The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
(Bk 2) Chapter 10

Breathing hard and leaning against the door, I fumbled as I opened the lights to see my room for the first time.

As always, there was nothing such as too much luxury for the Games as my room was the definition of lavish. Much like the theme of the mansion, my room was in white marble and gold. The room is dazzling, made for royalty and Gods.

At the entrance is a decadent seating area lined with the finest paintings and artwork. Through the small antechamber was the bedroom itself with the most luxurious sheets and mattress, and the massive closets that I'm sure were to house all my dresses from home. Across the entryway was a spacious balcony looking out into the woods, the glass doors open to let a breeze in and allowing the white satin curtains to blow against it.

What caught my eye though was the fancy velvet box carefully placed on top of my bed. There was a note on top, the golden letters shinning proudly in the light.

From where I stood, I could see a hint of the cursive letters of the Organizer's logo.

I walked towards the bed, my bare feet wobbling on the marble floor. My hand reaches for the letter and almost laughed to myself when even the paper was of the highest quality. There were only two words under the organizer's logo.

"For tonight," I whispered, reading the note.

Unable to hold myself back, I lift the box from the bed, noticing that it was light but somewhat rattling as if there were small rocks inside. Curiosity at an all time high, I pry the lid open and let out the tiniest squeak.

It was a platinum mask, molded to fit half of my face, from the forehead down to the bridge of my nose and it was glowing from the thousands of gems that decorated it. The design was simple with white flowers and vines and pearls that trickled down into a curtain of gems all the way to the neckline.

I realized with excitement that tonight's theme wasn't just the woodlands but a masquerade ball in the woods.

Hands reaching for the golden wreath still on my head, I placed it down on the bed beside the beautiful mask.

Suddenly, the clock in the room hits seven o'clock and a soft gong goes through the entire mansion, warning us that dinner was in thirty minutes.

With a gasp, I ran to the bathroom, removing the blanket wrapped around me and the last of my clothing, without having a lot of time to admire the grandiosity of the room.

Everything was marble again, the walls and the bathtub with gold finishing. There was a fireplace too, crackling a soft flame that warmed the place. Countless candles were lit around the bathroom as well, giving a light creamy smell in the air.

In the invitation letter to the Games, we weren't required to bring anything for our stay. The toiletries and other supplies were provided but they were something else. All the names were things I couldn't pronounce and all in gold containers. In the cabinets were Egyptian cotton robes and the fluffiest towels, make up brands of every color and shape and language, perfumes in crystal bottles and soaps that glittered.

The bathtub in the middle of the room was already filled with warm water, flower petals floating on the top with shimmer swimming in the water.

I lower myself on the tub, enjoying the warmth. It was when I started scrubbing that I noticed the dress hanging to the side. My first night dress.

At first I thought it was some kind of artwork, but upon closer inspection, it matched the design of my mask. The luminous floor length gown was platinum and looked like vines and flowers were crawling up the bodice. It was completely see through, the vines strategically covering all the important parts as wisps of gems were coming down the arms.

I was amazed and a little surprised that the Alpha would allow something like this.

Or maybe he just wanted all of us to look our best in hopes of replaceing the perfect match for us.

Quickly, I washed myself, getting all the lake out of me until I smelled of flowers and bath salts. I rushed out of the bath and cursed at myself when it was already ten minutes before dinner.

I heard that Alphas can request staff to help with getting ready for free, but of course our Alpha didn't allow such a request. So, I have to get myself ready with the best of my ability. I slipped into the dress, feeling the chill of the gems on my skin, and stumbled towards the vanity where an array of powder and other things were. There were a lot of contraptions for the hair that I attempted to use as well.

Time was ticking quickly as I raced to the closet, looking for shoes. With one last check in the mirror, I walked out of the room with a minute to spare.

I shouldn't have been surprised to see my guard already waiting outside my door, standing tall and wearing his own mask. He was dressed in all black as per usual, his mask made of black and gold feathers with gigantic horns that curled backwards. He looked intimidating as always as he stood unmoving.

"Hi," I managed, breathing heavily. "I'm not late, am I?"

He shook his head before taking a step closer. "Right on time."

I could tell he was thinking about something, making him hesitate. "What is it?"

"Your mask." He whispered, taking the last step forward that closed the distance between us.

I felt my chest squeeze. Noticing for the first time how impossibly close we were and how it was the very first time, I had seen his eyes without the shadows of his cap. His eyes were sharp, always observant and attentive. And they drank me in like he was hungry. I could feel his breath fan my face, minty and heady... He stared at me. He stared at me for so long, inches away from my face.

My guard slowly tugs the mask from my hands and gently places it over my face, tying the lace at the back for me.

His arms nearly circled me, close enough that I could feel the heat of his body.

Just before I cannot take it anymore, he leans back, only a little bit, as he makes sure that my mask is in the right place. "Okay,"

For a moment and only for a moment, I saw something more than just the grumpy guard. "Thank you."

He pats my head, the way someone would send someone to war.

I looked up at him, wondering what it meant, but the bell for dinner sounded, pulling us apart.

All of a sudden, it was loud, so loud with chatter and excitement from attendees that rushed out of their rooms. With another deep breath, I followed the commotion of the halls towards the stairs.

Attendees with different colored dresses and suits crowded around me with masks of every kind, decorated in feathers and gems and fabrics and iron wings.

"They're staring." A voice said from behind me, closely behind me to the point that I could feel his breath on my shoulder, as I walked down the crowded staircase.

I didn't have to turn to look. I knew it was my guard. "Staring?"

There wasn't a pause this time. "At you."

Letting myself glance around, I started to notice the stares, the fleeting looks. The men that followed my movement, the girls that smiled after me. "It must be the horns on your mask."

"Or it must be you." He lightly retorted back, but he didn't sound as amused as he should be. "It seems I'm going to have a very long night."

"I told you. We have five years here together." I joked, remembering one of our first few conversations.

This time, he doesn't respond.

Making it out of the mansion and into the cool night, we followed a bright trail lit by lamps dangling from tree tops, lanterns and candles on the ground.

We walked on, admiring our surroundings like we were in some fairytale until... nestled deep within the heart of the dense woodland was the most romantic and enchanting place that ever existed.

The small clearing was lit by candle light and overhead were fabrics twisted through tree branches, creating this little nook with countless tables and chairs and crystal chandeliers hanging from trees.

Plates and utensils on the table shimmered, the glasses full of golden liquid as fresh fruits and sliced cheese were all laid out in ornate crystal bowls.

"Take care, Miss X." My guard quietly says before he disappears with the other guards, hidden in the shadows deep within the woods.

"There you are!" An organizer stands before me and gestures to the front where I see a man sitting alone on a table... with only one other seat. And it was vacant. "We've been looking for you. As the winner of the golden wreath and the first games, you two must share a table for dinner."

It took a few seconds for me to reply. "Sorry? What?"

"You're to sit in front with Mister W." The organizer pointed towards the man- Mister W.

I didn't realize it was him, but as I looked at him now, head bowed low and drinking feverishly from a bottle with those sad eyes staring down, I knew it was him under that mask. Read more free novels at Ebookex.com

His mask is a skull and a beak of some large bird, golden and beautiful and terrifying all at the same time.

As if noticing my gaze, he looks up momentarily and stops mid drink as our eyes lock.

Even with most of his face covered by his mask, he was still so breathtakingly gorgeous and I was at a loss for words.

Thankfully, the organizer guides me towards the seat and bids us farewell.

I don't know how long the two of us stared at each other like that, but he's the first to break it, standing from his seat and pulling back mine.

"Oh, thank you." I mumbled nervously, taking a seat as he helped me in it.

It was awkward.

The air was still.

The crowd stared.

Us, not speaking.

"You look nice." He says finally, breaking the silence, his voice sounding like he hadn't spoken in a while.

"Thank you. Our Alpha was quite generous." I said, staring down at my dress before glancing at his attire. He wore a black coat with complicated golden embroidery. It looked expensive and important. Something only an Alpha or a high ranking officer would wear. "And you, you look like your Alpha was very generous as well."

Something I said must have upset him as he took another long drink from his bottle which, upon closer smell, was something very, very strong. Slamming the now empty bottle on the table, he abruptly stands from his seat and turns away without another word or a glance.

Before I know it, I am left alone, staring at my hands as I hear his footsteps retreat to the woods.