Chapter Two: A Lonely Girl

 The silhouette of the castle grew closer with each passing minute and with it, Harper's excitement grew and so did my nervousness. I tried to study the grounds, however they were in smothered with utter darkness, but the castle, however, loomed ever close: a towering mass of inky turrets and stone, coal black against the velvety sky, but here and there you could see the odd window a lit with amber light above us like eyes watching us get closer and closer to it.

 I gulped back the hard lump in my throat as we pulled up in front of stone steps leading up to the grand oak double doors. My door opened and a hand appeared in front of my face.

 "Miss," the voice greeted in a flat tone, as I took their cool hand in my sweaty one.

I smiled up at the young man as I stepped out of my car. "Thank you" I said, standing waiting for the rest of my party to join me.

 "Come, Iris," My Father ordered, with Harper taking his right arm. I took his left and he led us into the grand entrance hall.

 The hall was lit with glittering candles and the echoing of heels as guests crossed the cool marble floor and through the golden double doors to the right, leading to the Ballroom and to the Unmated Ball, my doom. I tried to gulp down my fear as Harper quickly tried straightening her hair and ask for about millionth time if she looked okay, which I and my Father said she was fine.

 "Names?" a man dressed in all black said with a stern expression and slicked back blond hair.

"Iris and Harper of the Iron Wolf Pack" my Father announced. I watched the man's ash eyes flicker over his clip board and then to Harper and I's pack mark. This was like a tattoo that sat at the base of our necks. Mine and Harpers were both wolves surrounded by chains.

"Yes, you're here" he nodded. "Let them in" he waved to two other men holding the handles of the doors which they opened.

 "Thank you," Harper and I said in unison as our Father led us in.

The ballroom was made from pure cream marble and the ceiling was painted with golden edging. The room had high, tall windows in which you could catch a glimpse of the starless, jet black sky. Glittering candles sat in chandeliers of diamond, illuminating the guests who were dotted around the hall.

The hall was packed with colourful dresses and their owners chatting eagerly amongst each other, talking about the prince, shouting greetings to their friends from other packs and eyeing each other's dresses.  I noticed as I walked, a group of gossiping she-wolves were staring at me, well, my eyes, then they put their heads together to whisper as I walked past. I gritted my teeth and tried to act as though I neither noticed nor cared but I couldn't stop the pain in my chest. I bowed my head in shame. Why was I born a freak?

Harper drifted away, her sugar pink dress gliding with her as she joined a group of gossiping werewolves. I sighed, following my Father as he was hailed by some fellow fathers sitting at one of the round tables that had been covered in a white pearly table cloth. I drew a seat out for myself and sunk down, breathing deep. I only had to stay for an hour and then I can leave I reminded myself. It wasn't long...

  "John," one of the fathers greeted mine with a clap of the shoulder.

 "Mark good to see you," My father copied.  "Have you met my daughter, Iris?"  Mark greeted me with a smiled.

 "Nice to meet you, Iris" He nodded. "These are my daughters Jenner and Lucy," He nodded to two young girls in bright coloured dress. The two greeted me with an overly-friendly almost too airy greeting which had me thinking, had they just stopped talking about me a split second before I had taken a seat? However, I had more important things to worry about: I need to get out of this ball alive and without falling over. I looked to the front of the hall where there sat two chairs raised above everyone else. The chairs where made from pure gold with engravings carved into the metal work. I squinted but I still couldn't make what they were out.  

 "He's not there," A voice sounded by my ear making me jump.

 "Who," I turned to the girl who had taken a seat next to me. She had chestnut brown shoulder length hair, chocolate coloured eyes and a pale jade coloured dress that hugged her curves. I sighed, jealousy eating away at me.

 "The Prince," she smiled showing me her pearly white teeth as she scanned the room.

 "I wasn't looking for the Prince," I said, sounding slightly anxious. Why would someone think that?

 "Oh," she grinned.

 "No," I answered firmly at once.

 "Well just in case you were wondering," she flashed me another smile. "The Prince arrives with the rest of his family," she confirmed information I couldn't care less about.

 "Okay," I frowned. "But just so you know I really couldn't care less."

 There was a pause as the girl took me in her eyes linger slightly on my eyes. "I am Eva" she took out her slim hand.

 "Iris," I replied shaking her extended hand. Eva had an olive complexion with dusty pink lips that had been covered with clear lip gloss. Her makeup was gold in tone and she wore next to no foundation that I could see. Her dress was figure hugging with a plugging v neck and suited her tall frame.

 "Well Iris, it's nice to meet you," she said, as the doors to the ballroom opened. The same man with the clipboard walked in.

 He cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen," he voice boomed echoing off the creamy marble walls. "Please stand for your Royal Highness, King Alexander the second," his voice announced the King's arrival. Everyone in the room fell silent and stood before bowing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the King greeted as he made his way down the crimson carpet to the thrones at the other end. "I give you all a very warm welcome" he stood before the high-backed golden chair facing us with a warm smile.

 "Where are the others?" I questioned quietly, so that no one could hear me.

 "Maybe he's not here yet and they are running late," Eve suggested.

 "Yeah," I agreed hoping that I sounded reassured.

 "Her Royal Highness, Queen Sofia and Princess Elizabett" the man announced as two beautiful women with raven black hair glided into the room. The first and oldest woman wore a violet dress of silk while the second and youngest wore a ruby red ball gown made from lace and satin. Both women had gold tiaras upon their heads and their hair twisted into elegant buns showing off their long pale necks.

 "His Royal Highness, Prince Robert" the room filled with whispers as a man dress in black wearing a crimson tie came into the room flashing every woman closest to him an award winning smile, which made me want to gag.

 The whole room seem to swoon as the young prince walked past flashing his expensive smile around as he made his way with his mother and sister to their father. The Queen and King soon took their places on the thrones and their children took two other chairs on the next step (Robert to the left of the King and Elizabett to the right of the Queen).

 "Welcome everyone," said the King in a ringing voice, with his thin arms spread wide as he stood from his golden throne. A beaming pearly white smile on his thin, aging lips, "Welcome to my home," his blue eyes twinkling in the golden candle light. "There is a few things that I wish to speak, however enough of my talk, it is time for feasting and drinking," The King grinned.

 There was an outbreak of applause as the King sat down neatly at his table (which a group of servants had brought out during his somewhat short speech). Pearly white doors burst open and strings of servants carrying platters of food came rushing out into the grand hall. Everyone who was not currently seated made their way to empty tables. Harper soon joined us at our table with a smile upon her makeup covered face.

 "Doesn't Prince Robert look handsome tonight, Iris," She grinned sitting next to Eva.

 "I guess," I watched as servants placed steaming hot food onto our table.

There were golden platters of joints of roast meats and pies, wafting amazing aromas around the hall, and silver dishes of steaming vegetables, bread and boats of sauces placed around us. My stomach growled at the range of food filling the table.

 "Excellent," Said Eva, with a kind of groan of longing, as she seized the nearest plate of pork chops and began piling them onto her white plate, watched with disgusted looks from the two girls (Jenner and Lucy) and also Harper who had turned her nose up to anything (like always).

 "Steady on girl," laughed Mark "you might choke" he joked. Eva flashed him a smile, her mouth was so full that I thought it was quite an achievement that nothing fell out onto the table or her beautiful dress.

Eva gave an enormous swallow before saying, "Well I am hungry and I couldn't wait much longer." She giggled before sending a little glare towards Lucy and Jenner.

 "I totally agree," I grinned grabbing some of the pork chops and some vegetables from the now, quickly emptying platters.

 "I don't understand how people can eat like such pigs in front of the royal family," Commented who I think was Lucy, her nose turned up as she flicked her honey-wheat coloured hair over her shoulder. Jenner, Lucy and Harper were picking at their food while the rest wolfed down the goods. I couldn't deal with people who picked at food. It wasn't natural!

Unfortunately, Eva's mouth was packed to exploding point again to even comment on Lucy's snide remark and Mark sent Lucy and Jenner both a warning look which seemed to quite them up for the rest of the feast. Soon the food was replaced with dessert and when the guest had all finished eating the noise level began to creep upwards again. The King was once again on his feet and the talking ceased immediately as they all turned to face him and listen to what he had to say.

 "Well I hope everyone enjoyed our magnificent dinner we all just had, and I knew that everyone is eager to dance, like I am," he smiled.  "I beg for a few moments of your lovely attention." He smiled with his hands now behind his back as he rocked on the balls of his feet. "I would like to thank all the werewolf clans for your presence at our most honoured tradition of the werewolves. It gives me great pleasure to see all of you and I hope that my son," The King turned to Robert, who seemed to be in a discussion with his mother before he flashed his pearly white grin towards everyone. "Prince Robert will find his beloved mate and his Queen," There was a round of applause in which some fairly excited she-wolves clapped a bit too enthusiastically.  I however, noticed that Prince Robert and Elizabett exchanged slightly panicked looks because of these she-wolves. I almost could stop the giggle at how scared the young Prince looked. "Now let the dance begin," the King grinned.

 People started rising from their seat to seek out dance partners, girls babbling and giggling met my ears as each young male, without a mate asked them to dance. Slowly my table began to disappear, with only me and Eva left seated. I sighed gazing up at the beautiful ceiling.

 "Excuse me," I voice met my ears. "Would you like to dance?" I turned to Eva who looked somewhat shocked.

 "Do you mind?" She asked me. 

"No, no, not at all," I gave her a reassuring smile and with that, my only friend at this ball glided away to the dance floor in the arms of a handsome man.

 "Why don't you go look round sweetheart" my father asked smiling down at me. I nodded gently getting up from my chair before making my way out of the great hall.

*A/N: So this is the next chapter! It was going to be longer, but I thought I should upload! ;)

Anyway what do you think?