Warm light spilled into the hallway.
Voices.
The scent of hundreds of beastmen.
Mirabelle's group stood near the back.
Instinctively, she wanted to slow down, but the others gently nudged her forward.
The beastmen all visibly tensed the moment the doors opened.
Every single one of them wanted to stand out favorably.
The females entered the ballroom.
Some shy.
Some confident.
As previously instructed, they gathered together in a line so every male would have a clear view of them.
At the front, the High Duchess stopped and calmly surveyed the assembled beastmen.
Mirabelle was the last to appear behind the others before taking her place beside Nymeria.
The quiet murmur spreading through the ballroom instantly died.
Mirabelle stood out for several reasons.
First, there was her unusual dress.
