CHAPTER TWO

SKYE'S POV

The music from the ballroom pulsed through the walls of the house and I could feel the floor vibrate under my feet. I could hear laughter and voices, and a smile tugged on my lips in spite of myself. It was the peak of the mating season. People were enjoying themselves and for the first time in my life, I was going to be part of it.

It was my eighteenth birthday. The night of the masquerade ball, a ball usually held to celebrate a successful mating season.

I held Medora's costume in my arms as I climbed the stairs to her room. The fabric was deep purple silk with silver embroidery that was very elegant. The mask was delicate and beautiful with tiny crystals that sparkled like stars. She was going to look like a princess. I nodded with approval.

I knocked on her door and waited.

"Come in."

She was sitting at her vanity staring at her reflection. Her hair was already done in an elaborate style and her makeup was perfect. I noticed the resigned look on her face.

"I brought your costume for tonight," I said, holding it up, hoping it would cheer her up. "It's beautiful. You're going to look amazing."

She did not even glance at it. "I'm not going."

"What? But it's the masquerade ball. Everyone goes to the masquerade ball."

"What's the point?" She turned to face me and her expression was dead. "What's the point of finding my mate if I'm just going to be sold to the Lycan King anyway? Why should I pretend to have a normal life when mine is already over?"

I set the costume down on her bed and scooted closer to her, while I wrapped my arms around her. "Medora you can't think like that. Maybe something will change. Maybe he will have an accident as he's coming, and he'll be dead.” I joked, but there was no smile on her lips. I sighed. “There's still hope."

"There's no hope Skye." She turned back to the mirror. "My fate was sealed the moment my father signed that contract. Nothing is going to save me now."

I wanted to argue. I wanted to tell her she was wrong. The words stuck in my throat because deep down I knew she was right. Alpha Theon had made a deal with the Lycan King and deals like that were unbreakable. There was no way out.

"You should go though," Medora said after a moment. "Go to the ball. Have fun. Don't waste your night babysitting me."

The words stung more than they should have. "It's my birthday."

She blinked and turned to look at me. For a second, I saw guilt flash across her face. "Oh. Skye I'm sorry. I forgot."

"It's fine." I picked up the costume again and folded it carefully. "I understand. You have a lot on your mind."

"No it's not fine. I'm a terrible friend." She stood up to pull me up so she could properly hug me. "Happy birthday. I hope you find your mate tonight. I hope he's everything you've ever wanted."

I hugged her back even though my chest felt tight. "Thank you."

"Now go." She pulled away and gave me a small smile. "Go dance. Go laugh. Go be eighteen."

I gave her a mock bow to which she chuckled.

I left her room and headed downstairs. The ball was already in full swing. I could see people in elaborate costumes moving through the hallways. Everyone wore masks tonight. It was tradition. At midnight, everyone would remove them and mates would find each other in the crowd.

I had my own mask tucked in my pocket. It was simple compared to the others but it was mine and I loved it.

I slipped it on as I entered the ballroom and for a moment, I just stood there taking it all in. The chandeliers sparkled overhead. The music was funky. People laughed and danced together. "You there."

I turned to see Luna Naila approaching with her face tight with disapproval. Even with her mask on I knew it was her. I would recognize that walk anywhere.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"I was invited," I said quietly. "The masquerade ball is for everyone in the pack."

"It's for prestigious people. Not orphans like you." Her voice was like a slap, she has always hated me and the close friendship I had with her daughter. "You have no business being here. Go back to the kitchens where you belong."

My face burned with shame. Around us people were starting to stare. I could feel their eyes judging me and I wanted to disappear.

"I just want to celebrate my birthday," I whispered.

"Your birthday means nothing. You mean nothing." Naila stepped closer and her voice dropped low enough that only I could hear. "You are a servant Skye.” She pushed me backwards towards the entrance where I came in. “Go to the kitchen and make sure the drinks are enough to go around. I don't want to see you around here.”

She folded her arms as she glared at me. I nodded once, and turned, tears burning behind my eyes. The music continued. People danced around me as I pushed through the crowd, but I could not breathe.

When I was outside all the chaos, I ran. I did not know where I was going. I just needed to get away, somewhere I could cry about the humiliation and my late parents who left me all alone in this world.

I ended up back at the Alpha's house. My chest heaved as I climbed the front steps and I wiped at my eyes, angry at myself for crying. It was just Naila being cruel. It should not hurt this much.

But it did hurt. It hurt because she was right. I was nobody. I had no family. No status. No future beyond serving people who would never see me as anything more than a tool.

I was wrong about this night changing anything. I would forever remain invisible.

Maybe I would join Medora and we could cry together.

I reached for the door handle and that was when I smelled it.

Lavender.

My wolf stirred inside me for the first time. She’d been quiet my whole life waiting for this moment.

Mate. The word echoed through my mind. Mate mate mate.

My heart started racing. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for. The Moon Goddess had given me a mate and he was here, right now, inside this house.

I followed the scent through the door and up the stairs. It got stronger with every step and my wolf pushed forward urging me to hurry. We were so close. Our mate was so close.

The scent led me to the second floor. I walked down a hallway I knew so well. The hallway that led to Medora's room.

I stopped at Medora's door.

I reached for the handle and that was when the pain hit.

It started in my chest like someone had shoved a knife between my ribs. I gasped and stumbled back against the wall. Astrid howled inside me and the sound was pure agony.

Mate. Betrayal. Cheating.

No. No no no this could not be happening.

I forced myself forward even though every step felt like walking on hot coals. My hand closed around the door handle and I pushed it open.

The room was dark except for the moonlight streaming through the window. Two figures moved together on the bed, their limbs tangled on the bed.

Rhory. And Medora.