CHAPTER SIX

--Alyssa--

Looking at myself in the mirror, I was stunned by the transformation that Mrs. Anderson's had made on me. I looked mature—yes, that was the word—but not in a bad way. It was like seeing an older, more refined version of myself, and I had to admit I liked it.

Emily, who was getting ready alongside me, was equally impressive. Her makeup highlighted her eyes, and her hair was perfectly styled to complement her gown. She looked like she was about to step onto a red carpet.

I have to admit, the makeup is the only thing I'm excited about tonight, I confessed. Despite all the preparation, I couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the ball we were about to attend. It was supposed to be a magical evening, where everyone had the chance to find their mate, but I didn't want to be bound to anyone tonight.

"Thank you, Mrs. Anderson," I said to her, who was tidying up her kit. She smiled at me and nodded, then gestured toward the doorway.

"You girls look so pretty!" Grandma exclaimed as she entered the room, holding Ollie, her in her arms. The dog barked as if in agreement with Grandma's words, his tiny tail wagging.

I knew leaving Grandma would be the hardest part of tonight. I couldn't let her see how much I would miss her—she'd worry if I got too emotional. All I could do was hug her tightly and hope that tonight wouldn't be the night I found my mate. I wasn't ready to leave her yet.

"Hurry up, girls," Mrs. Anderson said, packing up her things. "You're already late. You spent too much time in the shop." Grandma agreed, waving us out of the room. But I couldn't help noticing the tears welling up in her eyes. I quickly turned away before I started crying too.

On the way to the ball, I asked Emily, "Are you excited about meeting your mate tonight?" I could already guess her answer—she was a romantic at heart.

"Yes, I really am. I want to find someone like my parents found each other. A love that lasts forever," she replied with a hopeful smile. I nodded, though my feelings were more complex. While I was happy for her, I didn't share her enthusiasm. 

As we walked through the pack's cottages, we saw mothers and fathers hugging their sons and daughters, wishing them luck. Some parents were in tears, hoping their children wouldn’t find a mate from Bloodmoon Pack. It was an old tradition that, if a girl found her mate from Bloodmoon Pack, she’d have to leave her family and move there permanently.

It wasn't just the parents who were nervous; as we passed by, some boys looked at Emily and me with interest, while some girls gave us envious glances. Riverdale Pack had its fair share of jealous teenage girls, and I was glad to have Emily as a friend. I wasn't exactly popular among them.

The ball was being held in the pack house ballroom, a grand room that was decorated with elegant drapes and chandeliers. Everything was designed to create a romantic atmosphere, but I was more interested in finding a quiet spot to sit.

A bouncer stood at the door, checking names off a list. When I reached him, he looked at me sternly.

"Name?" he asked.

"Alyssa Johnson," I replied, and he found my name on the list, giving me a nod to go inside. I stepped in, but waited by the door for Emily. The ballroom was buzzing with energy as people gathered, their laughter and conversations filling the space.

"It's beautiful in here," Emily said, joining me. I agreed; the decorators had outdone themselves. This was my first time at the mating ball, and it was hard not to be impressed by the lavish setup. Every table had a centerpiece of fresh flowers, and the entire room was illuminated with soft, golden lighting.

Emily gestured towards an empty table, and we sat down. There were ten seats on every table, but we were the first ones to arrive. People were slowly streaming in, greeting one another and mingling. The boys and girls from Bloodmoon Pack stood out with their elegant attire and confident presence.

I scanned the room, trying to see if I could feel a connection with any of them but I didn't feel any connection. A wave of relief washed over me. I could relax and enjoy the evening without worrying about finding my mate.

A server came by with a tray of cocktails, and I reached for one, ignoring the voice in my head that reminded me Grandma wouldn't approve of me drinking. Tonight, I just wanted to celebrate the fact that I wasn't bound to anyone.

"Can I have one, please?" I asked the server, who handed me a glass filled with a fruity cocktail. I took a sip, savoring the sweet and tangy flavor. Emily raised her glass to me with a smile.

"You look happy," she said, taking a sip from her glass. I nodded, enjoying the moment. I was so glad I had not found my mate.

“Yeah, I am, Emily," I said happily, downing more of my cocktail. Normally, I never drank, but tonight was different. The hall was getting more crowded by the minute, filled with people dressed in their best, all ready to meet their mates. I wished I could go home, knowing I had no mate here, but that wasn't an option. I'd just have to make the best of it.

Emily sighed, her earlier excitement waning. "I guess I’ll find my mate maybe next year," she said, her voice edged with disappointment.

"Don't worry, you'll find him," I said, reaching for a second glass of champagne. The Moon Goddess had listened to my prayers, and for that, I was thankful. I looked around, watching people pair off with their new mates, all of them acting like they’d known each other forever. It was sweet, but I had no interest in being swept up in it. My life was with Grandma, and I wasn't ready to leave her yet.

"Look at that, Sophia found her mate," Emily pointed out, drawing my attention. Sophia had been mateless for two years, so it was nice to see her finally meet someone. I was happy for her, but it didn’t change how I felt about the whole process. The thought of being bound to someone and leaving Grandma was just too much.

She was finally free from heat.

"Don’t you want to be free from that heat as well?" Jess asked, teasing me. I ignored her question, blocking out her words. Heat wasn't something I was worried about—not when my life with Grandma was on the line.

The room went silent as Alpha Kane took the microphone, his voice commanding everyone's attention.

"Welcome to the tenth annual ball," he said, his deep voice echoing through the hall. We all clapped, though I wasn't as enthusiastic as the rest. I just wanted this night to be over.

"You all look beautiful tonight, and congratulations to those who have already found their mates," he continued, the crowd breaking into cheers. It seemed like I was the only one who didn't want a mate tonight, but that was fine by me.

"Please enjoy your evening, and our Alpha King will be joining us shortly," Alpha Kane added, trying to sound serious but failing miserably. 

Lucas and Kathy caught my eye. They were a couple now, despite Lucas's claims that he couldn't do it without me. It was laughable, to watch how quickly he changed his tune. Men were predictable that way.

"Look at Kathy, already fallen into Lucas's arms," Emily said, taking another sip of her champagne. I rolled my eyes. Why was everyone so obsessed with finding their mate? It was as if they couldn't be complete without someone else.

"I'm starving," I said to Emily, gesturing toward the food table. If nothing else, the buffet was impressive, with a spread of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. I was ready to indulge—after all, I wasn't here to find a mate; I was here to celebrate my freedom.

"Can I have some shrimp, sausages, croissants, and a few of those other starters?" I asked a waiter, who gave me a strange look. I shrugged off his judgment. I was in the mood to eat, and no one was going to make me feel guilty about it.

I returned to my seat, a plate full of food in my hands. I caught a few more judgmental glances from people at my table, but I didn't care. I was eating to my heart's content, and that was all that mattered.

Emily joined me, her plate mirroring mine. We were best friends for a reason—we both loved food and weren’t afraid to show it. The only difference was that she was eating to drown her disappointment, while I was eating to celebrate my freedom.

The room was completely filled now, with people from our pack and Bloodmoon Pack mingling and chatting. It was a festive atmosphere, even if I wasn't in the mood for it. As Sophia passed by with her new mate, Emily and I mouthed, "Congrats," to her. She smiled back, heading toward the food table to get her own plate.

"The shrimp is really good, Alyssa. You should try it," Emily said, nudging me. I put down my sausages and reached for a shrimp, savoring the burst of flavor. Tonight, I was going to eat, laugh, and forget about finding a mate. Grandma would have surely smacked my head if she heard me say this and would have also given me a full lecture on mates.

The shrimp was amazing, no doubt about it. I grabbed a few more, enjoying the burst of flavor. But the good food and pleasant company were soon interrupted by our pack's beta, who spoke into the microphone, his voice booming across the ballroom.

"Mated females and males, please gather at the table on your right to write down your names and the packs you belong to," he announced. "Enjoy the rest of the evening," he added, before leaving the stage.

I noticed some of the newly mated couples heading toward the designated table, their expressions a mix of joy and nervousness. I wondered where the Alpha King was—wasn't he supposed to attend the ball? It seemed strange that he hadn't made an appearance yet.

As if on cue, the ballroom doors swung open, and a tall, striking man entered. He looked like a Greek god, with broad shoulders, dark hair, and an air of authority that made everyone in the room stand to attention. I had never seen someone command a presence like that. My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach dropped.

"Get up, Alyssa," Emily whispered urgently, but I couldn't move. I was transfixed by the man's eyes—deep, piercing blue eyes that seemed to lock onto mine from across the room.

"Oh no," I muttered under my breath. This couldn't be happening. I wasn't supposed to find my mate tonight. I was supposed to spend this evening enjoying my freedom, maybe even for the rest of my life. But the way those blue eyes held my gaze, there was no mistaking it—this was a mate bond. And not just with anyone, but with the Alpha King, Xavier.

Emily noticed my hesitation and shot me a questioning look. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

I couldn't find the words to answer her. How could I explain that the one thing I had hoped to avoid was now staring me in the face? I felt a mix of shock, disbelief, and dread. It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

I wasn't ready to be bound to someone, especially not someone as powerful and intimidating as Xavier.

But fate had other plans. The Alpha King began to move through the crowd, his gaze still locked on mine. People around me whispered, their eyes darting between Xavier and me. It was as if the entire ballroom had stopped to watch what would happen next.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I couldn't back away now. All eyes were on me, and the Alpha King was approaching. My life was about to change in ways I never imagined. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.