TRYING TO SEDUCE LUCAN

Rakka walked gracefully away from the two men to give them space to talk alone. She searched the crowd for anyone to whom she could speak and spotted an old aquitance, Queen Nervanna, King Briceaus' wife. Rakka stopped in front of Nervanna who was trying to ignore her.

"Greetings, Nervanna." Rakka said smiling.

"Ahhh...Rakka! I didn't notice you because of the dull dress. It looks like a pauper's."

Rakka was offended by the rude remark so she sighed softly to calm herself.

"I mean, that pale red is being worn by the lower class people and not queens and princesses." Nervanna continued with a crooked smile on her face.

"Well.... that's alright I'm not the one coming to get attention from the prince. So long as Eve has danced with him, it's alright." Rakka said smiling to annoy Nervanna.

"Mhhh." Nervanna hummed softly.

A moment of silence fell between them then Rakka spoke first.

"Where are the girls? I haven't seen them all night."

"They were here a while ago but now around for Penelope and Virginia for a while until she got tired and stopped looking.

"I see Penelope over there." Nervanna stated with a smile as she looked at Penelope who was speaking to Lucan.

Rakka smiled at the woman then watched Lucan and studied his expression. He looked calm on the surface but on closer inspection Rakka could see how annoyed he was speaking to Penelope. Lucan and Penelope were standing by the door that was wide open and soon they started to walk to the dance floor.

"I warned you. I have not danced in a while." Lucan said to Penelope as he took her hand in his.

"I'll guide you then." Penelope whispered.

She took Lucan's right hand and made him place it on her waist then she slowly slide her left hand up his arm to his shoulder. His lip twitched and she mistook it as a sign that he liked what she was doing. They started swaying to the sound of the music and all the while they had strong eye contact; each one for a different reason. Lucan nearly stepped on her gown but he caught himself and created a distance between them by pushing her away while still holding her hand so it would look like it was part of the dance. She smiled at him when he pulled her back towards him.

Penelope planned on making physical contact with him when he pulled her back but instead of holding her, Lucan pushed her away again and let go of her hand. She gasped and landed in the arms of another man, much to her annoyance. She hated it when they had to exchange partners during a dance but she wouldn't let Lucan go so easily. She searched for him in the crowd and spotted him walking towards the door. Penelope stopped dancing and bowed to the man she had been dancing with as an apology then she run after Lucan.

She was greeted by the sight of a hallway filled with drunk men and women of low class but soon she saw Lucan disappearing to a corner that led to another hallway. She run after him, holding up her black gown so she wouldn't fall but when she reached the hallway she was certain Lucan had walked down, he was no where to be seen. She pondered on asking a guard for help but most of the guards were drunk even though they remained alert. She walked past the guards and kept walking until she came to the garden. The moon was a large cresent shape that shone brightly through the dark night. She spotted Lucan a few meters away from where she stood so she called out to him in hopes that he would listen to her.

"Sir Reginald!" she called out to him,"What happened in there and why did you leave so suddenly?"

"Nothing really. Whatever have you come out here for?" he replied without turning to look at her.

"I wanted us to finish our dance."

"I'm not in the mood."

"I can get you in the mood." she said lowering her voice because she was standing close to him,"Just listen to my voice."

After finishing her statement, Penelope took hold of Lucan's hands and held them in her own. He pushed her away roughly unlike when they were inside. Penelope nearly fell from the push but she quickly regained her bearings.

"What's the matter? I thought you liked it earlier."

"I didn't and I still don't. Leave right now before I make you regret this...harlot."

Penelope was offended by how he had addressed her, the princess of the great kingdom of Mire. She scoffed at him to show him that she was not afraid if him and he grinned.

"I was joking, lady Penelope. My apologies for the indescent language." Lucan stated still grinning as he bowed.

"You are forgiven, sir Reginald." Penelope said.

She felt happy as Lucan looked at her with eyes of affection and care. No man could resist her charm. Her red hair was disturbed by the cold evening wind that was blowing past and she feigned a shiver to get Lucan's attention. He was quick to notice it and handed her his coat. She took it gladly and took in his scent; a real man's scent.

"I'll get us some chairs." Lucan suggested with a pleasant smile.

"Why not have one of the servants do that for you?"

"I don't want anyone or anything to step into our sanctuary."

"Our... sanctuary?"

"Yes. Our sanctuary."

Penelope blushed and looked away from Lucan. She missed the mischievous glint in his eyes that lasted only a second and he walked away towards the palace doors. The part of the garden they were in had no guards and no maids moving about. Penelope connected the dots and figured that Lucan had left the ball to lead her hear; to their sanctuary. She heard a loud thud behind her but didn't look back because she knew it was Lucan coming with the chairs.

"I was wandering why you were talking so long. Let us enjoy the rest of the evening together in our sanctuary.

The reply Penelope got was not what she had expected. She heard a low growl and then a snarl. She shut her eyes hoping that Lucan was just playing with her. She managed a laugh and warned Lucan not to play such games with her. Another, slow growl sounded just behind her making her swallow her saliva nervously.

"This is not my idea of fun, sir Reginald! When I turn I want you to be in front of me and serious. I'll count to ten." Penelope said shivering.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she wiped it off nervously.

"One..."

She heard another low growl slightly to the left.

" ... two...th...three..."

She heard another deep and slow growl and then her fear got the better of her. She turned to her left and turned pale in an instant. A large white wolf stood in front of her and to her it looked like it was about to attack her. She slowly took a step back and saw it take one forward. She started whimpering and crying silently then when the wolf seemed like it was laughing at her, she screamed for help. It bared it's teeth at her then pounced on her. She fell to the ground with the wolf towering over her face. It breathed out air from it's nostrils like her scent was unpleasant and the warm air landed directly on her face. She didn't stop screaming and soon she could see Gray, sir Merlin, from the corner of her eyes.

"Down boy." Gray said in a commanding voice.

"Please help me! I don't want to die!" Penelope screamed crying silently.

She shut her eyes and soon the wolf retreated to Gray's side. She opened her eyes and sat up. She had a cut on her wrist that was caused by the wolf's claw digging into her flesh while it held her down. She cried even more knowing that it would leave a scar. A smile crept onto Gray's face that she did not notice. To Gray, Lucan was too orderly to use his wolf for personal issues but now his older brother had done so and it made him happy to know that he was finally enjoying himself again. After the death of his mate, Lucan had always been gloomy and upset with everyone. Then they met Ceaser and Lucan found a new purpose for his life; to protect his master. Gray silently hoped that some day soon Lucan would forget about his dead mate and money on.

"What on earth were you doing out here all alone, lady Penelope?" Gray asked.

She was in a state of shock so she didn't answer him and Lucan went away. A few seconds later, he emerged from the closed door with two chairs in hand.

"Merlin? What are you doing here? Milady! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Lucan pretended to be shocked.

He threw the chairs aside and went to Penelope but she pushed him away while crying. She hit his chest twice and then ran back inside. When she was gone, the brothers chuckled loudly and heartily.