Chapter 14: Nowhere Important

"We’re here."

Becky’s voice pulled Hazel from her thoughts as the black car slowed to a stop. Hazel pressed her face against the window, her breath fogging the glass as she stared out at the scene before her.

There were so many vehicles.

More than she had ever seen in her entire life. Well, to be honest she hadn’t seen much of them at all before she left Tideclaw.

Several cars of varying colours and shades lined the curved driveway of the massive building they were hosting the celebration party in. Some were longer than others, some with tinted windows that revealed nothing of their occupants, and all of them bore the distinctive crest of different packs, the golden archer of Sagittarius, the crimson lion of Leo, the silver fish of Pisces. They had come from everywhere.

"There are so many people here," Hazel breathed.

"Hmm," Becky hummed, following Hazel’s gaze. "The other packs from across the world came to celebrate with their king." She paused, a hint of pride in her voice. "It’s a big deal, you know. Conan’s wedding. Everyone wants to show their respect."

Hazel swallowed hard. "I... I don’t know if I’m ready for this."

Becky’s hand found hers, squeezing gently. "Everything will be fine. By the way, we’re not going in through the front."

Hazel frowned. "What?"

Becky was already shifting the car into gear, her eyes scanning the area thoroughly. "You’re the queen now. You can’t enter with everyone else. You have your own entrance. You and Conan."

"Oh," Hazel breathed, biting her lower lip. "I see."

The car curved around the building, leaving behind the rows of vehicles and the gathering crowds. They wound through a narrow path flanked by some towering hedges, until finally, Becky pulled up to a small, unassuming door tucked into the side of the event center.

"Here we are," Becky announced, killing the engine. "The secret entrance. Fancy, right?"

Hazel couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her. "It’s....very secret, I suppose."

"That’s the point." Becky grinned, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Come on."

~

The door opened into a narrow hallway, illuminated by warm sconces with golden light. The distant sounds of music echoed from somewhere beyond the hallway.

Becky led her through the corridor, her emerald gown swishing with each step, until they emerged into a small and private room. It was elegantly decorated, a vanity with a large mirror, plush chairs, and a small table laden with refreshments.

"Okay," Becky said, pulling out her phone. "Look up. Smile."

Hazel stared at the small rectangular object in Becky’s hand. Confusion immediately changed her expression. "What’s that?"

Becky paused, her finger hovering over the screen. "What? This?" She held it up, turning it so Hazel could see the glowing surface. "It’s called a phone."

"A.....phone?" Hazel repeated the word slowly, tasting it. It sounded strange. "What does it do?"

Becky’s face softened with amusement. "Well, it lets you talk to people from far away. And it takes pictures." She tapped the screen, and a soft click sound filled the room. "See?"

She turned the phone around, showing Hazel the image on the screen, herself, looking wide-eyed and slightly bewildered, her brunette hair spilling over her shoulders, the burgundy gown making her look every inch the royal she now was.

Hazel’s eyes widened. "That’s.....that’s me?"

"Yeah." Becky grinned. "Pretty, right? I’m sure Conan would get you one of these if you asked."

Hazel reached out slowly, her fingers brushing the smooth surface of the phone. "It takes pictures?"

"Mm-hmm. And you can send them to people. Instantly."

"Instantly?" Hazel was befuddled. "Why does Tideclaw not... have these?"

Becky’s smile turned sad, just for a moment. "Tideclaw has always been behind the times. Stuck in the old ways. But you’re not there anymore, Hazel. You’re here now." She tucked the phone back into her dress. "And here, we have all sorts of things you have never seen before."

Hazel nodded slowly, her mind reeling. A phone. A device that could capture her image and send it across the world in an instant. She had never imagined such a thing existed.

"You’re so adorable," Becky murmured, watching the wonder on Hazel’s face.

But then her mind drifted.

Where is Conan?

She had been so focused on getting Hazel ready, on keeping her distracted, that she hadn’t allowed herself to think about him.

Last she had heard of him was when she called him around eight, and he had sounded rather pissy.

Sigh.

It was almost eleven, and the party would start anytime soon.

She pulled out her phone again, her fingers moving quickly as she typed a message to Xavier.

She’s here.

Her thumb hovered over the send button. She hadn’t spoken to him since the encounter with June earlier, and the memory made Becky wish she could tear her skin off.

I should have played it cool. Should have just laughed it off. But no, I had to make it obvious.

Damn it.

She pressed send anyway.

She’s here.

The response didn’t come immediately. Becky stared at the screen, willing it to light up with his reply.

Nothing.

Meanwhile, across the room, Hazel was fussing with the fabric of her gown, her fingers tugging at the edges of her sleeves. She swallowed hard, her throat constricting.

"Wait, Becky... my smell..." she started, her mind working fast. "Wouldn’t that lead to.... problems?"

Becky looked up from her phone, her expression softening. "Hazel—"

"I know I’m markless," Hazel continued, forcing the words out. "I know everyone can smell it. I’ve heard the whispers. I’ve seen the looks. I just....." She swallowed again. "I don’t want to embarrass Conan. Or you. Or—"

"Shush." Becky pocketed her phone and crossed the room, taking Hazel’s hands in hers. "I don’t want to hear any of that talk, you hear me?"

"But—"

"No buts." Becky reached into her dress and pulled out a small bottle, a delicate thing filled with a shimmering liquid. She sprayed a fine mist around Hazel, once, twice, and the air filled with the scent of roses and something sweet.

Hazel batted her eyelashes. "What is that?"

"Perfume. Something to help keep the scent at bay, but just until you’re comfortable with everyone." Becky smiled, tucking the bottle away. "Now. Hold your chin up. You’re a queen, remember? Act like one."

Hazel lifted her chin, her spine straightening.

"Alright?" Becky prompted.

"Yes," Hazel said, her voice steadier now. "Alright."

Her phone buzzed. Becky’s heart leapt as she pulled it out, scanning the message.

Xavier: Good. Where’s Conan?

Her fingers moved quickly, typing back.

Becky: I want to know too.

She stared at the words, her mind churning.

He left before dawn. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going. He’s been gone for hours, and I’m the one who has to entertain his new wife while he’s off.....where?

What if something happened? What if he’s in trouble? What if—

The door swung open, putting a loud halt to her thoughts.

Becky immediately spun around, and Hazel let out a massive sigh of relief.

Conan stood in the doorway.

He looked.. dashing. Devastatingly so. His long black hair was pulled back into a bun. He wore a fitted black suit, the jacket open over a crisp white shirt, and he had a stick in his mouth, a slim thing that he was chewing on absently.

His eyes, though...

His eyes looked hollow.

"Where have you been, cousin?" Becky demanded, her arms crossing over her chest. "You had us worried."

Conan pulled the stick from his mouth, tossing it aside. It clattered against the floor, rolling to a stop near the wall.

"Nowhere important," he stated flatly.

Hazel’s heart clenched.

Nowhere important.

He wasn’t looking at her. He was staring past her, through her, at some point on the far wall.

"Hello, wife," he said, briefly locking eyes with her.

Then he turned, making to walk out of the room.

"It’s almost eleven and they’ll soon call for us. Let’s go."

He said nothing else. Offered no apology for leaving. No explanation. No warmth.

Hazel felt her heart break in two.

Becky opened her mouth to say something, but Conan was already out, his footsteps echoing against the stone floor. She faced Hazel instead.

"Hazel, I’m so sorry, I don’t—"

"It’s alright," Hazel interrupted Becky, who had an expression of sympathy on her face. She swallowed, pushing herself to move, her gloved hands trembling at her sides.

"I’ll be fine," she nodded, forcing a smile on her face before following the king out.