Eighteen Hayden No

The Arcacia palace was alive with anticipation, a hive of activity as everyone prepared for the grand event of the season - the beauty pageant. This wasn't just any pageant; it was a battleground where prestige and pride were at stake, especially for the witches and the wolves. While the communities generally shared a close bond, my rivalry with James had turned this event into a spectacle everyone was eager to witness. I had vowed to put James in his place, and the day had finally arrived.

"I can't breathe," I gasped as Jane tightened the corset of my gown. My preparation for this day involved not just choosing the right attire but also fasting to fit into the exquisite gown I had chosen. Every detail mattered.

"Are you ready? Bruce is here, your cart is ready too," Mary-Jack announced as she entered the room, her voice brimming with excitement. Bruce's arrival was perfect; he was not only my date but also my strategy to show Harry how quickly one could move on, and to cement my victory over James.

"Please escort my date to the guest lounge and also prepare something for him to drink," I instructed the maid, showing my hospitality. "Listen, don't drug him," I quipped, not realizing Bruce was just outside the door. Laughter filled the room as everyone, including the maid, caught onto the humor of the situation. She quickly escorted Bruce away, sparing me the embarrassment.

"We have more time, I know we're late but remember the protocol, the queen is supposed to leave first. Besides, I was the queen of the pageant, so a grand entrance was a necessity!" I reminded everyone, asserting my position.

"Oh, yeah, right," Jane agreed, focusing back on my makeup. "Anyways, I'm almost done with makeup; this makeup is suitable for both of the gowns. You're going to show them who has the power!" This pageant was set to be monumental, with guests from all corners of the supernatural world converging at Pinewood.

The western wolves were there in full force, hosting the event, while the northern witches from Port Lavender, Arcacia, and Witch Ville had come in droves, particularly excited about the drama between me and James. Even the vampires from Darker Ville in the south had rallied in support of me, turning this into a clash of cultures and alliances.

For my grand entrance, punctuality was not on my agenda; late was my strategy. The Queen, my grandmother, led the arrivals with her majestic cart, followed by the princesses, Mother Ivy, and Aunt Clara. The twins' cart came next, carrying my change of gown for the competition. Finally, my cart rolled in, designed to steal the entire show.

Most of my schoolmates from Oasis Springs were there; they constituted sixty percent of the audience, all eager to see the famed Charli in action, thanks to my cousins' relentless boasting.

"It's the queen!" The shout was followed by a flurry of camera flashes as I stepped out, unaffected by the light due to my mixed heritage, unlike Bruce, who had to use special lotions. We posed for the media, both of us becoming the focal point of every journalist's question, especially regarding my rivalry with James. Just as we were basking in the attention, the royal family of Pinewood arrived, with the Darker Ville royalty already present, minus Bruce, who was with me.

The wolves didn't capture much attention; it was all on Bruce and me, with the twins joining in, making it even harder for James to shine. I could see the frustration on James's face as I savored my moment of glory.

My outfit was a Para Sua Capa by Roberta Cabral, embodying the essence of gothic elegance in blood red, while Bruce complemented me perfectly in his Ring Master attire - a short royal tuxedo vest with a tail, tight shorts showcasing his physique, and even a bow tie with a whip, a playful yet bold statement against the wolves.

I wondered how it felt for James to be eclipsed at his own event, as he retreated into the Pinewood palace's ballroom. I continued to pose romantically with Bruce for the cameras, but then, an unexpected and unwelcome touch jolted me. A hand, stiff and presumptuous, landed on my backside. Turning to confront the perpetrator, I tripped. A tall, masked wolf caught me, our eyes locking in what felt like an eternity.

The press went wild with this new development. But then recognition dawned - those eyes belonged to Hayden, the Alpha wolf from my past, whose betrayal had left scars. How dare he touch me, here, now, in such a public and inappropriate manner? I pushed him away with all the force I could muster, my anger and shock clear.

"Hayden!" I hissed, my voice a mix of surprise and disdain. He was supposed to be with the Pinewood Royal family, yet here he was, trying to steal my moment, to seduce or perhaps to humiliate me. His audacity was overwhelming. "You just messed with the wrong person, Alpha Wolf!" I declared, my voice loud enough for those nearby to hear, a clear warning that this would not go unchallenged.

The atmosphere had shifted; what was supposed to be a celebration of beauty and power had turned into a confrontation of past and present. The pageant was no longer just about James or the competition; it was about reclaiming my narrative, about showing everyone - the witches, the wolves, and even the vampires - that I was not to be trifled with. As I straightened my gown, my gaze locked with Hayden's one last time, a silent promise of retribution, before turning back to the cameras, to Bruce, and to the night ahead, where I would not just compete, but conquer.