007

PAIGE’S POV

The day of the Annual Mating Ball had finally arrived, and I was really anxious. I stood up, staring at myself in the mirror, thinking about how I was going to interact with the people.

It was all new to me.

Azriel was also to announce me as his mate, which was why I was this anxious. I glanced at the most gorgeous dress I had on, with the most expensive fabric, dripping from my body.

It was obscenely lavish, and while I should be angry about wearing something that could literally feed a small country, for odd reasons, I was not. Everything on me screamed EXPENSIVE.

I was not used to this type of lifestyle, and I doubt I’d ever get used to it. Azriel had been spoiling me silly with new and expensive things every day since I had arrived. He had recently changed my phone to an iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Crazy right?

Suddenly the door swung open, I took a glimpse at who it was through the mirror and saw Azriel standing there, looking like a Greek god.

He looked so handsome in his black suit, like a sculpture. His hair was well-styled and combed. His eyes were no longer hazel. Black eyes stared at me instead, and he inhaled deeply, a growl echoed in the room making my panties moist with desire.

“Fuck, Paige. If you're trying to destroy me, congratulations, love!! You are succeeding.” His voice was so gravelly with restraint that it turned me on further.

I blushed and took another look at myself in the mirror. My white dress was simple yet effective in perfectly highlighting my assets. It was strapless, the corset-like top half of the dress cradling my breasts and snatching my waist in a way which would not cause harm to the baby, and I could breathe perfectly well.

The bottom half of this dress draped to the floor with a small train at the back. A slit which was high enough up to my right thigh made me feel slightly nervous but not high enough to flash anyone my underwear. I paired my outfit with a black two-inches heel that wrapped around my calves.

Azriel hired a professional to do my hair, which was a ponytail and also my makeup.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly went dry as I saw him approach, shutting the door behind him. He devoured me with his eyes, and I bit my lips gently to stop myself from moaning out loud when he circled me, his eyes roamed my entire body with lust.

He pulled me into his arms and buried his face into the sensitive part of my neck, inhaling my scent. My wolf was going crazy in my head.

“You look so stunning and your sce–” Before he could complete his statement a knock came on the door interrupting us.

“What is it?!” He yelled out.

“Sorry for disturbing you, Your Majesty, but it's time.” The person at the other side of the door said.

“Alright, just get the car ready. We'll be out soon.” He responded, before turning back to face me.

“Well, love, we’ll continue this later. Right now, it's time for everyone to see my gorgeous mate.” Azriel smiled warmly and gave me his hands to take.

I took it into mine and as we walked down together. I saw Azriel's driver standing beside a black car, waiting for us and as soon as he saw us, He bowed his head and opened the door for us to get in.

“Everything's going to be okay, love.” He said reassuringly to me, noticing how nervous I was.

I gave him a weak smile and rested my head on his shoulder. My nerves were all over the place.

Finally, the car came to a stop, I looked out the window and saw lights shining in the palace. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car with Azriel beside me.

We started walking to the palace with the guards bowing their heads. This place was insanely breathtaking and well-decorated. The soft hum of music filled the air.

We stopped at the entrance of the door, and when the guard saw us, he signalled someone and the music stopped.

“Are you ready, love?” Azriel asked me.

“I am,” I answered nervously. My heart was beating really fast inside my chest.

“ATTENTION LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” the speaker bellowed, his voice resounded through the grand ballroom and the chatters died down suddenly as the speaker announced our presence.

”Let’s welcome His Royal Majesty, Alpha King Azriel and his mate, Lady Paige.”

As the door swung open, a trumpet was being blown and we walked into the room. I had never seen this many people in my entire existence.

They all bowed their heads as soon as they saw us, or should I say Azriel. We walked up the stage, and Renee handed Azriel a mic. She flashed me a beautiful smile before she left.

“Firstly, I would like to welcome everyone here to this year's Annual Mating Ball. We are happy to have you all here in the hope of you finding your mates and we wish you all the best tonight. I would like to introduce you all to my mate and your queen, Lady Paige Abbott.” He said, smiling as he placed a kiss on my hand.

I was crimson red as I heard the sound of applause and hollering that ensued as he introduced me.

We came down from the stage and the loud music came to life once more filling the room. We walked amongst the people and some came to introduce themselves to me.

“Your majesty, my queen.” A voice called from behind, so we turned, and I saw a man standing there with a woman in his arms.

“Alpha Sam, it’s nice to see you here,” Azriel shook the man’s hand, then he turned to the woman and smiled. “How are you doing, Sophia?”

I wasn't comfortable with the way he was smiling at the woman. He should be smiling like that to just me, and me alone.

“Was this jealousy brooding in me,” I mumbled in my subconsciousness.

“Hello, brother,” She replied.

I was taken aback. Did she just call him brother?

Way to go, Paige.

I stared at them confusingly, because I didn't see any resemblance between them. Then she turned to me, smiling. “Your Highness, I'm Sophia and this is my mate, Alpha Sam from Blackwater Pack.”

Alpha Sam seemed like the quiet type. He was tall but not like Azriel, he had brown hair and eyes. Sophia on the other hand was the bubbly type. Slightly taller than I am with black hair and hazel eyes just like her brother.

She looked so beautiful in her red sparkly, sleeveless gown that swept the floor. Alpha Sam wore a black tuxedo.

“It's nice to meet you.” Suddenly she pulled me in, wrapping her arms around me tightly before slowly pulling away.

“When Azriel told me he had found his mate, I couldn't wait to see you and I must confess you look so beautiful,” Sophia said excitedly. She looked like a child gazing at a long-awaited Christmas present.

“I didn't know you had a sister, Azriel.” I glared at him.

“You didn't tell her about me?” Sophia asked angrily.

“I forgot. I had other important things to do.” He replied.

“Really, Azriel?” She said, looking sad.

“I’m sorry, Soph, I actually forgot,” He said apologetically.

I turned to him and saw him staring at me, I blushed hard and looked away.

“Awwwn, you guys are so cute,” Sophia said. I smiled and hid my face in Azriel's chest as he wrapped his arms around me possessively.

We were still engrossed in our conversation when a strange lady walked up to Azriel and held his arm.

“Hey, baby.” She said seductively, rubbing her hands all over Azriel.

“Get your filthy hands off me!!” Azriel hissed at her, pulling me closer to him.

“But you used to like my hands all over you.” She pouted.

“Don't you have any shame, Chloe?” Sophia spat.

I kept mute, just staring at the scene playing before me. Then she noticed me and threw a dangerous glare my way.

If looks could kill, I would have been buried six feet below by now.

“And, who are you?” She asked, angrily looking at Azriel's hand around my waist. Where was this lunatic when Azriel was making the introduction?

“You don't speak to my mate in such a manner, Chloe,” Azriel growled at her.

“MATE!” She exclaimed which made heads turn to us.

“Stop making a scene, Chloe,” Sophia hissed at her. “And yes, Azriel has found his true mate. Did you think he was going to take a slut like you as his mate?”

Who was she? What's her relationship with Azriel? Different questions ram through my head all at once.

“Sophia mind your language in front of the King.” Alpha Sam warned his mate.

“Have you forgotten he's my brother, babe?” She asked. I was trying so hard not to laugh at both of them.

“Even at that.”

My heels were beginning to hurt my feet, and I was feeling a bit hungry since I hadn't had any food to eat.

“Are you okay, love?” Azriel asked when he noticed how distracted I was.

“My feet hurt,” I said to him, and in fluid motion, he picked me up and my eyes widened in shock as I saw people staring at us. Sophia let out a laugh and threw me a wink. Meanwhile, Chloe looked so furious and angrily left.

“What are you doing, Azriel?” I asked as I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

“Your feet hurt from all the standing, and I forgot you are pregnant. Forgive me, love.” He mumbled. He sat me down on a chair and knelt in front of me to remove my heels.

“You did nothing wrong, Az,” I said to him, gently rubbing his cheek tenderly and intimately with my thumb, tracing the curves of his jawline. I looked up and saw the people's eyes widen as they saw their king on his knees.

“Are they better now?” He asked after massaging my feet. He looked like he wanted to say something but was refraining himself from doing so.

“Yes,” I smiled gently at him. “Is there something you would like to say?”

“Would you like to dance with me?” He asked.

My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled, “I would love to, My King.”

I stood up without my heels on and made my way to the middle of the dance floor with Azriel behind me. He settled his hands in the right place on my body. I fit so perfectly well in his arms despite our height difference. I rested my head on his chest, and then he began to lead us in a dance.

We moved effortlessly, dancing together to the soft music playing in the room. We were in a different world, not caring if the people were staring or not.

I removed my head from his chest after a while and stared into his eyes. We held eye contact for a while before breaking it, because of who came into my view.

Behind Azriel stood my father with my stepmother in his arms. He looked so shocked at first when he saw me before his countenance changed to anger. My stepmother was glaring at me with hatred in her eyes before whispering something into my father's ear.

Seeing them brought different anger in me, and I felt disgusted being in the same room with them.

“Are you okay, love?” Azriel asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I couldn't answer him, I didn't even care to look at his face.

I did the first thing that came to my mind, leaving the ballroom.

And I walked out angrily to wherever my legs took me.

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