Chapter 1: The Mating Ball

SELENE

 

Since I was a little girl, I've been dreaming about turning eighteen, not because of the party or the gifts, but because it meant one thing to the Light Moon Pack: The Equinox Mating Ball.

 

Young werewolves throughout the pack would attend the annual mating ball to meet their fated partners. The ritual event was where supposedly unbreakable bonds were created, and I couldn't wait to participate in one for myself.

 

I have seen it every year. Seeing my more experienced friends go off with their soulmates made me happy. Now, it was my time, and my emotions were tizzy.

 

For weeks, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as I prepared for the mating ball. The thought of finding my destined mate filled me with hope and anticipation, but I also wondered if I could make a connection as strong as those I had witnessed before.

 

I sat in front of my mirror and nervously smoothed down the emerald-green fabric of my dress. I thought of Nathaniel Wulfric, my childhood sweetheart. The memory of his jovial disposition and charming brown eyes flooded my head. We were inseparable as kids, and imagining him being my mate made my heart flutter excitedly. Even the very thought of it set my heart aflutter with excitement.

 

"This is it. I'm finally going to the mating ball." I smiled in the mirror, my pink lips shimmering against the fluorescent lights. "Nathan will be so surprised when he sees me in this dress."

 

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. After years of anticipation, the idea of finally attending the ball with Nathan left me feeling both jittery and elated.

 

I readied myself and adjusted my dress one last time, ensuring every detail was perfect. The delicate lace hugged my curves, accentuating my figure, while the soft fabric cascaded elegantly to the floor.

 

I saw a flicker of movement behind me in the mirror's reflection. It was my aunt, hovering in the doorway, her silver hair pulled into a neat bun, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

 

"Selene, are you ready, dear?" Her voice wavered with emotion, and I couldn't help but smile.

 

"Yes, Aunt Clara," I responded as I looked at her in the mirror. "Just...nervous, you know? I want everything to be perfect."

 

Aunt Clara reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about, Selene. You will be the most beautiful debutante there." She tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and a knowing smile graced her lips. "You know, I remember that feeling all too well. I was scared to death that I couldn't find my mate. But trust me, all your worries will melt away once the moon rises. You'll know your mate the moment you see them. After that, everything will fall into place."

 

My auntie's words eased my nerves, reminding me that this night was about more than perfection. It was about embracing the magic of the moonlit debutante ball.

 

The thought of a new chapter caused a thrill of anticipation to run down my spine. My memories of Nathan filled my mind right then—his warm brown eyes that crinkled when he laughed, his protective nature when we played as kids, and his unwavering support throughout the years.

 

A hopeful part of me wanted him to be my mate more than anything else.

 

After a final check in the mirror, I straightened my dress, took a few deep breaths, and stood up. The bouquet of lavender on my dresser filled the room with its soothing aroma.

 

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I told myself in the mirror. Then I asked Aunt Clara, "How do I look?"

 

"Like a woman ready to meet her mate," she said, beaming delightfully. "Come on, your Uncle Todd will drive you to the ceremony. He's waiting outside."

 

I nodded, feeling excited and nervous as I approached the door. With one last lingering glance at my room, my haven since childhood, I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway.

 

The warm sun embraced me as I stepped outside, filling me with optimism for what would come. I couldn't help but wonder how my life would change after this night.

 

I could only hold on to the hope that Nathaniel would be waiting for me at the end, just as I was waiting for him.

 

...

 

Stepping out of the car, with the bright moon casting a silver glow over the event's hall, I was suddenly thrust into the glamorous atmosphere of the night.

 

The air was thick with anticipation, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air, adding to the anticipation building within me. I knew this was a turning point in my life, and I was ready to embrace whatever awaited me.

 

Nathan was supposed to go with me to the ball. Still, it was customary for all debutants and debutantes to attend the ball alone, allowing them to immerse themselves in the mating ritual fully.

 

As I walked through the crowd, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and independence, knowing that this night was all about me and my journey into adulthood. The grandness of the hall added to my excitement and made me even more eager to make memories that will last a lifetime on this special occasion.

 

Dressed up to the nines, the members of the Light Moon Pack looked like a dazzling array of movement and color. Pine needles, freshly turned ground, and the elusive fragrance of magic that permeated our get-togethers wafted through the air.

 

I scanned the crowd, my heart pounding like a jackrabbit. My gaze fell upon Veronica, my best friend since childhood. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sea of faces. She waved at me, her emerald-green eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of nerves that mirrored my own.

 

"Oh my God, Selene!" She rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight hug. "You look stunning!"

 

We both laughed, and I gave her a bear hug. "You do, too, Ronnie! You look glowing!" I replied, taking in her cream-colored dress that contrasted beautifully with her fiery locks. As I stepped back from her, I asked, "Anyway, feeling nervous?"

 

Veronica smiled sheepishly and bit her lower lip. "You couldn't possibly imagine how nerve-wracking I am right now! Good thing that you're finally here!"

 

"Don't worry, you've got this. You're going to be amazing!" I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Oh God! I can't wait to see Nathan! He texted me and told me he'd wear a blue stripe tie.

 

"Well, um... er, I believe many men in this room are wearing that color, Selene." Veronica's face fell slightly at my response.

 

"Ugh, really? He said he was also wearing a white rose on his lapel. I asked with a tinge of hesitation in my voice.

 

"Maybe that will help you spot him," Veronica suggested, trying to lift her spirits.

 

"Oh, I hope so, Ronnie." I took a deep breath and straightened her dress.

 

Veronica nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Selene. You'll find him. Just trust your instincts and keep an eye out for that blue stripe tie and white rose."

 

As we went to the center of the dance floor, a call for the dance drew our attention. Everyone in the room swayed to the music, their laughter, and joy filling the air. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as I searched the crowd, hoping to get a glimpse of Nathan among the sea of faces.

 

While I tried to find Nathan, Veronica nudged me with a playful glint in her eyes. "Maybe our mates are waiting for us there?"

 

"Maybe," I echoed, allowing her to pull me toward the dance floor.

 

As the music started, I kept looking around for Nathaniel, a constant source of familiarity and comfort. But instead, my eyes were drawn to a person standing in the shadows and watching the party with a seriousness that made me stop and think. There was a vague familiarity with him that I couldn't quite identify.

 

Was it Nathan?