Chapter Four

Laura's pov

“I look like a hooker.” I sardonically remark, frowning at my reflection, keeping caution not to look at my face, but on the outfit I had on.

Kayla chuckled in the background where she's swung her legs over her bathroom sink, shaving her legs.

“That's the look we're going for obviously.”

She was half human, and it was ironic how her human father's genes caused her leg hairs to grow very often.

“You look hot, Laura. Any man who wouldn't want to bang you right on the bar table, is a fool.”

I frown, directing my gaze back on the outfit. “I certainly hope not.”

Gone was the shoulder weighing tailored black suit, the crisp white shirt, the armour I wore daily. Instead, a slip of black silk clung to my body like it had been poured over my skin, stopping high on my thighs.

My shoulders were bare, the neckline dipping scandalously low, revealing curves I'd never notice had grown in so well over the years. Absentmindey, I turned about, checking out my hips, full, my cleavage open, bare.

For a fleeting second, I saw her and I regretted it instantly. The girl. The softness in her expression, her smile, the love struck Omega with soft grey eyes. Those grey eyes before me suddenly turned dark, from being filled with tears, they darkened until they were pitch black and suddenly…

A huge crack appeared, stretching down from the top to the bottom of the mirror. I sighed, completely moving away from the mirror.

Kayla walked in, giving me a worried smile instead. “Look, I needed to change the stupid mirror anyways, wanted something more aesthetic to fit my new room decor.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“Do what?”

I sigh, knowing I was putting myself in a situation I'd have be vulnerable in and I didn't want that. I glance lazily over her outfit, noting how well put she was. She's always been gorgeous, delicate, with a child like happiness that never seemed to annoy me even though I make it seem so.

“Forget it.”

“Here,” she grinned as she pressed something glittery into my hands. It was a delicate pace mask. “For you.”

I arched a brow. “Where exactly is this party, and why do we need to wear masks?”

*A masquerade party,” she sang, already fastening her own mask in place. “It’s going to be fun, I promise.”

“Kayla but didn't you hear what I said. The Lycan said the Vam- “

“I won't hear it,” she cut me off, turning away to grab her bag and keys. “Not tonight. Not on your freaking birthday. No talk about vampires, politics or anything that's not you, me, music and bad decisions.”

“This is the first night I'm going to spend without Linda. Kayla maybe this is all a bad- “

“You said it yourself. Alexander was more than happy to take her in, and you know he's Linda's favorite. He's not going to let you down because he loves his future step daughter.”

I give her a flat look. “We're merely even friends. Acquaintances at best, partners. Nothing more.”

Kayla rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “You're the Alpha King of Asia. General Commander and over seer of every affair and business occuring in literally every nook and cranny of every country in the continent including all other Alphas’ packs beneath you, and you're this blind. But fine, let's go.”

As we stepped into the car minutes after, she gave me a wicked grin as she started the car. “You know what! I think you should get laid tonight.”

I blinked. “Absolutely not.”

“Come on. And this party gives room for that. With the mask, no one will suspect you're the Alpha King. The men won't be intimidated by your presence for once and you can actually have a little fun.”

“No.”

She sighed dramatically. “You're twenty three, and you're going to sit here and tell me you've never actually wanted to know what it feels like to have a man fuck you. You're going to die a virgin if you don't thaw that ice around you like a shield.”

Silence reigned in the car as I shot her a sharp look, ignoring the heaviness her words caused me, and her playful grin instantly faltered.

“Laura, I didn't.. I'm sorry, I was joking.”

“Let's go.”

The ride to the party was silent after, but when we arrived, the party was already alive, music pulsing through the walls, lights flashing, the air thick with sweat and perfume.

As we marched arm in arm into the venue, eyes followed us, but I didn't let that bother me, instead for just tonight, I decided to listen to Kayla.

I let the ice crack a little just as she dragged me to the dancefloor. At first I didn't exactly know what to do. I've never danced before, but after laughing at her ridiculous moves for a while, I let myself flow with the pacing of the music.

Hours later, I was swept away by the tune, my nth glass of alcohol in hand, I swayed my hips and waist, head thrown back as I danced with careless abandon.

Kayla and I got separated after a while, probably off to make out with someone random.

Whenever men approached me however, I turned them down, not interested. Most stared too long, their gazes crawling over my skin like flies.

Suddenly, one particular grabbed my waist, his breath, hot against my ear, reeked of alcohol. “Come on baby, the longer you play hard to get, I'm just getting turned on by the second, let's…”

My fist moved before my brain caught up, and everyone around gasped in shock, moving away as the man flew back from my inhumane strength, crashing into the wall.

I was so riled up from disgust and anger, I moved, sifting through the crowd with ease as I used my aura, in a bid to find Kayla. I wanted to leave.

Suddenly a slow music came on, and everyone seemed to find their partners instantly, and the dance floor became crowded as they slow danced to the tune of the soft playing song.

I already gave up on finding Kayla, when someone grabbed my hand. It was enough to call to my attention, but I didn't feel the touch as a threat.

The man was bulry, towered a feet above me, half his face hidden by a similar black mask, but from the curl of his lips, a part of me already became infatuated.

“I'm hoping I won't be flying halfway across the dancefloor just by asking for a dance?”

Warmth prickled down my spine at his voice. His posture felt easy, yet commanding as he led me into his arms.

“Unless you don't give me reason to.”

He chuckled. His voice was smooth as he took me in by the waist, moving his body in sync with mine across the dance floor.

My hands to his chest, we danced, slow, precise, his hand moving from my waist, warm against my back as he guided me effortlessly.

“I reckon you haven't danced before?”

I frown, hating the way I felt a tinge spark in my heart just from the way he stared down at me. “What gave it away?”

He suddenly stopped, and in a fluid motion, had my arms around his neck before he paced his back around my waist.

“You're quite daring, although you certainly strike me as the kind of man to have things go his way.”

“Maybe tonight. I've been watching you from the moment you walked in, and I knew I wasn't going to leave here without talking to you at least. I'm interested in knowing the woman behind the mask.”

“You didn't approach me….”

He glided us effortlessly from the dance floor and soon, I found my back to the wall, my heartbeat quickening as I stared up at him, the darkness swirling in his eyes as he raked them over me, not in a way that made me sick to my stomach, but the kind that made me clench my thighs.

“I didn't think it was time the . But now..” his voice trailed.

“Now ..” I asked out of impatience, hating how he left me in suspense already. He chuckled, his fingers expertly weaving through my hair before his head dipped, his mouth brushing mine in a kiss that stole the air from my lungs.

I didn't want it to stop, but then he tore our lips apart, and I stared up at him, breathless, watching him grin.

Suddenly, I switched places, pinning him to the wall instead, my jaw raised in defiance to meet his.

“You're acting as if this is a game…” I growl.

“Then let me prove to you how serious I am about you right now,” my pulse quickened, blood pumping fast and hot under my skin watching his gaze fall on my lips before meeting my eyes. “Come with me.”

“I won't sleep with a stranger I don't know.”

“Does it matter? I will make this an unforgettable night for you,” he suddenly pulled me in, his hand going for my throat, softly wrapping around my neck, before forcing my head up to look up at him. “Are you scared?”

I snatch the hand, seeing the surprise in his eyes as I pin the hand to the wall in front of me, before I move behind my head with the other hand, slowly unfasteneing my mask. “I want to see who's behind the mask. The man who wants to make this night unforgettable for me, how daring really is he?”

I let it drop, and his gaze locked on my face. For a split second, the smirk disappeared. I thought I saw shock, but he doesn't move. Horror struck, he just stares at me.

Disappointment clouded my features as I let go of him with a bitter smirk. Yet another coward, afraid of who I was upon recognizing me.

The show he put on was a facade and I hated that I thought for even a second I had genuinely felt desire for him.

As I turn to walk away however, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, pulling me against him again. With the other hand, he undid his clasp, letting his mask fall.

My face drained of color, my breath in my throat.

“Laura.”

Lucian.