Chapter 1
Zoren sits behind his desk reading a book of notes, his pen being spun in his fingers. I resist the urge to stand awkwardly like a naughty school girl and instead march and sit down in front of him.
Zoren doesn't look up so I give him my uncomfortable stare. He has long dark hair full of curls and high cheek bones which you could cut yourself on and a sharp nose. His eyes are deep brown like melted dark chocolate and staring at me. So now he notices me.
"You decide to show then. Here I am thinking you wimped out."
"Very funny." I smile sarcastically. "You have the document then."
"I do." He doesn't say anything but looks at me with a cold stare and I keep my eyes glued back at him. He's waiting for me to submit but I hold his look with an equality calm look of my own. Now it's just a game of patience. I can do this all day. I raise my eyebrow in question.
"Either you are trying to make me uncomfortable, or you are very absorbed with my eyes."
"Well I have succeeded. You spoke first."
"I have other things to do than stare into your eyes. We have a treaty to sign."
"And we do." Finally, he pulls his gaze away and opens a drawer on his red oak desk. I feel my shoulders relax and I hold my posture higher. He thought he could intimidate me and it back fired. I don't think he'll be happy.
He pulls out a folder and opens it, quickly scanning it with his eyes. The air is thick with tension.
"Just let me sign it." I pull it harshly from underneath him like a bratty child. Pulling it up to my chest I put my legs up on the table and cross them. Zoren frowns in the corner of my vision but I ignore him.
When I reach the bottom, I see Zoren's handwriting already scribbed at the bottom and I trace it with my finger. Next to it is a blank space for my signature. My moment to make history.
"Do you have a pen?" I take my legs off and lean forward.
He hands me a metal fountain pen. I lean over it, my hair covering my face and watch the nib of the pen hover dangerously over the snow white paper. Closing my eyes I imagine what my signature will look like on this documentation. I spent hours practicing it when I was little, desperately trying to make it took fancy. I snap my eyes open and I start writing. At first my handwriting is shaky but I became confident.
"Done." I say, putting down the pen and wiping my hands together. I stand up and hold out my hand for a handshake which he ignores.
"You took your time. Scared?"
I snort. "Of you? Pur-lease."
He stands up, and tower over me. "Go home and pick a proper Alpha. One who's not afraid to make decisions and doesn't act like a spoiled brat."
"You have no right telling me what to do. I am rightly the Alpha just like you are." I growl. I can feel my wolf shaking inside. How dare he?
"You're just a little girl. You know nothing."
"I am two years younger than you!" I state in disbelief. Is this guy for real? His muddy brown eyes are turning an oily black. "You are just like the rest of them. Pig headed men who are so stuck in their ways that they can't accept that a woman can have power. You're such a caveman."
I march out the room and slam the door behind me. It's not long before I hear him open his door.
"You are such a bitch. You know that. You act so tough and then when someone says something you don't like, you kick off like a teenager. Yeah, there may be one year between us but I am years mature than you."
"Mature?" I almost squeak. I take a deep breath in. "Thank you for having me."
I reach the entrance to the hall when the man form earlier is with my mini. He drops the keys in my hands and I walk outside. As I'm about to climb in, I notice a car driving up the road, a black jaguar. I know who that is, Alpha Paul. He is the leader of the council and not my favorite fan. I freeze. Should I go even though I've obviously see him?
"F-ck!" I hear a voice behind me and turn to see Zoren.
"What?"
"None of your business."
"Fine."
Mulling with anger, I swing open into my car and start the engine, putting on my red sunglasses and put some red lipsticks on using my rearview mirror. "Have fun with Paul." I smile sweetly.
"Stay."
"What?" Like an angry school teacher, I look up at him over the rim of my sunglasses.
"Just stay."
"You can't order me what to do."
"Fine. I invite you to stay longer."
"Is that a please?" I tease, enjoying it as his hands curl into fists.
"Please Aurora."
I roll my eyes. "Fine. Why not?" Sighing, I climb out and Zoren snaps his fingers to his man who drove my car away and then guides me inside, leading me into a modern looking living room and gestures me to sit down.
"Drink?"
I shake my head and he nods sitting down opposite me, leaning forward with his elbows upon his knees, hands together like he's praying, resting by his lips.
"What is it?" I finally ask looking up at him.
"He wants me to go to the mating ball tomorrow."
"You never usually go."
"It's my last year." He says grimly.
"Ah." We lapse into silence again. I fiddle with a charm on my bracelet. I should have gone. I've got work to do. I mentally cursed myself.
It's not long before the car drives up outside and we both stand up expectantly. His face becomes unreadable and he walks out and I follow.
"Good morning! I haven't got long." Paul rolls down his window, not even bothering to get out. "Good, you're here too Aurora."
I nod in acknowledgement.
"You will both attend the mating ball tomorrow."
Opening my mouth to complain, Zoren beats me to it. "Why? I don't need a Luna. It's pointless and over glamourized. I have no time to go."
"It is the foundation of our society and you are both undermining it."
"Or what?"
"You'll be removed from the council."
I open my mouth like a fish. "You what?"
"You heard me."
"I don't have time to go. You can't kick me off."
"Oh but we can. You see as leader of the council, I uphold the right to remove anyone I deem unfit from the council."
Zoren clenches his jaw. "Fine."
Paul looks at me. "That includes your sisters too."
I scowl. "Yes, sure whatever."
"Good." Paul sighs and looks straight ahead. "I'll be off then. See you tomorrow." He rolls up the window and drive off ignoring us.
"Sh-t!" I shake my head. "Damn it."
"Why?" Zoren mutters under his breath.
"I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Bet you love it, finally getting to go with an excuse so you don't have to ruin you're tough girl image."
"I don't need a tough girl image. I am tough."
"Got your pink ball gown ready?"
"Oh I pity the wolf who ends up being you're mate."
"Pity your mate more like. Look what spoiled brat he has to put up with. Maybe he can take over as Alpha."
"Your Luna is going to put you in your place so bad."
"Go back to the scullery, maid."
"Gladly, if it means I don't have to be near you."
I don't wait for a response but turn and walk towards my car and turn my music up loud to try and drown out my frustration. I drive away seething. How dare they do this to me? I am my obey ruler, why must I obey them?
Fine, I'm going, I'm not going to play by the rules. Don't mess with me when I'm angry. I smirk in revenge.
Payback will be sweet.
