The Grand Ball was grand indeed, it was held in the Grand Central Hall, that was you guessed it, located in the center of our country, about an hour's drive away from where I lived.
It was a beautiful structure with a dome that was entirely made out of glass as the roof and Grand marble pillars supported the great hall structure. You could say it looked like a giant pavilion, that could fit a lot of people.
I wondered how many of us it would fit and was relieved to find out at the registration counter that only women and men within a certain age range were allowed to enter. That would be between age 19 years old to 29 years old.
It was still a crowd, we showed our identification cards and were admitted in, I looked around and felt small. Wonderful I could easily disappear in the size of this crowd.
The music starts and people begin to pair up to dance. While the others leave to the dance floor for the waltz, I walk and smack into a gentleman.
Before I can brace for impact, he quickly grabs my waist and pulls me towards him. I am hit by the scent of musk, cedarwood and spices.
"Are you alright?" He asks out of concern.
I stare at his chest and nod my head unable to speak. I feel a rush of tingles and a strange pull towards him.
I slowly lift my head to take a look at his face and the blood drains from my face and my heart beats so fast like it wants to leave my ribcage. Standing before me is the Alpha King, Cairos.
My world spins as I struggle to get a hold of myself. I refuse myself the luxury of falling faint and into heap at this very moment.
"Come with me," he says tugging at my arm.
I reluctantly follow him as he leads me to one of the private sitting rooms. He flicks his fingers and two men stand outside the doors ready to keep anyone from entering in.
The room we're in is decorated in emerald green and gold. A bit gaudy for my liking but it fits his regal presence. I don't wait for him to say anything more I take a seat and drop my face into my hands.
I mumble to him and apology hoping he hears me and let's me leave. Instead, he sits down beside me and gently pries my hands away from my face.
"Look at me," he says almost like he is trying to soothe my fraying nerves.
I look at him and he gently lifts my chin and leans closer to inspect me. I wonder what he is searching for as I feel his eyes roam all over my face as though trying to commit my features to memory.
"You're so young, sweetheart." He says as he slowly releases my hands, which I just realise now that he had been holding them in his for much longer than I expected.
"What is your name?" He asks his voice a mix of gentleness, tinged with authority.
I do not want to give him my name, so I reply Myra instead of Xania.
Well, Myra do you feel better now to join the others in the ballroom.
"Yes," I reply a little too eager from nervousness to being just near him.
"And you know who I am?" He asks.
I nod my head, my tongue and mouth refusing to work like a normal person.
"So eager to leave me so soon, love?"
He says softly with an intense look in his eyes. It's almost possessive and right there then, every hair on my body is standing at attention.
"My sisters will be looking for me....." I manage to get out.
"They can wait, you're with me," he says a dimple showing in the corner of his mouth.
"Why are you using so many endearments with me, Your Majesty?"
"I've never met you before. " I clarify and instantly regret it. I don't know where this bolder side of me emerged from but she's already gotten me into trouble. I hope he isn't offended by my off-handed question.
"You've never met me but I've been searching for you for years."
He replies simply. As though my question does not add to how odd and strangely intense this situation is.
"Why would you be searching for me?"
I wonder out aloud as I stare at him trying to make out his mysterious declaration. Before I can figure out a thing, he snaps his fingers and commands both men to send for his personal assistants. They obey and return within a few minutes with two other women both dressed in fancy dresses.
"Keep her company and put her in my room, I'll deal with her when I return, ensure she is wirh you at all times, she is not to leave your sight. Am I understood?"
They nod their heads and look at me over with curiosity in their eyes. He turns his attention to the two men and commands them to guard his room.
I don't know what the hell is going on but he can't demand I be locked up in his room wherever that is. So I look at him and muster all my courage and ask him before any of them can move to fulfill his orders.
"Why would you do this to me?"
He simply turns towards me and smiles and I swear it looks part evil and part obnoxious.
"Because sweetheart, you're my mate."