Chapter 9 Chap 9

Cielo

Jenny and I were both taken aback by the conversation.

Ruben's voice is the next one I hear. He is probably talking to his brother Cain.

"I prefer to consider it my civic duty to protect the Alpha Princess."

Cain laughs as he warns, "She is going to kick you in the nuts."

"That may be true, but you have experienced this girl's strength. Are you saying you did not want to submit to her?" Ruben insists.

"A lowly she-wolf? You have to be kidding me. Do you really think she is worth my time, even as an Alpha Princess?"

"You would change your mind if you saw her legs."

I clench my teeth and move in to annihilate the mother fucker.

"Ciel, no," Jenny hisses, dragging me away from the dance to the room next door.

She lets me go, and I begin pacing for ten minutes to try to cool down. "Lowly?" My wolf is trying to break through, so I growl. "Who does he think he is to refer to me as that?"

Jenny grabs my arm and pulls me back. "He's a prince, an ass, but a prince.

Plus, he just ended his relationship with the woman he is been seeing for half a century, so give him a break."

"A lowly she-wolf," I hiss. "He referred to me as a lowly she-wolf."

"Let it go," she says as she grips my arms. "Please," she begs as she pulls me into the ballroom. "If you do, I will let you choose the first film."

I take a long, deep breath. "Deal," I say as we walk into the room, every male turning to look at us.

"Ciel, the spirit," Jenny says nervously, making me laugh. I was about to respond when I noticed a man who had to be Ruben approaching the tallest man in the room. He is broad and muscular, making my mouth water. He is not overly muscled, which I really appreciate right now. This has to be Crown Prince Cain, and he is attractive enough to have piqued my wolf's interest.

I smile before returning my focus to Jenny. "Well, why not have some fun from the ass's brother?"

"It appears you have gotten both of their attention," Jenny remarks, her gaze fixed on me. I smirk at his tense posture. Poor she-wolf, eh?

"Cielo," a male says, causing me to look up.

I squeal as I recognise the copper curls. "Amon!" I exclaim, reaching in to kiss his cheek before hugging him. "How is my favourite alpha doing?"

"Tired and a little entranced," he says as he examines me. I wanted to say hello."

"Are you disappointed that you did not make the cut at last year's Claiming?" I smirk.

"I have been training, so you will not be so lucky this time," he chuckles.

I touch his arm as I notice Ruben approaching us. "And it appears that the hunt for some others has begun." Amon, I will see you tomorrow." I pull Jenny along, slipping next to taller people and blending in with them to get ahead.

I drag Jenny along for over an hour, chatting with people like a good hostess' offspring.

I dance with a few people before moving on to another group to converse with. Jenny remained behind while we spoke with Alpha Gerald's son. I am not concerned because he is innocuous. I notice five other men who have been aggressive in previous Claimings, so I stay far away from them, even though they are trying to find me.

"Mom," I finally say, reaching out and touching her arm to draw her attention.

"Did you see Jenny?" I can not seem to find her."

My mother examines me and adjusts my top. "Stop following Jenny around and go find a friend, Cielo."

Before I yell at my mother, I have to take a deep breath. "Mother, I have been talking to a few men,"

"Did you find someone you are willing to let mark you?" she asks, cutting me off.

Cielo takes another deep breath. "No, but-"

"Then you have not had enough conversations with the eligible men here, dear." I was expecting you to greet each and every one of them. It is your responsibility, Cielo, to greet new guests and make them feel welcome."

"Mom,"

"To be honest, I expected more from you, Cielo." This is your final Claim. Do not return until you have greeted each man here. Now go."

After mentally strangling my mother, I turn around and groan, only to see Ruben looking for me. When my gaze lands on the looming ass himself, Prince Cain, I have an idea. Maybe he will assist me.

I creep up behind him and gently touch his back. "Do not move, do not say anything, okay?" I beg, making his back tighten. Please do not be a jerk.

"Your brother is a pain in my ass, and I do not feel like losing a bet to my idiot brother," I say when he remains silent. Now that you are big enough, I can hide next to you and sneak around to the other side of the room. "Could you please pretend you are going to the toilet so I can find Jenny?" I am hoping she returned to my room to wait for me.

His deep voice comes out sounding amused. "How much are you wagering?"

My face flushes before I respond honestly. "$10, please." Given who your brother is, he does not have much faith in me."

"A pain in the backside?"

I have to bite the corner of my lower lip to keep from laughing. "That is the one," I say, turning him just so I am not in Ruben's line of sight. When I am clear, I pull on his arm to signal him to follow me.

My skin tingles, alerting me to the fact that he is staring at me. "So, what is the specific bet?" he asks, trying not to raise his voice.

"If I can avoid him the entire night," I respond, looking at Ruben near the pillar from which I had just taken his brother. "He is been more persistent than the previous men I have had to do this with so far."

"Three others have come to my attention tonight. One of them appears to be your beta," he says, suddenly controlling his voice.

"Without including your brother, the answer is five."

"How did you know I was his brother?"

se before responding honestly, "Is that a tall angry loner in the back watching my every move? With that disguise, you were not fooling anyone. I am guessing your father has ordered you to keep an eye on me, and your brother has taken it a step further."

He pauses before responding. "It is been a difficult couple of days."

I nod with a grimace. Jenny did mention that he is going through a divorce. This Claiming appears to be the year of broken hearts. "I heard about your split from your long-term girlfriend." I raise my head to show him that I mean what I say.

"I can not say I understand your anguish, but I hope you find peace. This is the worst place to try to mend a broken heart, so go have some fun."

His gaze remains fixed on me, so I give him a small playful smile to encourage him.

Finally, he responds with a returning smile and an amused tone. "I believe that is something I can try. Perhaps you can show me how to have fun at this party if I keep you away from my brother."

I laugh genuinely, relieved and surprised that I am having fun. When my head tingles slightly, I stiffen. "I believe I require assistance, Ciel." Please assist me. I am in your bathroom," Jenny begs through our pack link, which only connects to me.

I quickly put on a brave face and point nervously towards the exit. "In fact, I just found my friend. I am going to go get her and then go to bed for the night. I need to look good enough to get my neck sunken in and all that." I take a step back and laugh nervously at the end.

"I am happy that I was able to make you smile today, Prince Cain, even if it came from a lowly she-wolf," I have to make sure he does not follow, and because I can not resist the setup, "I am happy that I was able to make you smile today, Prince Cain, even if it came from a lowly she-wolf."

He stiffens as I try to maintain my cool. But the moment I am out of sight, I take off running.