1 Facing Reality

[Scene One]

Princess Layla leans back on her hands as she swings her legs. Her boots scuffs the rock wall she sits on, the ground hundreds of feet below her. The trees surrounding her kingdom are nothing but green and brown ants. However if she looks beyond them, towards the hills, she can see farmers, and their herds of animals. And beyond that is the open sky. As the sun begins to set, the sky is bathed in yellow, pinks, and reds. It's a breath taking sight, a calm washing over her as she watches fluffy white clouds drift by.

Despite being so high up, she isn't the least bit scared. This is a common thing for her to do. Its something her father isn't fond of. She sucks between her teeth, he isn't fond of a lot of things she does these days.

Sure, she's a werewolf, and she heals fast, but falling from this height ensures her a quick death. That's what he says.

Princess Layla snorts, but pauses when a familiar scent fills her senses. She focuses harder, ears straining to hear his footsteps.

He isn't to far.

"I can pout just a little bit more." She murmurs.

Maybe if she were anyone else she would've died. But she's not anyone else, she is her, the first female Alpha in her Kingdom. She pouts her lips, if her Kingdom even knew she was an Alpha.

To the entire Werewolf Kingdom, Princess Layla is a beta. A damn Princess Beta.

"A fucking beta." She growls, breathe coming out in a gasp of disbelief. Just how long does he plan on deceiving everyone like this? She frowns, how long does he plan on keeping her identity a secret. She bets if she were born a guy, all of this would've been easier on both of them.

Her hands curl around the wall as she glares out at the trees down below her. Even with her enhanced vision the trees were tiny ants from up there.

"Are you out here talking to yourself again?"

Princess Layla turns her head and sees Luke. His scruffy face broke into a lopsided smile, his alpha pheromones are strong as she breathes in. He wears his warrior uniform, A leather vest with weapons strapped to them, and that leaves his chest bare. His bottoms are cargo shorts, worn with holes.

His dark eyes take in her running clothes, a black tunic and shorts. Easy to discard and put on.

"Did my father send you to fetch me?" Princess Layla asks, her thin eyebrow arches in curiosity.

He is a warrior after all, and on duty with his adorned attire.

Luke smirks at her, and dares to take a step closer to her.

"You know, I have full access to shoving you off this wall right?" He asks in return, voice lowering to a threatening growl.

"Luke -" Princess Layla's eyes widen. Luke's hand grabs her shoulders. Just as he starts to push her off the wall, towards the fall of her death, Princess Layla's eyes transformed. Her once hazel eyes glowed yellow. Her teeth elongated and wolf ears sharpened at the top of her head.

She swiveled her hips so she was facing him and wraps her legs around him. Her claws digs into his shoulders and pushes him backwards. He falls backwards onto the stone path of the wall and growls.

Princess Layla lands on top of him and bares her teeth in warning.

"What the fuck, Luke?" She growls.

"Now, Princess Layla that's not how lady's talk." Luke scolds her, eyebrows narrowing as if he has a right to criticize her in this moment.

"Luke -" Her claws dig into his skin. The wolf inside her threatens to come out and rip into his neck. to tear him limb from limb and stain the stones with his blood.

"I bet you won't sit on that wall anymore, now." Luke smirks, hands landing on her waist. He continues to lay there, almost comfortably satisfied that Princess Layla is straddling his lap. And is leaning over so her breasts are pressing against him.

Flushing a bright red, Princess Layla jumps back. Immediately her wolf retreats and she's back to her human self. She jumps up and brushes her self off. Then reaches out a hand to help him up.

Luke takes it thankfully.

"That is cruel! I almost killed you!" She swats at his arm. The glare is permanently on her face.

Luke chuckles, not the least bit worried.

"To answer your question, your highness." Luke smirks and bows his head. "Yes. King Lucian sent me. The ball is starting in two hours time. You must get ready."

Princess Layla is reminded of the ball all to soon. She sighs, shoulders slouching in defeat. There is not way out of this.

"Alright then, lead the way." She gestures towards the path.

[Scene Two]

Princess Layla sucks in a deep breath.

"More, My Lady." Mia, her lady in waiting pulls tight on the corset strings. The restricting contraption pulls her breasts to her chest, creating two mounds of cleavage.

"If I suck in anymore, I will pop out a lung." Princess Layla growls. Her ribs are starting to ache, and it's difficult to breathe. "Isn't this enough?"

"Very well, your grace." Mia sighs, but gives in. She ties the strings and fastens them. Then she walks over to her bed and lifts the brown silk gown off of it. The skirt is puffy with layers of fabric folding against each other. at the waist, it tightens around her upper figure, and as Princess Layla guessed, reveals large amounts of cleavage.

"Are we done now? Can we go?" Layla huffs.

"No. I still have to spray Beta Pheromones on you." Mia smiles apologetically.

After she's done, two warriors escort her to the ball. The room was nestled in the east wing of their castle, and a small walk from her room.

Princess Layla wrings her hands together in front of her as they turn a corner.

She has to act like a beta. Think like a beta. Beta. Beta. Beta. No matter how much it upsets her to play this role, she understands its mandatory. She has no choice in this. It's not only for her safety but for his as well.

Princess Layla takes a deep breath and smiles at what she smells. It something earthy, as if someone has been gardening all day long planting flowers. It reminds her of nature and some of her anxiety eases as her tense shoulders relax.

She glances around the corridor of the castle, but can only see other warriors, none of which own the scent. She continues to search the area, and frowns when she comes empty handed.

As they approach the Balls double doors, she reminds herself to act like a beta.

Have all the guests arrived already?