Chapter 3. The Potted Plant

~The feeling is often the deeper truth. The opinion is the more superficial one. ---Augustus William Hare 

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I stood in front of the staircase leading to the main hall clad in a silver off-shoulder gown. My hair for the first time in my life has been left on its own and decorated with flowers of different kinds. When I had a chance to look in the mirror earlier, I couldn't believe what I saw. I looked beautiful. I could confidently say it now.

My arrival was announced and all the people below turned to look as I descended the stairs. I raised my chin high just like Kira taught me exuding elegance and confidence when deep down I was nervous from all the attention I was getting. Some people stared with awe while others, let's just say didn't look pleased with all. I was used to most of them.

Being the Alpha's daughter didn't people actually liked me, they just never disrespected me because they feared for their heads. The only person who could say all manners of comments to me in front of my father was Kira. He trusted her more than his own daughter. How ironic is that?

My father, Alpha Conri who exuded confidence itself, stood in front of me as I made it to the last step and placed my hand on his arm. A servant brought a tray with two glasses of wine to us. Alpha Conri took one and gave the other to me and toasted to his 'beloved' daughter coming of age. He gave a really long speech on how proud he was of me when he was anything but that.

He introduced me to his generals, Audolf and Faolan. Audolf was his beta while Faolan was his gamma. Audolf came with his family. He had a male child I had met before named Marcus. We were the same age but never really got along. He was so distant and timid that it was hard to strike up a conversation with him. Faolan was a lonely man having never met his mate or anyone he shared a connection with. He was a great warrior and well respected.

Two hours passed at midnight, which was when the party started, and my feet were already killing me. I had danced with so many males since my father said it was what a lady ought to do at a party, especially one thrown for her. My mother who had been ignoring me all evening finally decided to un-ignore me if that was even a word. She was smiling while talking to her friends but the said smile quickly disappeared as soon as she stood before me.

"What are those in your hair? I thought you would at least try to be well-groomed this evening but guess I was wrong." She scrunched her nose and looked at my hair with distaste. My mother was not a fan of flowers so she was obviously avoiding me because of that. "I can't stand them, I'm leaving. Bye, dear." She scurried away before I could even utter a word back. I hated being here. With all these people who were not interested in knowing who I really was or knowing me at all. My eyes wandered around the room looking for a place to rest or hid when I spotted the big potted plant at the far right of the hall behind the table filled with snacks. I glanced at my parents to see them busy chatting with someone before I hurriedly walked across the room and sneaked behind the potted plant when no one was around the snack table. Because the plant was huge it blocked the light in the room from reaching behind it leaving the place partially dark. I was in such a hurry to hide that I didn't notice the other person besides me until I bumped into him. I knew the person was a male because of the hard muscles I had felt in my palms when I tried to stop myself from falling. I quickly removed my hands and tried to see his face but he was tall and the place was dark. He smelled like the forest. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't stay here with this stranger when I couldn't even see his face. "Sorry I didn't know someone was here. I'll leave right now." I apologized and turned to leave when the stranger pulled me back with so much force pressing my body to him. My eyes widened in shock and I let out a gasp from the contact. I felt violated One was not supposed to be this close to a male unless they were husband and wife. I wanted to scream so badly but doing that would only put me in far more trouble since the snack table was now surrounded. And as if to remind me of this the stranger covered my mouth with his hand, leaned his mouth close to my ear, and whispered; "I'd advise you darling to not make any noise if you don't want us to get caught together" his breath hot on my skin. His voice was smooth and deep and it sent chills down my spine. I could feel goosebumps appear on my skin. I didn't like the way I was feeling. It felt so foreign that I tried to wiggle out of his strong hold on me. "Stop moving against my crotch if don't want me to do devilish things to you right here and right now." He whispered in a husky voice and placed a hand on my hips to stop me from moving. The skin felt even though it was covered in clothing just from his touch that barely lasted a minute. I blushed at his comment and became very aware of 'something' that was poking me from behind. At this point, my face was as red as a tomato. No one ever told me but I definitely knew what happened between a male and a female from all the books I had sneaked into the castle and read. We stayed in that position as people kept coming to the table for snacks. It's a wonder no one had become aware of my disappearance. "What's your name, darling?" he asked so suddenly and ended up startling me. I didn't know what to say. This stranger obviously didn't know who I was because he couldn't see my face. It made me wonder if he would still hold me the way he's doing right now if he found out that I was the Alpha's daughter. Would he push me away? As crazy as this sounded, I didn't want him to let me go. I loved the way he smelled and I felt safe in his hold. Can't help myself, I'm a hopeless romantic. "Paige. My name is Paige." I lied and thought of whether to ask for his. "What's your name?" I finally inquired. He chuckled and I swear it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. He brought his lips so close to my ear that they nearly touched and simply answered, "Vlad". 

"Vlad" I repeated.

It was a simple but scarce name. I didn't think had ever heard the name 'Vlad' before yet it sounded so familiar. I loved the way it rolled of my tongue. Vlad