I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror for the 100th time. It was as if I was waiting for my reflection to give me a look of approval so that I'd muster up the courage to leave my room. Arian had decided to share a room with Adrian leaving me all alone to enter the pre-wedding party being held down.

The most powerful Alphas of the continent would be attending and I didn't want to seem like a complete jackass out there in a group full of wolves and vampires. The rusty wooden door was pushed in as Avian entered wearing a tailored grey suit with a black tie.

"You could knock, you know," I muttered.

He sauntered in with two steaming cups of hot chocolate. "Knocking is a waste of time considering the fact that you'd let me in regardless," he stated and plopped down on my bed. I looked at him trying to fish something out of his pocket.

His eyes lit up as he handed me a packet of now smashed marshmallows, telling me of how he'd stolen it from the kitchen. I smiled gratefully at his gesture and took the packet and steaming cup from him. "Nuh-uh," he objected as I tied my hair into a neat bun.

He walked over to me and let my hair loose, allowing it to fall into soft waves. "I have just the perfect touch to add to your face," he added. He pulled out a burgundy lip stick and handed it to me. I looked at him, slightly concerned as to why he would own such a thing. "Don't ask," he warned with a smirk.

"I better not be using your one-night-stand's lipstick."

I looked at myself in the mirror and for once, I didn't look homeless. I felt classy; like royalty. Unlike the conventional party wear for women of my status, I opted to wear a full black suit with vertical stripes. Mum would always tell me that vertical stripes makes a woman look slim and today I had to agree with what I see in the mirror.

"Alaska Ivanov, you're officially one of us." Avian beamed at me.

"What?"

"You're officially a bro. Maybe you could be my wing woman tonight if you aren't too busy committing a crime," he teased.

I smiled. "A bro huh? I'll take that for now, Ave," I laughed, tucked a piece of my hair behind. I looked like Snow White with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony. "You need to enter on your own. Look forward and don't stop or wait for anyone to greet you," he reminded as we walked down together.

The two guards pushed open the door for me as I made my way down. Heads turned as I descended, making me feel giddy. I had to resist the urge to hold on to the railing for support or search for Arian's soothing gaze. I straightened the jacket of my suit as I walked towards the bar, where Jamie stood.

The clicking of my heels added rhythm to the soft classical music that played onward without pause. My eyes scanned the room with determination in search of someone when my eyes met Arian's, I smiled. I could tell he didn't expect this sort of bold entrance from me.

What changed? Well, I didn't have to worry about impressing a guy. That's what changed.

I gave him a small nod but continued walking towards Jamie. It was a subtle but loud gesture telling everyone that I wasn't just going to hang around my man's arm like a pet. Jamie grinned and pulled me into a hug. "Oh my god, that ramp walk was amazing! Everyone's staring," she gushed.

I grinned back and complimented her on her outfit. It was a white dress with blue sequinned embroidery on the bodice. All of the women in the room were dressed either in short dresses or floor-length gowns. I feel wait for it.

♥️

I sipped the champagne class in my hand as I watched couples move towards the dance flow forming a circle around Summer and Raven as soon as Time after Time began playing.

I looked at Arian who was already looking at me but trying to be subtle about it. My smile dropped when I saw him heading on to the dance floor with Elle hand in hand.

That son of a bitch.

Jamie joined Leo on the dance floor after I forced both of them and I stayed back at the bar. A sleazy looking man approached me. He clearly had been enjoying the free alcohol too much. "Hey, baby. Wanna talk in private?"

"Uh my boob hurts so I don't want to talk," I quickly cut him off and clutched my glass and walked towards the opposite side of the room where I'd be out of their sight.

Arian's gaze locked with mine and then he sent the man a furious glare mouthing the words '' to him. I laughed and shook my head at his childish behaviour. As I walked, I bumped into an elderly man with pearly whites. Vampire, no doubt.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking. Here, let me clean that up," I apologised while picking a tissue from a nearby table. "Oh nonsense, dear. You've spilt most of it on your pretty outfit. I'll be fine. You should get that cleaned up," he said politely and excused himself.

I walked into the bathroom and entered the third stall just as planned. Avian had placed non-slippery socks which I replaced with my Louboutins making me physically incapable of getting caught because of my shoes scraping against the floor.

Then I sprayed on the body mist that Allison had lent me before I left. The mist masked my scent and hence prevented any of the vampires from sensing m presence.

I peeked out of the window and looked around. No one. Just as we had planned. I carefully jumped off the first floor praying that I wouldn't break any bones. Seriously kids, staying at home has its downsides too even though it may sound unbelievable. I

headed towards the west wing-Poseidon's personal wing. Unlike the entire mansion which was Victorian styled, this part was magnificently covered with black marbled tiles and faded wooden walls.

Statues of greek gods and goddesses adorned the entire stairway. I took the lift to the 5th floor which was the gym. It was deserted. I quickly climbed up the stairs and entered the 6th floor where the Sword of Valour in Poseidon's office was according to Avian.

"Push the door open. At 4pm everyday a lady comes up to water the plants in Poseidon's office. You know what to do." Avian's voice came in through the Bluetooth device in my ear.

I grinned and pushed open the door. Again, there was no one at all in this room. Odd. The floors were neatly carpeted with rich red velvet and the entire room smelt like a boutique with brand new clothes. I resisted the urge to catch another whiff of the fragrance and walked towards the wooden door with a rose gold handle.

There I saw a woman making her way towards the lobby with her phone in one hand and a watering can in the other. I snuck up behind her and put the chloroformed handkerchief over her nose and gently laid down her unconscious body.

I took the watering can into my hand and pretended to water the plants, eventually slipping into Poseidon's office. Wow. That was easy.

"You here to finish me off, sweetheart?"

Arian sat there in the middle of his office on the rich leather chair with his legs crossed over the table. I stared at him dumbfounded. How did he reach here before me? I thought he was preoccupied!

I looked at the silver sword hanging on the wall opposite me, right behind Arian. I cautiously made my way towards it. "11 minutes," he said," it took you 11 minutes to walk up a flight of stairs, Ivanov. You really need to hit the gym more often," he grinned.

I huffed. I'd normally be offended but today I'm just surprised. I grabbed onto the sword and grinned victoriously holding it up into the air. "Aha, sucker! I won this round! Bow down to the queen!" I yelled happily. He smiled at me fondly.

"Why aren't you upset? You should be upset! Be angry! You're ruining this for me!" I growled. Actually, he thinks I'm stupid and gullible but I know his plan. He's gonna play nice guy and let me steal the sword but when I'm sleeping, he'll sneak around and replace the sword with a fake so that I lose.

As if.

"Eh?"

He laughed. "Alaska, I don't need you to prove that you're a good queen. You're a good person that will be a good companion and right now, that's all that I need," he said softly. It surprised me because his people expect him to win. Not me, a mere human.

He's putting his reputation at stake for me. So that I would be acceptable to rule beside him. He took two long strides to closed the distance between us. Would I be able to make the sacrifices that he deserves?

As Arian drew closer, I feel my heart beat so hard I feared he'd hear it, and if he does, my secret is secret no more. A part of me is praying so hard that this is the moment he kisses me. My eyes close, head tilts upward and then I feel his lips... on my cheek. It's a peck as one would for a little sister and my insides are crushed a little bit.

"I won't cross my limits," he whispered into my ear,"Just say the word and I'll be all yours."

I stood there stupefied as he jumped off the window sill in a fraction of seconds feeling excited and disappointed at the same time. I don't like him.

Do I?

I really wanted to go into detail of her sneaking around and stealing the sword from Poseidon but I don't have the energy to do it anymore.

!

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