The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

Enrique's attention was on Marie for the remainder of the meal, or he at least pretended it was. Everyone, including Marie, could tell he wasn't interested in anything she said. The occasional playing with her got her flustered, and it only made me feel worse that although they were engaged, we kissed...

My feelings towards him aren't going anywhere, and being around him is something I am longing for... every moment in his presence makes me happy, even when they aren't always calm...

I remove my heels, the sound loud in the silent halls as I make my way towards the back pool to wait for Jose.

I silently slip outside and quietly cross the garden, when the sound of Marie's voice makes me stop, and it's the tone that makes me unable to stop myself from listening to what is being said, on alert.

"...to me!" she hisses. "Am I supposed to believe that?"

Who is she talking to?

"I'm sorry, I don't tend to remember the women I've slept with-"

A resounding slap follows ringing in the silence and my eyes widen, not because of the slap but who the voice belongs to.

Jose?

"Yeah, you're a damn man-whore, I know that. But don't pretend to be f*****g innocent. You knew I was to marry your alpha! Why would you do that?" Marie hisses, she's panicking, and I can hear her heart thumping. Jose sighs. "I swear I didn't know who you were, or I wouldn't have. It's been a year or more, hasn't it? Besides, it's no big deal, it's a thing of the past, alright. You're to be Luna, and I will treat you accordingly." She scoffs. "Yeah right, you better tell Alpha Enrique the truth or I will. Secrets have a way of coming out, and I can't risk him finding out later. This union is important to my father."

"But is it to you?"

There's silence. "What I want doesn't matter. I just hope your Alpha isn't a fuckboy like you," she spits resentfully.

I frown. She seems hurt...

"Asshole," she whispers before I hear footsteps and silently duck behind a chair just as she comes into view and storms past where I'm hiding. She breaks into a run and hurries into the house. Marie...

The entire exchange has surprised me... and I hear Jose sigh again.

These dumb horny men really don't know how to keep it in their pants, do they? There's no difference between Jose and his Alpha! I shouldn't be surprised as they were both at Club Jewels, after all. It's so disappointing! I shake my head.

Silly men and their untameable sausages.

Giving it a few minutes, I wait before I slip my heels back on and walk around the back and through the low gate towards the pool. Jose is standing there smoking as he leans against the wall, a frown on his face.

It disappears quickly the moment he sees me, and now, thinking about it, I'm certain he recognised Marie. That's why he had been a bit off around her. No matter if he denies it or not.

I fold my arms and muster up a frown.

"I heard your conversation." I blurt out, unable to stay quiet.

His eyes widen slightly before he looks away guiltily.

"I'm sorry that you did."

"I'm not. You were mean to her, and I thought you were nicer than him." I'm unhappy with both of them.

"It's complicated. I didn't know who she was, besides these islands aren't that big... it could happen to anyone." He frowns slightly. "She isn't meant to be the one with him."

"That's not our decision to make." I remind him softly.

"She isn't meant to be Luna. You and I both know Enrique needs someone who can challenge his hot-headed behaviour."

I remain silent, a question burning on the tip of my tongue. "Beta Jose, I will ask you something and I hope you will answer it honestly."

"Of course."

I pout. 'Of course' he says, but then he was lying to Marie.

"You look unhappy..." he remarks.

"I am," I say, planting my hands on my hips and shake my head before I let my arms drop to my side. Inhaling deeply as I ready to ask the question I think I already know the answer to. "My question is, when you told me about the darkness... you said I was the light you were waiting for... but tell me, is there more you are expecting of me than simply helping with

whatever darkness shrouds Enrique's heart?"

He looks up this time, staring me dead in the eye. "Yes. I want you to be our Luna."

There's silence, a soft wind blowing around us, and I tilt my head. "Why? You know who I am and-"

"You love him, I know that."

My cheeks heat up, and I look down. "It doesn't matter." I'm not sure if I'll make it past the Blood Moon if I am exposed to darkness for too long... "It does, he's taken by you, Enrique visited the club almost every day but since you..." he trails off as my face falls. Almost every day... he must really enjoy all the women... a pang of pain rushes through me accompanied by annoyance towards the women there.

I'm jealous...

"Sorry..." he sighs again. "I'm fucking everything up today," he mutters.

I look up at him, "No it's ok you can carry on. I know what kind of man he is..." I say sadly.

He nods slowly. "What I'm saying is, he hasn't been going there. You've consumed him. He is into you even if he tries to fight it. And this dinner simply proved that further."

I shake my head, wishing it was so, but it isn't. He only wants one taste then - like the women at the club, he'll toss me aside.

"No, I just rile him up and I'm certain if I give him what he wants, he'll forget about me just as he does all the other women," I answer softly. This conversation hurts... "I wanted to talk to you about this prophecy that the child witch told you. I need you to see if you can find out anything more. Anything she may have said to her family if she had one that might have been relevant? Is there anything that perhaps her family might have mentioned?"

"I can ask her mother if you wish or if you would like to come along. It's not an easy topic for her, as she was the only family she had and she doesn't really like visitors. Perhaps she'll talk better to you."

"That will be better, I think. We need to find the answers quickly. Earlier before... I fainted, there was a darkness around him. It seemed stronger. Time is of the essence, and we can't afford to waste anymore. Can you arrange it for tomorrow?"

He shakes his head. "I won't be able to so fast, I'm afraid. I need to find her. She lives somewhere in secret. I'm going to have to track her down." He admits.

I nod in understanding. "That's alright, just as fast as you can. I know you already have a lot going on." I reply. "Well, it's late. I better head upstairs."

He nods. "I'll walk you inside."

"No, you carry on. It's alright, thank you, I will go by myself." I decline politely, glancing at the cigarette which hangs in his fingertips by his side. He must be stressed. "Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight." I make my way back through the garden and enter the house and climb up the stairs. I'm about to take the second flight of stairs when someone calls me. "Princess Kataleya!"

I turn and stop when I see it's none other than Alpha Luis. His gaze throughout the dinner had made me increasingly uncomfortable and I'm once again aware of my fitted dress. "Alpha Luis," I answer politely.

He chuckles, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I had a feeling you would be sleeping on this floor."

I don't respond, simply smiling politely as I wait to hear why he called. There's something lewd about the way he sounds, the tone...

He looks around, the first warning that tells me he is making sure no one is around, a signal I should leave fast.

"Well, goodnight I will-"

"Not so fast, princess." He steps closer and I instantly step back. "You see, although you are rather overweight, I still find you extremely gorgeous, so why don't-"

I raise my finger, my smile gone as I look at the man before me. "Stop." "I just mean-"

I shake my head and reply in Spanish. "Oh, I am absolutely certain what you meant, Alpha Luis, and I'm not interested. Whether I am overweight or not, that is no way to talk to someone, especially when my weight is no one else's business. As for what you are insinuating... I am not interested at all."

How disappointing he is...

He stands there gobsmacked, and I'm certain it is because I spoke Spanish.

"Have a good night, Alpha Luis."

With that I turn and make my way to the next flight of stairs, feeling that if I must face one more man tonight, I might just burst!

These men!

I reach the door to the room next to Enrique's when suddenly a hand shoots out, stopping me from opening it.

I know who it is from his scent, but I didn't sense him! Again...

"You know the rules, you're meant to be in my bed." Comes his cocky yet equally sexy voice that makes my heart skip a beat.

A deep frown crosses my forehead, and I exhale through my nose.

It seems like I'm not done dealing with these men for the night. I turn, conjuring up my angriest expression, brows furrowed, nostrils flared, lips pinched and I glare at him...

But his reaction is not what I'm hoping for. His hazel eyes glitter with amusement and, to my utter dismay, he doesn't just smirk, he doesn't just snicker; he throws his head back, and he laughs.