The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

"Yes, of course, ask away."

"If you spot any kind of stone, crystal or rock... will you please put it aside?"

He observes me for a moment before suddenly realising something and smiling. "I see what you are trying to do, and I think that is a very good idea indeed... I wonder if Mi Rey has the same thought..." he says the last part more to himself, but I don't want to waste any more of his time. I smile. "Thank you. We'll be leaving soon. It's a shame you won't join."

"I have more important things to do here." He smiles at me, and I nod before I return to the hallway.

"I can't wait to see how Enrique crumbles when he sets eyes on you," skyla says as she cuddles Malevolent before placing her kitty down.

"Hmm, I think that depends on how you look at it." I muse. "I mean, if he doesn't go through with it, it means he is unable to stay away from me, a sign of his feelings for me. Or... by marking her to protect me? Which is the greater good? Will he have enough strength to make that sacrifice for my sake? It all depends on perspective. Which is the greater expression of love? Doing something he hates for me, risking it all and his own happiness for my safety. Or giving in to his emotions and unable to stop himself from forsaking it all."

Everyone falls silent as my words resonate in the air.

"How..." Sky trails off as Royce smiles and nods.

"An excellent way of putting it, Kataleya. His desire or his love for you... that's a good way to put it into perspective," he says. "So then, what? Are we hoping he marks this woman?" Skyla asks sceptically.

"A person's actions speak loudly. This night is going to be eventful, but remember Kat, if at any point it feels too much, we are all here, beside you." Uncle says.

I nod before smiling at them all. "Thank you."

The doors open and Raihana enters first. She's wearing a stunning champagne-coloured dress with a slit. Her long hair is open and cascades down her back.

She steps aside and a large and extremely burly man that towers over me enters. He's wearing a black suit that strains on the shoulders and thighs. I can see tattoos covering his hands and neck. Dark hair, and brown eyes that look rather sharp complete his look. "Kataleya, I want you to meet Savio da Silva, Alpha of the Poison Fang Pack in Colorado, USA. Your date. He's a friend of-" "Let me guess... Leo's." Skyla says.

"Yes. That's correct." Savio confirms before looking at me. "I'll make sure no one hurts you tonight."

"And this is Dalton Crane, Alpha of the Jade River Pack from Nebraska, also courtesy of Leo," Raihana says as a second man who is muscular but nowhere near as big as the first. He has brown hair and blue eyes, and he's dressed in a navy suit.

"Nice to meet you all," Dalton says.

"Likewise." Uncle shakes hands with both of them.

"You look familiar. Have we met?" Royce asks Savio.

Savio shakes his head before he smirks. "I do not think so. I don't mix much."

"I see. I don't think we have." Royce says as they shake hands.

I'm a little intrigued, but I'm more nervous when the man turns to me. "Lady Kataleya, it's a pleasure to meet you and an even greater pleasure to be your date for the evening. If things don't work out here, I am looking for a Luna myself." "Ok, let's not get ahead. Leo filled you in?" Raihana says dismissively.

"The King did indeed. Let's go make one alpha jealous," Savio grins, rubbing his hands together before he offers me his arm." Let's go, Princess."

I smile as I slowly slip my arm around his, if Leo trusts him, he must be a good person... I keep telling myself that as he opens the door to his car for me and I get in, spotting the head of a panther that peeks out from the open buttons of his shirt.

The tattoo is extremely detailed, almost 3D against the others that surround it. He fixes his shirt smoothly, like he doesn't want me to look at it. That only makes me more curious.

Maybe I'll ask Leo.

I look away, hoping he didn't think I was checking him out. "Will no one else be joining us?" I ask politely as he drives out. "No, they'll make their own way."

I nod as I watch everyone else get into their cars and we all drive out towards the packhouse for Enrique and Rhea's engagement...

The entire building is lit ablaze with lights, garlands of flowers and vines decorating the surroundings.

Once everyone arrives, we make our way through the doors and I notice Raihana is now with Uncle Liam instead of Dalton. Did something happen?

But before I can ask her, Savio leads me inside. Taking a deep breath, I step onto the cream carpet that leads to the hall. The place is unrecognisable with decorations in creams and golds and it's alive with the sound of chatter, music and merriment. The music is upbeat, and it makes me want to dance my emotions away. My nerves are making me all jittery.

I glance at Savio, remembering what he said on our way here. If anyone asks, me and him are friends, we met at an event in England and since then remained in touch.

I know that his presence would annoy Enrique, but I don't think he'd believe us if we added any more to that story. He knows how I feel about him.

"I hope a crawler crashes this damn thing and bites a certain bitch's head off," Skyla mutters, making me look over my shoulder at her. My eyes widen at her sudden words. She's mad at Rhea again, and I can't blame her.

The moment we step through the double doors, silence falls, and all eyes turn toward us, but mine fall on the man standing in the middle of the floor, wearing a suit in a dark espresso shade of brown, which fits him oh so sexily.

His hair is freshly cut, in a fade around the sides and back with his chocolate curls on top making him look drop-dead gorgeous.

He's wearing sunglasses and for a second, I think he isn't wearing a shirt but then I notice the black shirt that is shamelessly open down to his waist and he's wearing four necklaces too.

Really Enrique? It's not that hot inside.

I almost pout, knowing he would be getting extra attention because of that. But my heart is racing as my eyes rake over the man who now turns his head towards us. I may not be able to see his eyes, but I can feel his gaze burning into me.

I'm unable to look away, watching the way his Adam's apple bobs when he swallows, or the way his tongue flicks across his bottom lip.

That's when I see the flash of red and see Rhea step up beside him, snaking her arm into his as she stares up at me, almost challengingly. I rein in my storm of emotions and smile at Savio.

"Come, let's enjoy the engagement," I say gracefully before I lift my dress on the left side and walk towards the open floor to face this evening with my head held up high.

A/N: Hi everyone, for Kataleya's dress, please check I G or F B on my latest post. I got this one commissioned, as I couldn't find what I wanted. It will also be the artwork for Kataleya's second book for the special editions

Also, for those who want to grab my special editions of Skyla and Royce's books, please check out my IG for the link to my website. I'm closing the shop in two days. So please get those orders in! Thank you.