Chapter 4 - The Mating Ball

Miracle

It was time for the mating ball; I tried to keep myself calm and not think much about it. I grabbed the blush pink dress my mother had brought me for the mating ball. It was rare for me to get new clothes, and it surprised me she got me one. Then I found out that there were Alphas from neighboring packs visiting, and I realized it was just to keep face in front of the guests.

I sighed as I got a hold of the makeup Malia had given me to cover up my bruises. I didn’t even know much about using it, but I knew I had to make sure my bruises and wounds are hidden if I wanted to have some peace this evening. I got to work applying the makeup on my face and neck. I did pretty well in hiding them. The only bruises I wasn’t able to hide were the nasty burn in my hands.

‘You should let everyone see your bruises. It will at least save us from here.’ Mia said, I could feel her anger and hate towards our family.

‘You know, we probably won’t leave the house if we don’t hide them, and get punished for trying to ruin their reputation.’ I replied.

‘I know, I just wish we could have been able to do something, but I feel everything will be fine as soon as we find our mate.’ she said. I could clearly see the love and adoration in her dreamy eyes.

‘Hopefully,’ I replied quietly. I was excited for today, but equally nervous. I didn’t know what to expect in my life. I grabbed the little first aid kit I have and nursed my burns and bandaged them. The burns in my hands were terrible, and they hurt life hell.

I ignored the pain as I tried to do my hair the best I could by wrapping them in a bun. I grabbed the dress, pulled it on, and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked good after the nasty bruises on my body were hidden. However, my eyes still looked lifeless and broken. I don’t think there is anything that could cheer me up, not until I find my mate, anyway.

I sighed, ignoring the dull ache in my chest. It’s hard to not feel pain knowing your family hates you only because they think you are weak. I just hoped they would have given me a chance to prove myself. They would have stopped Malia from hurting me the way she did. I wished they would love and care for me like they did when I was a little girl.

“Miracle, we are getting late. Come down right now,” I heard my father’s loud voice breaking my train of thoughts. I sighed, quietly walking down the stairs. I hoped they would just let me be today.

My father looked at me from head to toe, frowning at the bandage on my hands, but nodded his head in approval.

“We are getting late,” he said in his cold voice, and I simply nodded my head. I walked out and got in the back with Malia. She looked beautiful in the dark blue dress she wore, her hair was left down, and she looked flawless with her makeup. I just wished she was as beautiful on the inside as she was outside.

“Stay away from me and don’t get yourself involved with anyone. Just grab a corner and stay there or help around with chores or something.” She said, looking at me with her eyes filled with hate. ‘Why does she hate me so much? I am her sister. What did I ever do to her?’ I thought in my head. My heart hurt with her brutal words, but I tried to not let them get to me.

“Do you understand?” She snapped and brought me out of my internal thoughts, and I quietly nodded my head.

“I don’t even know why we are taking this useless piece of shit with us.” She mumbled, but all of us clearly heard it.

“Malia,” our father warned. She rolled her eyes but kept quiet, and for once I was grateful to my father.

After a quick 15 mins ride, we reached the packhouse. I walked silently behind my father; I didn’t want to get into unnecessary trouble. We walked through the door, making our way to the back. The mating ball is arranged in the back as there are a lot of activities that are planned during the event.

I just wanted to stay away from the hustle bustle and find a quiet place. If I am lucky enough to find my mate today, then I will be able to leave our house. I hope my mate is someone who loves and protects me. I heard our current Alpha make their way to the stage, causing me to look at what was happening.

“Good evening pack members,” he started after clearing his throat to get our attention.

“We welcome you all to the annual mating ball. This ball is to ensure that all the unmated find their mates. Today, my son, your future Alpha Jake, is also taking part in this ball. I hope all of you find your mates and start the most important chapter of your lives.” He said, his loud voice echoed through the back garden.

“Like any other mating ball, we will have a lot of activities. One of them requires all of you unmated wolves to take part in a fight. It will help us determine your strength.” He added, making my eyes widen. No, this can’t be happening. Taking part in a competition like this would mean suicide. I know I don’t have the strength to fight, and I was never trained, so I don’t even know how to fight.

“Alpha, my sister can’t fight as you know she doesn’t have a wolf.” Malia interrupted. I could clearly hear the smirk in her voice as she said that. A round of whispers erupted around us, and soon some of them were making fun of me for not having a wolf.

“She is such a disgrace to the Beta family.” One of them said, and I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

“I know right, and she still has the audacity to come and attend the mating ball.” Another said.

“It looks like she doesn’t care. Such a disgrace. I would have abandoned her long ago if she was my daughter.” One of the older pack members said, if only they knew what I had to go through every day of my life.

“Silence,” our Alpha growled. He was clearly annoyed to have been reminded of the wolf-less weak daughter of the Beta in front of his guests.

“Miracle would not take part in any of the events. She is not a ranked member of the pack because of the unavailability of her wolf. Hence, she is already considered the weakest in the pack.” He announced. What is more embarrassing than having been declared the weakest for the pack members to make fun of you and bully you?

I tuned out everything else; I didn’t want to hear it anymore. I tried my absolute best to make sure I didn’t cry in front of these people, but a traitorous tear slipped down my eyes. I quickly wiped it away. I could clearly hear Malia and her friends making fun of me not having a wolf. How I wished I could tell them I have Mia, but I know if Malia realizes I have even a little contact with my wolf she will do something to hurt her. I didn’t want it. I just didn’t want to let her hurt Mia anymore than she already has.

“Everyone, please move to the training arena. The fight is about to get started.” The loud voice of the Alpha brought me back. I sighed and silently walked to the training arena. I found a corner and sat down. I didn’t want to mingle with the crowd. Not like they would want to mingle with, either.

I saw as the head warrior slowly got the fights started. I could see all male and female warriors of the pack taking part. They called everyone based on their ranks. They had to defeat the person and to go to the next level. I closely watched as everyone fought. Some were fast, while some were slow. Everyone had their own techniques they used to fight.

I saw a lot of members getting defeated and walking away disappointed. Malia was able to defeat all other female warriors and climb up the ladder. It was clear that she was going to emerge victorious. There weren’t many female participants left, anyway.

“Now joining the fight is our next in line Alpha Jake,” I heard the voice of the head warrior.

I don’t know why it caught my attention. I saw a man coming forward. He nodded at the head warrior and entered the circle for the fight. My heart fluttered at his sight. I wondered what was happening to me. I watched in awe as he swiftly defeated the other male participants quickly.

I was quite far from the crowd, but looking at his handsome face, I felt something. He was tall, maybe 6’ or so, with tanned skin and a muscled body. His blonde hair looked rather good on him and his green eyes felt as if they were sucking in my soul.

I scolded myself for swooning over our future Alpha; it was very inappropriate of me to think anything like that. He was going to find his mate soon, and I was going to find mine, too. Looking at his strength, I wished my mate was as strong as him so he could protect me from my sister.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when the Alpha announced the winners of the fight. Alpha Jake won the fight amongst the male wolves, while Malia won the one amongst the female wolves. It wasn’t long before everyone was celebrating; I witnessed a lot of wolves finding their mates, but I haven’t found mine yet. I walked out of the back garden to get away from the crowd for some fresh air with only one thing in mind, and that was to hopefully find my mate today.