Elena’s POV.
I checked myself in the mirror one last time. I was dressed to captivate Killian, aiming to make my task a lot easier. I needed to speed up the process and find my way out seeing that suspicions were beginning to rise.
After I had walked away from him earlier, I couldn’t help but feel eyes lingering on me. I knew I wasn’t safe anymore. It felt like I was being watched with every move of my body. Since Graham is becoming suspicious of me, it is only a matter of time before he tells Killian and I can’t afford to let that happen. Hence I will be carrying out the mission tonight.
Taking a last glance at myself in the mirror and satisfied with the result, I walked out.
*
“Well. Well. Well. If it isn’t the little freak.” Aria appeared from a corner and came to stand before me as soon as I walked into the ballroom.
I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, amused by her childish tantrums.
“Aria, not now.”
“What are you doing here? The ball is strictly for pack members and not strangers,” she snapped.
“You know Killian would rather have me here than you, right?” I watched as my words hit her hard, evoking a deep frown on her face.
“How dare you say that to me!” She snarled with clenched teeth and I scoffed.
“Is any of it a lie? Tell me.”
I watched with a satisfied smile on my face as she fumed in anger.
“Aunt Elena!” I suddenly heard Emily’s tiny voice, she ran towards me and I crouched down to hold her in my arms. “You are here.” She beamed all smiles.
Aria roughly yanked her away from me. “She’s not your Aunt, neither are you allowed to speak to her.” She scolded.
“But mother…”
“No question!” She snapped.
She turned around and rolled her eyes at me, then dragged Emily away.
Aria sure behaves too childish for someone of her status.
I walked deeper into the hall, looking around to take in the environment.
I had not seen such a crowd of people at a ball in my entire life.
The guests at the ball were queens and kings from other kingdoms, dukes and duchesses, princes and princesses, alphas and lunas… they all had powerful auras surrounding them. members of the pack were already present, as well as members of other packs. I had not set my eyes on Killian but I could feel his powerful presence even without seeing him.
“May I have a dance?” A handsome man suddenly approached me, his hands stretched out towards me. He was dressed in a duke regalia. From all indications, he was a duke from a different pack.
I flashed him a warm smile, raising my hands to place on his, only for a strong pair of hands to suddenly grab them.
I looked up to see Killian staring down at me with dominance radiating in his eyes.
“Look elsewhere Marcellus, this one is mine.” His voice radiated dominance as well.
There was something about the way he stood over me with his large hands gripping mine possessively while letting Marcellus know that I was his that completely sent warm shivers down my spine. It felt like he was reclaiming me all over again.
“I’m sorry man, I didn’t know that.” Marcellus raised his hands in surrender and walked away.
Immediately, Killian’s hands on mine tightened and he started leading me towards a silent corner, free from the attendees of the ball. We got to a dark corner and he pulled me in.
“Killian, what are you doing?” I panicked.
He gently slammed me against the wall, his hands resting in between my head caging me in.
“Why did you have to wear such dress huh?” His voice was laced with frustration and hunger.
“What are you talking about? It’s just a dress.” I tried to act ignorant.
A low growl escaped his mouth as he leaned closer, our faces barely an inch apart. I could feel his minty breath on my face. “Every fucking man in the ballroom had their eyes on you Elena, and it kills me to see anyone look at you the way I do.”
I swallowed hard, staring into his eyes as it gleamed with the genuineness of his words.
His hands suddenly located the exposed part of my thighs and traced his fingers gently along it.
My breath was becoming heavy, my heart racing drastically as his fingers inched further, disappearing into my dress.
“I burn for you, Elena. My entire being is on fire and I can’t seem to help it.” His heavy breath fanned my face as he inched closer to me.
Things were going in the opposite direction of how I had planned my night and I needed to get it back on track or stand the chance of bearing the cost.
With the little string of restraint left in me, I struggled out of his arms and quickly fixed my dress.
“I need a drink.” I stuttered turning around to walk away but he quickly grabbed my hands again.
“Not in that dress, there are lots of drinks in my chamber, C’mon.” Before I could protest, he started leading me through the passageway to his room.
That isn’t such a bad idea anyway, my plan was still in check.
As we walked hand in hand towards his room, our palms radiated warmth through my body, as memories of the past flooded my memory.
I couldn’t help but reminisce on the days when we were still mates, we snuck around every corner of the passageway, lost in our kisses and downed in each other’s arms. Killian took me at every tiny corner in the palace our deep moans sounding through the entire place. The housekeepers had caught us on several occasions but Killian cared less.
Those were the best moments of my life, but now I’ve come to realize that those were mere dreams that I had woken up from.
We entered Killian’s room, I couldn’t help but glance around the familiar surroundings, the images of my first time here came crashing through my mind, it felt just like yesterday.
I brushed the memories away and focused on my reasons for being there.
He walked towards the mini bar cabinet in the room and grabbed a bottle of wine with a pair of glasses and set it on the center table motioning me to come closer.
I went to sit on the couch and watched as he poured out the drink into the glasses.
“Go ahead and have your fill, I’ll be right back.” He smiled warmly at me and walked into the bathroom.
That was all the opportunity that I needed.
In a swift move, I fetched the poison from my inner shorts, spilling a considerable amount into his cup, and rearranged my dress.
Shortly afterward, he walked out of the bathroom and sat opposite me.
“We need to talk Elena, please.”
I felt my heart tighten in my chest, my breath wavering uncontrollably as he raised the glass to his lips.
Why did it feel like I was the one getting affected by the poison when the glass was clearly in Killian’s hands?
“Uh… Killian.” I quickly blurted out in a bid to delay him from gulping the drink.
“Set the glass aside.”