ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 77

My stomach knots almost painfully as I park my car outside the huge castle like mansion. I didn't take a second to admire it like I usually do, exiting my car and heading towards the doors. Thankfully there's no one around, except the guards of course.

"No entry after nine." One states bluntly, blocking me from reaching the handle.

I glance between the two men, offering a coy smile as I ignore the twinge of annoyance. My make up and dress makes me look completely different, I know that. Which is why the moment I lift my gaze to stare into their eyes, theirs grow wide.

"M-Miss Slovak, our apologies." The guards fumble to open the doors, averting their eyes quickly.

Not to brag, but I do have a habit of killing the guards. I doubt the Elders will want me here, and that only makes this more enjoyable.

Entering the fancy mansion, I head left down the huge hallway, my heels clicking on the marble, echoing. Still, there's no one in sight in this part of the mansion. Everyone uses the main doors, but I don't plan on entering through any door.

Tonight, I'm Cinder-fucking-Ella.

Pushing through a single door at the end of the hallway, I head up the steps, lifting my dress so I don't fall. It's only one level, and I sneak through the door leading to the second floor. There's no guards on this side of the mansion, allowing me to take a right and then a sharp left.

Then I pause. The door way is open, the steps leading down to a small landing area at the top of the grand staircase. It's only used at very special ceremonies, which is why it's so perfect to use.

Inhaling a deep breath I smoothen out my dress and descend the steps, the walls that keep me hidden soon vanishing as I step out into the huge ball room.

Everyone is talking, laughing, the music is light and the lights aren't too bright. I don't dare to glance at the hundreds of people, knowing it'll me feel sick.

My heels hit the last step, the carpet becoming marble. The sound of my heels catches a few eyes, and I turn to the huge ball room, to the people as I stare into the ocean of eyes.

People double take, some don't even recognise me at first. I like that, the shock, the awe and jealously in their eyes as they realise who I am, what I am.

Tonight I'm not just the human who lost everything.

I'm the Alpha female, first of her kind. I relish in that title. I feel glorified as more eyes begin to turn to me, the people backing away as if they expect only death to come from my arrival.

It's cute. The fact that they think I'm here for them. I almost smile.

My eyes shift over the crowd that seems to move and breath like a living creature, looking, searching. Until finally I spot him, searing crimson eyes, the only Alpha that is both infuriated, and stunned.

My dress is fitted, the lace almost transparent, with sheer skin tone strips on either side of my waist. The straps are thin, set wide apart to allow the back of the dress to display most of my back. The red lace huge my body, the V at the front is deep, revealing my cleavage and a little of my toned stomach. It makes the gentle curve of my hips stand out, my waist small, what they call an hourglass figure.

I smile brightly, and it seems to snap something within him as he briskly walks through the crowd towards me.

In front of the entire world, Hardin rushes up the steps two at a time, and whispers begin to echo. I didn't care, my smile so big I thought my face might crack.

His lips crash against mine passionately, his hand against the back of my head while his other presses me impossibly close. I feel the rush of warmth, affection and longing like never before. The sting of tears in my eyes, I let his tongue slip into my mouth, tasting me, claiming me.