Chapter 7

That it's Saturday today doesn't stop me from showing up to work. When I'm working, I feel the happiest I have ever felt. I connect my laptop to the security feeds from the castle. In addition, the streams are also being recorded and supervised by my team inside the castle.

I watch for any suspicious behavior, anyone who seems out of place. I haven't seen the Royals, and truthfully, other than the King, I do not know what they look like, unless they are wearing their royal garb.

While looking at my cellphone on the desk to my right, I ignore the fact that the phone is ringing. Tossing my cellphone in a drawer, I continue to ignore it. My purse rings strangely when I realize I have not thrown away the burner phone.

While I try to ignore it, I can't believe people get up early in the morning just to annoy me. Saturday is a day to sleep in, somebody please tell them. Despite my best efforts, the phones won't stop ringing. I silence my phone in the drawer and try to silence the burner, but that darned thing won't be silent.

Answering the phone with trepidation, I know exactly who is on the other end. As I inspect security feeds, I feel impatient: "What do you want, Your Highness?" I ask.

In the background, I can hear Xander laughing cockily. While I am listening to this deep, sexy voice that leaves me all hot to the core, my wolf is thinking about humping a man she has never met.

I get up and walk over to turn on the air conditioner. If he gets me this hot and bother and I have never seen him, you can count on me avoiding him like the plague. I will not date a bad boy.

My wolf begs in the back of my head. She just wants me to let her lick his whole body and suck on his shaft. I immediately block her out. Da*n horny wolf.

Xander explains his reason for the phone call.

"Since the ball is tonight, my father has been attempting to contact you. Your phone just keeps ringing and then switches to voicemail. Is your phone broken?" I hear Xander laugh again.

Clair -

Although I sound irritated, I must keep in mind that he is royalty as I reply, hoping not to offend.

"I will be in touch with him by nine a.m. As we speak, I am inspecting the feeds from room to room, checking out the security feeds, and making sure there are no bugs or unwelcome guests.”

Xander -

"Wait until I get home, and look at the feeds, especially my bedroom. I can show you what you're missing."

The stupid "come-on line" makes me roll my eyes, so I hang up the phone before he can finish.

Xander –

To say I am not surprised she hangs up on that overused line I use would be an understatement. I am uncertain what is my problem, but I seem to love getting under her skin. My father and I are having breakfast, and the server bends unusually low, showing her cleavage while she refills my coffee and my father's coffee.

The server is attractive, and normally I will get her phone number. Ever since I have first bantered with Clair, I am not interested in other women. While I sigh in silence, I feel like I have gone mad and that it all has to do with Clair. Maybe if I meet her, she will be ugly, and I will lose that attraction I am feeling for her. Chances of a She-wolf being ugly are very unlikely.

It remains for me to determine, sight unseen, what is appealing about Clair. She is feisty, a challenge. That is what it is, she is a challenge. I will win her over, after we have sex, I will be rid of this feeling and be my old self again. I smile to myself, Clair; you do not stand a chance.

My father looks over at me – "Son, you have been unusually quiet, and most of all you haven't been flirting with the servers. Is everything okay with you?”

I laugh when I look up at my father, "Not right now it isn't, but it will be. Dad, could you give me Clair's cellphone number?”

My dad shakes his head, "Xander, this is not one of your type of girls. She is not only beautiful, but she is bright, intelligent, tenacious, and has six older alpha brothers that never let her go anywhere alone. I am sure because of her having all those older alphas as her brothers, she has heard every line in the book.

That one will not be a conquest for you. She will be the one that breaks your heart. Son, just leave that one alone. Son, do you know she asked if hypothetically you were her mate, and she rejected you, how I would take it?"

Xander –

Without realizing, my wolf growls at my father.

King Reynolds -

I look shocked at my son, and then the wheels turn in my head. I will not tell Xander my suspicion but this has to play out by itself, my son has a lot of maturing to do, and if Clair is his mate, it is going to be a long night.

On the table, a Royal red iPhone is ringing. The King picks it up, seeing it is Clair. He answers the call, "Hi, how is the project going?”

Clair –

"Nicely, your highness, I am even to get down an hour early, that is why I have already called you back, earlier than I told Xander to tell you. I am sorry if I didn't have the information this morning when Xander called me on your behalf."

The King grimaces, looking at his son, he never asked him to call Clair.

"No harm done Clair; in fact, I don't even remember asking him to call you. I must be senile." The King glares at his son.

Under Clair's breath, silently she is cursing Xander.

"Your highness you have my number. If anything seems out-of-place call me right away.”

"Thank you Clair, I will have the check sent to your office Monday." The King says goodbye and pushes the red phone to hang up.

Clair –

Prior to tonight's activities, I feel the need for a nap as I head home. Upon reaching my apartment, I fall face first into my bed. Instantly falling asleep. While dreaming, I hear a bang bang bang; the song rapping on my door plays in my head. The dream is strange; I am now experiencing rain. It is pouring buckets of it. Trying to awaken from a deep sleep, I open my eyes and squint.

As I look up, I see Becky and Samantha. "I don't want to go, just let me sleep."

As they drag me over to the shower, the girls turn on the water and squirt me with ice cold water.

Finally, I stand on my own and push them both out. Afterward, I turn on the hot water and enjoy a relaxing shower.

As I exit the shower, I see clothes strewn all over. There's also a stunning silver dress that shimmers with lavender highlights. I love the dress, but my aim is not to stand out.

Becky –

"Don't you even think of not wearing that dress, you are coming to the ball, and you are dressing in that stunning dress!”

Clair –

I give into their demands and let them curl my hair, apply my eyeliner and mascara, adding a touch of tinted lip gloss. The girls won't let me look at a mirror until I have my dress and high heels on.

Samantha turns me around after having dressed me and faces me towards the lengthwise mirror. My mouth drops, I look great! That is a bad thing, I look at them panicked.

Samantha –

"Clair, get over this panic you have about men! Once you find your mate, you will see you were panicking for nothing! Now get in the mood to party!”

I nervously laugh, "Bossy much?"

The girls get dressed in sexy outfits, while sighing about maybe they can be Cinderella and run off with the prince. I scoff, "Guys, he is like any other man. Nothing less or nothing more!”

I hear a honk outside and look strangely at the girls. "Clair, it is a limo. We are going to the ball in style.”

The limo pulls up to the entrance; I look at the girls thinking of the day we left the cow here. I can't help but chuckling.

Upon entering the castle, I depart from the girls, explaining I have to check on my security crew and for them to go to the dining room and have a good time. They huff and in the end they let me go.

The strangest thing is that I keep smelling pinecones and hot chocolate. In the security room, everything appears to be in order.

I fear heading down the stairwell back to the foyer. Therefore, I find a balcony and breath a deep breath to calm my nerves.

Catherine is going crazy in my head and not making any sense. I close my eyes after taking a deep breath. Taking a moment to relax, I open my eyes to gaze at the picturesque gardens. The gentle breeze caresses my face, while my hair blows softly.

What in the world is that smell of hot chocolate and pinecones? I turn around and hear Xander talking to a she-wolf. His voice is clear, and I can smell his scent. He stops to sniff the air and looks around. At that moment, I take flight. There is no way Cinderella can have run faster than me.

I am panicking once I reach the bottom of the stairs, and I can hear Xander calling my name. An unfamiliar limo pulls up, the driver grabs my hand, "I'm your long-lost twin, get in!"

I should have thought before jumping in; however, this is the only way out. They inject me with a sedative shortly after getting in the car and I black out.