15 - Fugitive Kisses

Azoic, Rostov Oblast
North Russia - Russian Fed; Population: 82,356
Romanov's Estate House

Sativa
I blinked in the mirror.

Taking a deep breathe before raising the perfume bottle and gently spraying it on my neck. It smelled of roses, Romanov's favorite.

Who would have thought?

After my little chat with Vladimir, I had realized a lot more about Romanov than I already knew. If the curse managed to be eliminated, I could be his. It was possible that he could still think that the curse was going to happen his way.

Meanwhile, it was to be happening Vladimir's way.

Hell, I just want a mate.

Yes, desperate. But, my world has been nothing but finding a mate. Ever since the day that I turned sixteen, it was all that my father steadily talked about.

It cannot fully know if I am in my right senses doing this. It is endlessly dangerous, but a mate could offer me the power of a true Lycanthrope. I would be powerful, immune to most dangers that lurked the forests. I needed that power, for it would give me more of an advantage in searching after my parents' murderers. Finally feeling satisfaction to avenge their painful, unfortunate deaths.

I planned to leave after the curse has been removed and Romanov has marked me. I sighed, he was an Alpha King, my privileges would be endless if I were to be marked by such a sinisterly high-ranked, Lycanthrope.

It wouldn't be too hard.

I slip off the small chair sitting in front of the vanity.

I didn't want to stare at myself more than I needed to. Without any experience in the makeup artistry, I more than helped myself with what I did to my face. I opted for a natural look, but Vladimir had insisted that I go all out for this big event.

Tonight, March twenty-sixth, was the annual Alpha's meeting. And, it was being held here. I had watched the maids, his guards and the entirety of his household go near mad trying to get everything in order. I hadn't spotted Romanov once today, but it was fine because after my conversation with Vladimir, I didn't feel like facing Romanov - I had learnt a lot.

Too much, actually.

My eyes were smoky, the black accentuating my oddly-colored eyes. I had on a thin sheet of concealer, paired with blood, red lipstick. My hair was curled in an elegant bun on the top of my head. But, my dress was by far the greatest one.

You see, Vladimir had arranged a suitcase full of my clothes to arrive from America, and I couldn't thank him enough. It had my favorite dress in it - the same one that I wore to the unfortunate Marriage Ceremony of Ivanna and my dad. Such a beautiful dress with such an ugly memory.

I had rented it for the ceremony, and then fell in love with its enticing fabric.

Not its price tag.

It had taken my mother four months before she finally agreed to buy it for me. It cost no less than six hundred and fifty dollars, but with my extra shifts and mother's kindness, I had managed to afford the cloth.

The top quarter of it was embroidered with jewels of all sorts and different colors, the twinkling effect matching with the slight twinkle in my eyes. It was a normal-cut neckline with sleeves a little past my shoulders. The bottom half and a quarter made me feel like the last Cinderella. It was golden in color - shimmery and glossy, the perfect addition of height for my tall frame. I had on plain, black heels. It seems that they had managed to fit my whole closet it the massive, turquoise suitcase.

I'm not surprised.

My closet wasn't even a closet - it was a wardrobe.

I smile gently at the maid that helped me laced the back as she slips airily out of the room, a smile and a nod in return for my thanks. I walk in front of the full-length mirror, twirling around until I felt dizzy and drunk with glee.

The meeting had long started, and long passed.

Now, it was time to dance.

I placed a hand on my stomach, the dreaded nerves coming back in full swing. What if I couldn't pull this off? I shake my head and nervously clutch my empty purse - everything will be fine, OK? No need to worry so.

I eye my jacket that hung the frame of my bed. I reach inside, pulling out Kiev's letter and stuffing it in my bra. You never know, OK?

I push the door open, slipping out and carefully balancing on my heels to walk out of the hallway. I had a task, this dress was meant to blow Romanov away. But, Vladimir said that I already did just that.

I swallow thickly, the butterflies dancing a sonata in my tiny, empty stomach.

"Forgetting something?"

I raise my head and turn slightly, not cause for an alarm for I already recognized the cheery tone.

"Keegan," I breathed.

"Never fear," he smiled widely, taking me elbow from behind and steering me on. "For your knight and you shining armor, is here."

I roll my eyes, over the past days, he had become and unfortunate friend. I didn't need them, but it was nice it say that I had one, "Funny."

"Isn't it?"

I look at him as we descend the stairs, I could hear the music from up here. I halt, "I don't think that I can do this." I breathe in, giving him a worried glance as he stubbornly pulls me along.

"Don't be silly," he chides gently. "You are truly the most beautiful girl that I have come across. Your eyes glow like Saturn, your cheeks as red as the walls in my father's room, and your smile - damn girl, your smile makes the whole world stop and stare for a while." He lays a soft kiss on my cheek, grinning widely.

"Thank you," I say gently.

For once, meaning it.

"Oh, it's not a compliment."

I frown, "What is it?"

"It's the truth. And, the truth isn't always a compliment."

"Still, thank you."

He grins, "For what?"

"I feel like I can take on the world, thanks to your motivational speech," I say.

"Any day," he chuckles, lightly kissing my cheek.

I sigh, "Keegan."

"What?" He cocks a brow. "If we have to pretend to be together in publicity, we might as well practice it out of publicity - isn't that true?"

Vladimir had decided that in order for Romanov to mark me faster, there needs to be jealousy involved. You see, the removal of the curse can only take place during a full moon - one that is said to take place April first. If we don't do it then, the next full moon will be in another Lunar year - roughly seven to eight months or a year, depending on various reels.

At first, I had completely rejected the idea of playing the 'pretend couple' with Keegan - but, I thought of the trial. I would be long gone if we missed this full moon and had to wait for another. I needed to avenge my parents' death as of now.

Vladimir had called it, "The extra push Romanov needs."

"Yes, but..."

He interjected, "No buts."

I button my lips as we finish the last of the steps. I breathe out as he opens the door, revealing a filled hallway was different people - all wearing masks.

"Here," Keegan whispers in my ear as he slips something into my fingers.

I nod at the plain, red mask.

Slipping it on, my eyes scan the room. It was safe to say that most, if not all eyes were trained on me. For the men, it was lust some annoyance and some pure hatred - and, that scared me. For the women, it was jealousy, some adoration too - of course, you have hatred.

The hallway was beautiful, streamlines of gold and purple masquerading my eyes. The halls were brightly lit, several maids up and down with cocktails.

It was as if, I could hear all that they were thinking, and that made me wince at the intensity of their stares.

Who is she?

Why is she here?

Isn't she the girl who killed her parents?

Selfish bitch.

Slut.

Damn, she's hot.

Is she not supposed to be in jail for the murdering of her family, though?

God bless her soul.

Poor Mildred, having such a sibling like that.

I close my eyes, Keegan's gentle nudge to the larger door. I sigh, I can't ever curse myself with the duty of being a Luna Queen.

Keegan gently pushed the door open to what was the dining room, but was now transformed into an elegant buffet with several arrays of food. My stomach grumbled, but Keegan kept walking until we reached another door. I debated whether to ask Keegan where we were going, or to keep blindly following his hurried steps.

"Slow down," I murmur.

"We don't have much time."

I frown, what did he mean by that? My thoughts are thrown out of the window as the doors open for us. Revealing a set of white, beautiful stairs. Gasps ran through the room as Keegan and I stood there, like right out of a Hollywood movie. All eyes were on us as he lead me down the stairs, I could feel the power emanating from the crowd.

This must be where the Alphas have their dance.

The moment was indescribable, and I wanted nothing more than to share it only with Romanov.

Stop thinking about him.

I smiled, averting my eyes from Romanov's as they eyed me with an incorrigible expression, one that I could hardly make out as something like lust - lust or something to do of love.

Love.

My God, he loved me.

No, he doesn't.

Shit, he does, right?

Nope.

I let Keegan steer me in the direction of drinks, as if sensing my obvious distress.

Some of the Alpha's and Luna's still had their eyes on me - and, I didn't know why.

"They all recognize you as their Luna, Sativa," Keegan explained as he poured me a glass filled to the brim with cherry punch. "It is a Lycanthrope trait blessed to only to the high-rankers."

"Oh," I nod in understanding as the final onlooker looked away. Leaving only Romanov with his eyes on me. "Can I turn it off, then?"

He frowned, "Afraid not."

"So," I drag as he patiently waits for me to finish my punch. "This is a place only for the Alphas and their mates?" I ask, sipping gently. I am hungry, but I have a loss of my appetite.

"No," he shakes his head. "It is also meant for their Betas, Gammas and the Warriors."

I gulped, "I don't see Alpha Morgan and Luna Mildred," I say more to myself than more to him for an ill reply.

"Maybe they're not here, yet."

"You know them?" I raise my eyebrows in disbelief to him.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I met them at the Alpha's meeting today. They must not have wanted to come - or, I think they left early due to some business they had to attend."

I simply nod, clutching at my drink although I had actually stopped drinking.

"You wanna dance?" he asked, awkwardly scratching the back of his head as he gave me a smile.

I motioned to my punch.

"Fuck that," he groaned, taking my punch and sitting in on the table before dragging me out of my comfort-zone and into the scarce, glowing dance-floor.

"I can't dance," I murmur, frowning. I could still feel the man's eyes on my back.

And, I secretly like it.

Secretly.

"Just put your hands on my shoulders," I automatically oblige. "Now, follow my lead, you can't be that bad."

Oh Keegan, only if you were at my last High School dance - then you would have seen it for yourself and known it.

I nod gently as he begins to move. At first, I get confused, my left and my right in total opposites. But then, the music gets to me, Celine Dion's delicate voice speaking to me as I begin to effortlessly flow with the sound of the music. I feel more eyes on me, I feel more confident with myself.

Keegan twirls me with ease, earning endless smiles from me. It wasn't perfect - only Romanov could make it perfect - but I was close to it.

The music ended with me pressed against his chest, his eyes staring down at me.

They didn't hold lust, or passion - but, they held love.

Not your typical male - female love, but love for a mere companion. It was a love meant for a love, but a love meant for a true sister.

Me?

I looked behind his head, they were all watching. All of them - including Romanov. Maya, in a short, sweetheart-neckline pink dress, she was seated in his lap, his hands planted loosely around her slim hip.

God, I hated her. Even if, I didn't know why I did.

Without thinking, I leaned up and kissed Keegan.

-

© V.L Khan