Chapter 3

(Rian's P.O.V)

            I’m on my way to Princess Morrigan’s twentieth birthday ball being held by Queen Raya and King Leonard in the Fae kingdom of Eferhile. I haven’t seen the King and Queen let alone the princes and princesses in at least a decade. I took over as the Supreme Alpha from my father approximately two years ago. My parents have a very close relationship with the Queen and King, so it wasn’t unusual that we would spend time in the kingdom of Eferhile. I was lost in my thoughts when my Supreme Beta, Killian, poked me in the ribs gaining my attention.

“What?” I ask.

“We’re here dude.” He says as he points to the palace that is just up the road from us.

            The driver pulls in front of the palace and opens the door, standing aside to let me out. I wait for Killian to get out of the car before we walk together to greet Queen Raya and King Leonard.

“Your Majesties,” I say with a bow as Killian follows suit.

“Now Rian, there’s no need to be so formal. We are like family!” King Leonard booms out with a hearty laugh.

“Speaking of which, where are your mother and father? I thought they would be here with you.” Queen Raya asks.

“Well, my father is recovering from an injury he received from his new hobby, and mother is probably lecturing him for the thousandth time and telling him he is a dumbass.”

            Queen Raya laughs as King Leonard snorts and shakes his head.

“What’s the new hobby that caused one of my best friends to miss my baby girl’s party?” King Leonard asks.

“Heliskiing. He takes a chopper to our northern territories, jumps out of the helicopter with ski’s on, then skis down the mountain. Which is wonderful, in theory.”

“Dare I ask what happened?” Queen Raya asks with a slight chuckle.

“Well, he ran into a tree and impaled himself.”

            You could hear the crickets chirping with the silence that followed that statement, Queen Raya facepalms herself while King Leonard looks dumbstruck.

“I don’t even know what to say to that. Your mother is right to remind him what a dumbass he is.” Her Majesty says.

“Well son, we have other guests to greet, so please head on in with the rest of your party and we’ll meet you soon.” King Leonard says.

            I look behind me and notice that the receiving line has become a lot longer since we’d been standing here conversing. I bow to each of them as Killian and I climb the stairs into the palace. The rest of the Alpha’s and Beta’s that came with me, greet the King and Queen before following us into the ballroom. Waiters carrying silver trays with champagne flutes walk amongst the guests, our party disperses among the crowd grabbing champagne along the way. Suddenly, my wolf, Stark, begins pacing back and forth in my head.

Calm down mutt, I don’t know why you are getting all excited right now.

Our mate is here, I can feel her nearby.

Where!? Why can’t I smell her? We NEED to find her.

She’s not in the room but I know that she is close by.

Okay, that’s unhelpful. You’re not telling me where she is.

Goddess you humans are stupid. That’s because I don’t KNOW where she is, just that she’s here in this palace.

Well then calm down so I can concentrate. You’re giving me a headache.

            Stark finally calms his pacing down, but I can still feel his anxiety.

“What’s going on Rian?” Killian asks.

“Stark says our mate is nearby, somewhere in the palace.”

“Well, I think the only people missing are the King and Queen along with Princess Morrigan. It looks as though most of the guests have arrived.”

            I’m about to respond when the trumpets sound and the Herald steps forward.

“I present to you His Majesty, King Leonard, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Morrigan.”

            The double doors at the top of the ballroom are thrown open and King Leonard walks out, arm-in-arm, with the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. She is a Goddess walking among mortals, well okay we aren’t technically mortals, but you get my meaning. She’s petite but has curves for days, hips that beg to be touched, and breasts that are perky and well…big. Her toned legs look long in her heels and the slit up to her thigh just begging for me to touch. Then I’m hit with the most mouthwatering scent, a mix of lavender with a hint of pine.

Mate!

            That’s all it takes for Stark to want to break through and claim her. Holy shit, Princess Morrigan is my mate. I watch as my Goddess walks down the grand ballroom staircase arm-in-arm with her father, her toned leg being revealed by the slit every time she moves. I’m broken out of my trance by Killian.

“Dude seriously, close your mouth. You’re going to catch flies and you’re drawing attention to yourself.” He whispers.

            I quickly shut my mouth and gulped down my saliva that had been about to leak from my mouth. What? I can’t help it; she is both delicious and breathtaking. I know that I will need to speak with her parents immediately about her being my mate. These parties are always a way for the nobility or those of high status to arrange marriages and I will be damned if someone asks for my mate’s hand in marriage. As Morrigan and King Leonard reach the bottom of the stairs, he kisses her cheek as she lets go of his arm.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank all of you for attending this wonderful ball for my daughter, Princess Morrigan’s twentieth birthday. She is my last child, my sweet pea.” King Leonard looks adoringly at Morrigan as she blushes from the nickname in embarrassment. “She is most special to me, her mother, and her siblings. We love you Morrigan, happy birthday.”

            Everyone raised a glass of champagne that had been passed around and a resounding “Happy birthday Princess Morrigan” came from the crowd.

“Now that formalities have been observed, we can now say it’s time to party! Everyone, please enjoy yourselves this evening. Drink, dance, and eat to your heart's content!”

            King Leonard is approached by some older nobles who are wanting to be introduced to Morrigan along with their sons, this causes Stark to start growling in my head.

They need to get away from our mate before I rip their heads off one by one.

Don’t cause a scene Stark, we still have to talk to the King and Queen about her being our mate in the first place.

Well, they need to hurry it up because I’m not going to hold back if it takes much longer.

Just give them a few minutes for Goddess’s sake you dumb dog.

            Stark huffs in my mind as everyone begins to disperse, and the music begins as people take to the dance floor. I find Queen Raya standing with the rest of her children, and as I am walking towards the group King Leonard catches my eye and joins me with his family.

“Your Majesties and Your Highness’s.” I bow respectfully to everyone.

“Rian, what have we told you about the formalities? You are practically family. Now stop it.” Queen Raya huffs in annoyance.

“I’m sorry auntie. Is that better?” I say with a slight smile.

“Yes, now go on I know you have something to say to us or you wouldn’t be over here.”

“I have come to let you know that Morrigan is my mate. Stark and I could smell her the moment she entered the ballroom. I would like to take her back to the kingdom of Máni next week. I know this will be a shock for her, so I want her to spend as much time getting to know me and spending time with her family before we leave.”

            Aunt Raya squeals in delight at the news of her daughter being my mate and tears begin to slide down her cheeks.

“Oh, I was hoping that this would happen. I had a feeling that she was bound to you, Rian.”

“Well, Morrigan is on the dance floor right now, so you’ll need to pull her aside at some point tonight and tell her that you are her mate. The sooner you do it the better since it seems like you will have some competition otherwise.” Uncle Leonard says with a chuckle, indicating with his chin to the dance floor where Morrigan is dancing and laughing with some guy.

I’m going to rip his arms off I swear to the Goddess above Rian. Fucking do something!

For Goddess’s sake Stark, you need to chill the fuck out. Like I told you before, we CANNOT be causing a scene!!

            Stark huffs in the back of my head, growling out low in annoyance. I take this opportunity to excuse myself from the conversation with Aunt Raya and Uncle Leonard and steal my mate from the ugly fuck who has his hands on her.

“Excuse me, but could I cut in? I would like to dance with Princess Morrigan.” I say, a small part of my Alpha aura slipping in. The guy pales a little and takes off running from me. Spineless little worm.

“Hello Supreme Alpha Rian, it’s so nice of you to come from Máni for my birthday. Now, shall we dance?” Morrigan says to me, her bright green eyes full of laughter at what just occurred.

“Of course, darling, however; I do have something that I need to discuss with you so why don’t we head somewhere more private?” I suggest. She nods and grabs my hand; pleasurable tingles shoot up my arm and I sigh in content.