Okay, so I'm sorry but I have to do a small note at the beginning of this chapter. Feel free to ignore it if you want! Patience of a Gordon is officially up, so please go check it out! (Shameless promo: Rowan is also up if you enjoy this story ;) )

Chapter Forty Three

Kendall's POV

I was preparing for a ball with what many would consider the nation's most eligible women, yet I would not be able to focus on any of them as a green-eyed tigress occupied my mind.

It was as if she were standing right next to me, piercing me with silent glares. I only wanted to comfort her with my touch that was reserved exclusively for her and inform her that I wanted nothing to do with them.

However, neither would happen because I had no desire to talk to her at the current moment. She had betrayed me, something I had not expected from my Protector, much less a woman I was intimate with.

Snowflake's nickname did not suit her well, I supposed. When I had first laid eyes upon her, she was the color of snow. She appeared light, despite the daring look in her eyes. I thought perhaps it was because of her ineffable environment that she was so resistant and that she would become sweet within time. I had never made a worse prediction in my life and did not think I could.

In all the time I had known her, that daring look has not left her eyes. It was always lingering there, watching and keeping everything in its view. She was also anything but light or sweet. Describing her with the two words today only made me laugh at the absurdness of it.

She was more bitter than sweet. She preferred snapping a remark than replying with a kind smile. Her expressions were filled with spices and salt, not sugar and flour. But the combination only seemed to deepen my affection towards her.

She was much too driven to be light. She was the type to run straight into things but only recall the consequences when it was too late. It was one of her larger flaws and what made her actions predictable.

The more I thought about her and her act of betrayal, the less it angered me. Given her personality, she was going to attempt to release the wolves sooner or later. Either way, her determination would make sure they were free of cages.

However, what caused my anger to return with an ample amount of sparks and heat was the mutt. His interest in her over the years had not faded but only grown.

Anyone who paid close enough attention would be able to tell. Not only this, but also that she encouraged it. She allowed him to be close to her, to touch or hold her, all of which he certainly did not have the right to do.

He had given up the right to do so when he left, leaving her behind for anyone to admire. If the mutt had given up the right then, he did not have it while she was mine to spoil, comfort, and hold.

Was she still considered mine after the horrid way I had treated her? To her, I was distant and cold. I did not give her a second of my time but instead chose to ignore her. To her, I was a man who no longer wanted her attention. In reality, however, I needed it.

The attempts to ignore her were simply impossible. Even when she was not in the same room as me, she was the center of my attention. In that way, my Snowflake was cruel. I had only cherished her for an increment of time, yet I wanted more and was sure of it.

Naturally, jealousy was a factor of my anger. Of all the people for her to commit such a crime with, she chose him. She reunited with him and snuck around with that mutt behind my back. That was what hurt the most. That was the reason I attempted to ignore her.

She would create noise in a realm of silence, and it took everything in me not to glance up at her. I would wait for the flicker of a second when she looked away before I glanced up to catch her image. I would then look away just as quickly and savor the image until I could catch yet another glimpse of her.

I did not believe she noticed for she became more agitated as time passed. I believed I had truly fooled her, my steel-minded Snowflake, into the belief that I had lost any feeling for her within a week. Without taking the situation into context, I would consider it a great accomplishment.

"Prince Gordon, the ballroom awaits you."

Lance's voice drifted into the room, and I resisted the habitual instinct of running my hand through my hair as it would only ruin it. I did not need the public to realize the state of distress I was in and question my authority.

I grabbed my black suit jacket, putting it over the classic, white, collared shirt before glancing once more into the mirror before finally exiting my room. It was then that I realized something was wrong.

"And my Protector?" I asked, briefly looking around to make sure I had not overlooked her.

"I have sent guards to find her. She should be announced and in the ballroom as we are speaking," Lance informed me and I nodded in acknowledgement, wondering how she would handle the mass of attention.

We began walking, Lance by my side and a barrier of guards surrounding us. Silence kept us company, but eventually the hard sound of the guards' boots marching in unison washed it away.

I expected the ball to be eventful as a variety of people considered important would be attending. My parents were attending, along with my brothers, Lex, and Raelynn. The Kings would be there, offering potential clients, if they did not consider the rejection of their daughters as rude.

I also expected most of the Kings to leave when I kindly told them I was not ready to take a wife. In their eyes, I should have taken one years ago and claiming so was a diaphanous excuse. However, even one of them would be of tremendous value to me.

The grand doors now stood in front of us as we came to a slow halt. The guards shuffled around to both open the doors and still adequately surround me. I stood there, any traces of my stress slipping off as I prepared myself for the crowd.

The room instantly quieted as a guard cleared his throat and began speaking: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to announce that Prince Kendall Valentino Gordon has now arrived." His words were met with the usual thunderous claps that echoed throughout the palace.

I always found the introduction amusing seeing as I was not the one who arrived, but they were. The room was filled with people from various corners of the world with a diversity of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. However, I had come from nowhere and would return nowhere once this ended. Yet, despite this, I was the one who had arrived.

I walked in, nodding and smiling briefly at those around me as I passed them, yet I did not give them my attention. Only one person continually captured it, but as I scanned the room, she was nowhere to be found. Upon this realization, I found myself running a hand through my hair.

I beckoned Lance over, ignoring the watchful eyes. They had already waited this long to see me and could afford to spare a few more moments.

"You informed me that my Protector would be in this room, yet I do not see her. Either I am dense or you lied to me. Find out which it is and for the sake of your job, I hope it is the former," I told him, the words coming out like a harsh whip.

Lance nodded before he quickly walked off. I flashed the crowd a smile as false as the enthused looks they held, lightening the atmosphere and feeding them what they desired.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to start it off by thanking each of you for attending on such a lovely evening. You are aware that the night will be divine when so many of your greatest friends are gathered together." My words were drowned in their appreciative whistles and claps, and I discretely scanned the room once more before continuing.

"I want to personally welcome the Kings and their beautiful daughters for attending as it was a pleasure to meet each of you earlier in the week. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your stays here and have no complaints.

There is a buffet of food close to the door, prepared and served by my exquisite chef Alex who is standing nearby." They applauded Alex, who smiled and bowed in response.

"Lastly, I hope everyone enjoys the night and finds it an unforgettable one!" They erupted into cheers for a third time before the orchestra began playing, the violins' magical melody sweeping through the room, grazing everyone.

I started advancing to the door in search of Lance but was stopped by a King and his daughter. We talked, the King less than subtly boasting about his daughter as I observed her.

She was beautiful; there was no doubt in that. Her back was straight, but her head was not held high as that would display the incorrect amount of confidence. I was sure she was taught to be submissive as it was a quality possessed by some of the greatest Queens, and it was also considered ghastly for a queen to speak her husband.

She, overall, an example princess and would surely make an exemplary Queen one day. However, she was not my Queen. No matter how hard I convinced myself Snowflake was in the wrong, as she was, she would always remain my Queen, if I took one.

My Snowflake had even managed to ruin women for me. A perfect princess was too docile in my eyes, too generic. I desired one who would challenge me, not falsely agree. I desired a woman that would stand proudly by my side, not behind me.

"I am sorry for my abruptness, but you will have to excuse me for a few minutes," I said quickly as Lance returned. I then walked off, forgetting the appalled King.

"I do not see my Protector with you," I said carefully as I reached Lance, a threat lying in my voice. Lance bowed his head, but I could see his news was not what I wanted to hear.

"Your Highness-"

"Enough with the formalities! Tell me where she is!" I snapped at him, quieting those around us.

"We can't find her. We've looked everywhere, but . . ." His words were drowned out by the piercing silence. My first thought nearly crippled me, and I could not bear it if it were true.

"Her things?" I asked, steeling my spine and awaiting his answer.

His face was crafted into a mask of confusion, but he answered with, "Everything was in place, and none of it was missing."

My breathing began stabilizing, and the music and collective voices began swarming my ears once again as all sound returned. Despite constantly ignoring her presence, she had not left me.

"I want the palace on immediate lockdown. No one is to go out or come in. Tell them to keep searching for her," I said lowly, not wanting to cause a sudden panic amongst the crowd.

Lance left once again, and I found the desire to follow him swirling through me, entwined with anxiety. My Snowflake was fine; she had to be. She was fine.

"Kendall!"

My eyes flicked to the distant voice where Lex stood, his hands in his pockets. I glanced at the door once more before making my way to him, crossing through the crowd.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong or are you going to lie?" He asked, his voice contradicting the light atmosphere the room held.

"I am sure it is nothing. She is probably in hiding somewhere, refusing to go near me," I replied, my attempt to assure both myself and Lex failing.

Lex's eyes flickered before he said, "Who, Snowflake? Is she missing?"

My jaw tightened in response, and Lex's eyes softened before he smiled and patted my back. "I'm sure she's around here somewhere, ready to cause chaos at a moment's notice. Your parents wanted to see you, something about Talon? Talk to them and get your mind off things. If she isn't here by the end of the night, I'll help you search for her," he promised, and I thanked him before going in search for my parents.

I found them in the middle of the room talking to one another. When they spotted me, they came forward, looks of worry upon their faces.

"Son, you have to evacuate the place immediately. Do you understand?" my father said, and I frowned in response. That was unlikely to happen while she was still missing.

"And why should I listen to you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow before anger crossed their faces.

"Now isn't the time for your attitude!" my mother snapped, but I simply ignored her.

"Your mother is right. Both of us spotted Talon roaming-" they started but were cut off as the music descended, and everyone looked towards the orchestra.

I glanced that way and found Nolan standing there, a microphone placed in his hand.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Why don't we start the night by telling me where your gracious host is?" he asked. When no one answered, he resorted to pulling out a gun.

The shot screamed in the air, causing several to scream. They tried the doors but found them locked, and cowered against the walls. I believed I could hear Raelynn's cry of grief, but I was too afraid of what I would see if I looked.

"That was only a sweet taste of what's to come if you don't step forward, Gordon boy," he threatened.

I advanced forward, shaking both of my pleading parents off in the process. "What do you want?" I said shortly, and he grinned as his eyes landed on me.

"I have everything I could possibly want. I have both power and money. I have a lovely home and my darling mate tucked away safely. What else could I possibly want?" He asked, a satisfied glint in his eyes when I tensed. The mutt was responsible for her disappearance.

"I'm actually here for you, Gordon boy. You see, long ago, your parents thought they defeated me with the introduction of Protectors. But the moment this bullet find its way into your chest, werewolves will rise again. My flower and I already started riots when we released your wolves. It's only a matter of time," he said, sighing as the gun clicked, readying itself. Several gasped at the sound, trying to merge themselves into the walls.

"I'm sorry, Gordon boy, but it seems fate wanted you dead," he said and raised the gun.

Before anything could happen, the doors creaked open and a plenitude of guards rushed in as people gratefully rushed out. Leading the guards was my fierce-eyed Snowflake. Never in my lifespan had I been so relieved to see someone.

The guards advanced towards both Nolan and me but hesitated when he began waving his gun at me. His eyes, however, were elsewhere.

"I see the drugs wore off faster than I predicted," he murmured, a look of sorrow on his face.

"This isn't you, Nolan. What happened to the man I loved?" She asked, taking slow steps towards him.

"He was tired of being stripped of everything, even the only person he truly cared for," he replied, a harsh look on his face now.

She was close enough to reach so that was exactly what I did, startling two werewolves at once. I attempted to push her behind me but instead was shoved behind her.

"You aren't going to kill someone for a decision we made together. As for the rest, you had the chance to change it but ran away instead," she replied, growling when I tried moving.

"Enough, he does not want you," I tried; however, she only ignored me.

"I could easily shoot both of you, injuring you and killing him," Nolan said softly, and I tensed.

Before she could respond and without warning, I shoved her as hard as I could. The gun rang a final time, and the last thing I could recall hearing was a melodious voice screaming my name.

This story IS coming to its end! Only two more chapters left and an epilogue. There will be a few things posted after the chapters, such as a playlist (tell me songs you find that suit the story!), a list of facts or what could've happened for the story, and a page with information for Patience of a Gordon.