Golden Heart n.s

Prologue

NIALL

I swirl the sweet alcoholic drink in my glass, hearing the small ice cubes clink against it. I sigh, slumping in my seat as I let my eyes roam around the room. Everyone's standing around stand tables which are draped over with a champagne coloured cloth, smiling widely. Chatter of inconsequent polite conversation floating around the room, people taking delicate bites of canapés, drinking sips of overpriced wine.

I can't help but to cringe at my surroundings. Everything just seems and feels so... fake. Everyone's wearing a mask. No, not the physical mask.

In an event like this, everyone just wishes to boast their accomplishments, everyone just wants to be better than the rest, no genuine words or compliments are being exchanged, just cold, meaningless compliments that are forced out. It's off-putting, really.

I grunt, taking another large gulp of my fruity drink, releasing a soft burp right after, not caring if I'm not being very... cultured. Why did I even agree to come to this stupid event in the first place?

"Niall." I hear the stern voice of my mother coming up to me. I look over my shoulder, to see her in her dark maroon floor length dress, eyes glaring at me slightly. "Go socialise." She whispers harshly in my ear. I roll my eyes.

"I didn't even want to be here in the first place." I huff, sinking further into my seat in rebellion. My mother sighs in annoyance at my stubborness.

"This is your father's event. He's not gonna be pleased to see you like this." She tells me. When is he ever? Was what I wished to add, but didn't.

"At least talk to someone. Just one person. Just for a few minutes.. you know, put in a good word for your father." She says. I roll my eyes once more. Of course it's for him. It always is.

"Whatever." I huff, before pushing myself off the seat and storming off, not caring if I'm being rude.

Instead of looking for someone I can 'socialise' with, I find myself heading towards the fancy bar at the corner, ordering another drink for myself. If I have to be in here for hours, watching people paint on fake smiles and exchange fake compliments, the least I'd want in return is alcohol to make me forget about my surroundings. Even if it's just for a little bit.

"Not really your kind of scene, huh?" A female's voice speaks up behind me. I turn around, watching as the bar tender wipes a glass clean, a small, genuine smile on her face. She's a pretty girl, long dark brunette hair with pretty features and a slender figure.

I scoff. "Far from it." I say, before tossing my head back as I down the fruity drink in one shot. She laughs softly.

"What are you doing here if you don't even want to be here anyway?" She asks.

"My father's the host." I mutter, rolling my eyes. Her lips part in a small o shape, nodding in understanding.

"Right, so he can 'show you off' isn't it?" I sigh, nodding slowly.

"What about you? Your parents here or something?" I ask. She scoffs disbelivingly, shaking her head as she places a glass back on the display cabinets.

"My parents would never want me to work in the same event they're attending. It'd be deemed as 'low class'." She says, rolling her eyes. I smile sympathetically at her, nodding.

"I feel ya." I mutter.

"So," she suddenly says enthusiastically. "Got an alpha of your own? Or has any caught your eye?" She wiggles her eyebrows playfully, and it left me surprised at how chatty she is.

I snort out a laugh, shaking my head. "Don't have one, not really interested in getting one either if I'm being honest. And even if I am, I definitely do not want to find my alpha at a place like this." She giggles softly, nodding.