AllFreeNovel
Share Us
RUNWAY OF CARNAGE: PART THREE
Imagine dying from nervousness…
“You’re not going to die from nervousness,”Bria complained. I bet she wanted to roll her eyes at my squeamish behavior, but I couldn’t help it.
The tension in the air was palpable, the intensity of everyone’s anticipation brewing through the room as the dim lights built the approaching moment.
The second half of the runway had already begun, and my set was happening in a few short minutes. I was still seated between Dimitris and Neo, our entire pack in the front row that was facing the left side of the runway.
Everyone else was pretty impossible to see at the moment because the room was pitch black. I knew it was a part of the show, and the lights were further dimmed just in case those who were late from intermission would be able to quickly make it back to their seats without ruining the aesthetics, but it still made things feel far too tense.
I knew from a quick glance that our seating arrangement was Amos, Dimitris, me, Neo, Milo, Jayce, Saint, Arthur, Loki, Onyx, and Viktor.
They were all wearing outstanding suits, the material and quality beyond our previous attire, which was really impressive with how little time Arthur had to create them.
I wore a simple dress, knowing I’d change in only moments, but it was short enough to show my tattoos as I kept one leg crossed over the other.
Dimitris’s possessive hand stopped me from fidgeting my feet up and down in nerves, while Neo’s hand was on my lap as if to ensure me they were right here for support.
I was sure my nerves were oozing into the pack bond, but the others kept their energies and emotions at bay, which was appreciated because I didn’t need any more stimuli than I already had.
There was no need for me to be so nervous. The time had finally come, and nothing could stop what was about to happen, and yet it still frightened me.
I’m scared that something will just come out of the woodwork and ruin this for me.
"Let the final set of the show commence. Introducing one of the designers of the night, Ruby Phoenix!”
The dimmed lights began to come on as flashing rays of various colors spun through the room until they centered on the end of the runway.
Ruby stood there in a brilliant red dress with hints of orange and gold, while her hair was up in a ponytail. With red cloaked lips, she smiled with pride as her eyes stared into the dark crowd that surrounded her.
"It’s an honor to be a part of this show’s creation. To be surrounded and supported by royals of our various supernatural races is a true gift to witness, especially when we’re in the presence of some of the most powerful shifters of the decade.”
The lights continued to spin until they all came together upon the front row parallel to us—revealing the seated individuals who wore various masquerade masks as if to hide their true identities.
One look their way made me completely still—just like the rest of my men who froze at the sight.
“The traditions that have been followed by the Phoenix family are quite strenuous. Not simply because of the tasks involved that lead our heirs on a dangerous journey through life, but they also involve many others’ lives,” Ruby continued. “We’re all connected beings in this world. Our actions can change the lives of many. One word from one person could stop another from ending their world. The same way that someone’s actions could destroy another’s life like a snap of one’s fingers.”
Shock flooded my face, my eyes wide as I slowly went down the row and the individuals who sat in each seat.
As representation.
"As royals, the hardest thing a parent can do is let their child or children suffer. You must watch in the shadows with your hands tied, so you don’t involve yourselves in the destiny they’re meant to walk upon. These destined individuals are forced to go through very saddening things: the death of their parents, the burning destruction of their empire, the loss of a sibling, or the separation from one all because of the struggle that comes with obtaining power. In our world of supernaturals, there is always a higher purpose. This is why these shows are created. To finally bring all those missing pieces and assets in one’s life together again so the successors can see what their hardships have led them to. So that they can acknowledge what their perseverance has rewarded them with.”
“Impossible. This…Is this real?”Onyx spoke through the pack bond, and I felt everyone’s bubbled shock and nervousness.
“It’s real,”Dimitris confirmed.“Despite what’s before us, don’t lose sight of why we’re here. To support Willow until she claims her title.”
“Understood,”Jayce spoke for the rest of us, even though he seemed shocked by the woman opposite his chair.
Parallel to me was Roberto, sitting proudly as he stared back at me with a mask of black with purple edges. The individual on his left was a woman who looked so much like Dimitris, I had a strong feeling it was his mother, while the man who sat on Roberto’s right wore a mask of red and carried hollow eyes that reminded me of an older Neo.
As I kept going down the line, each representative parallel to us held some sort of connection to one of my pack members. The woman in front of Saint looked like his mother, yet the woman in front of Jayce gave off a loving vibe like it was his “dead” mate. Before Loki and Onyx were a man and a woman, one who wore all black while the other wore all white. The only unique difference was their masks that were polar opposite to the rest of their attire. They held hands as they stared back at the two men parallel to them, and I could only guess they were Onyx and Loki’s parents.
Milo’s mother sat across to him, and a man in all red with actual horns sat parallel to Arthur. Before Viktor was a man who looked very similar to him. His aura was as powerful as Viktor’s, while he wore magical garments. He gave off more of a sibling vibe if anything, which made me assume that could potentially be Viktor’s brother.
Glancing back to the beginning of the row, I acknowledged the bulky man with a crown that sat opposite Amos. He seemed more joyous in nature as he sat there with a golden mask with turquoise metallic flakes.
