The Hybrid's Curse

The Prince awaits

LANA’S POV

I had to admit that the dress looked amazing on me even though it was still very revealing, my hair was well put in a bun and pearl pins plucked in to hold it together. I looked perfect. Judy had indeed outdone herself this time. I was surely going to be turning heads tonight. I was certain that if my mate had been a human he would have been instantly hooked on my looks. I have heard that humans chose their mates based on looks. Of course, that wasn’t something that I hoped for myself but at this point, I wished I could just pick my mate because the moon goddess seemed to have forgotten about me.

Judy had managed to put my fears about spending the night alone to rest by letting Francis know that she was going to ride with me to the party and spend the night with me until I found my mate. I was a little bothered by the fact that she sounded so certain that this was the night that I was going to meet my mate because I didn’t want to be disappointed. I had learned that it was best for me to prepare for the worst when heading to these parties to avoid heartbreak.

After Judy was done helping me get ready, we prepared to head out. She looked even better than I did in her heavily decorated dress. Judy always loved overdoing things and this was one of those times. I felt like the dress brought out the best in her.

“Thank you once again for everything. I mean this dress is everything. You went out of your way to help me as usual”, I said as we settled into the carriage and rode away.

“Anything for you, and I did all this because I truly feel like tonight is your night” she responded with a smile. I didn’t want to burst her bubble of hope so I smiled at her nervously.

“You sound sure that things will work out this year and I wish I had your kind of faith,” I said with a little sadness reminiscing on the past and how I had not been able to find a mate at these balls. I hated being the wet blanket, but I just didn’t see how things would suddenly change.

“Have a little faith” Judy responded with a little lightness and a smile. “I just know this year will be different” she added

“ You are right, I need to be positive. I can't always be the she-wolf that gets the worst luck every year and who knows, maybe this will also be the night that I will find my wolf”, I said, trying to cheer myself up. I had to stay positive for the sake of the efforts that Judy had put into my looks tonight.

When we arrived at the ball, the place was packed with all shades of beautiful, and for the safety of the king and his family, the carriages and all the males had to be searched. This caused a little bit of a holdup, but I wasn’t in much of a hurry. I had already started regretting coming. I think it was reflected on my face because Judy nudged me with her elbow and snapped me back to the reality that I was going through this once again this year.

“Earth to Lana,” she said. “ the prince awaits you,” she said jokingly.

“Yeah right, Judy” I responded with an eye roll, the prince probably found his mate the day he was born. The royals always had it easy.

“You may never know” she responded, “ life can be unpredictable and the prince may just be the one you have been waiting for all your life”, she persisted.

“Or maybe the prince found his mate already and you are just trying to bring your fantasies to life as you usually do,” I said and she laughed.

The guard let us in and I thanked my lucky stars for the interruption because Judy wasn’t letting go of the uncomfortable conversation about the prince. At the door there stood Francis in all his glory, looking excited to have his mate by his side. I admired the way he looked at her. Every time Judy walked into a room or when we walked toward him he would always have the same smile on his face. No one would ever have to ask about the love he felt for her because it was written all over his face, hers too.

I immediately knew I would be having the longest night lonely and alone because Francis didn’t seem to have any intention of spending a night that was meant for mates with his friends... Judy jumped into his arms as soon as the doors swung open.

“You look beautiful, my love”. Francis complimented her with admiration.

“Thank you my love”, Judy responded shyly, Francis was the only one who could bring out that side of her.

“Lana, you look like a lady tonight”, Francis commented sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and ignored the unruly comment. Adding on to his sarcastic comment, Francis said

“You sure clean up well” he added.

I wanted to respond but I settled for the silence that would keep the peace and save Judy the strength of playing peacemaker between myself and her uncouth boyfriend. We were led to the entrance of the ball and everything about the setting looked amazing. People were walking in all directions.

“This looks amazing” Judy’s voice almost sounded like a whisper as a certain scent took over me. It was as if someone dangled a piece of candy in my face. I swear someone here smelled like they had been bathing in my favorite piece of candy because even my mouth couldn’t stop whispering. I didn’t want to, but I found myself walking around the room and trying to find the source of the smell.

It was as if I was chasing my tail because as I followed the scent, I found myself going round and round in circles and never finding the source of the scent. Who was this person and why did it seem like he was running from me? I suddenly felt a strong urge to turn around because I would feel someone’s eyes piercing the back of my head and begging for my attention. It was the prince himself, and for a second I was lost in his green eyes. I had never seen him so close and I had never looked into his eyes. He was the source of the scent, and I stared at him in disbelief. Was he the one that had been chosen for me?