Joel

I made my way back to Miss Hartley, hoping that my recent encounter with the Alpha didn't show on the outside. On the inside I was still a quivering mess.

Miss Hartley was sat on her own watching couples dance around the ballroom. I stood behind her right shoulder. Not close enough to be seen as being with her, but close enough so she could interact with me if she needed anything.

I glanced around the ballroom watching all the couples dance to a waltz that was being played by the small band on the stage. It really was quite a spectacle. It was like taking a step back in time, like getting a glimpse into the days of Jane Austen and the glamorous balls described in her books. No I didn't read Jane Austen, but we had studied two of her books in school.

It was actually very calming watching the mass of bodies twirling round and round to the music, and I found myself calming down from my previous encounter.

I knew that the Alpha was scary, and I'd heard stories about his short temper, but I didn't realise he would be that intimidating. And I didn't really do anything wrong. After all, it was Casper who had asked me to assist him. Should I have ignored him? I was a little disappointed that he didn't stand up for me, but then again, what should I expect?

I glanced around the ballroom to see if I could see Casper. He wasn't there. But I caught a glimpse of the Alpha so he must have finished speaking to him. I wonder what he said? He probably threw me under a bus for all the things I'd said or done wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if after tonight I was fired.

That thought actually hurt more than I thought it would. I fully expected that I would hate working here, but I had strangely found myself enjoying tonight. And I wasn't kidding myself, I knew exactly why.

Every time I was near him I would feel my heart pound and my hands grow sweaty. I had to fight myself not to reach out and stroke his hair, or casually place my hand on his arm. I'd never had such strong urges before. It was both electrifying and terrifying at the same time.

And the crazy thing was, he seemed to like me too. I mean, not in the same way that I liked him, but in a 'I can tolerate your company and think you're ok' kind of way. And I'd take that any day of the week!

More than anything I just wanted to be able to call him a friend. Ok, maybe more than anything I just wanted to grab hold of him and shove my tongue down his throat, but I was also kind of keen to stay alive, so being friends would be more than enough.

But realistically I knew we could never be friends. He was going to be the next Alpha.....and well me...I was a nothing. A nobody who in less than 5 years would leave this life far behind me, and finally embrace who I really was, whatever that may be.

A small movement up near the ceiling caught my attention, and for the first time, I noticed that there was a sort of balcony up there, and sure enough there was someone stood up there looking down at the scene beneath them.

I tried to focus on the figure in the darkness, and realised it was Star, Casper's youngest sister. Thinking about it, I hadn't seen her at all tonight.

To me, she was the more beautiful of the two sisters, but not many agreed with me. Luna has similar features to Casper; the dark brown silky hair, and the velvety chocolate eyes that seemed to pull you in. Star on the other hand had light brown hair, almost caramel coloured, and blue eyes, like her mother. For me, she just had a much softer appearance than either her brother or her sister, which made her seem more approachable.

After a few moments of watching her, her gaze turned and met mine. I quickly looked away and stepped back slightly into the shadows.

What was it with me this evening? Was I going to face the wrath of all the Bournville family in the space of one night?

Miss Hartley suddenly gazed behind her and looked surprised to see me standing there.

"What are you doing, come and sit down here with me," she said patting the chair next to her.

I glanced around nervously. Would that be ok? Or would I get yelled at again.

Miss Hartley frowned at me. "You do realise it would be considered very bad manners to ignore the request of an Alpha's daughter." She flashed me a smile and I could see the glint of mischief clearly in her eyes.

"Oh so that's who you are!" I said, while grinning myself, and I sat down next to her.

"You're a cheeky one, aren't you," she said, "I can see why Casper has taken you under his wing."

"Oh, he hasn't done that," I said, feeling a slight blush creep up onto my cheeks. I was thankful that where we were sitting was quite dark. "I think it's more like he's been stuck with me."

"Nonsense, I don't believe that for a second," she said, and I suddenly realised she was trying to make me feel better. Her, the daughter of an Alpha, cared about my feelings! It was bizarre.

"Can I ask you a question?" I said, slightly cautiously.

"Of course, ask away," she said, taking a sip of her drink.

"Do you talk like this to members of your staff at home?"

She laughed lightly, and it really was a beautiful sound.

"Not to all of them, but to some. Myra is one of my best friends."

"I'm guessing Myra works for you?"

"Yes, she's sort of a maid, PA, stylist, generally anything I want her to be. She's absolutely fabulous. I'd be lost without her."

I smiled wistfully at her. "It's not like that here," I said, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

"I know, and that was why I was worried about coming here," she said back.

I looked at her in slight surprise.

"But Casper doesn't seem much like his father," she added. "What do you think?"

I let out a snort of laughter. "Maybe ask me that question tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?" she asked looking confused.

"Let's just say I got into a bit of trouble with the Alpha when it was actually Casper's fault. He didn't even try to defend me, but instead he let his dad scream in my face. They both went off to talk afterwards, and so I'm just waiting to find out if I'm going to be fired or not."

Miss Hartley smiled, but it was a kind smile that showed she cared. "Hey, I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll give you a glowing report," she said while nudging my shoulder with hers.

I looked at her with a mixture of awe and surprise. She was nothing like I imagined and she was beginning to change my whole outlook on those with titles. Maybe it wasn't their title that made them like that after all. Maybe some of them were just awful people.

"Just for the record, I wish you had been Casper's mate. I would love to have you as my female Alpha."

She laughed at my statement. "I'm not sure whether to be flattered or offended! As nice as it is to hear you would like to have me as your Alpha, would you really sacrifice my happiness to have that happen? To tie me to a person so unlike myself?"

I shook my head. "Actually Casper isn't that different to you."

She raised her eyebrows at me. "Why do you say that?"

I smiled, wondering how much I should tell her. "Well, for a start, he lets me get away with way too much. And even though he has his moments, he's also a lot of fun. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but tonight when I was taking people's coats, I was playing a game with Casper where I would liken each guest to an animal to give him an idea of what was coming through door next."

Miss Hartley clapped her hands and laughed loudly at me. I quickly looked around, hoping we weren't attracting any attention.

Thankfully no one seemed to be paying us any attention, until I noticed a pair of chocolate brown eyes staring our way. As always I found myself caught in his stare. His face was unreadable so I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

He turned away and the spell was broken. I turned back to Miss Hartley and noticed that she had stopped laughing and was also looking towards Casper.

She quickly brought her attention back to me and smiled before asking, "so what animal was I then?"

I looked at her pretending to be horrified at being asked.

"Oh come on!" she said, "you must have known I'd ask after you told me that! Come on, I won't be offended, I promise."

I considered teasing her and telling her I said she was a pig or a cow, but in the end I decided just to go for the truth. "I said you were a snow leopard."

She cocked her head to one side and began to think it through. "Ok, at least it's not insulting, although I do question whether any wolf likes being compared to a cat."

I laughed at her logic. "Oh come on, you can hardly compare a snow leopard to a regular moggy cat. And it was totally meant as a compliment. Besides, I love cats."

"Well, I guess I should say thank you then."

"Oh, don't thank me. I only said what I saw."

I was well aware that I was flirting a little, but I couldn't help it. It was just so freeing to be able to talk like this.

Miss Hartley suddenly looked a little thoughtful, and then leaning into me a little she said, "I can't help but notice that Casper keeps looking over this way."

It took everything in me not to turn around and check if it was true. "He's probably just concerned that I'm going to screw up again. I'm sorry."

Miss Hartley laughed at my answer. "And there was me thinking that maybe he was looking at me because he liked me or something.."

My eyes widened slightly at her response. "Oh frick, you're probably right, or course he would be looking at you and not me!"

She seemed to think it was all a good joke and continued to laugh through my embarrassment.

"Do you think we should go and ask him?" she said, with that wicked sparkle in her eyes.

"Please tell me you're not serious?" I said, "I thought you said you were going to try and help me keep my job!"

"But it is definitely something I need to know. Afterall, I don't want to be chasing after a guy who swings the other way do I?"

"Swings what? Are you mad? Of course he doesn't! If he was looking at me, and that's a big 'if' then it is because he thinks I'm going to screw up, that's all."

Miss Hartley continued to laugh, and I could feel myself turning 10 different shades of red.

She suddenly stopped laughing and looked very serious. "Oooh, quick, shhhh, he's coming over."