Chapter Three

The pack house was well-illuminated. There was a buzz of activity outside it. Maids relieved people of their jackets, some more maids journeyed here and there taking in trays of what seemed to be a never-ending assortment of food and drinks. The lights cast alternating colors of red, blue, green white, and back again. A huge sheet of canvas was hung outside at the very top of the house. On it was painted two wolves- a male and a female- looking at a red moon and apparently howling. The light of the moon above bathed the painting in a red glow. Written boldly in attention-grabbing black was 'Red moon pack house'.

The painting seemed to blend into the smooth face of the wall. It was on closer inspection that one saw the breeze ruffling it gently in waves and realized that it was hung there.  The painting was so life-like that I found my eyes being drawn to it again and again. I was not the only one. All around me, people were craning their necks to look at it. 

Right in front of me, there was an archway which seemed to be entirely made up of greenery and flowers. I took a deep breath and a hundred different fragrances of flowers wafted to my nostrils and I inhaled deeply. For a moment, it felt like I had been transported to a perfect and beautiful time and place. The people who were milling around were gorgeously dressed. Nervously, I fingered the folds of my gown. I was glad for once that my mum had insisted on me wearing something dressy. Apparently, this mating ceremony thing was a big deal to many pack members. 

I felt a slight push. "Oh, I'm sorry," a lady on her way in said apologetically. "I thought you were er-headed inside." 

I came to myself with a start. Hastily, I stepped aside with a murmured apology, realizing that I had been standing in front of the house, staring for a long period.

The lady nodded and went to stand in front of the imposing door. The guard at the door opened it and sounds of conversation and music drifted out. It sounded like there was a crowd in there. I frowned. Crowds were really not my thing. Briefly, I considered ditching the whole event- my mother was not here after all.  Remembering that Lucas was, I sighed. Even though Lucas was here to find his own mate, knowing my mother, she had probably told him to keep an eye on me during the event. I snagged a glass of wine from a passing guard and drained it. Steeling myself, I approached the door in time with a few others. It was opened and I stepped into luxury and light. 

I stood still and stared, taking in every detail of the room. My first impression of the room was of glamour, space, and light. All the huge windows were shut, thick velvet curtains covering them. The interior was oak paneling. The room had the feel of a luxury hotel, instead of a pack house. Music drifted from powerful, hidden speakers that I could not see. Works of art adorned strategic places on the wall. The sumptuousness of it all took my breath away. 

I was conscious of curious stares from a few people as I walked in. Their gazes drifted over me in approval, accepting me as one of them. In the crowd, I saw a few people I recognized. Not in the mood to exchange pleasantries, I quickly scanned the room, searching for a perfect place to sit. My eyes lit on a deserted table at the far end of the hall. It was perfect. I made my way towards it and sat down, dumping my clutch purse on the table. 

I was the only one this far back. The other guests were gravitating towards the center of the room. There was an air of hushed and intense excitement. Trying to disguise the contempt I felt, I studied the crowd. The ladies seemed to be the most excited. They were all dressed in their best clothes, every flattering inch of their bodies shown to their advantage. Their gazes drifted around the room as they stood or sat loosely in groups, giggling and talking to each other. I shook my head. I couldn't believe that people actually did look forward to this. 

Relaxing in my chair, I brought out my phone to check the time. It was a few minutes past ten. I stared at the screen in disbelief. Time seemed to pass slowly this morning. I would have thought that it would be minutes past eleven by now. I fought to stifle a yawn, covering my mouth with the back of my palm. I was supposed to be sleeping in. I had not really slept well last night with the stress of the long journey home, the argument with my parents, and the fact that my body was trying to adjust to the new environment. Yet here I was stuck in a place I did not want to be in. 

Waiters circulated carrying food and drinks. Remembering that I had not had breakfast because of the makeup my mum had spent hours on, I hailed a passing waiter who served me a plate of fruit salad. At the far end of the room, I caught Lucas' eyes. He saw me looking at him and winked playfully. He was smartly dressed in dark trousers and a nice-looking silk shirt. I had to admit he looked really handsome. Fighting the urge to grin at him, I looked pointedly away to show him that I would not forgive him that easily for teaming up with my parents against me. 

There was a slight feedback whine of a microphone. I looked in the direction of what looked like a stage. A blonde curvy young woman in a tight black dress stood there, one hand on her hips, the other wrapped around a microphone. She surveyed the crowd with a half smile on her painted lips. 

"Hey people, let's simmer down now," she said in a full, rich voice.  "I know you all are excited and your passion and desire for your mates have got you all steamed up." 

She waved her hands in front of her face, fanning herself vigorously. This elicited laughter and cheers from the crowd. I rolled my eyes and wondered if I was the only one who had been forced to come here. 

She continued, spreading her arm wide.  "Now, I officially welcome you all to the annual mating ball of the Red moon pack. Feel free to search for your mates here among those assembled." Her voice dropped confidentially. "Who knows, you might get lucky this year."

There was applause and a few catcalls from the crowd. Suddenly, I started feeling queasy and uncomfortable. I pushed the plate of salad away, wondering if it was the cause of my sudden unease. Beads of sweat stood out on my forehead and dropped on the table. I stood up quickly. The air-conditioned hall suddenly seemed stifling. I picked up my bag, about to head out for fresh air when the scent hit me. The scent of a mate; it was more potent than anything I had ever known. 

I shook my head in denial and walked towards the exit, my wolf rebelling all the while and fighting to keep me in the hall. 

"What you feel is just your overactive imagination, Emma," I mumbled to myself over and over again. 

I was almost at the exit when I heard a voice behind me say "Mate" in a loud growl. The room immediately fell silent. 

My heart sank, and I slowly turned as my eyes met a pair of brown eyes.