Royal shuffle: Vampire’s mate

ANDREA

The ball was going smooth, even though I still couldn’t get over the shock of seeing Leo. I met a lot of other werewolves and vampires, and danced with them. I met a few who have been here quite a few times, and apparently, the balls tend to always have a retro feel to it. Always classical music, and a good old orchestra. I went over to the drinks table to get myself a drink, while simultaneously looking for a place to rest my hide. I’ve been on my feet all day.

“Allow me interrupt you,” A voice said next to me

I turned around to see Leo looming over me. He had a slight smile on his face. He wore a pitch black tuxedo, with a white shirt. His bow tie was knot to perfection, and the immaculate leather gloves and shoes were the icing on the cake. Completely clashing in style to his everyday look of jeans and a tee shirt.

“Of course, Le…” I began to say his name and then stopped. “Your highness.” I said instead, bowing my head a little.

It didn’t escape my notice that a lot of eyes were on us. Or maybe on him, and they were most likely wondering who the rat he was talking to was. It didn’t help that I was a werewolf.

“Dance with me?”

He held out his hand to me, and I took it. Allowing him to walk me to the center of the room, and pull me closer to him. His hand settled on my waist, and twirled us around to the music.

“You know you don’t have to be so formal with me, right?” He said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“Tell you what?”

I cocked my head to the side, and he sighed.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t feel the need to.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“You and me, we’re connected on a level that doesn’t need any titles or anything. When I’m with you, I’m not Prince Leonidas Grayson. I’m just Leo.”

“Oh…”

“Surely, you feel it too,” he continued.

“Feel what?” I asked.

He smirked and pulled me much closer to him. “You don’t feel anything when you’re with me?”

Truth was I did. That feeling had Bene there since the very first day I saw him, but I just concluded it to be a crush. And the thing with crushes, they always go away. So, I shook my head.

“No.” I said haughtily.

He laughed lightly, revealing his dimples. They looked prettier up close. And his eyes, so magnificent.

“Your eyes are beautiful,” I said, sounding dreamy.

“Thank you. You look very beautiful. The dress suits you.”

“Thanks. It’s my mother’s.”

My eyes wandered around the ballroom, and saw that all eyes were on us still. I looked up and saw Prince William staring daggers into my soul. I gulped, and looked down immediately. Leo’s hold on me tightened immediately.

“What’s wrong?” Leo asked.

I shook my head and forced a smile to my lips. “It’s nothing. I.. I just think that we’ve been dancing for a while now.” He smiled. “Is that a problem? Why, you want to dance with somebody else?” He said, jokingly.

“No, it’s just that everyone is staring and I’m not very comfortable.”

His smile dropped, and I instantly felt bad. “I understand.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

He stopped dancing, and pulled back slightly, nodded lightly in my direction and went back up to the pedestal where their chairs had been kept. Soon, everyone was moved out to the palace gardens for dinner. I took a deep breath, breathing in the smell of fresh flowers, and night air. The moon was high up in the sky, calling to all the wolves present. It was the perfect setting seeing as both vampires and wolves take a run in the woods after the party.

I and other omegas won’t, because well…we can’t shift. To me, it felt like some sort of cruel joke.

Throughout the dinner, I could feel two sets of eyes on me. Three, if I were to count Savannah and her shenanigans. The main two being the Prince William and Leo. One thing was clear, Prince William hadn’t gotten over the incident back at the palace. I swore to myself, I didn’t regret it. And I still had the knife that the housekeeper gave me. I finished my food quickly, and wished that I had brought some plastic to take some home with me. There was so much surplus. I wanted to go to the kitchens and find one for myself, but then remembered that I didn’t work here anymore.

The dinner was over, and then it was time for the run. I went back in and stood at the terrace to watch the shapeshifting. Clothes were taken off bodies, and bones begin to crack and reform. I watched as men bent and turned to wolves in a manner of seconds, howling to the moon.

Vampires on the other hand, took off their shirts and shoes only, and I could see their fangs and claws extend as they hissed. Their eyes turned a fiery dark red, and they got bulkier. More muscular. It was the first time I had seen a vampire transform. To be fair; the whole time my eyes were on Leo. He looked magnificent. He turned around and looked up, met my eyes and smiled. I smiled back, and he gave me a wink. I couldn’t help but blush. I looked the other way, and a black wolf was intently looking at me, growling lightly. I didn’t need to be told who that was. I would recognize those eyes anywhere. Prince William. I sighed and looked away, gazing up at the moon. Basking in its warmth.

I refocused my eyes on Leo, and watched as he sprung forward when the horn was blown. I watched how he and his brother weaved through the crowd of werewolves and vampires and led the charge. I kept my eyes on him till they got to the tree line. And then disappeared into the thick forest.

Finally, the night was over and I cycled home. It had been such a long day and all I wanted was my bed. My mind strayed to Leo, and I laughed. It will forever be funny to me how he managed to hide that he was a prince from me.