Chapter 7 Mate

The ballroom was a spectacle of modern-day royalty, its high ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that cast a golden glow over the room. The walls were lined with intricate tapestries depicting the history of the Lycanthorin pack, and the floor was a sea of elegantly dressed werewolves, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

At the center of it all stood Valrik Lycanthorin, Alpha King, his blonde hair catching the light, his golden eyes scanning the room with practiced ease. Celeste Kane clung to his arm like her life depended on it, her red hair cascading over her shoulders, her sultry smile aimed squarely at him. "You're quiet tonight, Alpha," she purred, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his sleeve. "Something on your mind?" Valrik forced a smirk, though his jaw tightened. "Just enjoying the view, Celeste." Draeven, growled low in his mind. *Liar. You're as bored as I am.* Valrik ignored him, his gaze drifting over the room. The she-wolves were out in full force, their eyes lingering on him with a mix of hope and desperation.

The annual ball was a tradition, a chance for the pack to celebrate, but it was also a time when unmated wolves hoped to catch the Alpha's eye. Valrik had long since grown tired of the charade. *Why are we even here?* Draeven grumbled, his restlessness palpable. *This is a waste of time.* Valrik sighed inwardly. *It's tradition. You know that.* *Tradition,* Draeven scoffed. *A fancy word for torture. I can't stand the smell of all these perfumes. And Celeste-ugh. Get her off you before I vomit.* Valrik's smirk faltered. Celeste's grip on his arm tightened, her nails digging into his sleeve. "You're distracted," she said, her voice sharp. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," Valrik said, his tone clipped. He gently but firmly removed her hand from his arm. "Excuse me." Celeste's eyes narrowed, but she didn't argue. She knew better than to push him too far.

Valrik stepped away, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. The music swelled, a haunting melody that seemed to echo his growing unease. Draeven's restlessness was becoming harder to ignore, his pacing in Valrik's mind like a caged animal. *What's wrong with you?* Valrik snapped inwardly. *You're giving me a headache.* *Mate,* Draeven growled, his voice urgent. *She's near. I can feel her.* Valrik froze, his heart skipping a beat. *What?* *Mate is near,* Draeven repeated, his tone sharp. *But something's wrong. She's... lost. Confused. I can feel it.* Valrik's golden eyes scanned the room, though he knew she wouldn't be here. Not in this sea of perfumed wolves and false smiles. *Where is she?* *Outside,* Draeven said. *Near the boundary. We need to go. Now.* Valrik clenched his jaw. *We can't just leave.

This is the ball. The pack expects-* *I don't care about the pack!* Draeven roared, his voice reverberating through Valrik's mind. *Get Celeste off you. You don't want mate smelling her on you, you whore.* Valrik's lips twitched in irritation, but he didn't argue. Draeven's urgency was infectious, his instincts screaming at him to move. He turned on his heel, striding toward the doors. "Alpha!" Celeste called after him, her voice sharp. "Where are you going?" Valrik didn't answer.

He pushed through the doors, the cool night air hitting him like a slap. The moon hung low in the sky, its silver light casting long shadows across the courtyard. Draeven's restlessness surged, his growl echoing in Valrik's mind. *Shift,* Draeven demanded. *Now.* Valrik didn't hesitate. He stepped into the shadows, his body shifting in a blur of motion.

His bones cracked, his muscles rippled, and his silver fur shimmered under the moonlight. When the transformation was complete, he stood as a massive wolf, his golden eyes glowing like embers. He took off at a sprint, his powerful legs carrying him through the forest with ease. The trees blurred around him, the scent of pine and earth filling his nostrils.

Draeven's urgency pushed him forward, his instincts guiding him toward the boundary. And then he caught it-a scent that stopped him in his tracks. Sunflowers. Warm, golden, and achingly familiar. It was faint, almost buried under the smell of sweat and fear, but it was there. His mate. *She's close,* Draeven whispered, his voice filled with awe. Valrik's heart pounded as he followed the scent, his movements slow and deliberate. And then he saw her. She stood at the edge of the forest, her silver curls tangled and wild, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. She looked lost, out of place, like a storm had tossed her onto his shores. The scent of sunflowers grew stronger as he approached, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. But something was wrong. Her wolf-it was dormant. Valrik could sense it, the absence of her inner beast like a hollow echo in his mind. How was that possible? She was his mate, yet her wolf was silent, buried deep within her. *How the fuck did the Moon Goddess pair me with a rogue?* Valrik thought, his frustration bubbling to the surface. *And one whose wolf is dormant, no less.* Draeven growled, his tone sharp. *Does it matter? She's ours. Protect her.* Valrik shifted back into his human form, his golden eyes locked on hers. "You're here little mate ," he said, his voice deep and rough. "Finally." Her breath hitched, her eyes darting over him. "What ?she whispered. He didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, his hand hovering near her face. "You're safe now," he said Her vision blurred, the weight of everything crashing down on her. Her legs gave out, and she fainted , interesting !