Chapter 3

Jenna POV

The week flew by fast.  Between studying for my next exam, volunteering at the Pack hospital and the human hospital, I wasn’t sure I had the energy to get ready and attend tonight’s Mid-Summer Ball.

Getting ready for the Mid-Summer Ball was usually a fun event.  I hosted the girls in my suite, we had hair stylists and make-up artists to get everyone ready for the event.  This year our Pack, the Black Crescent Pack, was hosting the Ball so there was increased excitement.  We would have all the Packs coming to our territory so there was an increased chance at more of our members finding their mates.

  My mother, Luna Ashley, had the responsibility of coordinating the decorations, the food and everything else for the evening.  She kept everything a surprise and brought in outside help so everyone, including our Omegas, would get to enjoy the event.    My father, Alpha Gordon, was proud of all that my mother had done during her time as a Luna.  They were hopeful I would find my other half tonight.

I just wasn’t as excited as I expected to be.  I had attended Balls over the years.  This was different.  This is my first Ball when I am eighteen years old.  The age when wolves are eligible to find their mates.  I know my mate is not a Pack member or I would have found them by now.  We are a bigger Pack, but we know everyone and when someone turns eighteen there is usually a big celebration for the exact reason of possibly finding their mate.  That didn’t happen for me on my eighteenth birthday so here I am.

Not that I would admit it to anyone but a small part of me hopes I don’t find my mate.  Depending on who they might be, I could be faced with a mate who does not want me to pursue my medical education.  Or someone who doesn't want me to work as a Pack doctor.  Everyone had different perceptions of what the role of a Luna was.  In my case, I wanted to be a working Luna, if that was the road the Moon Goddess chose for me.  

Everyone assumes I want to simply be the Luna of my Pack with no other goals but that’s simply not true.  So, it consumes me with angst wondering what is next.  As I look around the room at the other three ladies getting ready, I figure it’s time I better jump into the mix.  It was my turn for hair to be done, so I went with letting my hair fall past my shoulders in gorgeous red waves.  

Next up is make-up.  I tend not to wear a lot of make-up but for tonight I’m going with smoky eyes that will compliment my silver eyes.  Many with red hair have green eyes but mine were silver.  My mother wondered as I got older if it had something to do with being a healer.  I didn’t know but I did love the colour.  When I shifted to my wolf, they remained the same silver colour.

As I moved out of Emma’s way, I let her take my chair to get her make-up done.  She was the last to be done and quite possibly my closest friend.  She knew my goal of being a Pack doctor.  She didn’t know I could heal – nobody knew that aside from my parents.  And she didn’t know I had hoped to be a human doctor as well.  Not many would respect that as funny as it sounds.

Standing around before we put our dresses on, I poured champagne for everyone in the room.  We all raised our glasses, “To finding your mates and true happiness,” I said to everyone before we sip our champagne.  Okay they gulped it down – who are we kidding?  Everyone was giddy with excitement, and it was easy to feel the fatigue leave my body as I got into party mode.

Moving into my closet I pull my dress from the hanger.  It is a silver fitted gown with a plunging neckline in the front and a matching neckline in the back.  It is a dress I would wear without a bra but fortunately the material covered my ample breast size.  There was a slit up the front right leg to mid-thigh.  I would be wearing clear silver heels with the dress.  My jewellery would be minimal just wearing teardrop white gold diamond earrings and a white gold diamond bracelet from our Pack’s jewellery collection.

As I walked out of the closet, I looked at everyone else.  Everyone was stunning in their gowns.  Emma was wearing her signature pink – if ever there was a typical woman, Emma was her.  She loved pink everything down to her matching shoes.  But her style was so elegant, it always complimented her whatever she wore.

The other ladies were also gorgeous.  We had another glass of champagne and a few light snacks before we got ready to head down to the Ball.  Although there would be food available for everyone, if history was anything to go by, nerves often got the best of people, and they didn’t want to eat until they knew what the night would bring.

Taking one last look in the mirror, we all cheered for the evening’s festivities and headed out the door.  As I look back at my room, I give a little smile.  Who knows?  Tonight might be the night I find my mate.

Adam’s POV

We had arrived at the Black Crescent Pack early, so Wendy and I had an early supper just in case we decided not to stay long at the Mid-Summer Ball.  Truth was I was dreading the damn event but many of my Pack members were attending and as their Alpha I needed to be present to endorse any matches.

And attending was good for public relations and building alliances with other Packs.  We were a strong Pack, but you could never have too many alliances.  As we got dressed for the evening’s event, I took a moment to appreciate my date.  She was wearing a stunning black dress that showed off her curves.  It had a slit up the side and a deep v in the front showing off her perky breasts.  I passed her a jewellery box, which she quickly opened with a smile.  Gasping she reached over and gave me a huge hug before asking me to put the diamond drop necklace on her.  It fell perfectly between her breasts and drew attention there.  The fact was I enjoyed showing off Wendy.

I had decided if I do not find my mate tonight, I would make Wendy my chosen mate.  I had decided fuck the Elders.  Wendy made me happy, and I wanted to be happy as I grew older.  I take Wendy’s hand as we leave the room for the Mid-Summer Ball.  Tapping on doors, I round up my Pack members, so we enter the Ball together as a Pack.  It had become a tradition for us many years ago and we continued it.

When everyone was finally together, we made the walk over to the hall where the event is being hosted.  There was excitement buzzing amongst the Pack and I hoped many would find their mates.  I smiled as we got closer to the hall and the excitement level rose.  I could remember my first Ball and the excitement I felt at meeting my mate.  Over the years that excitement had grown into a feeling of betrayal.  Why had the Moon Goddess not seen fit to give me a mate?  It continued to bother me all the years I have been looking.

Just before we enter the building, I pull my Pack members together wishing them all the best as they search for their mates.  After a cheer, the Pack starts to enter the building.  As always there is someone in the crowd who murmurs “Mate” as soon as they walk in.  Tonight would be no different.