Chapter 3. Party

The atmosphere of the palace seemed bustling. Many family members and relatives attended. By using an all-black and white concept, this party looks luxurious and elegant.

It turned out that not only Rena herself wearing a dress, other maids also wore it. They match the white clothes, but the motifs are different. Maybe Luna Irene wanted to make this night perfect. But Rena knew that the dress Irene gave was very different from the others, was it special.

Instantly her confidence faded, she did not deserve to wear luxurious clothes like this. She should be just like everyone else. But if she didn't wear it, Luna Irene could be really angry.

“Rena… Rena… Rena.” Wendy proudly stood in front of Rena and looked at the dress from top to bottom. Her eyes widened as Rena's dress was different from hers. Even though both are from Luna Irene's gift.

“Where did you get this fancy dress from?” Her hand touched the white cloth and felt the softness there.

Rena suddenly backed away not letting her clothes be soiled by Wendy's hands.

"Luna Irene."

The short answer made Wendy's hands clench and her face turn red. She left Rena without wanting to get involved any further. The sound of pounding heels filled the ears and was ignored. Let Wendy assume with her own mind.

Rena stepped into the main room which was used as tonight's event. The space that has been transformed into the most beautiful place dominated by black and white. Her heels wearing not too high looked for the king and queen in this way. She want to congratulate and apologize to Luna Irene about what happened this afternoon. Her eyes wandered around the room, the room was already filled with guests and relatives.

“Rena, you are so beautiful.”

A deep voice interrupted, she saw Theo looking her up and down. The man with the long hair tied up smiled amusedly.

"Thank you, Theo." Rena slightly pulled her lips, her eyes were still looking for Luna Irene.

"You're looking for Luna Irene?" the man asked.

Only a mutter answered Theo's words.

“Alpha and Luna haven't been seen since. Maybe still getting ready.” Rena looked at Theo's brown eyes and nodded her head, then walked away from Theo without another word.

Theo was furious to see the maid's behavior, what a girl who did not understand ethics. He had been nice to say hello but the girl's reply made him hold back his emotions.

***

Rena looked at the middle-aged couple who were laughing as they cut a white cake that was about a meter high. You can see the look on Luna Irene's face is very happy side by side with Alpha Jonathan. Every year they do this event, but maybe this year is a special year. Where all the guests wear the same clothes as well as the waiters. No caste seen at this time, all the same.

Rena pursed her lips as she smelled the cinnamon scent that was approaching her. Her heart always beats when the man shows his existence when he is not far from her. She eyes were still looking straight ahead, letting the thoughts and turmoil that had resided. She's used to it.

"They always look happy." The deep voice filled Rena's eardrums after a few minutes the man stood beside her.

Rena confirmed that it was the truth.

"Are you happy?"

Rena slightly frowned at Romeo's question.

"In the nine years you've been here, I've never felt that happiness again, Rena. You've changed me."

Rena stroked her bare arms, sending a little warmth. When faced with this man, she was always like being scalded by ice water, very painful. Rena didn't answer, she listened more and more to what Romeo had to say.

"Aren't you satisfied with torturing me like this?" Romeo's soft voice froze Rena's body. Was she really torturing Romeo all this time? Isn't it the other way around.

"Go Rena. Don't you show that pathetic face of yours in front of my eyes again." The voice grew sadder.

Rena was still looking straight ahead, seeing Luna Irene feed the cake she had cut to her son, Alpha Nickholas.

“I always remember your words, Beta Romeo. There are times when I go from your presence on demand. The moment that happened you might never see me again was different.” Rena walked over to Luna Irene, wiping the tears that had fallen.

Romeo's chest throbbed in pain, his hand squeezing the tuxedo hard. Will Rena comply with his request? Was he ready if the girl really left him on demand?

Since then he had noticed Rena who was standing alone without anyone wanting to greet her. He is a little proud, Rena looks very beautiful tonight with a dress that fits her body. He hurriedly approached the girl wanting to give a compliment. But unfortunately, the heart and mouth can not be in harmony. He hurt her again with sharp words. Words that also hurt the deepest heart.

Romeo took the glass filled with alcohol and drank it quickly. He had to clear his mind again. The man hurriedly left the party and went into the forest to calm himself.

***

Romeo is alone enjoying the quiet atmosphere. The evening breeze made the leaves in the lush forest float slightly. He left the Palace to calm down and didn't want to get too involved with the frenzy of the party, not really deafening but enough to make Romeo's chest tight.

Not because of the party but the girl.

In the past he was believed to be the strongest Beta after Beta Christopher with all tactics and careful planning. But as time went on he grew less and less self-conscious.

The two buttons of his shirt had been undone, his white shirt had been rolled up to his elbows showing his tough muscles showing. A little jolt he hit the old tree until it made his knuckles red. The old tree that he and other friends used as a tree house is one of his favorite places. From up there he could see and even monitor the surroundings. A large tree with lush leaves seemed to hide the stopover.

"Bro," someone called from downstairs, carrying grapes and throwing them at Romeo.

Romeo, who was surprised but because of his good reflexes, didn't let his favorite fruit fall and smashed to the ground. He groaned in annoyance and cursed.

"You didn't have to follow me this far, Jordan."

"I'm only worried about you. Is it wrong?" asked the twenty-seven-year-old man. He easily joined the climb up the tree.

Romeo snorted as he ruffled Jordan's hair. “Jordan…” Romeo stared far ahead imagining something.

“Did you ever imagine what it would be like if you became a rogue and mingled with humans all the time?”

A question that made Jordan flinch and look at his brother in confusion. "You never thought about getting out of the pack, did you, Bro?" Jordan asked warily at Romeo's unreadable expression.

Romeo just chuckled this was just a joke and a question that stopped in his brain. Never once did he intend to leave the pack and everything. Maybe in comparison, he would rather die than leave the pack. Packyang has raised his name and family.

"Anyway, for what reason did I leave the pack and become a lowly rogue?" Romeo ate the grapes slowly.

"You're too old-fashioned. Not all werewolves who mingle with humans are true rogues. And not always the rogue disturbs the pack to make a mess. Many of them deliberately ask the Alphas for permission to go and live side by side with humans," Jordan explained.

"As time goes on, you don't always become like this, Moongoddess created us side by side with them so that we are not too greedy and neither are they," he added.

Romeo is stunned, is he that naive?

“Try to remember, when was the last time you left the Black Forest for your own pleasure with no frills errands you got? When was the last time you mingled with humans again for a long period of time?” Jordan looked at his brother. "It's been a long time, hasn't it, the last time you were in school."

Right, what his brother said was true. Romeo is too late for the loyalty that has been nurtured. The task that had been there every second for the last ten years made him too late and forgot about his own pleasure.

“I didn't envy you when you were chosen by Alpha Jonathan to be the strongest candidate for the Beta candidate, but what I'm afraid of is that you're turning into a ruthless man… like you are now. You and Alpha Niccholas are the perfect mix." Jordan sneered as he lay down.

He remembered, when he had graduated from school and at that time was eighteen years old, Romeo and the others were randomly selected by Alpha Jonathan to be the strongest candidate to accompany the next Alpha candidate—Niccholas.

The choice was because Beta Christopher had no sons and only had one child, Miss Noella.

"I have some of the strongest candidates who will accompany Alpha Nickholas in his future becoming a Beta." Jonathan spoke in front of a group of teenage boys who were playing swords in the palace courtyard.

Everyone there just looked at each other and listened to the continuation.

"What's interesting is that Alpha Nickholas himself selected the candidates." Jonathan who saw Nicholas could only put on a flat face.

“Danny, Theo, and Romeo. Prepare yourself from now on, because you will be guided for two years to develop yourself. One of you will be chosen to be Beta and accompany Nickholas. After that, the Alpha and Beta candidates will receive special lessons for approximately four years to explore leadership and power. You understand?" Jonathan's shout made the three teenagers nod.

"Okay, Alpha."

Romeo leaned his back against the wooden wall. “You were just advising me, Little Brother?”

"No, why am I advising you you know about yourself and your future." Jordan folded his arms under his head into cushions.

"You didn't go back to the palace?" Romeo asked when his brother had closed his eyes.

"No, a boring party in my opinion even though this year there is something different with everyone especially the maids who look pretty."

Romeo nodded.

"Have you found your partner, Dan?" Jordan's eyes opened at the question.

"Not yet," he answered absentmindedly.

“But maybe I should travel the world to find my mate. Actually, there has always been a pack member that I like." Jordan chuckled.

Romeo frowned, his hand stroking the red knuckles.

"Rena, I like her." The warm smile that Jordan gave Romeo made the man pause.

Rena?

Jordan likes Rena? My brother likes that girl?

Romeo's heart was beating fast, he quickly jumped from the tree house leaving Jordan alone. Jordan who saw his brother's strange behavior could only smirk viciously.

Pathetic.