The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 2 - Regina

“Stop frowning, Delilah. It’s making it difficult to finish your makeup.” I sighed with the eyeliner held steady in my hand, inches from my best friend’s eye.

“I’m sorry, Regina.” Delilah apologized and sat up straighter as she stopped frowning.

“It’s just I don’t get the point of me going tonight.” Just as I was about to apply her eyeliner, she started talking and moved her head.

I sighed and lowered the eyeliner to avoid stabbing her in the eye. I know how she feels. Not in a sense that I know because I think the same way. But I know how she feels because I’m her friend and she tells me everything.

“You’re doing this because my cousin insisted. And he was right to insist.” I said.

“But why? What’s the point? I’ve made up my mind, so why try to make me find a mate who wouldn’t change my mind but would cause unnecessary stress.” Delilah frowned.

“We all know you’ve made up your mind. And what you are doing for my cousin is amazing and incredibly selfless. But you need to see it from his point of view.” I sighed as I leaned against the vanity.

“He doesn’t want you to go through with this and then halfway through find your mate, and it causes an issue,” I explained. “So, by having you come to the ball, if you don’t find a mate in any pack in Italy, he can feel secure taking your offer.”

“Okay, you make a good point.” Delilah conceded.

“Not that finding a mate after I’ve started the process will change my mind. If my mate can’t or won’t accept and support my choice, he’s not my soulmate. A soulmate would understand what’s in my heart and why I’m doing this.” She added.

“Whatever you say.” I sighed.

“At least you won’t run the risk of seeing Alexander.” I pointed out.

It’s been two years since she went no contact with him after walking in on him in a compromising position with his then-girlfriend, Lia Borgnino. None of us blamed her for wanting to distance herself from him.

It was one thing to have a crush on him when he only had casual lovers, but quite another when he committed to someone. I think she’s taken it too far by letting it carry on this long. He’s not even with that lying piece of shit anymore.

“I don’t want to hear his name.” Delilah pouted.

“You really should let it go. Elsa that shit. He’s not with Liar. I mean Lia.” I scoffed. “He’s been single for over a year now and, from what I know, hasn’t taken any new lovers.”

“And he’s currently away looking for his mate, and I wish him the best of luck. Even if he were still in Madonie, it wouldn’t change anything. I’m going to help André and Darren.” Delilah said sternly.

She has been more confident and vocal since she returned from Bloodmoon. It’s not a bad thing. My brother wouldn’t know how to handle how she’s changed, and it would be HILARIOUS to watch him try. I held my hands up in defeat and finished her makeup.

“Whatever you say. But Alexander or not, every male at this ball will be looking at you.” I smiled as I stepped out of the way for her to look in the mirror.

Sure, we’d be wearing masks tonight, but that didn’t mean we shouldn’t do our full makeup. Delilah and I had both chosen golden gowns for tonight. Delilah’s gold slip dress had a deep v of gold sequins that I know will have many males drooling. I had gone with a long sleeve backless ball gown, the top shimmering with sequins and tulle for the lower half.

“I rather doubt that. Besides, I don’t want anyone that isn’t my mate, and I know I won’t find him tonight.” Delilah said confidently.

“Well, I think I will. I just have this feeling. Gioia is super antsy and eager to get to the ball. That must be a sign. It’s like she knows he will be there.” I sighed.

In the days leading up to today, my wolf has been on edge, ready and waiting to find our mate. She’s been prepared to find him since I first shifted. But I’ve not found him in any of the Sicilian packs two years later.

So, this ball is my first step looking further away. All the packs of Italy have sent their eligible members to this ball. That’s twelve more packs of males that may hold my mate.

“I doubt Valter will be happy about that.” Delilah brought my mood down.

“He can get over it. I knew dating him before getting our wolves was a bad idea. And I’d told him if we dated, he had to accept that it would be over after we turned sixteen if we weren’t mates.” I straightened my shoulder.

“And that promise to take him as a chosen mate?” Delilah arched her brow.

“Was his idea as a backup plan, and only after we’d searched the world for our mates for at least five years.” I rolled my eyes, stepping away to get my phone out of my clutch.

“Now, hold still. I want to get a pic to send to your sisters.” I gestured for her to turn.

Delilah shook her head but did as she was told. After I instructed her to pose a few different ways, I was satisfied with the pictures. I sent them off in a group chat with her sisters, my sister, and my mother. Then I opened my text thread with my brother and sent my favorite one to him.

Me: All eyes are going to be on Delilah tonight. Eat your heart out, dumbass.

I didn’t expect a quick reply from him. I’m unsure what country he’s in tonight, let alone the time zone. Yet his response was nearly instant.

Alexander: I do not need this bullshit. I have dinner in twenty minutes with three Alphas, the biggest homophobes I have had the displeasure to meet, and I’m supposed to play nice and not cut out their still-beating hearts with a butter knife as they bash my Alpha’s sexuality.

Me: What jackasses! No Sicilian pack should be associated with them! Ditch them. Don’t show up.

Alexander: You have a lot to learn about being a Beta. I can’t just do that because that could cause a war between Madonie and these douchebags. So, if none of their daughters is my mate, I can get out of the dinner fairly quickly and never see these people again.

Regina: Well, good luck with that. Please don’t sleep with any of them. Though I’m sure, you learned your lesson after Lia.

Alexander: Never mention that name again. Have fun tonight, and watch out for Delilah.

Me: Delilah can take care of herself. She’s not the delicate flower her name makes her sound like. Enjoy your dinner, brother.

I sighed as I put my phone away. Even though Delilah’s not talked to him in years, my brother still needs to care for her. He always worries about her.

He will probably lose his shit when he discovers what she’s offered to do for our cousin. The only thing that could and would get under his skin more would be her finding her mate.

“Knock knock!” André grinned as he walked in wearing an outfit that was so André it’s not funny.

I doubt any males at the ball tonight will be as fashionable as him. Few could pull off wearing a black and gold brocade suit jacket with a matching bow tie. Of course, my cousin would go over the top with his suit for the evening. Though I bet he has Darren wearing something similar, they make an adorable couple.

“Oh, you two are gorgeous.” He beamed as he pulled us into a hug. “I hope that tonight brings you what you desire.”

“Thank you, cousin.” I smiled. “I feel tonight’s going to be a good one.”

“Thank you, André. I hope Regina finds her mate even if it means I must deal with running interference with Valter.” Delilah sighed.

“Don’t worry about Valter.” André bopped her nose. “We ranked Madonie are going to be chaperoning the ball. If anyone, Valter included, gets upset that someone finds a mate that isn’t them, we will deal with them.”

“That’s good to know.” I sighed.

I doubt he would. I don’t want to think the worst of Valter, but I don’t want him to make an unnecessary scene. He is the Incubi Delta heir, so he should know better than to act out publicly. But I also don’t want him to try and privately start trouble with my mate, should I find him tonight.

‘We will find him tonight. I can feel it. And Valter can fuck off if he thinks he gets an opinion.’ Gioia once again affirmed her feelings.

“Now then, let’s go, ladies. The limo awaits!” André shooed us out of the guest suite we were staying in at his villa.

We hurried from the guest wing to find a limo in the driveway with Darren and Valter waiting. I was right that Darren was dressed to match his mate. I smiled softly as they kissed. Yep, they are adorable.

Valter sighed and shuffled away from them to stand next to me. He looked nice, wearing a black suit with a gold tie. Looking at him, it’s easy to understand why I was enamored with him before I got my wolf.

‘But I am here now, and we aren’t enamored with this little shit. I don’t care if we are fifty and haven’t found our mate. I’m not approving of taking a chosen mate.’ Gioia snorted.

“You look stunning, Regina.” Valter smiled, moving his arm to slip it around my waist, but I moved away before he could.

“Come on. I’m eager to get to the ball and find my mate.” I grinned.

“Wait… pictures first. I must send pictures to the family.” André hurried to take his phone out.

I went to stand with Delilah, and like a lost puppy, Valter went to stand next to me. André frowned and lowered his phone.

“Did I ask you to be in a picture, Valter? Get in the limo.” André dismissed Valter.

Valter sighed but did as he was told. This isn’t like when we were kids, and all lived in Incubi. He can’t treat André like a fellow heir. André is an Alpha, and we are in his territory; therefore, his word is law.

Delilah and I held back our laughter as André had us pose for a few pictures before finally letting us climb into the limo to be whisked away for what I know will be a night to remember.

“Here. You will need these.” Darren explained as he handed us each a mask.

“I will be giving the rundown of the rules for tonight to the males. André will be giving the same rules to the females. When we arrive, Valter, you will stay with me.” Darren continued to explain as we looked at our masks.

I haven’t been to many gatherings, but I doubt others would go so far as to provide custom masks. I glanced at the purple half-face mask Valter was given and the swirls of gold and black decorated it.

I then looked at the more delicate purple eye mask in mine and Delilah’s hands with the gold details and purple stones to make a tiara effect. They are gorgeous, and I will keep mine forever, especially if I find my mate tonight.

The Madonie pack house was lit up and decorated in rich purple, gold, and black to match the ball’s theme. As we exited the limo, Darren led Valter to the other entrance, where all the males gathered.

Delilah and I helped each other tie our masks on as we joined the five dozen she-wolves waiting to go inside. Everyone had gone all-out picking gowns for tonight, wearing dresses in the approved colors.

“Welcome to Madonie’s Masquerade Mate Ball!” André greeted as he stood on a small podium.

“I am your host, Alpha André D’Amore. Now I will tell you the rules of tonight’s festivities.” He smiled.

“No removing your masks till midnight. Follow your noses and wolf instincts as you seek out your mate. There will be no leaving till midnight, even if you have found your mate.” He outlined.

“Use tonight to get to know your mate in a deeper way, and no, that’s not me making a sexual innuendo. If I don’t get to find a dark corner to fool around with my mate, neither do you.” He chuckled, getting some laughs.

I know my cousin, and he barely keeps his hands off his mate. Usually, when he does, it’s because Darren is telling him business first. So maybe they will make it through this party without having a quickie or at least a make-out session. André looked at his watch and nodded to the attendants at the double doors.

“I wish you all luck in finding your mates and a lifetime of happiness only found with the one the Goddess fated for you.” My cousin proclaimed as the girls hurried inside, bringing Delilah and me along in the wave of she-wolves.