The Courling ball, by far, was Daciana's favourite part of the year. In fact, she didn't know a person in her life, no matter the race, that didn't live if only for that one annual night.
Despite the usual strict rules of where you could go, what you could do, who you should be seen with and so forth, all the rules for every class seemed to vanish in the packs. Neighbouring wolves that were once at war came together and ate beside each other in warm pleasantry, species often deemed dangerous were welcomed with open arms. No one looked twice at you, cared what you were or what you might become, everyone forget the laws of nature and partied.
All to mock the human race and their horribly ironic celebration of 'Halloween'.
As a kid, Daciana had followed her brother around in these events, terrified by the loud thumping music and graveyard of beer bottles, but recently it had become her solace. Her moment of relief to just dance, scream and morph into the hot, sticky atmosphere the naturally came with the Courling Ball.
If it got too much for her, there was always a section of the woods where the calm royal families celebrated together, where she was technically supposed to be anyway. Daciana hardly ever did that. Not anymore.
She'd rather be in danger or uncomfortable then trapped in her future.
It didn't matter what the music was, or what unnameable drink was slipping down her throat, she loved it. Everyone did, the night had a contagious feeling to it, perhaps why so many people turned up.
This year the ball was being held in her section of the woods, her father had been micro-managing every fraction of everything from decorations to security, meaning he hadn't noticed either of his children return home scratched and unnerved. Kalyke didn't speak to his sister when they saw each other, but pinned her down with a look that lasted a mere moment that screeched warnings that he was not happy. She let it wash over her, she ignored it, because tonight, for one night, she didn't have to deal with any of it.
Opting for her signature slim black dress that flowed long only at the back and reflected the ancient stars above, Daciana hurried to her mother's chambers of which were at the highest point of the mountain the Elder Wolves (Royals) resided on.
She knocked twice, quickly readjusting her earring and pulling down her dress as far as the short fabric could go.
"Yes?"
Daciana swallowed, nervously. "Uh, someone told me you wanted to see me?"
The door swung open, one of her mothers maid's bowing at her. "Yes, yes. Come in, dear."
She was hit by the rushing, overpowering, lavender scent of her mother who was sitting in a dazzling yellow dress that would have looked hideous on anyone else. She waved her daughter over without looking up.
"What can I do for you, Mother?"
"Well, once the ball begins I expect you to greet everyone by your brothers side. No arguments. Afterwards I permit you to do what you must but keep an eye out for the twins. Of course, they are meant to be protected by our best security but naturally they will escape."
"Yes Mother."
"And, I'd like to do your makeup."
"Is that an option, ma'am?"
"No."
