SEBASTIAN’S POV


    It was dawn. Soft, golden light poured in from the open windows, casting a warm glow that bounced around the corners and textured surfaces of my castle.


    A mug of brewing coffee and a te of crackers sat on the table in front of me. I took momentary sips and bites as I nced through the pages of a local newspaper. I had woken up earlier than usual, due to obvious reasons.


    Catherine sat at the end of the table, her coffee mug in her face with fingers curled tightly around it. I could feel her ring at me from the corners of the mug. She was still wearing that red seductive nightwear fromst night but draped it with a nket that looked like a long scarf which she let fall off her shoulders, settling on the inside of her elbow that held it in ce.


    It was very obvious she was still brooding overst night’s incident but I cared less. I wondered if she was expecting some sort of apology or makeup sex from me.


    It was true I had never resisted her and her wild sexual preferences since we got married. Butst night was different. Trust me, it wasn’t intended. It just shot out of the blues. But could she be right? Could it be really because of… Brianna?


    As I was searching deep in my mind for an answer, one of the maids approached, holding a small fancy envelope delicately between her fingers.


    With a respectful nod, she extended the envelope towards me. “Sir, a letter has arrived for you,”


    My sharp, discerning eyes met her gaze, my curiosity aroused by the unexpected interruption. I paused, closing the newspaper and keeping it down on the table. I reached out and took the letter from her hand.


    The paper was crisp and delicately embossed, exuding an air of exclusivity. I carefully opened it and unfolded the paper and behold, an invitation to a cocktail dinner party at Creststone Kingdom’s most prestigious venues.


    My eyes ran through the elegant script on the invitation. The cocktail dinner party was to be hosted by the Alpha king of Creststone kingdom – Alpha Nn who had a record of holding some of the most morous parties across the werewolf kingdoms.


    Without thinking much, I set the letter on the table. I had been to tons of parties like this over the past years. It was nothing new. It something I was already used to.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Turning my attention back to the maid, I spoke. “Thank you. I’ll let you know the necessary preparations you and your fellows are to make in no time.”


    The maid nodded. “Very well your majesty, we’ll be waiting then.” She took herst bow before disappearing off to the kitchen.


    “What is it?” Catherine asked as soon as the maid disappeared out of sight.


    Her coffee mug was now on the table, no longer blocking her face. I studied her face. It was expressionless but beneath the exterior, still angry.


    “An invitation,” I said casually, sliding the letter to her. “For a cocktail dinner party hosted by none other than Nn.”


    Taking the letter and ncing through it, she groaned. “You’ll have to go alone. I’m noting.”


    “Why?” A fraction of my eyebrows rose.


    “I’m going to see a friend today,” her face which had been sour like lemon since we woke up suddenly came to life with a somewhat mischievous smirk. “We’re going to talk about some very important stuff.”


    “What’s so important that couldn’t wait for another day?”


    “Something as important as women’s talk,” she fired, rolling her sunken eyes at me before grabbing her mug and storming her way out of the dining.


    Catherine was the type that loved parties. She couldn’t stay a week without attending one, yet she chose to visit a friend over one hosted by none other than Nn. That was so unlike her. What could be so important that they couldn’t talk about another time? But that was none of my business. I had another n. A better n.


    ***


    BRIANNA’S POV


    My heavy eyelids fluttered open to see Sebastian’s vibrant features on my face. I thought I was dreaming and blinked severally to confirm but the image persisted, his face still stamped on me.


    On realizing it was real, my heart skipped a beat in shock and I flinched, crashing onto the floor. What the hell? What was he doing here?… How did he even get in? I swear I locked that door.


    “Sorry for that,” he walked to the side I fell and extended his hands. “Let me help you up.”


    At first, I was reluctant, my fingers outstretching but trembling. Sensing my reluctance, he sighed and leaned forward, grabbing my arms to steady me up.


    My breath struggled to ovee a glitch in meeting his eyes. They were deep brown,pelling, and maic. They were…assessing, observing.


    He was wearing a sun-coloured, loose silk robe. It was early morning and he was just waking up. Fuck!! Did I oversleep again? The same thing that caused my first punishment back at Hermes’s castle.


    Anxious, I instinctively removed my hands from his and nced nervously around, expecting him to exin the inexplicable situation but couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud for fear of what his reaction might be. It was his castle after all but that didn’t give him the audacity to burst into my chamber and stare at me like that.


    “Sorry,” he apologized and turned away. And I slowly regained my breath “I didn’t mean to invade your privacy or scare you like that.”


    “It’s nothing, my king,” I struggled to lie. It was something. What if I slept naked? Or was drooling?


    “I have news,” he was now a considerable distance away from me, close to the door, raising his hand to reveal a small fancy envelope I hadn’t noticed all that while. “I have been invited to a cocktail dinner party and you’ll being with me.”


    I was dazed for a moment on hearing him say that, everything and everywhere twirling before my eyes. Did he just say another party? A cocktail dinner party? No, no, there was no way I was going. Not after his territorial tigress threatened me.


    “My king,” I squeaked. “I’m sorry but I cannote.”


    “Why?” His arch brows lowered questioningly.


    “I don’t like parties?” I couldn’t think of anything more to say.


    “Nonsense,” he blew out a smile. “You’ll be my side throughout the event and you don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want.”


    “My king, I can’t,” I insisted.


    I couldn’t tell if he was bing impatient. I didn’t let my gaze linger in his maic eyes.


    He walked to me, his gait slow, steady. Settling in front of me, he raised my chin and looked me straight in the eyes. He must have sensed my nervousness. My blood rippled across my body and my muscles tensed beneath his touch.


    “I’m not asking,” his voice was like a gentle breeze moving along a peaceful garden. “As your master, I’mmanding.”


    My lips parted but the words weren’t flowing. They umted and knotted tightly in my throat.


    Removing his hands from my chin, he walked back to the door and jerked the handle open, turning back to speak. “The maid will be sending everything you need for the party.”


    “My king!” I finally managed to call out. “When am I to begin work as a maid?”


    I’ve been longing to ask that question that was corroding me like acid. I needed to know his ns for me in his castle.


    “You don’t have to worry about that for now. Feel weed and rx,” he jammed the door close behind him.


    He said ‘For now’. Does that mean there is a glimmer of hope?