This should have felt like a wonderful, spectacular day. But it wasn't. The rain fell in thick sheets outside. The castle felt dark and dreary. The sun hid away just like how Amy wanted to hide away. More than anything, she wanted to slip into her riding gear and escape the castle grounds, get as far away from here as she possibly could, especially on a day like today.

"Hold still," the seamstress demanded, holding a pin in her mouth as she glared up at Amy, but one look from Amy shut the woman right up and she got right back to work on tailoring the dress. The dress was almost done. Actually, it had been a slow project coming, mostly because Amy kept unraveling the thread when she thought no one was watching. That way, she could put off this inevitable day for just a little bit longer. However, she couldn't deny that this gown was absolutely beautiful. A deep royal blue with a lacy bodice and a full skirt. Though, she could definitely do without the earrings and the tiara. Oh, and especially these wretched elbow-length gloves. She could do without those too.

"Aren't you excited?" another seamstress just a couple years older than Amy asked dreamily as she spun around in a circle, almost as if envisioning herself in a full-length ball gown. "I can't tell you how excited I am just thinking about it. Oh, you will be the most beautiful woman there. And you're bound to get at least a hundred suitors vying for your hand."

Amy shook her head sadly, staring back at herself in the mirror as her dressed received its final touches. "There is no reason to have such an extravagant occasion. We all know that the king and queen have already chosen a suitor for me. Prince Charles Minnings. This is just for show to make it look like I actually had a choice in the matter."

But it didn't seem as if anyone listened or cared because they were already off in their own worlds, chattering about how wonderful the ball would be, all while Amy died more and more inside. Tonight would be one of the last nights she had of freedom. After tonight, she would be under lock and key.

"There!" the seamstress breathed as she looked up at her handiwork. "You look absolutely stunning.

"Just in time too," Amy muttered as she looked out the window to see lines of horses and coaches approaching the castle, waiting to be admitted through the gates. There was definitely a lot of security tonight, but she knew exactly why. With so much royalty and nobles all in one castle, there were bound to be rebel werewolves on the loose looking to get in.

Amy shuddered at the thought. How could such beings wield so much raw power? It was unfathomable.

Down below, Amy heard horns being blown to welcome the royal family of Elmire and her heart accelerated uncomfortably in her chest. As soon as she left this room, it would all be over.

"Thank you," Amy said as she nodded her head graciously toward the two seamstresses before turning toward the ornate door to her bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she opened the doors and was immediately greeted by two guards who followed closely behind but not too close. All too often, she had dismissed them, but all too often, they refused to leave her side. It made it much too difficult to escape when she needed to be alone.

"There you are!" Amy's mother said as she rushed toward her, taking a hold of both her hands. "You look beautiful. Just like how a princess ought to. You ready?"

Amy gave her a halfhearted smile before nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Both her parents went first down the ornate staircase arm in arm as they were announced, looking as regal as ever. Amy had never felt much like she belonged. She loved archery and swordplay and riding. She loved doing things a princess never should do.

When Amy's name was announced, Amy debated for a single moment whether or not she could dart in the other direction, away from this freakshow of colorful swooshing skirts and intricate tiaras. But even she knew she had a duty to her family, to her people. This wasn't about her.

With as much grace as she could muster, Amy floated into the ballroom at the top of the stairs and took each step one by one, watching the audience below with a careful expression. Unfortunately, Charles waited for her at the bottom of the staircase and held a hand out to her which she took.

"Would you like a dance?" he asked her, his face showing his dimple as he smiled.

Amy bowed her head gracefully, remembering her manners that she really wanted to throw out the window and stomp on until they came up dirtied and forgotten. "Gladly."

Charles led her to the middle of the ballroom amidst other couples who started to dance, and then she became trapped in a sea of tulle and silk with no way out. If only she could fly. If only she could shrink and shrink so no one would find her. What she wouldn't give for a day just to herself without the books or the embroidery or the music.

"You're the most beautiful woman in this room," Charles said, his dimple popping out again as he smiled. Charles was by no means homely. He had very nice curly blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a body that any princess might kill for. However, the two of them had absolutely nothing in common.

"Thank you," Amy smiled, putting up a front around all these people, including Charles. "I hope your travels were pleasant?"

"Most definitely. I look forward to my stay this week and I hope that I'll be able to get to know you better."

Thankfully the song ended and Amy felt the desire to hide now more than ever. "Thank you for the dance."

Charles bent over slightly to kiss her hand before letting it drop. "It was my pleasure."

Amy bowed before making her way across the dance floor and quickly slipping out onto the balcony, closing the door behind her. More than anything, she hoped someone wouldn't follow her outside, especially not her guards.

She let out a long sigh as she rested her arms on the ledge of the balcony, looking up to stare at the moon and the stars. It was beautiful out tonight.

So suddenly that she didn't realize what was happening, Amy was slammed up against the brick wall, an arm pinned against her throat, but just as quickly, she reached for her silver dagger and pointed it threateningly at the man's heart. Sure enough, she found herself staring back into the amber colored eyes of a redheaded man. Beautiful amber colored eyes. She felt completely mesmerized. She had never been this close to a werewolf before.

"I would be careful if I were you," Amy spat, pressing the dagger harder against him until she felt positive it drew blood. "I'm sure another inch just might kill you."

The human werewolf loosened his grip slightly, but he never looked away. "I didn't come here to hurt you. I came here to warn you."

Amy surveyed the man before her with intrigue. Even though she knew this was incredibly dangerous to be this close to a werewolf, it still gave her a sense of a thrill. Much more interesting than the dreary life waiting for her just inside. But she'd make sure this werewolf didn't get further than this balcony.

"How did you get in the gates?"

He grinned, releasing her neck entirely. "That's need to know. I'm here to deliver a message. A threat, if you will. The time for human reign is coming to an end. You're in danger, Princess."

"And why do you care?" Amy hissed, holding the dagger threateningly between the two of them. "I know what you are. I know what your kind does to our kind. Why should I believe you?"

The man shook his head as he took another step away from her, his amber eyes glinting underneath the moonlight before he pulled a hood over his face to shroud those eyes in darkness. "Because, we're more similar than you think." And with that, he jumped over the side of the balcony.

Amy rushed forward and peered down below, but the werewolf had already disappeared into the darkness, nowhere in sight. She huffed before straightening her crown and starting back toward the doors, but then she paused in her tracks as she thought about his words. That werewolf could have killed her so easily, especially being so close to her. So why had he warned her instead?

She tried to shake off her uneasy feeling as she made her way back inside. Whether or not the warning rang true, she'd need to keep her eyes peeled. It was always better to be safe than sorry.