Chapter 4: Mating Ball.

//Emily//

The rest of the day went by pretty quickly and before I knew, it was evening, and the moon was out, blessing us with its luminous light.

I was trembling, barely breathing and completely nervous as the time for the ball got close.

With each passing second I got anxious: “Calm down sweetie, everything will be fine by the end of the night. Your mate is going to love you”, my mother said for the tenth time.

But I wasn’t reassured.

Mate!

What if Max isn’t my mate?

What if my mate is cocky or a playboy?

What if my mate doesn’t want me?

What if he rejects me?

A lot of what ifs!

These thoughts made my skin crawl. My nervousness grew more and more each time these silly thoughts crossed my mind.

Don’t get me wrong. I am eager to meet my mate but I couldn’t shake off the eerie feeling in my chest.

The night felt wrong. There was a strong sense of an impending doom.

But I couldn’t put my fingers on it. I felt like this night will be a total disaster.

I shook the idea off and allowed myself to sink back into reality.

We are in my room with Lisa doing a final makeover. I was dressed in a black ball gown with a beautiful pattern made from golden crystals.

My mother couldn’t hold back the tears that tricked down her cheeks when she walked in a few minutes ago and saw me standing in front of the mirror.

The dress was absolutely stunning. It brought out my tanned skin and my wild red hair. It hugged my figure perfectly. I opted to wear a crystal necklace and gold stud earrings instead of a rose diamond necklace.

My long red hair was tamed and held in a high pony, which flowed down my waist. And my makeup was lightly done by Lisa, the family’s beautician.

“ Ems, the guests are arriving. We need to be at the entrance welcoming them.” My mother informed and I got nervous again.

“ I don’t know mum... Can’t I sit this one out?” I uttered worriedly.

Her face scrunched up in confusion.

“What do you mean Sweetie? This is the day you find your fated mate and you want to sit this out. You have no idea the effort and money we have put into this ball.” She raised a brow in my direction.

“ What if my mate doesn’t like me? What if he rejects me? What if he is one of the pack’s enemies ?” I ranted out and started panicking.

I began pacing back and forth. Ranting and pinching the bridge in distress.

“ What if my mate.....”

Before I could rant some more my mother’s voice silenced me.

“ Stop pacing Emily. You’re making me dizzy. “ She roared.

I whirled to her and gaze at her with a watery eye”. Mom, I don’t feel too good about tonight. I feel like something tragic will happen to me and change my life forever”.

“ Come here, Sweetie. “ She tapped the bed. “ sit by me child”.

I flitted to her and settled down. Her warm palms cupped my cheeks and her earthly motherly scent infiltrated my nostril, calming my nerves instantly.

“ I’ll say the for the last time, Emily. Listen carefully, you’re a beautiful, strong and intelligent woman. Every man out there will be happy to have you and treat you like the queen you are. If your mate doesn’t see this then it’s his loss. Put yourself up and come to the ballroom. Before your dad sends a SWAT team up here”.

I giggled. “ Thank you, mom. You’re the best.” I pegged her cheeks.

“ You’re welcome, dear. Don’t take too long to come down. “ She barked before she closed the door gently behind her.

I exhaled loudly and rose to my feet. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress and trudged out.

I had to go through the back door out of the pack house and come through the main entrance, since I didn’t want to be the center of attention. Just for tonight, I wanted to keep a very low profile.

Tonight was a glorious day for the moonlight pack. Our annual mating ball was finally here. A day that not only moonlight pack treasure but every other pack in the region.

It was the night most unmated werewolves in the whole of Orlando find their mates and I was lucky my birthday fell on this day.

My parent created the mating ball eight years ago and it has been successful ever since.

The purpose of the mating ball was to bring all werewolves together and maintain peace and harmony between the packs.

So far, it’s purpose has been fully served.

There were a lot of giggles, laughter, and voices in the ballroom.

I pass by a lot of wolves who were busy chatting and engaging happily.

There were over a thousand werewolves in the ballroom including Alphas, Lunas, betas, and gammas from the various packs. I could also see a few fairies and witches who were in attendance with their werewolf mates.

“ Good evening distinguished guests.” I heard my father speak as I stumble further into the room. “ I am Alpha Ethan Starling and the stunning woman on my right is my mate Elena Starling. Our son Darren Starling.

Our daughter is not yet in...she is still making herself pretty for her mate to be”.

The crowd roared into a fit of laughter as my dad snapped his head searching for me in the crowd. He might have smelled my scent when I sauntered in.

“ Ooh, there she is!” He pointed at me. Throwing me in the spotlight. My ears turned red.

“I really wanted to keep a low profile”. I groaned inwardly.

The curious crowd stared at me and I felt the heat of their gaze burning into my skin. I tried my best not to flinch. I held my head high and shoulders straight looking back at the crowd confidently.

“Here comes Emily starling. Isn’t she beautiful? “

I smiled awkwardly and waved my hand like I had just won miss-world, hoping not to trip on my gown and come out like a clown in front of the gathering.

My dad was beaming with smiles when he rumbled: “ The ball is officially open. Have a good evening! “ Claps and cheers echoed in the room as my dad descended the stairs.

Music filled the room. My father ambled toward me with a huge smile plastered on his face.

“Happy birthday sweetheart. You look amazingly beautiful “ he embraced me in his strong arms twirling me around like his little princess. Which I was.

“ Thank you dad. I love your gift. This dress looks beautiful on me”. I smiled in appreciation.

“ It’s nothing sweetheart. Are you ready to meet your mate tonight?” He asked.

I nodded frantically and Leah stirred a bit in the back of my mind upon hearing the word mate.

“ I was told you had a meeting with the Lycan Alpha? What was the meeting about ?” I inquired, changing the subject.

His demeanor changed instantly at the mention of the Lycan Alpha... and that pricked my interest.

“ Yes, I did. Can we talk about it later?” He sounded uncomfortable with the topic so I decided to let him be for the time being.

I nodded my head in agreement.

“ I want to introduce you to someone later tonight if you don’t mind”. He added.

“ Not at all. Who is this person?” I furrowed my brow.

“ You will know when the time comes” he replied.

Who is my father talking about?

Is he someone I know?

These questions crossed my mind and like always I had no answers to them.

I sighed in frustration.

****

“Good evening Ethan, Emily “ both my dad and I turned at the same time.

We came face to face with Alpha Marcus Warner and his Luna Valentina Warner of string breakers pack.

They were Max’s parents and a beautiful couple.

“ Marcus, you’re here! Valentina, you look beautiful as always. When did you get here?” Father asked.

“Thank you Ethan.” Valentina mumbled.

“ We arrived a few minutes ago”, replied Marcus.

“ Happy birthday dear.” Luna Valentina’s voice rang in the air as she stretched out a gift to me.

“ Ooh you didn’t have to but thank you very much” I whispered to my soon to be in-laws as a blush crept on my face.

“ You’re very welcome dear”, was her gentle reply.

 Luna Valentina was in a backless golden gown. That brought out her petty figure.

Her mate was devilishly handsome even at his age. He was carrying his age very well.

His silver eyes reminded me of a special someone.... his son Maxwell Warner!

A/N:

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