Music and laughter filled the air as noble fairymen and women celebrated the feast in honor of Alpha Alexander and his future fairy Luna. The smell of delicious food filled every hall and everyone was merry.
Everyone but Priscilla.
She still felt the sharp pain of Seraphina's slap like she had been branded. She tightly clutched the silver serving tray in her hand as she walked through the festive room, providing wine and appetizers.
Priscilla made sure to serve the guests efficiently but without being seen. Her eyes stayed lowered as she poured wine obediently. She feared bumping into Seraphina or being seen by Alex. But there was nothing she could do but patiently wait for the night to be over. Alpha Alexander and his team were seated in a closed off section of the room like VIPs. He donned all black attire and his hair was gelled back. His Beta, Raphael, and Gamma, Charles, were dressed in silver jackets and black bottoms. Priscilla's eyes occasionally stole glances of the Alpha as he socialized with the elites. She remembered how he expressed wanting to finish their conversation but she already knew he brought nothing but trouble for her.
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Alex despised fairy feasts. Too much perfume lingered in the air. He sat at the elevated table reserved for him and his men, tensely. He only spoke when necessary and smiled only when needed. His eyes were sharp and observant, watching everything and everyone.
Especially Priscilla.
He had told himself he would not look. That he could be in control of his urges. Yet, there she was— her head full of silver hair lowered, hands that trembled ever so slightly, and a faint flush that would spread across her cheeks whenever she would spill a few drops of wine. She was invisible to everyone in the room, but not him. He wanted to see her and smell her delicious scent of warm vanilla but she had rejected him twice.
Alex raised his glass and waved it around in the air indicating that he was out of wine. Winston immediately noticed and beckoned for a servant to come and refill his cup. Winston's eyes had landed on Priscilla. He waved his hands impatiently and Priscilla cursed at the Fairy Gods under her breath. Alex saw the girl making her way towards his section and he instinctively straightened his back. She slowly walked over to the VIP section and when she came close, their eyes locked for a second.
"Refill Alpha Alexander's glass with wine and anyone else who needs it", Winston spoke without even looking at the silver haired girl.
Priscilla gulped before entering the closed off section and proceeding to fill Alex's wine glass. She could smell the Alpha's scent of after shave and peppermint. She could feel the heat radiating off of him and it enveloped her. She made the mistake of looking up because she found that the Alpha's eyes were intensely watching her, as if staring into her soul. Priscilla could hear his deep, shallow breaths as he took in her sweet scent.
"Alpha?", Raphael spoke via mind link.
Alex snapped out of his trance before responding .
"What?"
"Do you know that servant? You seem to be…distracted", Raphael probed.
A faint red blush touched the tips of Alex's ears at his Beta's call out.
"She came earlier to bring food to my room. Nothing more and nothing less."
"Ah yes, the servant I had sent to your room! I completely forgot", Raphael replied via mind link.
Alex tensed at Raphael's words. He wasn't too fond of the fact that his Beta laid eyes on his mate before he did. Priscilla stepped back and courtised after pouring the wine. She proceeded to refill Raphael, Charles, and Lord Edmond's glasses, as well. However, just before she could leave, Alex spoke.
"Stay."
Priscilla's entire body froze and the elites looked at the Alpha in confusion. Without missing a beat, Alex continued.
"It would be troublesome to have to fetch you again if we need wine, so stay here and be of service."
The elites thought Alex's words made sense and no one was going to pass up quick wine refills. However, Raphael didn't buy his Alpha's words. He cocked an eyebrow at his Alpha and decided to not say a word. Meanwhile, Charles had just drank his fifth glass of wine and busied himself with banter. Raphael rolled his eyes at Charles and his drunken display. Charles was strong, strict, and always alert but whenever he drank, all of that went out the window.
Priscilla had no choice but to stay by Alex's side. The Alpha hid his joy as Priscilla took her place at his side and his wolf stirred with the desire to claim. This was the first time she had not rejected him and he felt victorious. However, the feeling of victory didn't last long before a feminine voice had called out to Alex.
"Alex, baby!"
Alex, Raphael, Priscilla and drunken Charles whipped their heads to find the source of the voice.
It was Lady Seraphina.
She walked fast, making her way over to the VIP section. Her charming smile faltered when she saw Priscilla. Priscilla avoided making eye contact like the plague.
"What are you-"
Before Alex could finish, Seraphina walked up to Alex and sat down on his lap. Guests noticed this and the elites stared at the two to see what would happen next.
Priscilla instinctively took a step away from the Alpha, which did not go unnoticed by him. Her scent was overbearing and clashed with his senses. Alex felt rage bubbling inside him and wanted to push Seraphina off of him. And he didn't take too kindly to her acting like she owned him.
Raphael was incredibly uncomfortable but hid it well behind his glass of wine and Charles was surprisingly alert and locked on to his Alpha despite his inebriation. Lord Edmond and Winston were proud and knew Alex wouldn't reject Seraphina publicly so he had to play along.
"Look at all the guests that gathered here tonight for our future engagement as Alpha and Luna", Seraphina spoke to Alex.
Alex grimaced at her words as his fingers tightened on the armrest. He hated how she spoke as if the decision had already been made. And it irked him that she was here on his lap and not Priscilla. He wore his fakest smile before responding in a low tone that only Seraphina could hear.
"There will be no engagement if you do not get off my lap, Seraphina."
She froze as her heart tightened within her chest. She couldn't understand why the Alpha kept rejecting her especially since they have always been flirty towards the other in the past. It didn't make sense and she refused to believe the servant girl had swayed Alex.
"Why can't your future Luna sit on your lap? Don't you think our people want to see a united front?"
Alex knew hundreds of eyes were on him and Seraphina, waiting to see drama unfold. His jaw tightened before glancing in Priscilla's direction. His heart felt like it would explode. He stared at the empty space beside him, the smell of warm vanilla slowly fading away. Alex cursed at himself as he scanned the room for silver hair. He feared that she was upset with him or worse, unsafe. He wanted to jump up and search the entire palace for her once again but he couldn't. He, the mightiest Alpha in the North, was trapped.
"I need to use the restroom", Alex spoke coldly.
Without waiting for a reply, he stood up making Seraphina almost tumble to the floor. She quickly collected herself but felt angry at Alex's dismissal. Lord Edmond and Winston were furious at Alex and frustrated at his rebellious attitude. Raphael and Charles looked up at their Alpha and received a single nod. Alex left the VIP section and feast and stepped into the hall, shutting the grand doors behind him. He felt relieved that he could finally drop the mask.
Alex inhaled sharply, sniffing the air for her scent. He couldn't smell anything. She had left the feast floor, entirely. He didn't understand why she left so abruptly. Or why she was intent on avoiding him. But one thing he knew for certain was he would not chase her. Not again. If she wished to run, then she could. But she would learn soon enough…
No one outran an Alpha.