RUN CINDERELL, RUN.

RUBY JUNE.

Charles held my waist as he led me to the dance floor. I don’t know why I agreed to this in the first place, but somehow I did.

“Do you feel the music?” he asked, and I nodded.

He shook his head gently. “Most people hear the music, but they do not feel the music. I want you to feel it, Morana,” he said softly.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed, pulling me closer to himself.

I did as instructed, closing my eyes as I listened to the sweet melody of the instrument. It was relaxing, and I melted into his strong arms; his intoxicating scent clouded my judgment.

“I feel it,” I whispered.

I did not care that he had been my bully five years ago; I simply let him lead, and the dancing came naturally. Today, I was going to pretend he had done me no wrong, and we could be the perfect partners.

“Morana,” he called gently. I opened my eyes to meet his gaze, and he took my breath away. His gray eyes bore into mine lovingly. He was tall and devilishly handsome; I found myself wishing he had kept his mask so I wouldn’t have to behave like a wolf in heat.

“Tell me about yourself, Morana,” he asked as he swayed me across the dance floor.

“Um… there’s not much to say,” I replied softly.

“That’s not true; everyone always has a story to tell, and I want to hear yours,” Charles said.

“Then tell me yours instead,” I replied with a smile.

“I’m the oldest and only son of my father. I have a younger sister, Jubilee. She is a nice young woman. You will love her,” he said. “But she is troublesome and always getting into trouble.”

“Oh, please. Jubilee is just a curious, ambitious girl. You are the one being controlling. If you just let her be, you will see she isn’t troublesome at all,” I said with a laugh.

Charles’ expression made me realize I had said too much. I knew Jubilee because my aunt worked at her school. She was four years younger than me, and I knew her before I met Charles. I often wondered how two people who were so different could be siblings; Jubilee was calm and loving, always seeking the best in people, while Charles was a bully who found pleasure in others’ misery.

“You know my sister?” he asked, his eyes widening.

I shook my head. “Uh… no, I don’t.”

He looked at me skeptically as if he did not believe a single word I said.

“I have another cousin who feels the same way about me, so I assumed it’s just the classic older brother syndrome.” I said quickly.

This time, he nodded. “Maybe,” he said.

“You sound so familiar, yet your name doesn’t ring a bell. Have we met before?” he asked.

I swallowed nervously. “No, I don’t think so,” I laughed.

“I know everyone here, even with their masks on, but you, Morana. I have never heard your name, and you look so much more composed and alluring than any other woman I have ever set eyes on,” Charles said.

“Stop flattering me,” I replied, a soft blush creeping onto my cheeks.

“Show me your face, Morana,” he pleaded.

“No, I can’t show my face before the big reveal, You know the rules,” I answered softly.

“Follow me,” Charles said, pulling me away from the dance floor. He led me until we stopped in the garden. We were alone, and my breath hitched as I heard the faint music playing in the background.

“Why are we here?” I asked, trying to remain calm.

“I want to see your face,” he said huskily. “I want to see the face of the woman I am mated to. I can’t wait any longer for the big reveal.”

“Didn’t your mom tell you patience is a virtue?” I said with a smirk.

“I have never been patient,” he replied with a devilish smile.

I snorted at that. “Well, tonight, you will have to learn how to be patient.”

“Hmm, you are a stubborn woman,” he remarked.

“I have been called that a lot,” I smiled inwardly, walking away from him as I admired the well cultured garden. “But that just means I won’t let people control me.”

“Have you ever felt weak before?” he asked, his tone softer as he studied me.

I stood rooted to the ground, memories of all the times I had felt weak clouding my mind.

“Many times, more than I would like to count,” I whispered. “I have felt so weak and helpless, people have trampled on me as if I were dirty, but never again.”

“Never again,” I promised myself.

Turning around, I saw that Charles was mere inches away from me. I had heard him following me, but I didn’t realize he was that close. I parted my lips to speak, but my mouth was devoid of words.

“Who are you, Morana? You strike me as a woman with lots of secrets. Innocent but deadly,” he said, studying me.

“Is your name even Morana? I won’t be surprised if it’s not,” he said, but I offered nothing but a smile.

He reached for my face, caressing my cheeks tenderly. My skin tingles when he touches me.

He placed his hands behind my hair, caressing the rope that held my mask in place, and I panicked. “Don’t,” I warned.

“I won’t unless you allow me to,” he whispered. Then, slowly, he leaned further, crashing his lips onto mine and kissing me softly. It felt like time had stopped and nothing else mattered. He kept his hand behind the small of my back as he pressed me against him. His lips teased mine, nibbling, caressing. He ignited a fire in me that I didn’t know existed. I found myself desiring him like I had never desired another man before.

"I have wanted to do this since I saw you," Charles said, pulling away as he looked at me longingly.

He looked so perfect, and I was ready to forget everything and fall into this man's arms. Wait. What is wrong with me?

"This shouldn't have happened,” I blurted out in anger.

"What are you talking about?" Charles asked in confusion, reaching out to hold me.

But I pulled away. "Don't touch me," I warned, pointing at him before walking away.

"I'm sorry... I thought you wanted the kiss like I did," he said, running after me.

"Of course, you are a self-absorbed asshole, and you think every lady would worship at your feet," I yelled.

"Um, what are you talking about?" he asked.

I stopped, turning to face him in anger. I could not believe I was letting myself fall in love with him all over again.

"Leave me alone," I scolded.

"Morana..." he called out.

"Stop calling me that," I yelled in frustration. "If you respect me in any way, you will let me be."

He wanted to say something but thought better of it and let me be. I looked at him one more time before making my way out of the party. There was no point in staying here any longer.