CHAPTER 4 - THE MATING CEREMONY - ZANDA’S POV
988 Words
Our group filed into the massive hall with other wolves and Lycans.
Everyone was dressed up, women in gowns and jewels, whilst the men like me were dressed in tuxes. Max was wearing a very feminine form-fitting tux with a pale pink shirt. She wasn’t one for dresses. Her short red hair was brushed back, revealing her half-shaved head that was covered in tattoos.
I noticed Alvin’s disapproving glare at her when we were in the elevator going down to the hall, but we ignored him.
The hall itself was very well decorated, there was a band playing softly at the very center of the hall, while people stood around them chatting happily, some people already finding their mates, despite the party only just beginning.
The atmosphere was one of lust and laughter.
Sparkling fairy lights hung from the ceiling along with bunches of flowers, the smell was nice, but I couldn’t smell anything that made me think my mate was close by.
I guess Rebecca was wrong.
‘Maybe she’s not here yet.’ Malik said. He was on high alert. ‘I can sense something though. Tonight’s definitely the night.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Yeah, sure bud.’
"I’m getting a drink." I said, to know one in particular and walked off to one of the 3 bars. I was planning on getting wasted, a hard task for a Lycan, stupid healing ability and I doubted they had Lycan alcohol here, they never did, I didn’t notice that Max had followed me until I reached the bar, she slapped me on the back in comfort.
"She’ll be here." She smiled.
"Two bourbons." I told the bar tender, "One neat."
The bar tender nodded and walked off to get our order while I lent my back to the bar, resting my elbows on the top and looking out at the crowd.
"What about you?" I asked Max, "You smell anything?"
"Not yet." She shrugged, "But K-ci is a little restless, she thinks we’ll meet her tonight."
"Let's just hope she’s out." I smiled, "We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Texas."
"That wasn’t my fault." Max laughed and shoved me, "How was I meant to know she hadn’t told anyone she was gay?"
We’d gone to Texas a few years ago to meet up with one of our allied packs and Max had hooked up with one of the Alpha’s daughters at the bonfire. The alpha wasn’t too happy the next morning when Max mentioned their night together to me, we hadn’t realized the alpha was standing nearby.
"Well, you could have asked." I commented as the bar tender handed over our drinks, making sure to avoid eye contact. "That’s a good way to find out."
"Yeah, maybe." Max smiled and sipped her drink. "It was still a good night though, the girl knew exactly what she was doing, very bendy."
I laughed and took a sip of my drink. It burnt my throat, but was very welcome.
We spent the next half an hour by the bar, drinking and laughing. A few other Lycans came up to us to say hello but left quickly to chat with others around the room when they caught on to my unwelcoming mood.
"I’m going to look around." Max said after she chugged her 3rd drink. "You coming?"
"No." I shook my head, "I’ll go get some air."
"Don’t be long." Max ordered, "The rest of the guests are coming in. Your girl could be with them."
I nodded without any real interest as I walked out the back entrance and walked out into the huge garden. There was no way she was with them. I’d lose out again this year.
After about 10 minutes of wallowing, I was proven wrong when the most amazing smell filled my lungs, it smelt like Jasmine and the sea and a 3rd unidentifiable fragrance. I turned instantly to find the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.
She had long black hair, curled and pinned back, she was wearing a lovely blue dress that hugged her in all the right places, places my hands were going to be touching and only my hands. She was a decent height but nowhere near as tall as me. Good, I liked that.
She was all curves and pale creamy skin, she didn’t look like she had a blemish on her, my d**k hardened at the thought of marking her skin with hickies, along with my mark on her slender neck, so everyone would know she was taken.
My eyes turned black with lust as I looked from her bright blue eyes to her full lips. She looked shocked and scared, even a little sad. Why was she sad? Didn’t she want me? Was she disappointed?
"MATE!" Malik’s voice came out of my mouth.
The girl’s eyes widened, and she repeated the word. I was standing in front of her in a second.
"Mine!" I stated as I grabbed her upper arms gently but firmly. The electricity I felt running through my fingers was amazing. I’d waited my whole life to feel this buzzing
I could feel Malik jumping around in excitement before chasing his tale in joy, some big bad alpha.
"Mate, mate, mate!" He sang, "Mark her, now, before anyone tries to take her!"
"Mine!" I repeated.
I leaned down, my canines extended, and I was inches away from her marking area when she shoved me away. I stumbled back in shock. How was she so strong? I could sense she was only a werewolf. I was a Lycan, I should be stronger than her. It must have been because I was distracted that she was able to overpower me.
"NO!" She screamed, her hand covering her marking spot. I could see tears in her beautiful eyes.
Despite her rejection, I couldn’t help loving the sound of her voice, I wanted her screaming my name.
- Writer
