The Mating Ball

The packhouse was already full when El's father, Rodrigo, pulled up. Cast-iron lanterns and a burgundy carpet lay on the stone steps leading into the foyer where Alpha Kai and Beta Declan stood, greeting people. 

El's squeals made Sapphira jump as Rodrigo opened the car door for her, his dark skin glowing in the lamp-light. He had insisted on being their chaperone tonight, much to El's initial dismay. Sapphira was glad that he had; their scents might hide hers.

What had started this morning as slight nerves had become overwhelming panic, but missing the ball would look even more suspicious. She was just a usual 18 year old, desperate for a mate. Being handed back to her family had been in the forefront of her mind for years. The idea of unconditional love seemed so far-fetched that her machinations had never included the possibility.

She shook her head. Just get through the night unnoticed. 

El's worried glances haunted her as the Alpha and Beta waited for them.

The steps were hard work in her silver heels, and she was glad for Rodrigo's arm. The settling smell of jasmine wafted gently through the open doors, and the burnished glow of the sun hovered above the garden behind Alpha Kai, illuminating the lobby. As she stepped over the threshold, Rodrigo directed her towards the pack leaders.

"Sapphira." Alpha Kai nodded as he took in her attire. Her dark hair tumbled down her shoulders in loose coils, and she had dusted her eyelids with a smokey brown shadow. This was one of the first times she had worn makeup since leaving the palace. And, of course, her dress. The skirts shimmered in the bronze gleam of the sun, giving her an ethereal glow.

The deep chatter of voices and music drifted from the main hall, and her heels clicked as she moved. Halfway down, Irina stepped out of a dark alcove clutching a clipboard and greeted her. 

"Irina, where is that jasmine scent coming from?" She said, trying to trace the scent.

"You can smell that, dear?"

"Yes, of course. What is it?"

"You mustn't tell anyone that you can smell that," she whispered and pulled her to one side. "You need to leave it alone."

Sapphira pulled back sharply.

Irina's face was pale as she straightened, "enjoy the ball, dear."

The dark hallway swallowed the tiny woman before Sapphira could say anything more.

Dark bodies filled the main hall, swaying to the sultry rock music. A few of them were Alphas' of nearby packs, standing out with their massive bodies and powerful scents. But most of the crowd were her school year, the majority of the girls in tight skimpy dresses and the boys in suits. It was odd to see them all in one place and so dressed up.

As she was pouring herself a pink lemonade, El appeared at her shoulder, grimacing.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I found my mate." El wrinkled her nose at the front of the room, near the stage.

"What?! That's amazing! Let's go say hello."

But El hissed and dragged her back towards the table. 

"He's gross!"

"What?"

"I said he-"

"I heard what you said." Sapphira snapped and then admonished herself with a sigh. "El, you haven't even met him."

"But I can see him from here. He's the one with auburn hair over there." There was only a flash of red as the group of boys moved. 

"And you're sure it's him?"

El looked at her sulkily.

"Alright, alright. I still think you should go and talk to him. Wait, where's your dad?"

"I told him, and he went off in a huff. I think he recognised him from the Dawnhill pack."

The Dawnhill pack were from the east, where rolling green hills and large lakes dominated their lands. They were known for being trouble-makers and threatening to break the peace treaty every few years. The last time, Sapphira's father had to send troops to help get control of the pack. Their women were generally forbidden from having jobs, owning houses or holding political views. These practices were outlawed by King Iri years ago but were challenging to enforce.

"Is that was this is about, El?" 

El shuffled her feet. 

"Right."

The pull of bodies made dragging El through the crowd hard, but as they approached the group, the auburn-haired boy turned, his eyes wide and nostrils flared.

"Sapphira!"

The boy whipped out his hand to grab El's wrist, but Sapphira stepped in between them with a growl.

"Let me make something blatantly clear."

The boy snarled, but she continued.

"Her father disapproves of your pack's reputation when it comes to women, which is understandable considering that El deserves much better. However, it's not her father's wrath that you need to be worried about if you treat her like anything less than the Queen herself." Sapphira snarled, "do you understand?" 

The boy and his friends withered as her power washed over them—death incarnate. 

The sound of El giggling made her smile as she headed back to the drink's table.

Why was keeping boys in check such thirsty work?

As the next song came to an end, she spotted Alpha Kai heading through the crowd towards the stage, closely followed by a man she didn't recognise. He was shorter than her Alpha, but his shoulders were broader, his thick black curls brushed his collarbone, and he walked with predatory confidence. The muscles in his powerful thighs rippled as he stepped onto the stage, adjusting his dark grey suit.

The band cleared the stage, and a metallic whine sounded over the speaker system as the Alpha joined his companion in the centre of the stage. 

"Good evening, wolves." Alpha Kai's voice rumbled around the room. "I'm thrilled you could all be here in Bridgewater tonight for the annual Mating Ball. Each and every one of you has my blessing in finding your Goddess-given mate." Applause erupted. "Before the celebrations continue, I'd like to introduce an exceptional guest tonight. Our families have been friends for generations, but this is the first time he has graced this packhouse in his new position." Whispers began to echo through the room as Alpha Kai paused and turned towards his guest, "King Evander of Asra."

The entire room held a breath as King Evander stepped farther into the light. He pulled a hand from his pocket, a cruel smirk twisting his pretty features. The tension was palpable.

Asra was the kingdom to the west of Venelia, her father's kingdom, and was a dark and barren place. The previous King, King Evander's father, had let many of his wolves starve to fund a civil war that he had waged for over 30 years. Many of them had fled to Venelia to save themselves and their families, joining any pack that would take them, or they became rogues. But more than that, rumours of his vicious and cursed son were well-documented. How could Alpha Kai be friends with someone whose nickname was "The Beast"?   

"It seems some of you recognise my name." His melodic voice thundered around the hall, "Mating Balls are a time of celebrating new unions, which is why I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to show my support of southern packs in Venelia." 

The wolves glanced at each other but dared not speak. It was unlikely that the King or Prince knew that he was here, but it wouldn't be long before they found out.

Sapphira suddenly realised that King Evander had gone silent; he stared directly at her, his nostrils flaring. The tension rolled off his colossal shoulders, and his feet spread into a predatory stance.

Shit.

Wolves were slowly turning to stare.

I have to get out right now. 

King Evander cleared his throat and continued his speech, but Sapphira was already moving; the wolves had all turned to face the stage again, and she crept towards the dark hallway. Her heart thrummed painfully in her chest as bodies pressed in around her.

Other wolves were now approaching from behind as she started to sprint towards the lobby, her heels clattering on the wooden floor. The lanterns snatched at her skirts as she made the steps, threatening to drag her to the bottom. Snapping and snarling erupted into the night air as she kicked her shoes into the flowerbeds and prepared to shift. 

The thought almost pulled her to a standstill. The shift would make her scent more potent, and her wolf was weak because of years of malnourishment. But she had an idea.

The car park gravel ripped at her feet as she tore around the side of the packhouse, risking a glance into the main hall. King Evander was no longer on the stage with Alpha Kai as she tore across the flowerbeds. She headed towards the Alpha's garden, the sound of ripping clothes pushing her to run faster, and her dress dug painfully into her ribs.

The Alpha's office came into view as she rounded the corner, thundering paw-prints gaining on her. Glass shattered as she slammed into the windows and twisted at the last minute to shield her face. The floor came up fast in the darkness. Metal on metal sang as she snatched the ancient sword from its resting place and drew it. 

The sword gleamed at eye level, and the bookshelf pressed into her back as a guttural snarl erupted from her throat. There was now only the quiet crunching of glass and the dripping of her blood onto the floor. 

The office door banged open, and the lights flicked on.

"SAPPHIRA!"

Alpha Kai put the total weight of his power on her, but it barely registered. Her eyes narrowed, adjusting to the light, and her fangs elongated as she crouched lower into her stance. 

"You've been holding out on me, Kai." King Evander stepped into the room; his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. The picture of leisurely arrogance.

Alpha Kai grunted as he let the King come closer, his jasmine and lilac scent filling the room. Sapphira sucked in a breath but didn't drop her guard.

"I'm sorry they chased you, pretty wolf," King Evander slung his jacket onto the sofa and unbuttoned the cuffs of his black shirt, his wolves snapping to attention. 

He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on; freckles dotted his red skin, and his yellow eyes held hers as he rolled up his sleeves, exposing his thick arms. He smirked at her.

Prick. 

Her growl made the remnants of the windows shudder.

"Why don't you let your wolf out to play?" He stepped closer, picking at invisible lint on his shirt, "we could have fun, you and I."

Her pants filled the quiet room as the total weight of his power settled over her. The pressure of his torso on the blade made her go limp, and she froze as he caressed the tangled mess of her curls. The silk of his shirt barely contained his muscles. She licked her lips.

"Pretty wolf."

The wolves and her Alpha had vanished, leaving just the two of them in the trashed office. Survival instincts kicked in, and she jolted away from him, hissing.

"Ah, ah, ah." His fingers whispered over her cheek as she met his gaze. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sapphira. Although, I'd love to know why the heir to Venelia is hiding in Bridgewater."