Chapter Four

I must have fell asleep because my alarm woke me up. I don't know how much sleep I got but I hope it was enough to get me through the day. I get up and throw some clothes on. Then I head down for breakfast. We didn't talk much this morning. I don't think anyone slept well last night. We finish eating and head back to our room to get ready. We are supposed to be at the Blue Moon Palace at 5 o'clock this evening. So, we need to leave here at two o'clock. It is a little less than a three hour drive but they want to allow for traffic.

I get back to my room and fill the tub with warm water. I think a nice soak with vanilla and lavender will help relax me. I get in the tub and the water feels so good and the scent is heavenly. It is my favorite combination of scents. I just lay here with my eyes shut breathing in the aroma. I glance over at the clock on the wall and it shows it is eleven o'clock. So, I let the water go and stand up. I need to wash my hair so I step into the shower. I wash it quickly and rinse the soap off from my soak in the tub. I go ahead and shave my legs. I didn't really need to no one will see them with my long dress on. I finish up and get out the shower. I put my robe on and head into my bedroom. My servant is in there waiting on me.

"Erica, are you ready for me to get started on your hair?" she asks

Yes, I am. I sit down at my vanity and she starts drying my hair. It feels so good when someone messes with your hair. She starts styling my hair. Once again she is done in no time. She pulls out the curling iron and curls a couple pieces of hair she left hanging beside my face on each side. She hands me a mirror to see her work. My hair is in a beautiful French twist with some baby's breathe placed in it. I put the mirror down and she starts on my makeup. After she has finished, we go to my closet and pull out a dark green dress. It is a strapless mermaid cut with a green sheer trim across the top of the dress and a green sheer scarf to drape from around the front of my neck to hang down my back. It looks amazing with my hair color and really makes the color of my eyes pop. It is just before two. I head down to meet my family so we can leave. Everyone looks so nice. We all head down to the suvs. And begin our journey to the Blue Moon Kingdom.

Today is the day I had long dreamed about but now that it's here I'm terrified by what it may hold. As I sit here in one of my parent's SUVs, I feel like I could scream and cry like a little child not wanting to do something. My stomach in knots and a huge lump in my throat. I could vomit easily but I hold back. After all my parents had prepared me for this day my whole life.

I'm sitting here a ball of nerves staring at the floor trying to keep my composure. I glance at my brother seated next to me, he is smiling at me. Todd took my hand and whispered.

"It's going to be ok. You look beautiful".

My brother and I are in the third suv, our parents in the second with guards in the first and fourth. We also have guards driving us. It feels like we have been driving for days as we arrive at the Blue Moon packs palace gate. I need to relax I feel like I'm going to sweat clean through this dress. Wouldn't that be a horrid first sight of me as I am being introduced to the pack leaders as their future Luna. I've had the ac on high the whole way here. I know everyone else in here has to be freezing.

As we pull through the gate, I get a grand view of the palace. I thought ours was huge but it is nothing compared to this. The Live Oaks lining the road are really something to behold with the perfectly manicured grounds. This is going to be my future home. We stop under a canopy of trees and lights. I look to my right and there are the stairs leading up to the entrance.

My heart begins to race as a man steps beside my door. My brother hops out of his side as my door opens and a man reaches his hand in.

" Ms. Taylor take my arm and I'll assist you to the entrance".

We walked around the vehicle and to the stairs. I grabbed my dress with my free hand as I didn't want to trip on it on the way up. I met my parents and brother at the door. We were ushered in to the ballroom. I was told to hang back that my family would be introduced first and then I would be. I couldn't see in the room at this time but the lively music had stopped. I smell a familiar aroma. It is the same as the scent from last night. I hear.

"Attention Blue Moon pack it is our great honor to introduce Alpha and Luna Taylor and their son Todd of the New Moon pack."

They step forward into the room and I can finally see in.

They have prepared a feast for this occasion. The tables lined the walls with the dance floor in the middle. The room is decorated in pastel florals and candlelight. All of a sudden everyone stands up staring at me. I search the room for my family but I see they have already been ushered to sit at the head table with Alpha and Luna McClay. Caleb, my eyes met his. It felt as my heart stopped, my skin suddenly went cold and clammy. Please don't faint I tell myself. He is so handsome, tall has to be over 6-foot; black hair perfectly styled with hazel piercing eyes. Then oh my. No, it's my turn.

"May I have everyone's attention once more. It is our great honor to introduce to you Ms. Erica Taylor."

Everyone applauded as I walked toward the head table on a man's arm that I didn't know. I know he could feel me trembling because he placed his other hand on mine that was in his arm. I stumbled a little as we changed directions. Instead of going to seat me on the left side my family. I was being ushered to the right. I wasn't ready for this. We were headed to the vacant seat next to Caleb McClay.

Caleb hadn't taken his eyes off me since I entered the room. I'm sure he is judging my every move. Already to reject me. As I arrived at my chair with great surprise, Caleb smiled at me presented his hand. I placed mine in his and he bowed kissing my hand.

"Hi Ms. Taylor I am Caleb McClay, please have a seat next to me".

He then pulled out my chair. What a gentleman he is. As I was sitting there, I could feel him staring at me. I was afraid to meet his gaze. I was becoming intoxicated by this aroma that is the strongest it has been since I entered the room. Musky and strong. It was Caleb. The smell of him had my senses on overdrive. Just then he leaned over.

"You smell amazing".

Could Caleb have been the man I saw leaving the palace last night? I looked at him and our eyes met again with our faces nearly touching. He had this look as if he could eat me. My body was begging me to kiss him. I looked away. I had just met this man. What is happening to me? He reached over and took my hand under the table. I felt like I was going to have a panic attack. My heart was racing like never before. I didn't know what to do. I took a deep breath and left my hand in his. After all he is the man I have been promised to.

After a few deep calming breaths, I notice they are starting to serve the meal. Caleb says.

"I hope you enjoy what we've had the chef to prepare for you this evening."

First, they came around filling glasses with water, tea or wine. And placed a caprese salad in front of me. It was delicious. Then came grilled chicken with fettucine in Alfredo sauce and garlic bread. For dessert we were presented with a slice of cheesecake with a strawberry and whipped cream on top. We had finished our meal and I had made it through without fault.

Caleb finished off his glass of wine and then turned to me.

"Would you like to dance"?

I nodded and gave him my hand. He escorted me to the dance floor. Everyone's eyes were on us as we walked together. He stopped and placed my hands around his neck and pulled me close to him. We danced slowly to the band. It felt so right being close to him. I enjoyed his aroma as I breathed it in. It calmed me. We didn't say much to one another as we danced. He just kept holding me tighter. After countless songs I notice a girl my age maybe a little older glaring at me. She isn't taking her eyes off me. I just advert my eyes and concentrate on Caleb.

"Would you like to take a walk"? I heard Caleb ask.

I said Yes that would be nice. We walked away from the dance floor and just as before everyone's eyes were on us. As we exited the ball room, we headed down a long hall dimly lit with potted plants along the way. Where are we headed? I asked him.

"I figured some fresh air would be good and to also get out from under everyone's watchful eyes".

Thank you I needed break from everything. Plus, we hadn't been able to talk. I guess we need to get to know each other, I said looking at him.

"You are right, we do." He said.

We stepped through a couple glass doors onto a beautiful patio. He led me over to a bench and motioned for me to sit. The sky was speckled with brightly lit stars that made it really romantic.

"I hadn't been able to take my eyes off you since you entered the room tonight" he said.

I looked him in the eyes. He leaned in and kissed me. I started kissing him. It was so passionate and gentle at the same time. My first kiss.

"Are you ok Ms. Taylor? "

Yes, I said with my cheeks blushing. You can call me Erica. We begin talking about our childhood and friends we have. Caleb was nothing like I had expected. I glanced at the glass doors we had exited through and there was the same girl from earlier staring at us again. I don't think she saw me catch her looking. We talked and laughed a little longer. Then I heard my dad at the door of the patio.

"We need to leave honey, it's getting late".

I stood up along with Caleb. He hugged me then gave me a gentle kiss on the lips.

"I'll see you again soon" he said.

He walked me to the front of the palace with my parents. I didn't want to leave. My whole being wanted to stay with Caleb. Another man took my hand and escorted me to the suv. After I got in, I looked up at the entrance and Caleb was still standing there watching me.