Part 4

As I lay in bed at night, I couldn't help but be plagued by thoughts of the obnoxious Alpha. My mind started spinning, fingers itching with the need to pull it over my head and let out a scream. How can anyone be so frustrating and narcissistic?

Confining against the bed, I tried to let the softness of the mattress under and the darkness of the bedroom lull me into sleep. I urged my body to relax and sink into the endless night, but the image of fair, tall, smug Alpha kept me falling over the edge.

Why did I feel these emotions towards him? What was about him that I could not stop thinking?

I swung my legs off my bed and stumbled towards the lone window in my room. A cold gust of wind blew through the cracks, the clouds hiding the brightness of the moon and stars. I peeked down and noticed that the entire Palace was shrouded in darkness and a whole different feeling of peace.

One more day. I quietly thought to myself while staring at the moon. I took a few deep gulps of air and tried to settle back down amidst the pillows, and lulled to sleep.

***

The fair, handsome Alpha did not utter a single word, only taking my hand and carefully turning our palms to the night sky. He cradled it in one of his own, softly tracing a line down my exposed palm. I let out a gasp, a strangled noise escaping my throat at the rough texture of his fingers.

I was trembling and wanted nothing more than to fall into his strong muscular arms.

Lifting my head, I peeked through the veil at his face and found desire, deep and dark, starkly evident in those darkened eyes and flare of nostrils. He pressed forward, sliding our lips as he pressed a hand down my hip, drawing me forward into the heat of his body.

At the rush of emotions, I fluttered my eyes shut, forgetting about everything and everyone. My senses heightened—the sound of our heartbeats thudding in my ears, the familiar smoky scent filling my nose, knees going wobbly.

He slid his tongue along the seam of my lips, toes curling as I delicately opened up to him with a low moan. It was madness born of a moonlit night, the honeyed taste of his mouth, lush of his tongue, almost an addiction.

One of his hands held me at my waist as the other found its way to the nape of my exposed neck. His fingers thread through the loose tendrils of hair which only prompted the Alpha to press back against me. At the additional push, I stumbled, and the back of my knees hit the edge of the bed.

He nearly pushed me on the mattress, the creaking echoed around, and quickly climbed atop, never breaking the kiss. No, the Alpha only deepened the kiss as he straddled me on a bed.

It was a blur of images from then, his body pressing and reaching in to take my hand away, sliding his long and thick ringed fingers inside of me instead. My eyes rolled back as he teased his tongue on my scent gland and whispered in his deep timbre.

“Do you want my knot, my love?”

"Y-Yes, Alpha." I gasped and bit down on my pillow as I slipped over the edge immediately, eyes rolling a bit and slick dribbling, spurting onto the sheets and my heated skin.

"Call me by my name."

For a few moments, I turned my head to catch my breath, chest heaving and aftershocks causing my legs and arms to prickle with goosebumps. Once I opened my eyes, he was gone.

"Axel?" I managed to croak out, my mind and body slow to catch on to the abrupt loss of his lips and the heat of his body. Jolting, I woke up to moisture clinging between my legs, sweat beading at the hairline and the remnants of those familiar eyes from my dream fading by the second.

My eyes squinted, vision still blurry as harsh rays hit the floor and my side of the bed. It's a dream. A wet dream about an Alpha I argued with. A loud groan escaped past my lips as I stared at the intricate carvings of the ceiling, wishing to lift me from here. 

***

The rest of my day was occupied by the seamstress, hairdresser, make up artist and half a dozen maids inside the room. Beth insisted on checking every hour, despite the heavy workload on her back.

After what seemed like hours, I was clad in a full-sleeved electric blue round neck gown with cinched waistline, accentuating my curves. I was given my family's crown—single-layered crystals weaved with our main element, a shiny pearl in the middle sat atop my head, the loose hair curled at edges and cascading down my back.

"It's time." I heard one of the maids squeal as she barged through slightly ajar doors. "Princess Lana." Her head automatically bowed down, voice slightly wavering.

"Let's go."

***

The sweet sounds of violins echoed in the large expanse of the room, a tune that bounced off the high climbing walls and the vaulted ceiling. Softly coloured gowns swirled across the dance floor alongside intricately tied neckcloths and long-tailed coats.

My great grandfather was the first one to make this event grand, adopting it in hopes of bringing revenue and public to our small pack. Fortunately, his plan worked, and it has become a kind of tradition since then.

The omegas are the only ones who can see the face of their mate. After that, a mark is burned into our skin for everyone else to see. It's the moons decision, and rarely did people mess with it unless someone is unhappy. They can attempt to erase the mark.

I swallowed at that ugly thought. The power to do that lies with both the parties but mostly Alphas. What if my mate rejects me? The rejected one suffers for an entire year has to wait for the mark to fade before actively participating in another ball.

I rooted in my spot at the top of the grand staircase as couples descended to the party around. Every year there are new faces from all over solely to find their mate. My eyes scanned the floor of nicely dressed bodies, trying to recognise a familiar face under all those gleaming smiles.

Especially that face which haunted me at night. I could not find Alpha Axel anywhere.

What if he went away already? It made curiosity and disappointment thrum deep in my gut.

After being announced, I snapped out of my thoughts and slowly made my way down the steps and onto the main floor. I did receive some dirty looks from the omegas, primarily for wearing the most expensive gown and others for my reputation. My aunt and uncle did not let me leave the Palace, so most of them thought of me as a snob, a brat, a recluse and arrogant.

I kept my head held high and strides determined, flashing the occasional charming practised smile at some of the Alphas and Betas. My mouth watered as I made my way to the table decorated with fancy delectable desserts and filled champagne glasses, stomach growling.

Due to my aunt's strict schedule, I was restricted from eating a full meal and asked to stick to a bland diet.

"Omegas, attention, please!" A familiar booming voice echoed around my back, stiffening. As the Luna of the Pack, my aunt had the authority to run the ball. Her husband stood by her side, keeping a sly smile on his face.

I slowly turned on my feet, walking towards the centre stage.

"Please take your turns and stand in a line..."

After that, it was a blur of voices, a hand guiding me towards the stage area. A flower was drawn on the floor, a stand erected in the middle with a huge water bowl. As ceilings on the top were covered in glass, the moonlight kissing the water showed us the faces of our mates.

"Princess Lana." My name was announced, a perk of being a royal. "Please come forward."

Exhaling loudly, I clasped the edges of my gown with my gloved hands. Beth beamed at me as she stood behind the pillars. As I stepped in the middle, all eyes turned to me, faint whispers ringing in the air.

I curled my fingers around the edges of the gold bowl, eyes trained on still water when a blurry face started appearing. Blinking several times, I narrowed my eyes, watching as the image became more apparent.

A treacherous gasp slipped past my mouth, staggering a few steps away. I could see my aunt rushing in my direction; her smile strained as she curled a hand around my wrist.

"Who is the lucky man, my dear? We are all excited to know!”

"A-Alpha Axel," I whispered.

***