Maisie
"It's embarrassingly consistent with every powerful man in the world," Jenny relayed with a proud, naughty smirk. "The thing that doesn't come easily is the thing they can't stop thinking about."
"Step two," Regina continued. "Accept a dance from someone else. Someone new. Someone capable of sparkling jealousy. We've ruled down a number of Alpha heirs who might be the best choices. You must genuinely enjoy their company. Laugh. Flirt. From across the room, that reads as someone who is completely comfortable and doesn't even notice they exist."
"And that is enough to trigger any man," Jenny giggles.
Even the second artisan–Fiona–nods in agreement.
I thought we were all way in over our heads, thinking anyone would even want to dance with me in the first place. But I continued to listen.
"Step three," Jenny chirped. "If one of them approaches you–and they will–and asks for a dance, you will decline. Politely, and find somewhere more interesting to be."
I gaped. "It's a ball, Jenny. Let's say we were delusional enough to think this could work, turning down a dance from a Lycan is, in the very least, scandalous. And unheard of."
Jenny's grin flashed her perfect white teeth. "Which is why you'll be the first to do this. You will be the girl whose attention they vie for, and that automatically, elevates you in that hall."
"The fourth step is tailored to each of them because they're not the same." Regina pursed her lips. "And a blanket approach won't work on all four of them…"
By the time Regina and Jenny were done explaining yet another mad plan, the dress was fitted around me.
Regina smiled, gripping me and turning me around to look in the mirror.
My breath got stuck in my throat.
That was not me.
I was staring at someone else. Someone beautiful, dark, shadowy, mysterious woman in red.
My eyes were coloured in dark make up. My lips were painted in sinful red that resembled a dark, glossed apple. The mask tied to my head was a lacy black, striking against my pale, delicate skin. From my ears dangled rubies from Jennys Dad's fashion line.
And the dress…
Goddess, the dress.
It was red. A red so saturated it fell to black in the shadows and bled back to crimson where the light caught. It had a single shoulder and it ran stunningly into the plunging sweetheart neckline cupping my breasts firmly, while also giving enough cleavage away to tease.
The bodice fitted around my torso like it had been carved into my very skin, tapering into my waist drawn so tightly, it looked surreal.
It fanned out from there, feather-like lines of beading like dark fire running from hip to hem, crimson and black shifting against each other like something alive. The skirt split mid thigh, revealing my legs with every single step I took.
It was the most beautiful, dangerous and sexiest thing.
I didn't look like a Clutz. Or a maid. I didn't look like Maisie Adams who got stepped on, over and over.
I lifted my chin.
I looked… seductive.
I understood then, the role I was to play at the ball was not that of a maiden or a princess.
But that of a Queen.
***
To avoid risking instant recognition, Regina and Jenny had made their way into the hall through the less noticeable entrance.
It was important to the plan that I made a grand one. I had to be noticed for Regina's plan to work.
But as I neared the Great Hall and the sounds of the waltz thrummed along the walls, a swarm of bees took flight in my stomach. I could see the tall and imposing red doors and the guards stationed outside, cross-checking the guest list.
I could see the garlands and extravagant decorations that bedecked the hall from this point. I could also see the crowd, dressed in all of their finery.
Nausea cramped my stomach and I got the sudden urge to turn tail and flee back to my room.
What was I even doing here?
I walked past a group of women I recognized as Luna Kaida's friends as I made my way over to the doors with clenched, sweaty fists. My heart thudded hard in my chest as the guard–a frighteningly burly man with a stern face looked up from the guest list.
And froze, his jaw going slack in the same moment the women gasped, "Who is that?"
Either this was going to go extremely well, or it would go terribly. Either way, I took Jenny's advice and lifted my chin, speaking with the same arrogance I'd heard from Lana so many times. "Kayla," I said. "A guest of the Parks."
The guard's cheeks reddened and without even looking at the guest list, he ushered me inside, "Of course, my lady."
Something inside me went cold. My Lady.
The guard in question was Reid Calloway, Cole's future Gamma, his friend and most trusted guard. When we were in high school, for Cole's entertainment, they'd had me stand at the centre of the pitch court, while splattering coloured balls of paint at me, testing for who had the hardest throw.
That Reid didn't recognise me and referred to me as a Lady for the first time, and not a pig, filled me with something close to rage.
Knowing that all it took to be treated like a person around here, was to dissolve who I was and become someone else. Someone I wasn't.
And suddenly, I found the resolve I needed to make this night mine. Because I was done hiding and shrinking myself for Lana, for everyone else. If I got one night to bend the world to my rules and bring every single person who had hurt me to heel, I would take that chance and lash back mercilessly.
The doors parted for me.
And the hall went silent as I took my first step into the engagement ball.