EIGHT

VALERIE

"Valerie, it's amazing what you did with the mating ball tonight. It is truly wonderful." Luna Aurora from the South Riverside Pack squeals. Her excitement shining through.

I smile and was about to show her my appreciation but I stop myself just as I see another luna step forward.

"Honestly, you would think she is the one looking for her goddess-given mate when she has a chosen." Luna Reina from Blackwood pack cuts in, her long silver dress dragging on the floor behind her. I turn and see her walking towards us with a smirk on her face. 

"Oh look who's talking. As if you were not chosen by that alpha, what was his name again?" Aurora stops and looks up to the ceiling in thought.

"Ah, right. Weasley." she states briefly but her face turns red from holding in her breath to stop herself from laughing.

Reina glares at her, placing her hands on her hips she says, "It's Wesley. Goddess, for the 23rd time, Aurora!" she admonishes. 

'Their relentless banter is always a sight to behold. Don't you agree, Liana?' I ask my wolf who huffs and turns away from sight.

'Here we go again.' she grumbles, and I shake my head at my grumpy wolf.

"Valerie! Will you get it through her and make her stop calling my husband such insolent names?" Reina huffs making me look at them. I struggle to make a response. To be honest, he often did correct people about it that it became his nickname. It's a good thing Wesley is kind, and actually a sweet guy. He doesn't hold grudges and is easy to get along with than most.

"Like I said, I refuse to take sides. Besides, it is his nickname." I say and do not miss the smirk that reaches Aurora's face.

"So that's how it is? You two are ganging up on me now," Reina huffs, and both Aurora and I chuckle heartily.

"Are these two bullying you, my love?" a male voice sounds and I look over to see Reina's husband, Alpha Wesley snake his arm around her waist.

Reina blushes.

"Speaking of the devil," Aurora mutters to me, holding back a laugh.

"No, actually they were bullying you. I was just stickin' up for ya'," Reina says tilting her chin up to us. Aurora chuckles while I give the confused alpha a placating smile. 

"Oh we were just talking about nicknames and how great alphas get their own," I say, smiling at the red-haired alpha. 

Something like a light bulb switches above his head before he stands tall, running his fingers through his hair.

"Oh, you know they don't call me Big Joe for nothing," he says and Reina rolls her eyes like she has heard the phrase a thousand times. I chuckle. Don't let him fool you though. In both business and battle, he is a force to be reckoned with.

"Please, the only nickname they remember you by is Weasley. Whereas no one can forget 'the brooding alpha'," came a second male voice from Aurora's side. I look over and see Alpha Caspian wrap his arms around Aurora, which makes a blush creep up her neck and ears.

"Oh yeah? At least I am not cold and ruthless, I'm a decent alpha unlike - " his words are cut off as Reina elbowed him on the stomach. They all stop and look at me. Realization dawns on Wesley's face and I see an apology coming but I raise my hand to stop him.

"We all know how daunting you alphas are and that is why we appreciate you both. Thank you for coming to this mating ball. I would like to stay a bit longer but I'm afraid I have to go," I excuse myself and walk away as quickly as I can from the group. They all muttered their goodbyes and I only gave them a small smile.

'What's the matter? It is true, you know,' Liana butts in just when I am trying to hold myself together.

'He is cold and ruthless. I say he deserves the title. The Ruthless Alpha,' Liana pushes, and I swear she must be determined to make this day worse or something because I don't get it.

Seeing Aurora and Reina's doting husbands makes me want to puke. I have never received that kind of affection before, not even for pretense at any event. Aurora and Reina are lunas who, like me, were chosen by their husbands and they them. Whereas here I am all alone. I have greeted all the packs except for one and the alphas are lunas stay side by side. 

I have been trying to reach him but he had me blocked. I haven't seen him since the ball started. 

"Where is he?" I mumble to myself looking around the hall where everyone is mingling.

"Luna Valerie, are you alright?" I hear and turn my head to see one of the older alphas, Alpha Alaric look at me with concern. I must look agitated.

"Yes. Uhm. Have you seen Ev - I mean, Alpha Evan?" I ask.

"I believe I saw him on his way to greet the Alpha of the Fire Breather Pack. They just arrived," he says and I blink. 

"The Fire Breather Pack just arrived?" 

Why has nobody informed me of this?

Alpha Alaric nods once and gives me that look of concern once again. 

"Thank you, Alpha. I should get going," I say about to leave but he stops me.

"Would it be okay if I come with you? There is something I want to talk to you about," he says, sheepishly, and I look at him with a fleeting curiosity that seems to dissipate at the thought of greeting the Fire Breather Pack.

"That would be fine, Alpha." I say and he nods.

We make our way to the entrance and follow the feeling of the bond while Alpha Alaric tells me about his sick son that has been bed-ridden since he was a child. He needed my help to borrow our elite doctor since Evan refused to accept a meeting with him or even hear his concern. I shake my head inwardly as I listen to him speak. He truly cares about his son and will do anything to save him.

"What is the name of your son?" I ask walking through the crowd of people gathering around the main entrance.

"His name is Jasper. Please, would you help him?" he asks, his voice pleading and I felt pity for him.

I nod and place my hand on his shoulder.

"I assure you I will send over the best doctor we have. I will arrange everything and the doctor should arrive at your pack tomorrow," I tell him and watch his eyes sparkle up with hope and relief.

"Thank you, Luna. I am forever indebted to you," He says. I shake my head at him.

"I'm just glad to help," I say and smile, already thinking of the huge stack of papers I have to prepare tomorrow for the building permits of the new omega quarters and hospital in the south. But I don't really mind as long as I am able to help people like Alpha Alaric.

He escorts me to the entrance and we both stop when we realize why a huge crowd is gathering at the entrance.

There he was, my husband and chosen mate, holding a tall, blonde, beautiful woman in his arms. Eyes locked into one another as if they are both lost in each other's gaze. I take a step forward and watch as my whole world crumbles into pieces, as they say the one word everyone awaits.

"Mate."

"Mate." The woman sucks in a breath while Evan stares intently at her. His eyes held desire, lust, and love all at once that I have never seen before, and that is the moment I break.