Finally, the day of the ball and my eighteenth birthday arrives. Kyra and Bella banged on the door as soon as dawn broke, demanding to be let in with a small cake and some books they had bought for me. I could have cried with gratitude for their kindness to me as we all climbed on top of my bed like children. “Are you going to avoid touching any boys tonight, wait till the dance of connection?” Kyra asked, poking me in the ribs gently. “I don’t make a huge habit of touching boys anyway you know” I exclaimed playfully, “it’s not active until the full moon is up anyway, I can still go to training and everything as normal.” “Noo!” Bella exclaimed, “what if you got a busted nose or something before the ball? Honestly Helena you absolutely baffle me” and snickered.
Once everyone had been welcomed into the room the grand doors were partially closed and the pronouncements were made. The room stood to attention as Alpha Romanov, the only man wearing a cloak took to the raised stage area and seated himself in his throne. His eyes seemed to meet mine for a beat too long, making my breath catch in my chest. Alpha Beta was welcomed next, and he was responsible for introductions. “Good Evening Gentleman, Ladies and guests from outside the White Forest Pack. We invite you to our tremendous White Forest Full Moon Ball, this is a time for merriment and fun as well as helping to celebrate the eighteenth birthdays of the three beautiful ladies stood here” gesturing at us with a wide hand “Beta’s Helena Dawes, Raven Simonivo and Sophie Linksy are attending for the first time, Happy Birthday ladies” and he raised a glass of champagne to us “And strength and glory to
Slowly peeling my gloves off alongside the other thirty women dancing tonight I felt empty. Finding my mate should have been one of the greatest, most fulfilling surprises of my life but I was heading towards mine with shackles. I had to go allow myself to form a mate bond with a man I could not stand. To run away now would be breaking a promise to the man I loved. Maybe my training with the Fates would enable me to eventually prove Alexander’s innocence and bring him back to where he belonged, that would at least make this sacrifice worthwhile. Taking a deep breath to centre myself I gave my head a little shake and rolled my shoulders. “It’s not a sparring session Helena!” Kyra laughed, “you’re getting ready for battle there, it’s meant to be fun” “Sorry Kyra I know, ignore me” and we shared a hug as Bella came to join us, her e
When I woke, I kept my eyes clamped shut but I could feel the silken sheets of Bram’s bed underneath me, so I knew I hadn’t dreamt the outcome of the Ball. I needed to think things through as quickly as possible. My first instinct was to run as fast as I could to the forest and try to find Alexander, but Fyre scoffed at my immaturity. We are in a real situation here, this is going to need analysing. Let’s boil this down, what does Bram want from us if not the mate bond? I don’t know, I cried back to Fyre, it’s all insane. Think, Fyre urged, nobody else can protect us now. What does Bram want? He wants the prophecy fulfilled, he wants a Fate for a Luna. Right, Fyre concurred.
The monotony of Bram’s suite was making me low even with all my possessions in there. It had been several days, and all my body wanted to do was run and stretch out all the emotions that were building up inside me. I desperately wanted to talk to Kyra and Ivan as well, it was too painful to wonder what rumours had been spread about me. Mated to Alpha Bram then not seen for three days, they’ll be laughing at how he’s broken me in the bedroom, how he’s so massive I can’t walk now, and I knew Bram would be actively stoking any rumours like that. The few hours I have spent with him have only convinced me further that he isn’t anything compared to his brother.We dine together in silence in the evening then he takes himself into the study and I read in the chair by the window. It wouldn’t surprise me if he snuck out of the study, he’s that quiet but
A servant came and fetched us for supper, like naughty school children being presented to the headmaster we travelled down the corridors, the tension building. I’d chosen to wear my green dress from the other night with Alexander, twinned with a boring cardigan to look more suitable and cover my healing wrists. My hair flowed down past my shoulders in luxurious brown ringlets that gave me a boost of confidence. Bram had a deep forest green shirt paired with his black cloak and a twinned gold and silver brooch. I admired the intricate embroidery of wolves and forestry as we walked, “why do you have such a different cloak to everyone else, is it a tradition?” I asked in a friendly tone. “Because I can” he said firmly and my amazement at his ego continued. He grabbed my hand in a facade of affection and we strolled together, passin
Fyre spun in my head delighted to be near his wolf again I completely forgot my troubles. “What are you doing here then,” I whispered teasingly, putting my hand on my hip mockingly. “Well, if you must know I was planning to leave you some more flowers and disappear, but you’ve gone and ruined my plan with your underhand Fate ways." He grinned back quietly, slowly taking a step in from the balcony towards me allowing my eyes to look him up and down. His black shirt and trousers smothered in his floor length black cape as normal. “I am not a Fate as you well know …and just what were you thinking about the past hour may I ask,” I whispered, my voice breaking into a husky tone as I tried to keep quiet. “Memories,” was his quick retort, the smallest smile breaking from his lips. “I was in the middle of eating dinner with your father!” I whispered and a bass laugh broke from him, it was so deep and gravelly it seemed to vibrate across the floor making me smile whilst gesturing wildly to
The journey to the village of the Fates lasted several days, we had to camp out for two nights in the cars as we travelled across rural abandoned plains. I remained in absolute silence, refusing to speak to Bram or any of the thug Beta’s that accompanied us. As soon as we got back to Silver City, I would be confessing all to Alpha Romanov, and beg to reject the arrangement, I was just Bram’s imaginary fortune-telling golden ticket. I cursed myself for not realising sooner that Bram knew about Alexander, he’d mentioned the curtains in the ballroom during the dance of connection and he would obviously know his brother’s scent. Perhaps the flowers were the final straw, if he knew they’d come from Alexander in my room. Perhaps he’s just a nasty thug Fyre growled who needs putting in place. I hoped with all my being that Alexander was safe, that Bram hadn't made it impossible for him to fi