For the last two years, I have written to lady Charlotte every week. I waited impatiently for her letter, while I leaned too short a bow, fight with a sword, arm-to-arm combat, ride a horse and so much more. I pushed myself hard because I want to be reunited with lady Charlotte as soon as possible.

"Son," my father says to me one night, "in the last two years you have pushed yourself hard. I am proud of you. That's why I want to organize a ball, in your name."

"Thank you, father," I say "but I am busy with my training."

I hear my father chuckle.

"It is alright to rest from time to time. Besides, lady Charlotte was very pleased to be invited to the ball."

This got my full attention.

"When is the ball?" I ask, my heart pounding fast at the thought of seeing my beloved lady once more.

"In a week," my father says.

"A week?" I ask.

My father laughs and slaps my back. "Come, son. We have much to do until then."

The week passed so slowly it feels like a year has passed since the moment my father told me about the ball.

I am in my room, cleaning myself, when someone knocks on my door.

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Your mother. May I?"

"Yes, mother." I rush to put a shirt on while my mother enters.

"How are you feeling?" she asks me.

I have already told her everything about lady Charlotte. She is just as excited about meeting my lady as I am about seeing her again.

I wonder if she has changed any bit in the time I haven't seen.

My mother helps me get ready for the ball. When I am ready, I go to the ball hall to wait for my mate. When I get into the ball hall, I see a lot of Alphas with their Lunas, Betas, and Gammas.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my son, Prince Aidan,"my father says when I enter.

I have to make small talk with lots of them while I wait.

I wait for two hours until lady Charlotte arrives. When I see her entering, my heart pounds like it is ready to burst out of my chest. Mate, my instinct whispers in my ears.

She is more beautiful than I remember. She had grown a lot. She is taller and more feminine than before.

I approach her, feeling weak in my knees, and I take her right hand into my hands and place a kiss on top of her soft skin.

"My lady," I say.

"My prince," she says, blushing.

"You are more beautiful than I remember,"I say, looking into her violet eyes. "Would you dance with me?"

"Yes," she says.

And I lead her to where other couples are dancing and spend the rest of the night grazing in her eyes while we dance.

After eight dances, I see that she got tired.

"Do you wish to rest, my lady?"

"If is not much trouble for the prince," she says.

"Come, let's rest a bit in the garden."

I take her by hand and lead her to the outside garden, and I point to her a bench.

"Let's sit there," I say.

Once we are next to the bench, I help her sit and I take a seat next to her.

"When my father told me that you were coming to the ball, I could not believe my ears. The last week seemed like an eternity, and now, that I am in your presence, times go so fast," I tell her.

"I too wanted to see you, my prince," my lady says.

I look at her and see her cheeks turning red. Is she embarrassed by something?

"My lady, did I say something to make you uncomfortable?"

"No, my Prince."

I can't wait anymore. I have to tell her she is mine.

"My lady, there is something that I want to talk to you about."

I see her closing her fists, slightly nervous. I take one or her hands on my hands, and stroke it with my thumbs.

"You don't need to worry, my lady. There is nothing to be nervous about."

When she is calmer and she opens her fist, I lift her palm and put it above my heart.

"Do you feel it as well, my lady? Do you know that I am your mate?" I ask.

"Yes, my Prince. I also know. That's why I am so nervous in your presence. I don't know if you find a suitable mate," my lady says, looking down, embarrassed.

I put a finger under her chin and tilt her head so I can look into her eyes.

"If it is not you, then I don't want another mate. You are my future Queen."

She blushed even more.

"May I have a taste of your lips? If I kiss you, just once, I know that I will have the strength to wait for the day we have our mating ceremony."

She gives me a short nod, and I press my lips on top of hers.

I have never tasted something as sweet as the lips of my beloved lady. But too soon, the kiss comes to an end.

"Thank you, my lady. Should we go inside?"

Lady Charlotte nods and I take her hand to lead her inside.

After the ball, my mother leads lady Charlotte to the room she will be using. I am reluctant of leaving her out of my sight but there is nothing I can do about it. Just hope that the day of our mating ceremony will come soon.

Laying in my bed, I think of the kiss I shared with my lady. It was the first time I kissed someone. I wonder if she liked it.

To my joy, lady Charlotte spends a full week at the palace before she returns to France.

"My lady, until next time," I say the day she has to depart.

"My prince, I will pray to the Goddess that we will see each other soon."

I kiss her hand and help her get in the carriage.