The Choice

Selena

Mom planned this Christmas party in no time! The guests have RSVP, of course, who could say no to the royal family, but that’s beside the point. The decorations were put up by one group of servants. The outside lights were done by another group, a grand tree and fake presents that are put out every year by another group of servants, and garland on the stairs, banister, ceiling. The royal decorator directs the servants like an army barking her orders. That everything has to be perfect… ugh the same thing every year. I’d hear her barking orders from my room. I look up at the ceiling and remember how sparkly it can be when it’s lit on the ceiling.

I fixed what I could thanks to the lessons I learned from Caroline. The menu sounded delicious, mom never skimped on food. Musicians were getting ready in a corner of the room. It’s my first time actually being able to go. My first time as not only as their daughter but as a luna! I hope I make Kieran and my family proud…

I still knew where everything was so finding my old room was easy. I figured mom wouldn’t want to waste a guest room on me. To my surprise, everything is as I left it when I had the ceremony all those months ago. I’m even more surprised that mom didn’t trash everything as soon as I left. I roam my room, recalling the memories of being stuffed in here hidden away like I was an unwanted toy. I make my way to my old closet filled with dresses that I barely wore. Except for one red and gold one that looked new.

“Kieran, did you see this red and gold dress? I don’t remember having this.”

“I had one of your former maids buy it for you and hang it up for you.” He smiles at me like he knows something, but I don’t ask.

“I have a dress from home that you also liked. This is a big ball gown!” I’m so confused. I appreciate him being sweet but why do this if he had a plan? “Put it on, see if it fits.” I take the gown down and go behind my changing screen to put it on. It fits like a glove! It was red velvet with light gold frills and small roses on the sleeves, a rose on the chest and some light gold on the chest, and the skirt.

“You look beautiful.” He kisses my cheek and I blush. “You’re going to be the most beautiful of them all.” The door knocks and I’m greeted by my former handmaid, Eloise.

“Good evening, Miss Selena. I was sent to do your hair and makeup.” She smiles at me and she was always sweet to me when I lived with her.

“That’s sweet Eloise but I can do it.” I smile back at her, but she comes into the room.

“Go ahead and let her do it. You have your whole life to do things yourself.” He smiles at me. He may not be used to the royal treatment but I’ve enjoyed doing things for myself.

“Alright Eloise, why not.” I sit down in front of my vanity and let her do her work. Light brown eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara, coral peach blush, and red wine lipstick. I smile at Kieran who looks at me with love and adoration. Eloise finishes off the outfit with a white and yellow gold tiara with flower rubies.

“I’m going to find Gwen. I haven’t seen her yet.”

“I’ll escort you to her room.” Kieran offers his arm and I lead him to her room. Before I could knock on the door, I heard Mom and Gwen talking.

“I was given this ring by my grandmother at your age and I want you to have it now.” I feel a ping of hurt in my heart by this touching moment. Gwen smiles at her and puts it on her right hand. She sees me through the cracks in the door and squeals in excitement. Her deep red wine ball gown looked beautiful on her. It has a sweetheart top with sparkles on the top and waist. The skirt was a simple full skirt with a small amount of sparkle on it. Her tiara was small but noticeable. White gold, with diamonds on the band, and on the half hearts, turquoise stones on where the heart would meet in the middle, and a marquise cut ruby in the middle surrounded by diamonds. A simple necklace that was a teardrop ruby surrounded by diamonds.

“Lena! So good to see you again!” She hugs me tightly and I can’t help but hug her back.

“Welcome home Selena… glad you found a suitable gown to wear. I hope you like it.” She surprisingly gives me a little smile. Not a friendly one like she had with Gwen but enough of one that I noticed. “I’ll see you three downstairs.” She walks out and I can hear her heels on the stairs. She waits for her grand entrance with dad, Jude, and Gwen so we go on ahead.

I may look like a royal but I still don’t get the royal treatment… We waited patiently for their entrance and when the herald trumpets sounded it was about to begin.

“Announcing their royal highness, King Jasper, Queen Anna, hereditary prince Jude, and Princess Gwendolyn.” All four look so handsome and beautiful in their royal attire…. They make their way to the stage and I just smile at Gwen.

“Thank you all for coming to our royal Christmas party. I hope you find happiness and cheer in the coming holiday!” The crowd claps for dad’s speech but I’m just trying to put on a cheerful face… we should be up there too… Kieran would technically be a prince consort… we go find a table to sit at and get something to eat…

Gwen

I make my rounds thanking people for coming, holding my skirt up so it wouldn’t drag. I’ve had a few young suitors ask me to dance but I’ve politely said no thanks. I kept smelling an alluring smell of oakmoss, cedar, and rain all night, and at first, I thought it was just outside, maybe it rained while we were having the party, but it wasn’t that strong like it had rained. The smell was noticeable to be noticed but not strong enough to pinpoint what or where it was coming from. Faces and names all blended together as I kept shaking hands and saying hello. As more people make their way to say hello this one particular guy with icy blue eyes catches my attention. I don’t know why but maybe it’s the eyes. They’re so enchanting… that you can’t help yourself but pay attention to him.

“Gwen dear this is the Camus family, Hereditary Prince Damian James Camus, Queen Celina Reyna Camus, and High King Lucian Xander Camus of the CedarCrown Pack.” My mom points them out to me. Prince Damian smiles at me and kisses my hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Princess Gwendolyn.” OOh, he is smooth!

“Pleasure is all mine Prince Damian.” I can’t help but smile and blush at him. I bow to him as a sign of respect and I meet the king and queen with no problem, but I can’t help but want to go back to Prince Damian. Soon my wish is granted as his eyes look like they’re about to bug out of his face when he sees me again.

“MATE!” He growls seductively and kisses me! My first kiss ever and it felt amazing! I wrap my arms around his neck and totally forget that he’s kissing me in front of my parents. Then I realized what the smell I had been smelling all night had come from. It was Prince Damian!

“Oh, this is wonderful! What a wonderful pair! My mom squeals in delight. I wanted to tell Selena but I couldn’t find her.

“Your peach cherry blossom scent had been driving me crazy all night! I was wondering where it was coming from! It was practically hitting me in the face like a wall.. would you do me the honor of dancing with me?” I look to my parents who are so proud of me frantically shaking their heads ‘yes’ at me. I smile at him and take his hand.

“It’d be an honor to dance with you.” He took me out to the dance floor where a beautiful waltz was being played by the orchestra. It honestly sounded like something out of Cinderella. I gasped a little as he took my waist. Everyone made space for us and stared at us. “Everybody’s looking at you…” I get a little nervous about this dance, but he kisses my cheek to calm me, and it surprisingly does.

“Believe me, they’re all looking at you... All I’ve been watching is your beautiful brown eyes sparkle under the chandelier.” Thank gosh for those dance lessons all these years! He spins me around the floor effortlessly making my skirt swirl around the floor. When the music is done, I attempt to curtsey, but the dress makes it difficult. I look up at him and he’s just smiling from ear to ear. The crowd claps for us and I get up off the floor.

“You are wonderful.” We got off the floor together walking towards my parents. I kept looking for Selena during my dance but I still didn’t see her.

“Why don’t we go somewhere… private… to talk.”

“Sure.” I blush at the thought of being alone with him. We made it outside to the sunroom where it was dimly lit by white lights.

“So let’s start with the basics. How old are you?” He asks me frankly.

“I’m 15, I won’t be 16 until spring.”

“A mere child…” He seemed almost happy about that. “I’m 18. That is how I could know you were mine.” He grabs my hands and kisses them. “I turn 19 in summer.” He takes a deep breath before making his next comment. “I guess coming here tonight wasn’t boring after all…”

“You thought this was just going to be another boring ball like all the others?” I smiled at him. “It’s ok, I understand. I haven’t been to many balls, on the contrary, I only started going since I was 13, but I know they can be dull. The only good part about this ball was having my sister Selena and her mate Kieran Stoneshire from Moonstone Pack with us, but I think she left. I don’t blame her, she wasn’t treated well by my parents…” I miss her…. She’d be so proud of me.

“Why?” He asked me out of curiosity.

“Because she wanted to marry for love instead of being used for political gain. So my parents have this, “ceremony” as they call it, but really it’s a fancy way of being banished as Selena once told me. My oldest brother, Liam had it too so I’m told, but I still keep in contact with them. Along with Jude of course. I think he’s going to be a great king someday. We just have to wait till he finds his hereditary princess or whenever mom and dad want to retire but who am I kidding I doubt they will, they love the power too much. They’d rather have power than be a proper family…” I let out a sigh lost in thought on what could’ve been when Damian smacks his fist on the ground.

“I will have to talk to my father about this... but that may be another time.”

“I understand… I’m sorry to vent like that. I don’t have any friends here to talk to about this. I was granted permission from my father to go back to Moonstone Pack but I suppose I’ll be living with you, right?” I look at him with curious eyes.

“With time, yes, but not right away you’re only 15. You have to be at least 16 for the mating ceremony. But we will see each other as much as we can. With both our parents’ approval.”

“By the way, my mom responded to our match and dad already permitted me to go. It shouldn’t be a problem. Do you have any siblings?” I ask him out of curiosity.

“My older brother runs his own kingdom and seems to be happy and I have a younger sister who’s your age.” We hear footsteps getting close to us.

“Ah, here you two are. I should’ve known you would want to get to know each other.” An older woman who I remember as his mother found us. He had the same dark raven hair as her, but the same icy blue eyes as his father. “Damian sweetie, the ball is almost over, we should go soon.”

“Of course, mother. Until we meet again my princess.” He kisses my hand and follows his mother out of the room.

“Would you like me to show you the way out?” I ask just to make sure they don’t get lost.

“That would be lovely my dear thank you.” His mother smiles at me and I lead the way for them. Once we make it back to the ballroom, he kisses my cheek and follows his mother out. Mother comes running up to me, almost knocking me over with her hug.

“How was talking with his majesty!?” She squeals like a schoolgirl.

“We had a pleasant talk, but they sadly had to leave.” I smile as I recall our conversation.

“Aww, too bad sweetie.” She puts her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m going to bed, goodnight.” I ran up the stairs to find Selena hopefully in her room, but when I got there everything was practically gone. She and Kieran had left.