Chapter 246

As the day of the ball dawned, the palace was full of excitement.

The corridors were filled with guests from far and wide, their voices mingling with the sounds of preparation.

Miriam, woke me up bright and early this morning with breakfast in bed, and requested that I remain in my room for the day to prepare for the night's festivities.

The first few hours were boring, but soon, people began filtering into my room to help me prepare for the night ahead.

I watched with fascination as skilled artisans crafted a custom dress for me, the fabric flowing like water in their expert hands.

My hair was styled into an elegant updo, adorned with delicate jewels that caught the light with every movement.

As the makeup artist delicately applied the final touches, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in the pit of my stomach. What would the night ahead hold?

This was all so new, so unfamiliar.

But nothing could have prepared me for what came next.

Miriam handed me a mask, its intricate design reflecting the visage of a majestic wolf. "It's tradition for the guests to wear masks at the masquerade," she explained, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Masquerade?" My heart skipped a beat as I held the mask in my hands, its surface a pristine white. "I had no idea this would be a masquerade ball."

"It was decided last minute," Miriam said with a nod. "The King sure does love his surprises."

"I heard it was the Queen's idea," said the makeup artist who was beginning to put away all of her makeup tools.

The revelation sent a jolt of surprise through me. A masquerade ball—how unexpected. Yet, it added an air of mystery and intrigue to the evening, leaving me both nervous and exhilarated at the same time.

As the makeup artist began to pack up her tools, I turned to Miriam with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "What's the significance of the masks?"

Miriam smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The masks allow guests to conceal their identities, adding an element of mystique to the festivities. Each guest will be wearing a mask that reflects their wolf."

I glanced down at the pristine white mask in my hands, a sudden wave of uncertainty washing over me.

Would my mask, reflecting the image of a white wolf, give away my true identity as the White Wolf?

"It's beautiful," I murmured, though inwardly, I couldn't shake the nagging worry. "Wouldn't people recognize me as the White Wolf wearing this mask? Won't that make me a target?"

Panic seized me as I realized the implications.

Miriam, sensing my discomfort shook her head, "There will be so many guests in attendance with various colored wolf masks, you will blend in. Nobody will notice you."

Miriam's assurance did little to quell the rising anxiety within me. The thought of being exposed, of standing out in a crowd as the White Wolf, filled me with a sense of dread.

But as she continued to reassure me, a small glimmer of hope flickered amidst the fear.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, forcing myself to push aside my apprehensions. "Okay," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'll trust your judgment."

Miriam began to help me secure the mask in place, I made a mental note to tread carefully. Despite the allure of the masquerade, I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not with the stakes so high.

With a final adjustment to my mask, Miriam stepped back, her smile brightening the room. "You look stunning, Shana."

I was about to thank Miriam when there was a knock on my door.

I hesitated, wondering who could be visiting me at such a momentous time.

Miriam rushed to the door, and to my surprise, it was Prince Alexander, his presence both unexpected and unsettling.

Prince Alexander stood at the threshold, his tall, commanding figure exuding an aura of confidence. He looked every bit the Prince he was.

His attire was impeccable, adorned in a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and chiseled features.

The fabric seemed to hug his form in all the right places, hinting at the strength and athleticism hidden beneath.

His mask, a stark contrast to the darkness of his attire, depicted a black wolf with piercing green eyes, adding an enigmatic allure to his appearance.

The intricate details of the mask enhanced his rugged charm, drawing attention to his sharp jawline and intense gaze.

Despite the air of formality, there was a subtle hint of vulnerability in his expression, a flicker of uncertainty that betrayed the weight of his responsibilities.

Yet, there was also a glint of determination in his eyes, a silent promise of resilience and strength.

As our eyes met, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over me.

Recalling our conversation from the day before, I felt a change of heart. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself compelled to trust him, if only for the sake of having a friend here in the palace.

"Your wolf is black?" I asked, pointing out the color of his mask.

He nodded. "It is, but in the sunlight, it almost looks like a dark purple."

"That's... pretty," I commented, not knowing what else to say. The color contrasted perfectly with his eyes.

Prince Alexander smiled warmly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Thank you, Shana. You look pretty, too."

"What did I tell you about flirting with me?" I questioned.

Prince Alexander shrugged, a cocky smile on his face. "You told me to continue doing it."

I couldn't help but laugh at his playful banter, feeling a sense of ease wash over me. "I did not!"

"You didn't say not to," he countered, his smirk widening.

Rolling my eyes, I playfully nudged him with my elbow. "Well, consider this your warning. Flirt with caution, Prince."

"Understood," he replied, his tone mock-serious as he held open the door for me. "Shall we, then?"

"You're escorting me?" I asked, puzzled.

"I sure am, do you have a problem with that?" He raised a brow.

I shook my head, giving him a nervous smile. "Honestly, I'm glad I don't have to walk into the ball on my own. I was about to have a panic attack."

Prince Alexander chuckled, offering me his arm. "Well, lucky for you, I'm here to save the day. No need for panic attacks on my watch."

Gratefully, I linked my arm with his, feeling a surge of relief wash over me as we began to make our way towards the ballroom.

As we walked, I couldn't help but steal glances at Prince Alexander, marveling at his easy confidence and the way he effortlessly navigated through the bustling palace corridors.

However, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at me. Lucas's plan to steal the locked book from Prince Alexander's secret room weighed heavily on my mind. I knew I had to find him during the ball and call off the plan before it was too late.

It suddenly felt wrong to take it without letting the Prince know.

I would do that soon. I would find Lucas at the ball... but for now, I needed to focus on the task at hand, entering the ballroom with the heir to the Alpha throne by my side.