Chapter 4 The Mating Ball

I could do this, just a few more hours.

Pushing the lid back on, I secured the packet to my body, turning around to walk away. If I delayed, it would all be to my detriment. I bumped into a wall, stumbling back. My head hurt, my forehead throbbed as I rubbed it, spluttering out apologies to the wall.

Looking up, all the air in my lungs was knocked out when my eyes met with piercing blue orbs. I stepped back, careful to keep a reasonable distance between us, knowing very well the way I was dressed would trigger him. "I-im sorry, I, I didn't see you," I apologized meekly, diverting my gaze from his.

"Please, Audrey, it kills me to see you suffer like this," he said to me, his tone soft and remorseful.

"Agree to be mine and all this would end," he gestured to my attire, his eyes going dark as they took in my form.

I pulled down the dress, feeling uncomfortable under his lustful gaze."You will be my mate and no one would subject you to punishments ever again. The Luna, my sister and the Alpha would never be able to torment you ever again. Please, my love," he pleaded, his hand coming to cup my cheeks, raising my gaze to meet his.

I flinched away from his cold touch, adjusting my stance. My lips parted and I was about to speak when he interrupted me, "Don't you dare address me as young Alpha," he warned, his tone dangerous. "Address me by my name. I love you and I want you by my side."

My eyes went wide and I tried to ignore his pleading gaze. Did he really think we were mates?

"H-hunter," I said quietly, the way his eyes shone with a spark of hope made me feel so guilty. "We aren't mates. I'm sorry but I-i don't love you," I quietly said, regretting it when he painfully grabbed my jaw, forcing my eyes to meet his.

"You are my mate and you are foolish to question our bond!" He raged, tightening his grip and I winced, tears pricking my eyes.

"P-please," I begged, tears falling down my cheeks.

"Hunter!" Vivian yelled, making Hunter pull away from me to stare at his sister, his eyes narrowing into a deadly glare.

He let go of me, strolling over to her. He came face to face with Vivian, "Don't you ever interrupt me when I am with my mate, do you understand?"

Her eyes widened and she glared menacingly at me, "She is not your mate and you are reducing yourself by being near her. You are the future Alpha so act like it," she reprimanded, her nose flaring in anger.

I used the chance to slip away with the packet, tears free falling down my cheeks as I made my way to the others. I got strange glances from onlookers, but I ignored it and slipped into the carriage along with the others.

All this would be over soon, I chanted to myself as the carriage rolled out of the cobblestone.

•••••••••••••••

I don't know why but I expected the King's manor to be dark, scary and goth-like, but what I stood in front of was the exact opposite. Standing tall in all its beauty was the Alpha King's manor; its pillars were gorgeously adorned with entrails of rose flowers, their red beauty adding to the splash of the cream-colored walls.

The breathtaking garden that surrounded the large expanse of the frontier of the manor was absolutely breathtaking. I could recognize so many exotic flowers that thrived in their habitat. The garden added to the mystical aura that surrounded the entire place.

Different carriages pulled up along the stone paths in front of the grand fountain, and different pack leaders spilled out with their children. Everyone was dressed to impress.

Why wouldn't they be? Everyone coming here was likely expecting to find their mate, their one true love, the one that was destined and created for them. Their soulmate.

Whereas others came to exploit the secrets hidden behind these walls. Nobody had seen the Alpha King in over centuries, yet today he decided to show himself.

A part of me felt uneasy, not wanting to believe his highness would just decide to appear after so long in hiding. Maybe he came searching for his mate as well; surely he would want to give himself hope of finding her in this generation, and for his sake I hoped he would find her. I never knew the Moon Goddess to deprive someone of the one thing she fought and created us for; a mate.

Strict instructions were being fired to us by the Alpha. Everyone listened intently, whereas I couldn't concentrate properly. I felt dizzy and my eyes were seeing double. I blinked several times, squinting my eyes to see the Alpha approaching me.

He stood in front of me and immediately I registered his actions, I lowered my head. "Since you delayed our arrival, you will work more hours than anyone else."

I didn't protest. I couldn't. I doubt I'd be able to part my red lips or blotched cheeks. The winter had started taking its toll on me, and it didn't help matters that I hadn't eaten in days. I felt horrible, but I had to stay strong. Just a few more hours.

We were taken in through the back and led to the kitchen where we unloaded all the food. We were all given trays of small foods by the head chef.

He gave me a sympathetic smile, his dark brown eyes gleaming with sadness, "You don't look good, dear," he pointed out.

I sighed deeply, looking away. I knew all the stress had become evident on my face. The dark rings under my eyes, droopy gaze, blotchy cheeks, and my pale lips.

"Rest, I'll send someone else," he said, opting for me to take a seat, but I shook my head in disapproval. He knew what would happen if he was caught helping me; I couldn't risk getting Burtrum in trouble with Luna. He would probably be subjected to the same punishment as me, and he was too old to handle it.

"Don't worry, Burtrum, I'm fine," I gave him a lopsided smile that didn't really do much to ease his worrisome face. I collected the tray from his hands before he could force me to stay. Walking into the ballroom, I felt my mouth go dry. Everywhere was absolutely gorgeous.

The gold heavy velvet curtains that draped the walls, the huge diamond chandelier added to the grandeur of the ballroom. Everywhere was dripping with expense and the people were dressed equally as expensively.

I sucked in a deep breath, trying my best to look as small as possible as I maneuvered through the crowd, my head lowered and my hands to my sides. I refused to raise my head and look at anyone who stopped me to take from my tray. Maybe if I continued like this, I would get through the day without making a fool of myself. But as fate would have it, I started feeling dizzy.

The mountain of food that resided on the feast table had my mouth watering, but as an omega, I wasn't to be seen anywhere near the benefits of such an event.

According to the Alpha, we were opportune to even be serving at such an event because we were the bottom of the barrel and the scum of the pack, so we should never expect the pleasures other pack members received.