, who had a sinister smile on her face, and I knew she was the one who had pushed me.

"Guards beat her." Rhain had instructed the guards to render painful lashes on my bare skin. I thought he'd be the one to save me, but I was mistaken.

Two hefty men arrived with a whip, and my clothes were torn into shreds right in front of the people. They were about to land a hurtful lash on my bare skin when Kaelos said, "Stop, beat me instead of her." I turned to look at him; he was infuriated.

They nodded; they immediately ripped his clothes, relax-husbands mouth-watering body.

They were about to render a hurtful lash on his skin, only to hear an intimidating voice from the king of Aeustria.

"Stop."

The men stopped, and everyone was shocked at why the king himself had stopped the men from hurting him with the metal-injected whip. He stood up from his seat as he went to Kaelos. He surprised everyone when he publicly hugged him as he said

"My son, I thought I had lost you."