The Lycan Blood

The Ball of a Life

I turned on my heels, catching a glimpse of my reflection. I was surprised at how elegant my appearance was. A mute grey silk satin dress draped down floor-length, with an enchanting square neckline and puff lantern sleeves. I looked modernist and gleaming, with my ebony hair curled and decorated with gold hairpins.

With a soft knock, I turned away from the mirror and saw Mom enter. Mom gasped in awe, and her chestnut-brown sparkling as she walked in. “Look at my baby,” she said, her voice breaking as she strolled into the room, revealing a lavender rose empire-style dress with her waist-length brunette lifted into a braided bun.

“Mom,” I said, smiling shily.

I lowered my gaze, staring at the skirt of my dress. I lifted my head, seeing her eyes water as she approached me. She smiled warmly, reaching out her hands. I took her hands, and we embraced. “You have grown,” her voice cracked.

We chuckled under our breaths as we pulled away from the embrace. Mom cupped my face, tilted her head, and sighed. I saw slight guilt and pity in her eyes.

“Mom?” I asked.

“No matter what happens or what you choose, you are my baby girl,” she whispers.

My heart ached, knowing she worried I might not find my mate in tonight’s event. It had been this long without wolf traits and no mate. The fear of separating was present, and we both didn’t want to do it.

“I love you, Mom,” I whispered.

“Oh, my baby, I love you too!” she whispered, pulling me into a warm, tight embrace.

We remained silent in each other’s embrace. I did not want to leave this hotel room and stay with Mom. I did not want to go to a venue full of strangers, wondering whether or not my mate was there.

Finally, Mom and I pulled away from our embrace. I saw tears on her and began to whip them away. She sniffled and nodded her head. We broke into laughter and hugged again. “Let’s go to the lobby before your father whines about time,” Mom said.

I nod.

We both laughed and headed out of the room. Along the way, I helped Mom clean up her makeup. We complimented each other, smoothing out our dresses until we reached the busy hotel lobby.

I saw some guests dressed up, noting they must be guests for the Royal Coronation celebration.

“There are my girls!” Dad’s voice beamed across the lobby.

Mom blushed shily while I gasped and lowered my head in embarrassment as all eyes turned on us. Approaching Dad and Pete, Mom ran into Dad’s arms. Pete laughed at me, threw his arm on my shoulder, and pulled me to his side. “Hey, Dad’s girl,” Pete said jokingly.

I groaned and kept my head low.

Pete laughed and shook me lightly. “Come on, let’s see,” he said, pulling away.

I stepped back, kept my head down and turned around to show off my dress. Pete held my arms. “Let’s see your shy face,” he sang.

I wanted to laugh, but I bit my inner cheeks before lifting my chin, feeling my face getting red. My eyes were closed, listening to his chuckling and feeling his hold slipping away. I opened my eyes, seeing Pete cringing his face. “What’s wrong?” I asked, worried there was a stain on my dress or my make-up was messed up.

Pete stepped back and pinched his chin, then tilted his head.

“Pete!?” I exclaimed in fear.

He lifted his chin and smirked. “Beautiful as always,” he said.

I sighed in relief, then threw my hands onto him. “You had me worried!” I exclaimed while he laughed.

Pete stepped back as I playfully hit his arm. A glimpse of a woman walking behind Pete caused me to stop and try to stop Pete from stumbling to her. “Pete!”

However, Pete stumbled onto the woman. On reflex, Pete turned and caught her. Pete’s brown-green eyes stared into her baby-blue eyes. In seconds, a flash of violet and icy blue came across their eyes as though they were linking or acknowledging their traits. But I did not expect to hear Pete say…

“Mate?” he whispered.

Mom gasped in surprise.

The atmosphere shifted as Pete and the woman seemed to be swept into their own world within their eyes. You can see the instant connection between the pair. I was fortunate to witness my big brother finding his soulmate.

A hand touched my arm, snapping my attention away from the pair. I see Mom and Dad standing behind me with warm smiles. Dad nods his head, hinting we need to leave the pair.

I turned on my heel and followed behind Mom and Dad. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the pair still in a trance in their gaze. An envious thought pledged my heart, wanting the same for myself, but I recalled this was my brother.

I wish I could find my soulmate, too, I thought as I followed behind my parents.

On our way to the celebration venue, Mom gushed about Pete finding his mate and how they looked good together. She started planning to formally meet her and thinking about asking questions about everything from her pack to her favourite food. Dad and I listened to Mom.

Arriving at the hall, I was in awe, as the venue felt like a moonlight dream.

Polished moon-flower vine braziers wrapped around each of eight marble columns. Magnificent chandeliers hanging across the open ceiling lights flickered on the crystals, looking down upon the marble floor of the remarkable hall.

Large window walls surround the hall, edged by viridian-coloured curtains adorned with gold leaves and fancy tassels.

The hall was filled with smooth classical instrumental music alongside the murmuring and laughter of the guests. Everyone was dressed in black ties and elegant dresses for the formal event. I felt small in this grand setting while my mind yelled, ‘Run!’

“Sweetheart, are you feeling well?” Mom asked, holding my hand.

I looked over, seeing her giving me an encouraging smile and Dad, who stood behind Mom, giving me an encouraging nod. I was scared, but I did not want to disappoint my parents.

I gave them a nervous smile and nodded my head.

Mom leaned forward and gave me a tight, warm hug. “Let’s enjoy ourselves,” she whispered before she and Dad descended the stairs into the hall.

I am amazed by my parents' graceful entry into the etiquette world. They are at ease in this world, socialising and appearing to be part of it. Taking a breath, I lifted my chin and walked down the stairs, but feeling the judgmental eyes made me feel uneasy and want to hide.

Reaching the bottom, I did not know what to do. I did not know anyone, and I did not feel comfortable around the high society of Alphas.

As I slipped through the crowd, a shoulder bumped into me. My shoulder ached, and staring over, I saw a woman whose hazel eyes turned violet as she glared down at me. “Watch your place, pup!” she snarled, rolling her eyes as she walked away from me.

I held my hurt shoulder, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. I did not understand her rude behaviour, but I tried to ignore it and walk away like she had done.

Standing awkwardly at the back of the ballroom. I watched the crowd grow with every second, and the murmuring grew louder.

Suddenly, loud trumpets beam through the ballroom, gaining everyone’s attention and attracting them to the room's entrance. Two mid-twenties apprentice priests entered, dressed in lime-green robes. They stood at the top of the stairs and announced in sync, “The Royal Crescent pack welcomes you all to celebrate our new King, blessed by the Moon temple and goddess! His Majesty, King Jonathan the Third, Alpha of all Alphas!”

As they announced praises, the grand doors beamed open, and a tall figure strode in wearing an elaborate rode over his sharp, well-fitted black suit. His fair blonde hair was gelled and brushed back, and his blue-violet eyes revealed he was a dominant Alpha.

The entire room bowed to their new Alpha King. His presence commanded the room without a word or release of his pheromones, which made me curious. I wanted to know what his scent was and how dominating it was.

Unexpectedly, our gazes met. My heart dropped, and I held my breath, knowing that staring at an Alpha, especially a dominant one, would spell trouble. Yet I was in a trance, curving to get closer to him and take his scent as mine.

Why am I thinking as such?

I questioned myself, feeling the pit of my belly turn in an odd manner of not fear. But as a burning desire.

I wanted him.

No!

I desired him.

But why?

My body stumbled forward, snapping me from the Alpha’s trance. Despite the broken spell, my body still burned with a deep, arousing desire for the new King. My arms wrapped around my abdomen, trying to hide these new feelings.

A familiar chuckle caused me to freeze in fear. I lift my head, seeing an ugly devilish grin of Danny Grey, Alpha Jay’s son. Also known as the nightmare of my life.

A disgusting look was on his face as he licked his thin lips and rubbed his chin. “Who would have thought the bastard of the pack is an omega?”

His saying shook me, and I wanted to run away. However, my legs were weak, making it difficult to remain standing. He took one long breath and sighed in relief. “Who would have thought your scent would be this refreshing?” he said, smirking and reaching out to me.

I clenched my eyes shut and felt my knees giving out. I did not want my bully’s touch, especially now.