chapter 6 The Banquet

"How is your chest?" Aurora mischievously asked.

This made Calista remember the moment she almost lost her life at the hands of her friend.

~~~~~~

" Aaaarg"

Calista nearly choked on her own breath as she toppled forward, bracing her palms against her dressing table to stop herself from crashing to the floor. Behind her, Aurora knelt on the bed with one knee, pulling the makeshift bindings around Calista's chest so tightly that the air seemed to vanish from the room.

"Aurora!" Calista hissed, eyes bulging. "Are you trying to strangle me to death?"

Aurora's voice came out in gasps, her teeth digging into her lower lip as she tried to secure the final knot. "I'm almost done—just hold still!" Determination lit her features like a warrior on the battlefield, and Calista wasn't sure if she should be grateful or terrified.

Every last bit of air whooshed out of Calista's lungs as Aurora gave one final tug. Both girls let out shrill cries—Calista in agony, Aurora in fierce concentration. Her chest felt crushed, as though an iron band had locked around her ribcage. Calista briefly wondered why none of the guards had burst in to investigate the commotion.

When Aurora finally released her grip, Calista's body slackened in relief. She grasped the edge of her table to steady herself, inhaling carefully while pressing her hand over her newly flattened torso. "That was awful," she muttered, still wheezing.

Aurora hopped off the bed, only slightly out of breath. "It worked, though," she said, eyeing Calista critically. "Nobody would ever guess that chest is yours." She paused, then added with a grin, "You look like a young man—if a rather slender one."

~~~~~~

Calista felt her cheeks burn, recalling the embarrassing ordeal. She shook her head to clear it. "Let's never speak of this again."

"We have arrived, sirs," the coachman announced as the carriage came to a halt in front of the grand palace gates.

Calista forced her voice into a deeper register, hoping to sound more convincing as a man. "Thank you, good sir." She discreetly handed him a small pouch of coins. Aurora stifled a giggle at her exaggerated tone.

Stepping down from the carriage, Calista adjusted her top hat and looked around. The palace grounds were brilliantly lit by lanterns and grand chandeliers that lined the entrance. A marble fountain dominated the courtyard, complete with an imposing wolf statue at its center. Water cascaded down the wolf's sleek stone fur, catching the moonlight in shimmering arcs.

Aurora—ever the prankster—moved as if to clasp Calista's shoulder. Anticipating her friend's teasing, Calista sidestepped. "Behave like a gentleman," Calista warned in her faux-deep voice, placing her own hands behind her back in an attempt at dignified posture. Aurora burst into laughter, and Calista's thin attempt at seriousness nearly cracked.

"You know," Aurora murmured once she calmed down, "the two of us in these suits are practically begging for trouble." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Let's just hope no one notices."

Together, they strolled toward the palace entrance, their footsteps echoing on the polished stone path. The building itself was enormous, every archway decorated with gold filigree and marble columns that soared toward the night sky. Calista's stomach fluttered with nerves. She had never seen such lavishness up close.

At the palace doors, two stern-faced guards stood watch. One nodded politely. "Invitation cards, please."

Aurora and Calista exchanged uneasy glances. "Must have…misplaced them," Calista said, trying to maintain her deep, confident tone. "Surely you can make an exception."

Both guards stiffened at once, one of them letting out a low, animalistic growl. Calista and Aurora instinctively stepped back, the hair on the back of their necks standing on end. Neither of them had completed their full wolf awakening, which left them vulnerable against any hostile wolf.

"No invitation, no entry," the guard rumbled, glaring at Calista.

The force of his gaze sent a chill racing down her spine. She tried to back away further but collided with something large and immovable. Slowly, she turned—only to be met by a pair of dark brown eyes that seemed to pierce straight through her. Her breath caught as she took in the man's features: raven-black hair slicked back with a few strands grazing his chiselled cheeks, a sleek black suit that matched the night sky, and an aura so intense it set her heart hammering in her chest.

Behind him stood another man of near-equal beauty, though his features were framed by long, blond hair tied at the back of his head. Both men possessed an otherworldly elegance—and a chilling sense of menace that made the guard's earlier growl seem tame.

Aurora quickly reached out to steady Calista, who felt her knees threatening to buckle. The raven-haired man brushed past them with an air of disdain, his voice low and dangerous. "Scram."

It was just one word, but delivered with enough venom to make Calista's pulse spike. Yet, a reckless part of her pushed her to speak up. Perhaps it was the fear of being turned away after all this trouble, or maybe sheer desperation for a chance to see the palace. Whatever the reason, she swallowed her trembling nerves and hurried after the pair.

"E-excuse me, sir," Calista blurted out, her voice still forced into a lower register, though it trembled now. Aurora tugged at her sleeve, silently warning her to stop, but Calista pressed on.

The raven-haired man halted at the threshold of the palace doors, turning back slowly. His dark gaze swept over Calista from head to toe, as if assessing a daring yet insignificant insect. His blond companion eyed them both with equal intensity, though a curious tilt of his head suggested mild amusement.

Calista lowered her gaze to the man's broad shoulders, unable to meet those piercing eyes. "We…lost our invitation. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you allow us to enter with you?" She felt her courage evaporating at every syllable. "We'd be—very grateful."

Silence hung in the air. Aurora, barely breathing, looked as though she might pull Calista away at any second. A flicker of irritation danced across the raven-haired man's sharp features. It was as if he was deciding whether to indulge their request or snap their necks on the spot. Just as he opened his mouth—likely to refuse—another voice called out from behind them.

"You may come in."

Everyone turned to see a young man with short brown hair approaching. He wore a fitted blue-and-white suit, his dark blue eyes exuding warmth and confidence. His face held a hint of kindness that starkly contrasted with the fierce aura of the two men in black.

Alexander—if that was indeed the raven-haired man's name—swiveled his head to glare at the newcomer. Still, something about this brown-haired man's presence commanded respect, and Alexander said nothing more. Instead, he cast Calista and Aurora one final, penetrating look before stepping into the foyer.

Relief washed over Calista in a shaky wave, though she still felt as if she'd narrowly avoided a predator's claws. Aurora gripped her arm, her own wide-eyed expression confirming that she, too, had sensed the danger.

The brown-haired man gestured for them to follow him. "I'll vouch for these two," he told the guards in a level tone. "You can consider them my guests."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances but dared not argue. With curt nods, they stood aside, allowing Calista and Aurora to step into the grand entrance hall.