Grand Entrance

Ember was in her dressing room getting ready for the ball. She couldn’t believe it had been a week already. She was feeling fairly nervous. Her Grandma had informed her that there was going to be over 200 people there. Most of the pack would be there, the Alpha’s and Beta’s from Ireland, England, and Netherlands, as well as the party from the Fae Realms which included their king and prince. Ember had heard the Prince had quite the reputation, she was quite curious to meet him and see if he was really as handsome as the rumours report him to be. Most of the guests arrived last night and this morning. Ember had been asked to stay in her suite for the day as her Grandad had a flare for dramatics. He wanted to have a big reveal so to speak. He wanted everyone to see her for the first time as she would make her grand entrance into the ballroom from the giant doors. At least she didn’t have any stairs to walk down. She remembered her mom telling her about her Luna Ceremony and how she was so nervous about falling down the stairs.

“Oh dearest, you look so beautiful.” Clary was beaming at her granddaughter through the mirror as the lady hired to do her hair was putting the finishing touches to the curls. Her hair was pulled up into an intricate knot at the back of her head with delicate curls softly falling to her shoulders and framing her face. The lady had even threaded gold chains throughout the hairstyle.

“I feel beautiful, Grandma.” They smiled at each other and thanked the stylist letting her go. Clary helped Ember into her dress. Which fit her perfectly. It was a royal purple mermaid style dress that flared beautifully at the knee with a slit up the one side, it had an off shoulder top and hugged all of her curves perfectly. The back was very low cut and she chuckled to think what her father would say if he saw her in it. Ember turned and gave her grandma a tight hug. They picked out some amethyst jewellery that Clary and found that complimented the royal purple dress. Both ladies jumped a little when they heard a knock on the door.

“Coming.” Ember yelled and walked over to answer it. There stood her date to the ball. Caleb looked drool worthy. He had on a perfectly fitting dark grey suite with a royal purple button up that matched her dress perfectly. The top few buttons were undone. His hair was out of its braid and brushed back neatly into a top knot. He was neatly shaved with an intentional 5 o’clock shadow. His smile lit up his entire face when she opened the door for him.

“Ember, you look. Stunning.” He stepped forward and leaned in as if he was about to kiss her when Clary walked out of the dressing room. “Luna,” he stepped back again and bared his neck in respect. Ember covered a laugh with a cough as Clary smiled knowingly between the two.

“Well I think I should go make sure your grandad is ready to get things started. You should be at the doors in twenty minutes. Do not be late.” She patted Ember on the shoulder before walking out the door. At the last minute she yelled back, “and don’t mess up yer hair!” Ember blushed.

“Caleb, you look very handsome. Have I ever told you you look good in a suite?” Ember looked him up and down appreciatively. He smiled and stepped towards her putting his hand on her hip.

“Have I ever told you, you look amazing in everything. However this dress… I am going to have a hard time letting you dance with anyone other than me.” He let a slightly possessive growl escape his throat.

“Well, unfortunately for us as we are not mates, I am required to dance with others.” Ember reminded him. They had tried to keep their unlabeled relationship on the quiet side. Ember still didn’t know what to think. The more time she spent with Caleb the more she grew stronger feelings for him. At the same time, there was a very strong probability that they could both meet their mates tonight. That had been another of Grandad’s reasons for holding such a large affair. He hoped that unmated wolves would get a chance to meet their True Mates tonight. It wasn’t very often that this large of a group would get together.

“Will you stop reminding me of that?” Caleb winced and sighed. “I know we aren’t true mates. It doesn’t mean I can just turn off any feelings I have for you. I won’t lie. I secretly hope you don’t find your mate tonight. Is that selfish of me to want to keep for myself just a little longer?” He put his other hand on the back of her neck carefully avoiding the intricate hairstyle as he pulled her in and kissed her passionately. Trying to portray all his feelings for her in a simple kiss. Ember’s heart started to race and her core started heating up. She could feel the arousal rising.

“Caleb if you don’t want every wolf in the ballroom to smell my arousal I suggest you stop. That could spell disaster for the unmated males and you. I don’t want to start a fight.” She warned breathlessly trying to keep it light but still serious. She placed a hand on his chest and gave him a gentle push. He simply smiled and took her hand kissing her palm.

“If you insist.” He whispered gently. Ember closed her eyes and calmed herself down. Caleb was going to be the end of her resolve. He wasn’t her true mate. She wanted to find her true mate. She had to wait for him. That helped calm her down and she was able to smile up at Caleb again.

“Ok, I think we should head downstairs before Grandma Clary sends someone after us.” Ember laughed lightly and Caleb offered his arm with a bow again and they walked down to the ballroom.

As they got closer they could hear the chatter and murmurs coming from the crowd. The main doors were closed most of the guests would have arrived through the glass doors from outside or the smaller entrance on the other side. These doors were meant to make a statement. They were made from wood and carved with intricate details of the history of wolves. The moon goddess across the top with her arms spread wide with the first pack in various stages of the shift. It was beautiful and one of Ember’s favourite things in the castle. She always saw something new every time she gazed on these doors. This was the first time they would be opening for her to walk through though. Caleb gave her a kiss on the cheek and a wink as he left her there to enter through a side entrance. She would be entering on her own.

She heard Grandads loud boom as he addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for coming to welcome his granddaughter and heir, the future luna to his pack. With his final words the twin warriors swung open the doors. Ember’s breath caught as she gazed around the room.The sun was just starting to set and the large ballroom had been set up with candles, the large glass doors were all open to the terrace outside, the cooling night air flowing through the ballroom. There were so many smiling people watching her as she made her first steps, she smiled back and swept her gaze across the crowd. One gaze in particular caught and held her attention. Crystal blue eyes were staring at her intensely. His gaze made something stir inside of her, if it was possible he had to be the most gorgeous person she had ever seen besides Caleb. Where Caleb was pure bulk muscle this man was slender, yet you could tell he was strong and muscular underneath. His hair was a sandy blonde his messy waves gently falling across his forehead, but his eyes are what caught her. She felt like they could see right through her, into her very soul. She lost sight of him as a group of young men surrounded her to make her acquaintance. She smiled politely at each of them and agreed to the dances they were asking her for as she tried to make her way slowly to where he grandparents where waiting. Caleb appeared at her elbow and she placed her hand gently on his arm as he glared at the group of men.

“Caleb, don’t cause a scene.” She muttered under her breath at him, she felt him tense and take a breath plastering a smile on his face.

“I believe your grandparents are in need of you my luna.” He said loud enough for the whole group to hear. Finally the young men parted to let her pass.

“Ember, ye look magnificent!” Ember was relieved to finally make it to Grandad. “Thank you,” she gave him a hug before he turned to the man who was standing beside him. “Ember I would like to introduce you to King Aeginar. He is the king of the Fae.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty.” Ember didn’t know if she was supposed to bow or curtsy to this man so she simply did the wolf thing and bared her neck in a show of respect. He smiled and took her hand giving her a light kiss on the back of her fingers.

“The pleasure is all mine. May I introduce you to my… Oh damn it all where has he gotten off too now.” Ember coughed trying not to laugh. He obviously wanted to introduce her to someone who had been there but they had managed to sneak off. Grandad boomed in laughter and slapped the king on his back.

“Boys, forever gettin’ inter trouble. Why do ye go off and enjoy the ball, we can do some more introductions tomorrow.” And with that Ember was dismissed as the two men turned and started talking.

“Well, now that that is done. May I have this first dance?” Caleb smiled and took her hand once more leading her on to the dance floor.