Chapter 5 He knows!

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...SHE WAS A WHITE WITCH...!

Ace's heart began to thunder against his chest. It felt as though it sought to take a leap out of his chest.

He glanced over her again. Her gown matched the color of her eyes perfectly. Red strands of hair poured from her head to her shoulders with grace, it almost looked like she carried a mane of flames.

What was she here for? Did she not know where she was? Did she not know the history her kind had with his kingdom? Why had she been bold enough to show her face here?

Antsy, his eyes continued to dance around her delicate facial features. The woman in front of him was every shade of beautiful. Her face was as white as snow, her eyes as green as emerald stone. Her lush red lips continued to shine, even in the dark.

She was definitely a white witch.

Ace had never seen a she-wolf so beautiful. He had seen glorious women, but it was nothing like her. Her presence announced itself, her aura had dragged him out of the ballroom.

Had she intended to let him know of her presence? Had she used her evil powers to summon him? What did she want with him?

Questions and more questions continued to dance in Ace's head.

Subconsciously, he lowered his gaze to the ground. His both hands pressed on his knees. He closed his eyelids and opened them again. The drowsiness had begun, he found himself staggering backwards.

"Are you okay sir?" Even her voice was as soft as silk. The melodious tone of her question continued to ring in his ears.

But he could not answer her. He found it difficult to do anything at all.

"Shall I get help sir?"

She asked again. Ace saw and heard her step forward. He wanted to push back, warn her away from him. But, he could do no such thing. He stood still as he grew nauseous.

"Water." He muttered.

"I need water."

Elora looked around them. There was nothing but empty carriages and vast expanse of land.

Worried, she wondered how fast she would have to run to alert someone of his predicament.

Even if she ran fast enough, would he be okay by the time she was back?

How could she get the attention of one person at the party without throwing the whole royal household into pandemonium. He appeared to be slightly drowsy, and he only needed water, as he had said.

It was in times like this Elora wished she had inherited her mother's powers. She was certain she would have been of more help to the man if she knew just what to do.

Panic was beginning to grow within her. She moved closer to him and placed a hand on his bank, attempting to lift him up. Elora thought it best to carry him back to the ballroom, where he would be found and properly attended to. Whatever was wrong with him, she was sure the palace doctors would be able to handle it.

It felt as though her touch came with all he had ever wanted; peace, tranquility, joy, immense strength.

As she leaned into him, her face brushing his, Ace felt a new and a strange form of strength wash over him.

Fire and ice.

That was what he felt when the skin of her right cheek came in contact with his face.

"Here, let me help you up." She spoke in

hushed tones against his ear. She did not need to do anything more, her touch alone had brought him to an abrupt calm.

Her hands cupped his biceps, trying to raise his head up, so that he stood straight. Ace's eyes met hers again. This time, she smiled.

It was that instant he understood why his great grandfather had ordered the killing of all her kind.

They possessed too much power, more power than they could deal with. Her presence alone had thrown his spirit into turmoil, even Zebulon's strength could not resist the intensity of her stare at first glance.

Perhaps it was the curse that binded him to her?

The scars on him that had been inflicted by one of her kind?

Ace did not know, neither did he understand.

One thing was very clear to him; he would never let this woman out of his sight again.

"You need not worry." He spoke as he rose on his own, dismissing her touch.

Elora's gaze drew cautious and curious. One minute ago, it seemed as though he was going to lose his life in front of her very eyes, and now, he was standing on his own and dismissing her help?

Subconsciously, she stepped back.

Something about this man did not feel right.

Ace studied her gaze. She too was growing suspicious of his sudden energy. His gaze darkened. Did she not know the effect she had on him? Did she know who ...rather, what she was?

Did she not know who he was?

The Alpha Prince that her kind had cursed. She should have also known better than to show her face here, in such a large gathering with so many wolves.

His jaw tightened.

What could she be playing at?

No matter what it was, he was more than determined to find out.

So, he forced a smile and waved a hand in front of his face. Feigning a laughter that was meant to reassure her of his well being.

"Forgive me miss. I didn't mean to scare you like that." Ace replied, chuckling.

"I just have this heartburn when I have quite too much to drink."

Elora joined in his laughter with a nervous chuckle.

Elora's heart was still not at rest. She knew where she was, and she knew how dangerous her coming here was. She had to make sure she was careful and discrete enough not to be sensed by any wolf. If not...

She bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. She did not want to think about the consequences.

"Should I be worried about you?" Elora asked. Even as fear and caution joined the concern in her eyes.

Ace could not tell if she had expected him to recognise her or if she had recognised him. Her facial expression was giving nothing out.

There was no reaction for either he or Zebulon to sniff out a conclusion from. Just what was he going to do now?

"The second dance!"

From afar, they both heard the cry of the trombone that signified the beginning of the second waltz.

They turned, simultaneously, to the direction of the ballroom.

When Elora turned her face back to Ace, he had a broad smile spread across his lips.

"We should join the rest of the party for the second dance."

Elora seemed hesitant. She had disobeyed her father to be here! So why did she suddenly feel the need to turn on her heels and run?

He was nothing but a stranger, maybe a noble who had seen her being mistreated. He saved her from embarrassment.

So why did she feel fear instead of gratitude?

Why was she suddenly cautious instead of excited?

"Come on miss, would you really refuse a poor gentleman's hand?"

His voice brought her back to the present. Elora shook her head to get rid of all the negative thoughts.

Her head was playing pranks on her. This had to be her conscience scolding her for drugging her father.

Nothing more.

With that thought, she managed a genuine smile and placed her hand in his.

Once again, Ace felt the current of lightning flow through him, burning every part of his body his scars were crested upon.

He fought the urge to wince in pain.

He would not let her have a reason to doubt him again.

"Of course."

She finally said, beaming with smiles.

He nodded with a courtesy now and took her hand in his, leading her to the front doors of the palace.

Run. Run. Run.

The word continued to echo in her ears. Her heart grew even more troubled, but Elora ignored it.

She would ignore it all and have fun dancing... Or trying to.

She had promised Madam Delacroix this much.

When they had finally approached the palace,

Ace stopped walking. Beside him, Elora stopped as well, turning to him. A queried brow was arched at him, Ace broke into a smile.

A wry smile.

"I know what you are."

He said flatly.

One sentence, five words, powerful enough to send the Daredevil, Elora, four steps backwards. But, Ace's left hand cupped the curve of her back, stopping her in her tracks.

Her eyes widened in horror.

How could he have responded to her movement that quickly?

Who was this man?

"You must behave yourself." He whispered against her ear now, drawing her closer to his body.

"I promise you that if you move the wrong way, you die. Except, that was what you came here to do..." He stopped talking. He spinned her around so that her eyes rested on his dark ones now.

"...white witch."

Elora's heart hammered against her chest. Her jaw dropped in horror.

He had just called her a white witch.

He knew WHAT she was.