Rejection to the Alpha King's Daughter

CHAPTER 4 Bell of the Ball

　　Glaring at the ball gown hanging from the wall, I think about what will happen today and why my father is forcing me to wear it. Today is the celebration of a new Alliance. Future Goddess Geminie offered and alliance with my father earlier this year and negotiations finally went through. As such, father announced this to all the packs in the world with happiness and even planned a ball of honour with packs such as Blood Moon of North America, Hauringu Uindo from Japan. La Chasse from France, and Silver Hounds from England. The strongest packs in the world.

　　Unfortunately for me, this meant that that I will have to shift into my wolf form to howl with Goddess Geminie at the full moon to complete the ceremony. Even worse, this means my secret of being a runt will be revealed and this could lead to one of three fates. Fate one, father imprisons me to become a brood mare and produce strong pups to continue to royal blood line with my mate. Fate two, I am disowned from the pack and become a rogue. Fate three, my execution right on the spot. I prefer the second fate. Turning rogue meant I have a chance to train and fight for my throne back. Seeing how father never liked runts and always shipped them off to a pack that will treat them as nothing more than slaves, I have a feeling he may choose the first option and sell any of my pups that are runts to the highest bidder for power.

　　"Princess Crystalline?" My Maid Hanna calls out as she steps into my room.

　　"I'm still here." I chuckle out, seeing her remove the protective gloves from her hand. No one can enter my room without them, the silver on the door knobs preventing any from entering my room without being burned by the pure silver.

　　"Thank the Goddess for that. It is time to dress you for the ball." She sighs with relief, seeing me in front of said dress. Turning to the maid, I give her a sad smile as she places the glove on a side table and wraps me in her arms in a hug I desperately needed.

　　"Happy birthday Princess. I know it's not the day you wanted but you are so strong. Just know the maids have your back and a surprise later tonight." I smile, thanking her for her support and birthday wish before we both turn back to the ball gown hanging on the wall. A white strapless corseted gown with lace applique. Ironic considering I am a white runt trapped by the society norms my father created. A white runt in a white dress ready to be exposed. Hanna helps me into the gown, being careful with helping me step into the gown so as not to ruin my hair or makeup. Only my shift can ruin it as I have to portray the look of a perfect royal doll to the guests. With my dress pulled up and Hanna tightening the corset to where I can barely breath, let alone eat if I wanted to, I am turned to the mirror looking like the perfect doll. Hanna rushes into my closet, most likely going to bring the finishing touches of my outfit.

　　"Crysta, its me!" The sound of the door opening and closed followed by Matrix walking in makes me smile. At twenty, Matrix worked his way up the totem pole of ranks and soon became the Theta in training. When I take the throne this wolf with Alpha blood will become my third in command. His blonde hair that is usually in a half hazard mess is now combed back and held down with gel, his tailored black suit doing little to hide the muscles that are underneath from years of training. It is the first time I have seen him today, and the hope of him being my mate is soon dashed when no sparks are ignited along my skin nor does his scent drive me crazy.

　　"Happy birthday." He smiles out, pulling away from the hug as he looks my body up and down, a hint of lust in his eyes. I can tell that the lack of mate sparks also disappointed him as well. It was just not meant to be with us.

　　"Theta Matrix, care to help put the silver tiara on our Princess?" Hanna's voice cuts through the silence as she approaches us, her care of carrying the tiara so as not to be burned by the pure silver has me chuckling.

　　"Of course, considering I am the only one that can touch this substance other than Crystalline and the Goddess." He answers, deftly picking up the tiara encrusted with diamonds and moons stones and gently placing the delicate jewelry atop of my head without ruining my hair – a bun with delicate curls and bangs swept to the left side.

　　"Perfect! Now off you two go before the Alpha King blows a gasket." Hanna states, shooing Matrix and I out of the room with a smile. The walk is long with the clip, clip, clip sounds of my heels on the stone floor. With Matrix soon seven feet ahead of me due to his long strides, I find myself struggling to keep up.

　　"You okay Crysta?" My friend asks, turning to find me leaning on the wall trying to catch my breath.

　　"Yep. Just a heavy ball gown and heels makes it heard to keep up." I answer, glaring down at my gown. He chuckles, striding back towards me and scooping me into his arms.

　　"What are you doing!" I squeal out, quickly wrapping my arms around his neck so that I do not fall.

　　"Taking you to the ball room. If we are late your father will kill me and punish you." He chuckles out. The way to the ball becomes much quicker as Matrix comfortably caries me through the corridors in peaceful silence. There are no words to say between us as the hope we both felt wanting to be each other's mates is diminished without mercy. Now we will have to find our mates the old way, through sheer luck at being in the right place at the right time. As we grow closer to the double doors closed with the barest sounds of music coming forward, I find myself being gently placed on my feet moments before King Alexander comes into view, his own entourage including his Beta, Mikael, and the future Beta, Narin. Curtsying to my father, I catch a whiff of something delectable and know at once my mate is near. If it's not Matrix, then they are in attendance tonight.

　　"Silver as always I see." King Alexander states with dissatisfaction, his hatred towards me evident in his eyes. He hates that only I inherited the immunity of silver while he cannot touch it without burning his skin. I keep my face a mask of calm not wanting to cause a commotion today with what awaits me later. Silver is the kryptonite of wolves. A metal used to kill us during the witch hunts for many years and is still used to this day by hunters. After my mother watched in horror the night I found the moon stone necklace in the middle of a moon flower meadow and placed the silver chain around my neck, she realized that the metal did not harm me like it did other wolves. Right away everything from my jewelry to the metal embellishments on my doors were changed to pure silver. A way to keep me safe and out of harms way. A silver dagger was then gifted to me and I was enrolled into self defense training as soon as possible.

　　"Father, silver is a way to protect me. As the only heir our blood line will end and the Goddess' line will take over as the next royals." I state, watching his jaw clench with irritation. The thought of our blood line being replaced by distant relatives infuriates him more than the thought of me wearing silver. His irritation amuses me as he and I take the lead in standing before the doors. Matrix is behind me, his presence bringing me peace with having to deal with my father and the consequences of what will come after my shift. I pray to my ancestors and the Moon Goddesses that tonight will go smooth as the doors open.

　　"Presenting his Majesty King Alexander Theon Thorn and her highness Princess Crystalline Evangeline Thorn."