Party

Josie's POV

After the meeting with the king's grandmother, I toured the castle. The property was massive, and they had horses. I love horses, so I went to the stables to check them out. A few workers were working, but they didn't pay any attention to me. I stopped in front of a tall, black horse. He was majestic. I touched his fur and moved on, going back to the house. Suddenly, King Ronan was in my path. He stood, his intense gaze washing over me, and I felt hot all over my body. I nervously placed my engagement ring, and his eyes turned to it, suddenly darkening and then glowing. Was it a lycan thing? Nonetheless, it scared me.

Suddenly, his gaze snapped sideways, and I followed. Sadie was snarling, eyes ablaze at me, and she was growling lowly. Ominous. She marched towards me menacingly, and I caught a glance of her claws. My heart started to pound, and beads of sweat ran down my back. I stepped back in fear. 

Ronan rushed to her before she could reach me, and he pulled her in an embrace. My heart ached to see him like that. I've never felt this way before. Why did it hurt when I barely knew the guy? Sadie was crying, growling, and snarling all at once. 

"She is taking everything I worked hard for," she sobbed in his arms. I just stood there, watching them and not knowing what to do. Ronan glared at me before taking her away. 

I went to my room and grabbed my phone. There was a message from my little brother, a message from my parents, and a missed call from Jonathan. I called Jonathan back immediately, but he didn't answer. My heart sank. I FaceTimed my brother, and his cheesy smile greeted me, and we chatted. I didn't want to speak to my parents just yet.

...

I was getting ready for the party with Princess Flora's help. I did my makeup and straightened my hair before styling it in my usual curtain bangs.

"I love your hair," Flora said, smiling as she looked at me through the mirror. 

"Thank you. I love yours, and how you style it."

"Gigi said I need to grow up and change my style," she murmured, a frown on her pretty face. 

"I like your style. It's whimsical and princessy." I'd only seen her a few times, but whenever I do, I can't stop admiring her style and beauty. 

Loud howls came from the garden suddenly, and I jumped, clutching my chest. Alarm must have been written on my face because she came close and held my shoulders, comforting me. 

"It's okay, don't be scared. There are woods beyond the gardens; I'm sure it's some lycans who went for a run," she explained, and I nodded, a little embarrassed for being so scared. 

"Um, do you turn at will, or are there days when you do, maybe on a full moon?"

"We turn at will, but when the moon is full, our emotions are more heightened, and we are at our most powerful," she explained with a soft smile. 

Mate, Ronan had mentioned that he was mates with Sadie. I wanted to ask her, but there was a knock on the door, a maid telling us it was time to go out now. 

I looked in the mirror once more. I'm wearing a luxurious silk-lace slip dress and heels. My hair is in an elegant bun. I look stunning, sensual even. A smile touched my lips. 

We left the room and headed down to the garden. I immediately stopped when I saw the garden was full and didn't see a single familiar face. I started feeling apprehensive and sick. Flora suddenly wrapped her arm around me and smiled at me. 

"Let's go," she said, and we walked in. So many lycan eyes on me. Judging me, gossiping, and looking downright disgusted. 

Music was playing, and people were already drinking. The women were tall and gorgeous, and the men were good-looking and muscular. They were superior indeed, even in their looks.

"Such an attention whore, why would she dress like that?" a girl sneered, not low enough, but I had a feeling that she just wanted me to hear her. She and her three friends were glaring at me. Compared to what they were wearing, I looked like a saint with only my back exposed!

"Don't mind Tasha, she's just jealous!" Flora whispered, taking me to the booth of drinks. 

We got our mocktails, but I wished I got something with alcohol. I needed it to ease the tension in my muscles. 

Kane approached us first, and I beamed at the sight of him for some reason. We exchanged pleasantries a little before he walked away, and then two very good-looking guys approached us. 

"Good evening, Luna. My name is Esau, and this is my cousin, Paul. We are the beta's cousins," he said and bowed his head. Luna? I thought Sadie was that. What was the Luna? And who is a beta?

"Welcome to the pack," Paul said. 

"Thank you." I awkwardly bowed to them because they did it, and they looked surprised. I glanced at Flora, she was muffling a laugh.

"No, you can't bow. Bowing is a way lycans show respect to you as their Luna, their superior," she explained gently. 

"I'm sorry, I don't know protocol. I'll learn more," I said. 

The two men smiled at me warmly. "It's alright, no pressure, you'll figure it out," Paul said. 

"And why did you bow like that?" Esau asked, and we all suddenly burst out laughing.

A menacing growl erupted from the crowd, and my eyes zeroed in on my husband. He was glaring at me as if I had killed a litter of kittens, in their case, puppies.