Chapter 2: A Talentless Show

The annual Spring Mating Tea Day has arrived.. Where all unmated werewolves gather in hopes of finding their perfect match. Thanks to the endless flow of drinks and snacks, even some lovebirds who've already found their mate crash the party. It's a high-energy hullabaloo that's got most folks counting down the days.

I walk into my closet to try to find something that will not make a beacon for unwanted attention; but also classy enough where if I were to find my mate, I would be in acceptable attire. I put on a light violet floor length gown that crosses the back and showcases my curves just right without being scandalous. Regardless of the modest neckline of the dress, my well-endowed breasts are still showcased.

I look at the clock in my room and begin to hurry. Only 30 more minutes before I am supposed to be downstairs in the ballroom of the packhouse. I quickly apply some make up, making sure not to look overdone and natural. I finish the look with nude lipstick and a spritz of my fruity perfume. Since my hair naturally is straight, I decided not to attempt to curl it and instead put it in a half up half down hair do.

I look at my tall mirror in my closet to take in my appearance.

“This is as good as it’s going to get.” I mumble to myself. I wish I could get out of the funk I was in. Since I was a young girl, I dreamed of participating in the Annual Spring Mating Tea. The hopeless romantic in me would fantasize about finding my mate, who would make me feel worthy and cherished.

The talent show turned out to be the kind of event where you'd rather wrestle an alligator than step onto a stage in front of hundreds of people. But that was just my personal opinion, and as fate would have it, I was required to perform. You see, being the Alpha's daughter came with its own set of peculiar obligations. My father made it clear he wanted me mated off, so he wouldn’t have to “endure with me” any longer and could erase me from his life.

However, it wasn’t lost on me the irony of how my father seemed to overlook my older sister Talia’s mating status. Being two years my senior, Talia was the epitome of the perfect daughter. She had still yet to meet her mate, making her one of the most sought-after prizes.

In contrast to my raven hair, Her’s was a chestnut brown, like my father’s, and had beautiful blue eyes compared to my emerald. If it weren’t for our delicate matching cheekbones and body structure, one may think we weren’t related at all.

I walk down the stairs to the ballroom where guests and pack members have already started to filter in. I find my father who gives me a disgusted look before returning to his conversation with one of the warriors of the pack.

I continue to take in the room.

Bouquets and garlands of fresh colorful flowers cover the balconies and tables. Chiffon ivory fabric cascades from the crystal chandelier, that is in the center of the room, to the pillars that hold up the ceiling. Fairy lights dangle from the ceiling, giving the room a fantasy-esk feel.

The lights dim and brighten, signaling the beginning of the talent show. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. Once my father has made his welcoming speech, I am called up on stage to start the show.

I don’t see Talia until I am standing on stage. She wears a beautiful pale-yellow chiffon, floor length dress, with a sweetheart neckline. Her chestnut hair is pulled up in a simple updo. A smug expression on her face for some unknown reason.

I stand on the stage, trying to hide the trembling hand that holds the microphone.

Two months of tireless rehearsals, nights humming the lyrics in my sleep – all of it can't shield me from the jittery chaos inside. I know the song through and through. But now that I am on stage with hundreds of faces looking at me, I am terrified.

The spotlight blinds me as it shines on me, making me squint my eyes. I can’t see the faces in the crowd anymore, however I know they are all matching the smugness that my sister is wearing.

Like I am the greatest joke.

The music begins, I take a shaky breath, ready to unleash the first verse.

I suddenly feel a cold, gooey substance pour down on me from above, covering my entire body.

The smell engulfs all of my senses, making me gag. I start to choke and cough, but the suffocating sensation continues. Just as I begin to catch my breath, another bucket from above is poured on me. This one's filled with dirty, grimy fur. I bend over, coughing violently, tears streaming from my eyes. I look at myself and see a mix of sticky glue, mixed with dirty fur covering all of me.

The crowd erupts into laughter overtaking the sounds of my sobs and coughs.

"Nice one, Talia!" yells Liam, the son of Alpha Brock from the Nightshade Pack, who I can make out in the front of the crowd.

My blood runs cold at the comment. Talia walks on stage and gives me a condescending smile before addressing the audience.

"Since my little sister can't shift into a wolf, I decided to lend her a paw," Talia giggles before looking back at me. "You're so welcome, my little Annette!"

“Look at her, isn’t it the werewolf-est moment she will ever have?” She continues in a condescending tone.

“Oh please, don’t attack us!” Liam yells out.

"Geez, isn't this a bit over the top?" says Haiden, Beta Damian’s son, as he rubs his neck.

"Oh look, Haiden's feeling sorry for Ana,” Liam mocks loudly, shoving Haiden towards the stage and says, "Off you go, the gallant knight!"

"You can have her, really! Just remember to cover your nose when you do it." Talia chimes in, making more tears stream down my face.

"Good luck bro!"

"Wow, you do have a unique taste, god bless you." Yells another male voice in the crowd.

The sound of mocking fills the air accompanied by whistles and laughing.

The spotlight is moved to the crowd where Haiden is pushed to the front of the stage.

When my emerald, green eyes meet his blue ones, he freezes.

‘Mate’ I hear in my head. My entire being calls out to him, wanting our mate.

From his reaction, I can tell that Haiden has also realized this.

I'm a bit lost for words. How did I manage to run into my mate in such a humiliating situation? All I wanted was for him to be my mate, however this was not at all what I was expecting.

I know a good person like he wouldn't be cruel to me like this.

A glimmer of hope slowly rises in my gaze, hoping I can put an end to this cycle of torment. He runs a hand through his sandy blonde hair before rubbing a hand down his face.

But as Haiden hesitates to act, my panic starts to set in. Why isn’t he coming to me? Then it hits me like a freight train. NO! NO! NO! My heart rate begins to speed up and sweat starts to gather on my brow as I try to keep my next words not as pathetic as I already feel.

"Haiden…. Please! I’m begging you..." I choke back tears, shaking my head. "At least not now!" I whisper yell to him.

I see Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, as if his saliva had turned into pebbles in an instant.

Then, in a parched voice, he says, "I, Haiden Montgomery, reject Annette Lockhart as my mate." He pauses and doesn’t meet my eyes. “I’m sorry Annette. I can’t be with a wolf-less werewolf.”