Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 4

I woke up that morning with an unusual sense of relief. For once, I wasn't jolted awake by Aria’s incessant yelling or my mother’s early-morning demands. Miraculously, I hadn't been disturbed by the anxiety-inducing nightmares that usually plagued my nights. It was as if the universe was giving me a reprieve in light of the Moon Ball I was expected to attend that evening.

But the thought of the Moon Ball quickly extinguished my fleeting tranquility. A gnawing sense of dread settled in my stomach, making it hard to breathe deeply. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact source of my anxiety, but it was undeniable that it had everything to do with this dreaded event. I clung to the hem of my oversized t-shirt, desperately wishing I could just sleep through the day and avoid the ball altogether.

If it were just our pack attending, the ball would be a manageable affair. I knew none of the unmated males in my pack were potential mates, so it wouldn't have been a big deal. However, the ball would see every pack in America in attendance. The thought of my mate being among them made my anxiety spike. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to escape reality, but it didn’t work. I forced myself out of bed and shuffled downstairs, lured by the smell of breakfast.

I arrived in the dining room just as a conversation was unfolding between my father and Valen. Aria and Astrid were already seated, listening with rapt attention.

“So, every single pack will be here tonight?” Aria’s voice was filled with awe as she nervously twisted a lock of her curly blonde hair. Her blue eyes darted around, seeking reassurance from our faces.

“Yes, every one of them. Most have already arrived. Alpha Ragnar requested they keep their distance until the ball,” my father confirmed, casting a glance at my mother, who was setting plates on the table. The aroma of baked chicken, garlic, and potatoes wafted through the room, briefly distracting me from the conversation.

“And what about the Silver Moon pack?” Aria whispered, breaking the uneasy silence. Instantly, the room fell silent, and my father’s face paled. My mother froze in the doorway, the food in her hands forgotten.

The Silver Moon pack was a subject of fear and awe, spoken of in hushed tones. I straightened in my chair, trying to maintain a neutral expression, though my eyes betrayed the same fear as everyone else. The Silver Moon pack had a reputation for being unmatched in strength and ruthlessness.

“Are they real?” Aria’s voice trembled. No one I knew had ever seen them or their Alpha. The Silver Moon pack was almost like a myth, used to scare young wolves into behaving.

“Oh, they’re real. And they’re as fearsome as the rumors suggest,” my father said gravely, locking eyes with my mother, who seemed to share his silent dread.

“But how do we know they’re even coming?” Valen’s voice was firm, though doubt tinged it.

“Many have encountered them, and most of those encounters didn’t end well. Alpha Ragnar has met Alpha Dominic Grimstone once, and it left a lasting impression,” my father said, shuddering at the memory. I’d never seen my father so unsettled.

“They’re coming tonight, aren’t they?” Aria’s voice was laced with panic. I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought of sharing space with the Silver Moon pack. The stories I’d heard of their brutality replayed in my mind, making me shudder.

“Yes, they will be attending,” my father confirmed, his face glistening with sweat.

“But we can’t go!” Aria gasped in horror.

“We have to. We can’t risk embarrassing the pack,” my mother’s voice was firm, though fear flickered in her eyes. “You both need to attend. You’re old enough to meet your mates, and we can’t pass up this chance. Just stay away from the Silver Moon pack.”

With that, the conversation was effectively closed. We ate in silence, the gravity of the evening weighing heavily on us. I caught Aria’s anxious gaze, and we shared a look of shared dread. It felt like we were being sent into a den of wolves, with no way to avoid the danger. My stomach churned, and I was relieved when a knock at the door broke the tension.

“I’ll get it!” My mother’s cheerful tone was strained. We watched as she opened the door, revealing Raven’s bright smile. Her cheerful demeanor cut through the heaviness of the moment, and she immediately picked up on the tension.

“Let’s go upstairs and get started on your makeup! I have so much planned,” Raven said with a playful smirk, pulling me away.

“Have fun, girls!” my mother called, her forced cheerfulness betraying her concern. As Raven and I headed upstairs, I could hear the underlying worry in her voice.

“What was all that about?” Raven asked dramatically, gesturing to the door of my room as she unloaded her makeup supplies onto my bed. Her anxiety was palpable as she sorted through her products.

“The Silver Moon pack is coming to the ball tonight,” I said, my voice steady despite the shiver of fear that ran through me. Raven’s eyes widened in disbelief as she processed the news.

“They’re coming?” Raven’s voice was tinged with disbelief as she raked a hand through her hair, a rare sign of her own nervousness. She searched my face for any hint of a joke but found none.

“What do we do?” Raven’s voice was uncertain.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The odds of any of us—me, Raven, Gideon, or Aria—being matched with someone from the Silver Moon pack were slim. I forced myself to focus on the present, pushing aside my fear. I wouldn’t let the legends and rumors intimidate me. I was determined to face the evening with as much composure as I could muster.

“We’re going to the ball, and we’re going to avoid their pack at all costs,” I declared firmly, my face set with resolve. My voice was steady, which seemed to ease Raven’s anxiety slightly.

“Do you think we should tell Gideon?” Raven asked, her expression worried.

“I don’t think it would help. He’d only try to act all protective,” I replied, rolling my eyes. A small smirk played on my lips as I noticed Raven’s shoulders relax and a hint of a smile appear on her face.

“Well, I’m not going to let this ruin my night. I can feel it, Katarina, tonight’s the night I’m going to meet my mate!” Raven’s excitement was infectious as her grin widened. I attempted to match her enthusiasm, but deep down, I knew my attendance at the ball was more of a duty than a choice.

Raven gently guided me to sit on the edge of the bed and began applying my makeup. I had no idea of the products she used, but I trusted her expertise completely. If Raven weren’t the Delta’s daughter, she could easily have become a top-notch cosmetologist or fashion designer. As she worked, we chatted casually, and I tried to play along with her excitement, though she could see through my facade.

“Katarina?” Raven’s tone was lighthearted as she applied eyeshadow. “Why do you seem so resistant to the idea of having a mate?”

A familiar knot tightened in my stomach. I took a deep breath, ready to recite the usual excuse. “I told y—”

Raven cut me off with a knowing look. “I know what you say, but I don’t think that’s the whole story.”

“You can tell her...” Rose’s voice echoed in my mind.

“I can’t relive that again,” I responded mentally, feeling overwhelmed.

“You’ll never heal if you don’t try, Katarina,” Rose sighed, her sadness palpable.

“Sometimes people don’t heal. Sometimes we stay broken,” I whispered back.

Raven’s question sent me spiraling back in time, to a summer filled with sunlight and the scent of sunblock. I could almost feel the sun on my skin and the warmth it brought. The soft sand beneath my toes and the cool breeze were vivid in my memory. I recalled familiar voices calling my name, and images of someone with moss-green eyes and a chipped front tooth. The memory of their sly smile and the sharp, coppery scent of blood flooded back, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of pain.

“Katarina? Hello? Earth to Katarina?” Raven’s voice pulled me from my reverie. I jerked my head up, causing the eyeliner to smudge down my cheek.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, my fingers brushing over my lips as the painful memory lingered. I took a few deep breaths, forcing those thoughts away. I wasn’t ready to confront them. They had left me so broken that even Valen had seen I might never fully recover. If I let those memories surface, they would consume me.

“You’re lucky I’m almost done. Then we need to do your hair!” Raven said, her excitement barely contained. I groaned, feeling as if I had been sitting there for hours. I longed to collapse back into the comfort of my bed.

After what felt like an eternity, Raven finally stepped back, satisfied with her work. She had spent a lot of time curling my long hair, and to my surprise, the curls held perfectly. I glanced at my reflection in the vanity mirror, almost gasping at the transformation.

My long, chocolate-brown hair cascaded in large, elegant curls down my back. Raven had styled two front sections, twisting and pinning them back. The simple yet beautiful hairstyle highlighted my features. With the eye makeup she had applied, my eyes now sparkled like a clear sky, brighter than I had ever seen them. My lips, glossed and shining, complemented the look perfectly.

“Now, for the grand finale!” Raven exclaimed, her beaming smile showing off her teeth. I looked at her in confusion as she handed me my dress. Understanding dawned, and I headed to the bathroom to change.

Despite the knot in my stomach, I had to admit Raven did an incredible job. The ball gown accentuated my curves beautifully. My slim waist and fuller hips were highlighted, and the low-cut, off-shoulder design of the dress showed just a hint of cleavage. As I looked at my reflection, I couldn’t help but smile. Raven had managed to make me look elegant and radiant.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I twirled dramatically, and Raven’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the sight.

“That absolutely settles it. I’m amazing,” Raven declared with a satisfied shrug and a beaming smile.

For now, the looming presence of the Silver Moon pack seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by Raven’s triumph and my own reluctant anticipation for the evening ahead.