Chapter 4 (Annual Ball)

Valeria POV

I sat in front of the mirror, my eyes lifeless. It’s been two weeks, and the pack has been hectic. The omegas have been working extra hours getting everything ready. It’s obvious the mood in the pack changed; they were all bubbly, with girls chirping away about meeting handsome men from different packs and boys all talking about their haircuts to look their best for the night. Everyone was glad; it was too obvious to miss. Then what have I been doing for the past 2 weeks? Soil my pillow, punch the wall angrily, dress up, and try out dresses—dresses I have no say in. Jessica doesn’t like this dress; change it. Jessica doesn’t like the colour; change it. Jessica doesn’t like the design; change it.

I wore so many dresses; she just wasn’t satisfied, and I had no say whatsoever. I kept silent and kept doing as she said. I always wondered how my first ball would look one day when my parents finally allowed me to go, but now I am suddenly not excited about the ball. Realising I might meet my mate in this ball, standing beside Alpha Adrain, the thought has drained me. Anytime I think about it, I tear up so badly, crying myself to sleep. 

“Valeria,” Jessica snapped into my thoughts. I looked up at her; she was looking at me with her arms folded and her lips pulled up in a frown.

“I don’t know what is making you sad, but don’t ruin the make-up; it took us hours to cover those eye bags, so hold those tears,” she snapped. I looked at the mirror; they truly did a good job covering the eye bags and tear lines. The makeup is beautiful; I look beautiful with the thousands of layers of foundation, but I don’t feel beautiful. I feel drained, and I wish the night would be over so I could sleep away my sorrows. 

“Alpha is ready; let’s go,” she said. I breathe out, standing up and holding my grown up. I am wearing a straight red gown. The gown is beautiful, hugging the curves I didn’t realise I had. When Jessica came, she asked me to remove my baggy clothes to get the perfect measurement, and she was actually very surprised at my tiny waist and wide hips. I have gotten looks from boys in my pack when I wear a gown or tight clothing. I was uncomfortable, so I changed to extremely baggy clothes, and I have never felt more comfortable. 

But this gown hugged my curves; the bra cup was tight, pushing my breasts together to form a cleavage. My black hair was coiled, creating a wavy look. Honestly, I may not like Jessica, but she went extra in making me look good. I have never looked so beautiful or sexy, especially with the siren makeup she did, but with bright red lipstick. I look beautiful standing by the side of the wrong man, so I feel disgusted and ugly.

I continued walking, my silver heels clicking on the floor. I got to the front of the pack, where Alpha Adrain stood with his pack, who was attending the ball. All eyes turned on me as I walked down the stairs; they all looked at me in awe. Even Alpha Adrain was staring at me, but I ignored their stares. It was about to be a frosty night; my gown was armless, as were my hands. I am more worried about how cold I will get.

“Good evening, Alpha,” I said, bowing my head a bit. He didn’t reply to me; instead, he kept staring, his eyes digging into my skin. I cleared my throat a bit, and he was shaken out of his thoughts.

“Well done, Jessica,” he said, turning his back and walking to the black car. I looked at him as he went. Was it just me, or did he smirk? I asked myself, walking to the car with him. He entered the compact car, and I followed suit. The window was tainted, and we sat close. I could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. I scooted to the side, avoiding any contact with him. We sat in silence for a long time. I think the warriors were getting people in the big buses; soon no one was outside. The cars and buses started moving. Alpha Adrain is truly rich; he was arriving in style. I tapped my hand on my lap, looking outside the window. I wondered where the venue was.

“Ever been to the annual ball?” Alpha Adrain asked casually. I looked at him for a split second, and he was staring at me.

“No, Alpha,” I said. 

“Why?” he asked sharply after my reply. I looked at him, wondering why he replied so sharply; I wasn’t even expecting a reply from him.

“Because I wasn’t allowed to,” I said. He hummed, nodding his head. I know he knows my parents, and I am sure he was aware of his bride, unlike me, who was totally clueless. He must have run across my sister a lot of times; he has never seen me, so I wonder why he is asking me if I have ever been to the ball. The car was silent again, and I loved it. I was hoping he would avoid me as usual; my mood is already sour.

“So, what do you do when you are not at the annual ball?” he asked again. I breathe out; everything seems to be going south for me tonight, opposite of what I want.

“Walking around, staring at the trees, going into the woods,” I said. 

“The woods? You go alone?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, nodding my head slowly. 

“Isn’t that dangerous? I heard there are rogues around,” he said. Well, I heard there are some rogues rebelling, forming a pack; they are very notorious, attacking smaller packs. Well, I have never come across them before. Although I go to the woods often in hopes, a rogue will come at me and maul me up, that never happens.

“Well, I am here, Alpha, which means I never got attacked,” I said, holding back a snap. The car was silent again, then I started hearing a low chuckle. I turned to him, and he was actually laughing, and I wondered why he was laughing.

“I didn’t know you had all that sass,” he said, chuckling. Why is he so casual? I feel weird. He ignored me for a month, didn’t say much to me, and was obviously rude. Now he is laughing like we have been friends forever. I smiled awkwardly, looking out the window, and I hoped in my mind he wouldn’t say anything anymore, and thankfully, the universe heard my cry. I closed my eyes, and I hope this night ends quickly.

***********************

“Who is the pretty lady beside you, Alpha Adrain?” a man who seemed to be in his late sixties asked, staring down at me like I was his next snack. Well, it turns out the Annual Ball takes place in human territory; it is a very big hall with spaces arranged for Alpha’s invited to the ceremony. The ball is, as I imagine, colourful, entertaining, and beautiful; it’s just wholesome. But my mood was getting more sour as the night went by. I was getting too much attention from creepy-looking men looking at me in a way they shouldn’t. 

I haven’t seen my pack; the place is so big, and I am hoping I don’t see them. I was not in the mood; I was feeling agitated; I was feeling unsettled; my wolf was high on alert; I was super irritated; and I am honestly holding back a snap.

“She is my mate,” Alpha Adrain snapped, gripping my waist. Oh, this is another reason I was angry. For some reason, Alpha Adrain is telling everyone I am his mate, holding my waist possessively. I am just confused. Isn’t he supposed to ignore my entire existence? Why is he being possessive? The man laughed awkwardly, apologised, and walked away. I breathed out, glaring at him as he walked away. 

“Alpha Adrian,” a high-pitched voice called out. I breathed out because I recognised that voice anywhere. My parents and sister walked to us, and as usual, Ruby was dressed in the most skimpy clothes. I always wondered why she always dressed like a slut to the ball. Everyone is dressed in ball gowns and evening dresses, but she is showing so much skin. I looked away from them, and now I am suddenly happy they never brought me here with them. She looks stupid, and I don’t want to be the sister of such a stupid wolf. She went to hug Alpha Adrain, and I moved to the side to allow them to hug, but Alpha Adrain dragged me back to him and pushed Ruby off. 

The hall went pin-drop silent as Ruby lay on the floor, her black panties flashing at us. I looked at my parents’ face, and they were so embarrassed. Ruby lay on the floor, looking really stupid, tears pulling in her eyes, and I bit my lips, holding a very loud laughter brewing deep in my stomach. Alpha Adrain glared at her, cleaning his suit.

“I would appreciate it if you held your daughter on a tight leash, or I would be forced to banish your pack from the annual ball,” he snapped, and my parents’ eyes widened. They looked at me, expecting me to say something, but I looked away, holding in my laughter. This night isn’t so bad after all.

“Alpha Damien of the White Wolf Pack and his pack have arrived!” The announcement yelled, and the attention was removed from Ruby. Alpha Adrain’s grip on me became tight, and my heart beat loudly as the double doors opened. They walked in, and with each step, my heartbeat increased, a sweet scent went up my nose, and my wolf went wild. As he walked closer to us, my wolf went more crazy, and that is when I realised.

“Mate!”