Chapter 6 6|That Cinderella

~Declan~

"Stop fidgeting. You look great, Alpha," Jared whispered. The laughter in his voice made me frown. The elevator chimed, signaling that we had finally reached Seth's penthouse.

"I look fucking ridiculous," I grunted as the elevator door parted, revealing a dimly lit hallway. "You made me wear tights!"

Jared stepped out, chuckling. "Trust me. You will have every woman's eyes in that ball the second we walk in."

"Of course, why wouldn't they? We both look ridiculous in these outfits!" The muffled bass drummed beneath my feet as we approached the double doors at the end of the hallway. Two men in sharp suits manned the doors.

Jared handed them our invitations. They scrutinized our outfit with a passive expression before nodding.

"Wait, you forgot this."

"What now!?" I growled. I swear I was on the brink of losing my shit when Jared held out a gold glittering mask. "For heaven's sake, Jared?!"

"It's a masquerade ball, Al- Declan," he stopped himself before calling me alpha.

Face pruning, I snatched the glittering mask and put it on. The guards patiently waited before opening the door. Classical music instantly spilled through the hallway, the vibrant glow from the penthouse blinding me.

"This is the worst night of my life," I grumbled, walking through the door. Citrus, lavenders, and violets, with notes of alcohol and burning wax, instantly engulfed me.

"You will thank me by the end of this ball," Jared murmured as I entered the fanciest ball I had ever witnessed.

Pleasing the crowd was Seth's forte. And this masquerade ball did not fall short. The balcony covered in gold and glitter greeted us as we entered. Huge golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Candelabras decorated the walls, along with flowers arranged in oversized standing bouquets. The ball was already in full swing. Women in scintillating ball gowns and men in extravagant, outlandish suits like mine milled about the penthouse-turned-ballroom.

It was like going back in time when princes and princesses still existed.

"Gonna thank me now?" Jared released a low chuckle, proceeding to the stairwell on the right laid with a red carpet and gold ornaments lined the railings.

I followed behind him, growing more and more uneasy as we descended the stairs. True to my beta's words, I would've looked like a server in my black and white suit and tie. Yet, I still hid behind the mask I was wearing. I never liked events like this. This was my father's thing. I sent him in my stead with every invitation I've gotten from our allied packs. I didn't realize my father worked those events to gain favors from other packs. That was a mistake I didn't intend to repeat.

'Secure connections. Make friends with other Alphas and let them know who Declan Mitchell is, the Alpha of Embercrest,' that was our mission for tonight.

Ten minutes into the ball, I was reminded why I hated attending gatherings like this. Though Seth's guest list wasn't exclusive to werewolves, the ones present here were nothing but arrogant, egotistical bastards who knew nothing about the real world. They live in their million-dollar mansions and drive fancy cars, ignorant of the real threat that lies outside their pampered lives.

"Let me guess," Seth teased, clasping a hand on my shoulder. "Prince Charming?"

"It's time you showed up..." I grumbled, scowling at Seth.

Jared was dancing with a girl in the gold ball gown. She was human, a pinup model who recognized Jared's attire for tonight. She was the reason I could slip onto the balcony and hide from Severina, Alpha Ahmed's daughter.

I don't know what it was, but my wolf had been restless. Since we entered this place, he had tried to claw his way out twice.

"What's with the mood?" Seth chuckled, stepping out onto the balcony and leaning on the railings. "Not so fond of Seve?"

Cursing, I tossed back my whiskey, grabbed the bottle from the floor, and refilled my glass. "You were watching."

"Of course I was," Seth said, snatching the bottle from me and filling his glass.

Wearing all-black attire with gold embroidery, Seth's stature resembled that of a king. Noticing his tights, I smiled to myself. At least I am not alone in this ridiculous clothing.

"That girl needs to go back to kindergarten and learn the meaning of 'no,'" I murmured.

Seth pinned me with a side eye. "Must've been a hell of an encounter for you to describe her in such an exquisite way." I could hear the suppressed laughter in his voice.

"Happy fucking birthday, asshole," I shoved him in the shoulder, shaking my head.

Seth chuckled. "As much as I would like to bask in your warm company, I know you're not here to sing me a happy birthday." He doesn't sound offended, more like curious.

"This isn't my thing," I murmured apologetically, pulling at the collar of my suit.

"I know, and as a token of gratitude, I am extending my mom's invite for dinner to you."

My mood instantly lit up. "Cora's cooking?" Seth hummed a yes. "I miss home-cooked meals."

"She's making mostaccioli."

"Goddamn." I could almost taste it in my mouth. Cora makes her pasta from scratch, and her cooking almost tastes like home. "What time?"

"Seven," Seth murmured, pouting. "Should I worry you'd be stealing my mom anytime soon?"

I laughed at that. "I wish I could."

"You could always let me adopt you, you know? You could call me Daddy."

"Fuck man, that's fucking gross!" I shoved him harder; his drink spilled in his hands.

"What?!" he shook the alcohol from his hand, grinning like a fool. "You've got a dirty mind, Declan."

"Fuck you."

He answered with a hearty laugh. "Stop being grouchy. There's an ocean of women out there who'd love to get fucked by Prince Charming. You could end that five-year-long celibacy tonight."

"That's not why I'm here," I said, turning my back from the event and gazing into the bustling city of Brille. It's almost midnight, yet it feels like the night was only starting.

Seth faced the city as well. "I appreciate you coming here, though. I just wish it didn't have to be like this."

"Don't worry about it. How bad is it?"

Seth knew me and he wouldn't ask me to come if it wasn't an emergency."

His goofy demeanor shifted to somber like a flip of a switch. "Five more victims and three other girls have gone missing."

I frowned. "In the span of a week?" He nodded a yes. "I haven't heard from my contacts in other cities. This could be an isolated case, but we must find those girls, Declan. One of their parents is Mom's close friend."

"For now, I've contained this news from creating unnecessary worry in my pack," he sighed. "And I need to chat with the alphas and betas here to ensure this isn't another rogue plot."

"That's gonna be tough. I've spoken to a few and so far, all they talked about was their fancy cars and expensive cruises."

"Dad worries that we've been too relaxed. No one pays much attention to the rogues and missing persons cases these days. And murder?" a dark look cast over his face. "A lot of humans and shifters die every day. The world doesn't give a shit anymore."

"We cannot worry about the world. All we can do is protect our own pack." It's the sad reality we need to face.

I hope for the best and always prepare myself for the worse. On the back of my mind, I hoped the rogues were truly living their life in peace now. But trusting they would stay low forever would be a mistake. Somewhere out there, whoever headed the rogue siege fifteen years ago will come back and finish what they started. And being too relaxed will be our doom.

Seth blew out a heavy breath and squeezed my shoulder. "We can worry about that later. For now, why don't you dance with Seve?"

I pinned Seth with a metal-burning glare, freezing when I caught sight of the lady descending the stairs in my peripheral. Facing the ballroom, a lump grew in my throat as I watched the lady in a blue ball gown and silver butterfly mask. She was the sapphire under the luminous full moon, standing out in the people in elegant and overpriced dresses by the bar.

Pupils dilating, I sift her further with my shifter sight. The shimmering accessory in her braided hair caught the lights from the chandeliers. The off-shoulder and fitted bodice of her gown pushed her breasts up. I tried to keep my eyes focused on her face, but her breast was fucking hard not to look at. They jiggled as she laughed, a response to whatever the man in front of her said.

Anger simmered in my chest. It wasn't mine, but my wolf's. Displeasure slithered up my throat when the guy she was speaking to leaned closer, whispering in her ears. Her mouth formed the shape of an 'o,' her eyes went wide, stunned by what she heard.

If my wolf had been unsettled since this night started, seeing this woman with another man piqued his agitation to the next level.

"Who's that?" My interest in this woman was baffling. No one had taken my interest this way before, especially my wolf. She looked like a gift wrapped in a shiny blue ball gown. I wanted to rip open that gift with my teeth and taste every bit of her with my tongue.

My cock jerked in my tights, pulling me back to reality. 'What the fuck am I thinking?'

"That?" Seth followed my line of sight. "Dunno. Must be one of the plus ones." A growl rumbled from my throat. Seth stared at me, his brows furrowed. "Want me to find out who she is?"

I turned my back from the event, snarling a 'no.' My wolf complained, baring his canine at me.

'Shut the fuck up,' I berated him.

He hissed, eyes glowing. The threat in his eyes that he'd take over if I didn't find out who that lady in the blue ball gown was as tangible as the rock glass I was holding.

Ignoring him, I sipped my drink, hands shaking in the power stand-off between me and my wolf.

"Come on," Seth threw an arm over my shoulder, stirring me out of the balcony, away from the shadows into the light of this stupid masquerade ball. "Let's go find out who that Cinderella is."

It's funny how our costumes complement each other. I blew out a breath, going with the flow. My wolf sat on his haunches, delighted at what was happening. I caved into his demand, curious about who this woman was.

I could get to know her, have a small chat, and probably a drink or two. What could go wrong?