Ball

We were ready. The ball would start when daylight faded and twilight emerged. I peered in the mirror my ice blue eyes were alert and ready for trouble my hair ribboned down my back resting at my waist. Tonight would be my last in the pack. Vivian was slipping on cleanly polished boots before double checking her silver moon necklace around her neck. Out of habit I played with my own matching necklace my fingers looping around the intricate chain. Matching. A gift from our mother.

“Well let’s do the best job we can and then skedaddle.” Vivian joked running a brush through her hair once more.

I shrugged suddenly realizing I needed to do something tonight. I would have to find Jacob. He was my... Lover? I guess... that would be the term. He would be at the ball meaning I’d have to seek him out and end it. If he found his mate I was not going to be in the way, besides I was leaving at dawn.

“Val, let’s go!” Vivian broke my thoughts jumping up and down in excitement.

I gave her a smile, “Let’s do this.”

The ball was spectacular. I felt slightly out of place with all the dresses and gowns compared to my fancy leathers. The buffet tables were stocked with all the food anyone could imagination. With more being added or topped up as the guests took time to pile platters of food for themselves. The dance floor was off to the side. With a bar area where most wolves were milling about.

Vivian looking longingly toward the bar offering me a charming smile.

I turned hearing my name called. Jacob was waving me over his chocolate eyes brightening upon settling on my own. I blinked attempting to feel even a twinge of guilt for leaving. I felt nothing. Instead I forced a smile to my lips placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“What do you think of the ball?” He laughed the sound cheerful and bright.

I glanced around the room nodding in approval, “The ball is lovely. I’m slightly disappointed I can’t take part.”

"Aw you're cute, you know that?" Jacob cooed.

"You don't have to remind me," I grumbled. Spotting Kayla who was watching us with a frown.

I swallowed gathering my thoughts before stepping away from him my voice hoarse. "I can't do this... If you are just going to find your mate tonight. This is wrong for both of us."

Jacob tensed glancing back towards the table where Vivian was now chatting with Kayla. "I doubt I'll find my mate anyway." He murmured more to himself.

"That doesn't change the fact that you might." I huffed standing up. How could he be so stubborn? No way am I standing in the way of a mated pair. I don't need a cranky female on my tail over this.

"Valerie come on." Jacob started looking annoyed at me.

I gave him a small smile waving to Kayla and sitting beside her.

"Oh my goddess. You guys are adorable!" Kayla squealed her voice high.

I felt my cheeks warm, "Yeah..." I paused suddenly feeling guilty. We had dated for years and I trust him with everything. He was my first everything... Yet, here I was leaving him. I smiled sadly I wouldn't be selfish. No matter how much I wish Jacob was my mate the odds were not exactly in my favour. Besides I doubted I even had a mate since I was created to serve the Goddess in whatever she wished.

After saying our goodbyes to Kayla, Vivian and I went back to our lookout spot. I politely declined a male offering me to dance. Vivian sidestepped another. I wrinkled my nose at the stench from all the packs. Watching all the wolves mingle about. Funny how right after the party they will go back to declaring war on each other. I grinned at the thought.

"What are you smiling about?" Vivian turned to me.

"Oh nothing. Just that give it a day and everybody here will want to tear each others throats out."

Vivian's eyes widened, "Keep it down. Just because it's true doesn't mean they want to hear it." She hissed under her breath.

I looked to Kayla finding her gone. I nudged Vivian as I scanned the crowd for my friend. I stiffened as Kayla walked back inside with Jacob. She was practically drooling on him, I could see it from across the room.

"Just drop it. No point in this tonight." Vivian stated dryly though she too looked miffed.

"That backstabbing bitch!" I growled making my way over.

A warm hand clasped my wrist. "Val, leave it. You need to chill. Do you really want to shift at a party? Are you crazy!" She stared me down, not letting go of my wrist.

Glaring daggers at my 'friends' I let Vivian drag me away.

A few moments later Alpha Woods showed up a bounce to his step. "I'm so glad Kayla found her mate. Jacob will be a fine mate to her. Don't you agree?" He looked towards the both of us his eyes hopeful.

Vivian agreed smiling at him in congratulations. Before turning her back, and rolling her eyes.

"Yup. Just. peachy." I seethed, forcing a smile on my face once more.

"Well as the Alpha I have to go mingle. In a bit I have a speech to announce a few things. By the way you are doing great." He patted my back before sauntering off to a group of males.

"Alright now that was karma." Vivian chuckled her fiery green eyes bright.

"I hate this." I hissed lightly punching her shoulder. Kayla clung to Jacob like a bee to a flower. A tiny part of me agreed they looked stunning together. Kayla's amber eyes seemed to sparkle whenever Jacob spoke. Yet it made me want to hurl.

"I'll be right back." I mumbled heading to the washroom. Not seeing Vivian's stunned expression as she went to follow me.

The bathroom was empty as I entered my mood ruined. Maybe this was a good thing, one more reason to leave in the morning. I fiddled with my necklace watching the chain spin. My mind calmed remembering my mother...

*Flashback*

I sat in my chair eating birthday cake to my little heart's content. Vivian was across from me eating with her hands. I giggled throwing a piece at her. She glared at me and then pulled on the table clothe. Causing an even bigger mess. Let's just say no more cake was on the table.

My mother rushed in and scolded us. Beginnng to take the cake away, "Vivian darling please don't ever pull on the table clothe. Valerie look at your face, now I need to wash you." She her voice was exasperated. Though I could tell she was not really mad. Her ebony coloured hair swished as she picked up the fallen plates.

"I want cake!" I screamed, throwing my hands in the air. Making a fit, I looked at my water then glared at mum.

Mum walked towards me, "Shh, don't cry Val. I will make you a new cake for tomorrow, would that make you happy?" She asked her melodic voice drifting throughout the room.

"I want cake now!" I screamed hitting the table with my hands.

"You can eat later once you're both cleaned up a bit." My mum said sounding frustrated. She started to leave the room. What was left of the cake was now going away...

I glared at her, and threw my hand forward toward the cake in exasperation. An ice shard erupted from my glass and flew towards the cake.

Vivian stopped crying causing my mother to spin around in surprise.

The shard went threw my mother's head. Vivian sat in her chair quietly. Leaving me to stare at my hand in wonder. My mother was sprawled on the floor unmoving.

"Viv, wat was that?" I whispered my voice shaking.

Vivian looked at me "I don't know"

I got up slowly, approaching mum. "Mummy, it's okay I can eat the cake later. You don't have to sleep. I'm sorry." I pouted shaking her shoulder.

My mother did not move. Vivian ran toward me and sat down. "Why she not waking up!" She wailed shaking mum harder.

I stared numbly as my mother's blood crept onto the floor.

"Dad! Hurry mummy not waking up!" Vivian shrieked and burst out crying. I laid my hand on her shoulder giving her a hug.

My dad ran into the room and looked at the scene."What happened?" He yelled his face red. He looked shocked slamming his hands on the table. The chandelier rattled overhead frightening me. Dad walked towards us putting a finger on mum's neck.

"Go to your room, please girls." He said flatly his eyes bleak. I grabbed Vivian's hand and we went to our joined room. I heard dad and the Alpha talking while more wolves showed up apologizing and offering condolences.

"What do you think is wrong with mummy?" Vivian sobbed clinging to me.

I cringed, "I don't know. Viv I just don't"

A few hours later our dad walked into the room having bloodshot eyes. His expression looked as though he had seen a ghost.

Vivian ran up hugging his legs, "daddy when is mommy coming home?" She asked sniffling.

I froze looking at my dad still shaking. "Oh sweetheart mommy is not coming back." He sobbed straightening his clothes while attempting a smile. "She is in the stars watching over you."

"Can I join her?" I sobbed quietly.

"No Valerie. You must stay here with me. Your mother loves both of you, don't forget that." He then walked out of our room head down.

Vivian screamed in sorrow. Then burst out crying. I ran over to her and hugged her patting her back soothingly. "It's okay, mum is happy now." I mumbled into her hair.

I jumped back feeling burned. My shirt was on fire! The flames licked at my shirt. My eyes grew wide at the flames while Vivian looked on in horror. Her hands had flames!

I ran to the bathroom and jumped up to the sink. I took off my shirt wincing as the fire burned a bit of my hand. The shirt was submerged in the sink, as I quickly turned on the tap. Before running back to my sister who was still looking at her hands. Not knowing what to do I grabbed her forearm careful of her hands and ran back to the bathroom.

"Shh it okay" I said as I put her flaming hands under the water. Vivian was sobbing and shaking in shock.

"As the oldest I gotta look after you." I chuckled lightly.

"That's not fair! Only by forty eight minute." Vivian hiccuped.

"Viv." I said quietly once we had gone back to bed.

"Yes?" Vivian sniffled.

"I won't tell anyone about your hands if you don't tell anyone about mum." I said quietly into the dark room. I had a feeling I was the reason why mum was not coming back. Thinking of it made me sick.

"I won't." Vivian sniffled. "Oh Val how did this happen? I'm so sorry if I hurt you."

"It's okay just promise me" I shushed her.

"I promise" Vivian muttered.

"I do too"

"Just wait Valerie. One day I will protect you. Then we can be even." Vivian whispered quietly.

*End of Flashback*

"Helooo Val? Earth to Val, you there?" Vivian waved her hand in front of my face.

I jumped startled out of my trance "Um, what? Yes!"

Vivian looked at me then frowned rolling her eyes before her expression turned somber. "Were you thinking of mum?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah. But I'm okay now." I said wiping my eyes. I was crying? How could I of done that to my own mother?

"It was not your fault you know. You were young." She hesitated quickly adding, "we both were."

I looked around the bathroom remained empty. "This is not alright. I murdered my own mother! With my own hands!" I stared at my hands suddenly feeling ashamed of them.

"Don't you dare say that!" Vivian hissed. "The pack needs you. You and I both know it." She walked over giving me a gently hug.

At the moment that was all I needed. We both just cried in each other's arms. Surrounded in our memories.