Over sharing
1046 Words
The ballroom starts filling quickly as the last of the guests make their way to their tables, the low hum of conversation and laughter growing in volume. The energy in the room is lively, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. My eyes flicker toward the stage where Beta Carter stands, his expression as animated as ever.
“Welcome, welcome, welcome!” he announces, his voice carrying over the crowd. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate the king’s birthday tonight.” He pauses for dramatic effect, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Unfortunately, the old man is running late.”
A wave of chuckles ripples through the crowd.
“But no need to fear,” Carter continues, placing a hand on his chest with a mock bow. “The life of the party—yours truly—is here to save the day. Let’s eat some grub while we wait for him!”
The guests burst into laughter, cheering at his playful speech. The atmosphere shifts from formal to more relaxed as the waiters begin gliding through the room, silver trays in hand, delivering dinner platters to each table. My stomach growls audibly at the sight, reminding me that the last meal we had was breakfast, hours ago.
Without hesitation, I dive into my plate, barely taking a breath between bites. The food is delicious—savory and rich—but my hunger doesn’t allow me to savor the flavors properly. I devour my meal in seconds, only to glance around sheepishly and realize that everyone else is eating far more politely. My cheeks burn in embarrassment as I try to discreetly clap my hands, resetting both my plate and the plates of my guardians.
I take a deep breath, determined to blend in this time, and approach the second round of food with far more restraint. It’s easier to pace myself now that the worst of my hunger is satisfied. Around me, my friends chat and engage in light conversation, the buzz of voices and clinking cutlery creating a warm, festive ambiance.
Maya leans over and raises an eyebrow at Arya, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “So, Arya, what do you think of Beta Carter?” she asks with a sly grin.
Arya turns a deep shade of red, her entire face lighting up like a beacon. “He… he seems nice,” she stammers, clearly flustered.
I can’t help but giggle, amused by how obvious her feelings are. “He seems to think you’re ‘nice’ too,” I tease, nudging her playfully.
Mortified, Arya scrambles to change the subject. “What about Daisy and Alpha Nathan?” she blurts out.
Daisy, caught completely off guard, spits her wine across the table, her face flushing as she starts to choke. I immediately reach over, rubbing her back gently as I dry her dress with a flick of my fingers, using my water magic to avoid any lasting stains.
“Hmmm, now that you mention it,” I muse, trying to hide my smile, “I did notice a little tension between you two.”
Daisy clears her throat, her voice barely a squeak as she finally admits, “We may have… spent the night together. And we might have kissed a little.”
The table erupts into applause and playful cheers, all of us delighted by her confession. “Alpha Nathan is a great man, Daisy,” I say, smiling warmly at her. “Do you like him in that way?”
Daisy nods, burying her face in her hands. “I doooo,” she groans, her voice muffled by her palms. “But I don’t think it would ever work. He’s a werewolf, so he’s waiting for his soulmate. I don’t think I could handle being cast aside the moment his true love shows up.”
Her words strike a chord in me, and my heart aches for her. The idea of being with someone only to be replaced by destiny’s choice—it must be agonizing. I rub her back gently, offering silent comfort as I let her process her feelings.
Arya, still eager to shift the focus from herself, suddenly pipes up. “Do lycans have soulmates?”
“Why yes, dear Arya,” comes Beta Carter’s voice from behind her, making her jump. He steps smoothly into the seat next to her, his presence as commanding as ever. I can hear Arya’s heart racing, pounding in her chest as he sits so close to her.
“We lycans do have soulmates,” Carter explains, his eyes fixed on Arya with an intensity that makes it hard to look away. “But we can also choose our own mates if we wish. That sometimes comes with consequences, though. It can result in the death of our destined soulmate, depending on the strength of the bond with the chosen mate.”
His tone softens, and his gaze remains locked on Arya’s. “Lycans live very long lives, sometimes for hundreds of years before their soulmate is even born. I think that’s why we have the option to choose, you know. Sometimes, true love doesn’t wait—it comes knocking at your door, demanding to be let in.”
Arya’s breath catches, and I can feel the tension between the two of them, thick and electric. His words seem to carry a deeper meaning, one meant only for her.
Carter breaks the silence with a light chuckle. “I came over to check on you all, but it turns out you’re the loudest table in the party!” he teases, his laughter ringing out before he winks at Arya. The tension eases slightly as we all join in the laughter, grateful for the distraction.
His voice drops to a more serious tone as he leans in. “The king has arrived as well. He’ll be here any moment.”
Suddenly, a knot twists in my stomach, tightening with every second. The room seems to shift, and my lungs feel heavy as the double doors at the far end of the ballroom burst open. A wave of anticipation rushes over the crowd, and I find myself holding my breath as the king prepares to make his entrance.
- Writer
