The Fourth Mating Ball

Lylah's POV

“This is the fourth mating ball in four years, we could say our alpha is impotent.” 

A man from within the crowd that filled the expansive and opulent hall said. As I walked through the crowd at a calculated pace, I could hear whispers from every corner of the room. It's been four years since Alpha Dawson mysteriously died and his son Harris was made Alpha of the Duskwood Pack. Ever since Harris' ascension, he had faced pressure from the council of elders and even his Beta, Malakai, to find a Luna for the pack. 

Several mating balls were held but it all ended in broken anticipations and disappointment. It was my first time attending the mating ball ceremony because I've been deprived of the privilege of attending because of my status—an outcast and an omega. My father was framed for treason and because of that, he was executed and afterwards my mother disappeared leaving me with my aunt, Malicia, who treated me like I wasn't one of them—like I didn't belong. 

My appearance here today was a mistake, something that was unplanned. While in my sea of thoughts, a commanding figure ascended the diaz—Alpha Harris. His blue eyes, chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, brown hair with a strand that fell reluctantly over his face as he effortlessly pushed it back. The room fell into silence as he ascended the Diaz, or maybe it was my thoughts that were silenced—I was in a daze. A round of applause rippled through the air pulling me from my thoughts back to the presence. 

“He looks so perfect, he was probably made for someone as perfect as I am.” Victoria, my ironically perfect cousin sister said behind me as she materialized by my side. 

Victoria had always had this obsession with Alpha Harris, last year before the mating ball she had paraded herself as the Luna of the pack. I guess her not being chosen by Alpha Harris last year must have broken her ego because she didn't parade herself this year. She stood before me as she joined the crowd in a round of applause. I stood there staring at the man on the dias, he was truly every woman's dream. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow pack members.” Alpha Harris said, his voice cold and indifferent. 

One could tell he was tired of hosting this damn mating ball over and over again. Maybe it's because he was reluctant about finding a Luna , that's why he hasn't found one yet.

He continued. “I welcome you to this evening's mating ball! Tonight, we gather to celebrate the union of our pack's strongest and most worthy individuals….”

Alpha Harris’ voice slowly faded away as I drowned in my memory, the past flooding my mind with clear pictures flashing before my eyes. 

“I am innocent. Please Alpha Dawson, believe me. I'm being framed. I was only trying to protect the pack.” Former Beta Dalton, my father said. 

Alpha Dawson sat on the throne in the meeting hall of the council of elders with Malakai, the then army commander standing by his side. 

“Beta Dalton is being suspected of treason as he had plotted to overthrow the Alpha making himself the new Alpha of the Duskwood Pack.” Elder Lucian said, his voice cold and resounding.

“I plead with the council of elders, that's a lie from the pit of hell, I would never do such. I forever remain loyal to our Alpha, I swear under my name and my family's blood.” Former Beta Dalton said, falling on his knees with his head kissing the cold stone floor as he pleaded for mercy. 

I was young and helpless. I stood at the entrance of the meeting hall as I listened to the council of elders and the Alpha play games with the life of my father. 

“Beta Dalton, should I even call a traitor like you our Beta? Dalton! Are you saying the report from Malakai was fabricated?” Elder Lucian said. 

With the mention of the name “Malakai”, my father's eyes lifted up as his gaze was locked unto Malakai’s. I never forgot the way his eyes looked. I knew deep down that there were many stories behind those demeaning and engulfing stares, but before he could speak up Alpha Dawson rose from his throne commanding silence throughout the meeting hall. 

“Enough of all this! I command Dalton to be exiled and executed at the outskirts of our territory. No blood of a traitor should be spilled on our soil!” Alpha Dawson said. He refused to look at Dalton who knelt on the floor, his expression filled with absolute surrender. 

Just after Alpha Dawson’s proclamation, two hefty wolves came in and dragged my father out like an outcast. My father that was once held in high accord was now dragged out like a slave or a thief. My father didn't fight back anymore, he surrendered. And just as the two hefty wolves dragged him through the door. Our eyes locked, I've never seen my father cry but that day I saw him cry, that's what I thought. I could swear I saw a drop of tears rolling down his face. 

I immediately felt a static pull and a full current of volts streaming through my vein. I was immediately pulled out of my thoughts bringing me back to the present. The hall was thrown into a deep silence, I was confused about the sudden calmness that filled the room until I realized that Alpha Harris was staring at me intently. As our eyes locked, I could feel every strand of hair in my skin standing and my eyes dilated. 

Alpha Harris was my mate. So this is what the mate bond feels like when it pulls people together but why me? Why did it choose me as the Alpha's mate or was the moon goddess playing with my fate? 

I stood there, my hands resting on my thigh as Alpha Harris' stares became more intense, I couldn't look away, we couldn't look away but I knew immediately that something was going to go down. I could feel the stares, eyes of disgust from everyone in the hall falling on me. I stood there, goosebumps ridden waiting for anything to happen. I was ready for the worst that could happen but for now the ballroom was filled with a loud silence that seemed to sharpen the tension that filled the room. 

What was going to happen next? Would my life take a new turn for the better or would I face the gre

atest public humiliation in werewolf history?