Chapter 14
Lila
The man’s lips curled slightly as he studied me. “It seems you still don’t know,” he mused, tilting his head. “But that’s alright. All
you need to know is that you will definitely be chosen.”
I stiffened. The certainty in his voice sent a ripple of unease down my spine.
“Why do you say that?” I asked, wary.
He didn’t answer. Instead, his sharp gaze flickered over my dress, taking in the simple cut and lack of embellishment. A silent assessment. My choice of attire clearly made him pause..
“Because you’re wearing our dear King’s favorite color. Why else would all the walls be painted in it? You definitely don’t blend
in.”
His words sent a small shiver through me. I had unknowingly dressed to draw Damon’s eye instead of diverting it. I masked my
unease and shifted the conversation. “Who are you?”
A slow smile touched his lips, but he turned away without answering, “The ball is about to begin. Can’t be late,” he said over his
shoulder. “Follow me.”
I hesitated. Every instinct told me not to trust this man. He exuded the same quiet danger as Damon: calm on the surface, but
power coiled just beneath.
Still, I followed, keeping a safe distance.
At the end of the corridor, two massive doors stood open, spilling golden light into the dim hallway. The scent of polished wood
and candle wax drifted toward me as the hum of voices grew clearer.
He stepped aside, gesturing with a smirk. “After you.”
Bracing myself, I stepped forward into the most dazzling ballroom I’d ever seen.
Gilded chandeliers bathed the marble floors in golden light. Music swelled around the grand hall, weaving through the laughter and hushed whispers of the guests.
And at the center of it all was Damon, dancing with one of the ten chosen. He moved effortlessly, his towering form commanding
the space.
“Oh. My Goddess, Elena. Do you know who that is?” Emma’s sharp whisper snapped me out of my daze watching Damon. I wasn’t sure how long she had been standing beside me, but the male from the hall seemed long gone.
She leaned in “That’s Asher,” she murmured. “Damon’s cousin. He’s a royal noble with Alpha blood.”
I glanced around for the man in question. Asher now stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the room with quiet amusement.
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“Of course he is,” I muttered. “Everyone here is so… mysterious. And dangerous.”
Emma chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”
My stomach twisted. I shouldn’t be here.
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“Tradition dictates that the King dance with his chosen from the masked selection first, and only then will he make tonight’s-
selection of who to dance with first.” Emma sighed dreamily, “Isn’t it romantic?”
No, I didn’t think so. I thought it was all part of a game, a political spectacle.
Emma turned those love–drunk eyes towards me, expecting a response. “Sure.” I said, silently waiting for this to be over.
As we watched through several songs, I could hear the soft clinking of glasses as the girls around me sipped wine; they tried to keep their faces carefully composed, but the hope in their eyes was obvious.
Some whispered amongst themselves, casting sidelong glances at Damon. They were waiting not so patiently. Waiting to be
chosen.
I swallowed hard, pressing my hands together to keep them from trembling. I turned away from the swirl of dancing couples searching for a quiet corner to melt into when my path was blocked by an unwelcome body.
“Elena,” Isabella glided toward me, her posture dripping with arrogance. Trailing in her wake was an old male I didn’t know. His distended belly hung low, threatening to pop the buttons on his shirt, betraying a life of ease.
His beady eyes locked onto me like a predator sighting prey, spiking my pulse.
