Sinner

Part 11 Debut

Days passed in a blur. Every day is packed with training – sparring, weapons handling, tagging along Keenan on minor jobs. Keenan teaches me the use of weapons and the type of weapons for different types of monsters. I never knew there are techniques for dealing with different types of monsters. Up till a few months ago, I was still an ignorant human who thought all unholy creatures could be taken care of by the all-powerful holy water, which was unfortunately not entirely true. I was also appalled to learn that a large variety of deadly monsters exist on earth, roaming around unseen by humans. And they view humans as mere cattle. They prey on us as food.

Stretching my arms into the air to work out the kinks in my shoulders from hunching over textbooks on monsters origins, I ruminate. Keenan's a tough taskmaster but I learn a lot from him. He's a perfectionist and gets all the jobs done beautifully. Oh well, at least I'm keeping up with the monster studies and he seems pleased with my weapons handling progress. All we've done so far are small jobs like bodyguard detail. I hope to catch some action soon.

My thoughts are interrupted when Keenan waves at me to follow him into his study. Stepping into his domain reminds me of entering a library. The floor-to-ceiling shelves are stuffed full of books, and given the fact he's a voracious reader, books are overflowing the shelf space and invading the floor too. Looks like Mary will have her hands full again helping Keenan to sort and store his books into the third book room.

Sitting behind his desk, Keenan holds up a frilly card and informs, "We've just received an invitation to a werewolf wedding". His nose wrinkles in distaste and annoyance flashes in his eyes.

"So are we attending?" I ask in curiosity.

He answers with an exaggerated sigh, "I won't be able to wriggle myself out of this one. The groom's the Alpha of the largest wolf pack in East Coast. I have to put in an appearance. And since you're my apprentice, you're required to tag along for the formal introductions to the packs". He taps the card irritably on the table, grumbling to himself.

"Weddings are fun events. Why don't you let yourself unwind a bit and enjoy?" I query, looking at his furrowed brows and curled lips.

Crossing his arms, he retorts, "I dislike being in a monkey suit. Tuxedos are stiff and formal. Jeans are much more comfortable".

"You're behaving more like a spoilt sulky kid than a full-grown adult, O Great Protector of the wolves," I tease playfully.

Shrugging his shoulders, he rebuts, "So says the female who abhors wearing skirts and pouted the whole day when one of our clients requested you to escort him as a bodyguard dressed in business skirt".

"Hey, that's because it's difficult to run in a skirt if I need to cover him! And I definitely was not pouting," I argue vehemently.

A diabolical gleam in his look, Keenan states, "Oh? So you are okay to wear dresses? You know, since you're also attending this wedding with me...you're not spared from the same ordeal. You'll have to get yourself a full-length gown and wear it at this event. It's part of the dress code after all".

Unable to back down after my proclamation, I can only put on a brave front, "Fine. I'll do that. Make sure you are in your tux too," and flounced out of the study in agitation.

The day of the wedding inevitably arrived.

I shuffle slowly to the bar, endeavouring my best to walk as dignified and regal as I can on my tottering heels which seem to sway and conspire to make me lose my balance with every step I take. Martial arts are so much easier to master than the art of sailing gracefully around the room in heels. These shoes are most definitely not made for walking. Which devious idiot invented them anyway?

Partway across the ballroom, I look down at my dress in disgust. Darn, this gown is so hard to move around in. If it wasn't for Keenan's dare, I would have put on a normal pantsuit and settled my outfit. I am deathly afraid of tangling my skyscraper heels in the voluminous folds of my gown and falling flat on my face. It would be extremely humiliating. Not to mention Keenan would never let me live it down for the rest of my life. Argh. That is a depressing thought.

After much effort, I finally made it to the bar. Adjusting my gown, I surreptitiously pull up the low-cut front of the gown to hide my revealing cleavage. The gown's front seems to slip lower every second and it's annoying the hell out of me that my boobs might pop out of the gown if I don't pay attention to the receding plunging neckline or the lack thereof. I totally agree with Keenan for once that formal attires are a pain in the ass.

Ordering a drink, I turn around to look at the room at large. My sight unerringly seeks out Keenan.

The tux fits him perfectly. It outlines his tall wiry physique wonderfully, emphasizing his broad shoulder, wide chest and slim hips. For the wedding, he slicked back his usual tousled blond hair. No fringes hindering his looks, his sharp patrician features bring out the hypnotising blue of his eyes. High cheekbones emphasise his aristocratic bearing. He appears smooth, suave and polished, like a prince out of a fairy tale. He has a domineering charismatic presence which draws everyone's eyes. Everyone can't help but gravitate towards him.

Who am I kidding? I'm the only one whose eyes always seek him out. I frown into my martini. He's inarguably the best-looking in this room. Have I fallen in love with him? Nowadays, I can't seem to take my eyes off him. Whenever he enters the room, my heart would skip and beat erratically. He on the other hand, doesn't seem to be affected by me. He treats me like a normal friend, an apprentice. He didn't express any soft feelings towards me. Remembering his harsh teachings during our sparring sessions sends a shiver down my spine. I have tons of colourful bruises to show for my effort. Thankfully they have faded by now. Praise to the super-healing powers of the werewolf.

I sip at my martini absently as my eyes take him in. As the saying goes, he's easy on the eyes. Without doubt, a sight for sore eyes, seeing as how the females are flocking over to him and fawning over him even though they are maintaining a respectful distance.

Asultry female voice breaks into my musings. "He's a legend and a celebrityamongst our kind. Isn't he totally charming and handsome?" A beautiful heart-shapedface framed by artfully arranged hair looks at me inquisitively. "I'm Hanna,the bride's sister and Keenan's ward. I love him and I'm planning to mate withhim," she introduces herself, extending a manicured hand to me.