The Mate I Never Expected

The masquerade ball was already in full swing when I arrived.

Dominant males and females gathered together in clusters, gossiping and giggling about the ball. Their excitement was through the roof, but mine wasn't.

All I wanted was to escape this ill fate that was waiting for me.

Adjusting the mask I had switched with my cousin, I smoothed my dress and made my way inside. Everything was different. The mask, the dress and even the rope hanging from my waist. I made sure that there was no way that Kendall or Jace could recognise me.

Not tonight, at least.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I grabbed a drink.

“Jace!" A voice rang out making me turn.

Jace stood near the center of the hall surrounded by several Alphas. Even with a mask covering the upper half of his face, there was no mistaking him. Tall. Broad shoulders. The confident posture of a man who believed the world belonged to him.

And right in his arms was Kendall.

Her dress shimmered under the lights hugging her slim figure perfectly. She laughed softly at something Jace said, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

Anyone watching them would think they were already mates.

Lowering my head slightly, I walked past them slowly, keeping my face turned away so the mask hid me well.

The music grew louder as I approached, but their voices carried clearly enough for me to hear.

“Where is she?” Jace asked with mild irritation in his tone. His arms were folded across his chest as his gaze swept across the hall.

My footsteps slowed for a second.

They were searching for me.

Kendall let out a small laugh, pretending to fix his tie.

“Oh relax,” she said lightly. “Mara is probably fixing her hair for the tenth time.”

Jace frowned slightly. “The ceremony will start soon.”

“Please.” Kendall waved her hand dismissively. “You know Mara. She’s completely in love with you. There is no way she would miss the chance to make you her mate tonight.”

My fingers slowly curled against my dress.

“She’s such a fool,” Kendall continued with a mocking smile. “Completely blinded by love.”

Jace pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her.

“Doesn’t matter. She is just an Omega. You're the powerful white wolf. You're the only one that I care about.”

His words struck harder than any blade.

For a moment my feet refused to move.

I stood there, half hidden by the passing crowd, staring at the man I had once loved with my whole heart.

Just an Omega.

That was all I had ever been to him.

Suddenly, a clear chime rang across the hall.

The music slowly faded as everyone turned toward the raised platform near the center of the ballroom. One of the elders stepped forward.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “the mating ball ceremony will now begin.”

Excited murmurs immediately spread through the crowd.

Groups began shifting as wolves made their way toward the open space in the middle of the hall. Females stepped forward one after another, the silk ropes tied around their waists swaying gently as they walked.

It was finally time.

This dance that would decide my fate.

The ritual was simple. During each round, a male and a female would dance together for one full song. If he fancied her, he would tug on the rope hanging on her waist.

That would reveal if they were mates or not.

In my past life, I had gone through three dances before Jace found me and tugged on my rope.

This time, I was going to stay away from him.

Stepping forward, I found myself standing across from a man dressed in a simple midnight blue suit. Compared to the others, he didn't stand out at all.

Yet something about him drew my attention.

He didn’t move toward me immediately like the other males were doing with their chosen partners. Instead, he simply stood there, watching me.

Waiting.

For a moment, I hesitated.

Then the music began.

Without a word, he pulled me gently toward the center of the floor.

The stranger’s other hand settled at my waist, guiding me into the rhythm of the music. I placed my free hand against his shoulder as we began to move with the other couples.

My eyes scanned the room, searching for Jace. He was dancing with a masked female, his eyes darting around everywhere as if he was searching for me.

“Focus,”

Before I could respond, he pulled me towards him. A gasp escaped my lips as I fell into his arms.

I froze.

His muscles were hard and firm. Not like the soft ones on the sons of Alphas who spent their days doing nothing.

“Do you like it?” he asked, a smirk forming on his lips.

I tore my gaze away and stepped back.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to stay calm. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

Gently, he swirled me around the floor.

“You shouldn't be acting shy,” he whispered, pulling me closer again. “Mara.”

My gaze shifted to him.

“You know my name?”

The music slowly ended and everyone stepped back. I looked at Jace again. He stepped back, smiling courteously at the girl in front of him before his eyes scanned the room again.

I knew he was searching for me.

Turning around, I was just about to leave when I felt a tug on my waist.

“What are you—” I asked as I stared at the stranger in front of me.

Suddenly, a golden thread wrapped our wrists. Everyone gasped as they watched us, their hands flying up to their mouths.

“Mate,” the stranger said softly as his eyes flashed wolf.

My heart started pounding fast.

Was he my fated mate? Impossible.

Jace was my fated mate in my past life.

There is no way it would suddenly change.

“She found her fated mate on the first dance?”

“Wow, she is so lucky.”

“This has never happened before.”

Their words blurred out as I stared at the man who was my fated mate.

Had something changed because I hid away from Jace?

“Who are you?” I asked quietly. “I want to know who my fated mate is.”

“You don't know,” he said as his hand reached out to remove his mask. “How long I have waited for you to say those words, Mara Bennett.”

Gasps filled the hall the moment his face was revealed.

“Alpha King!” the elder shouted as he rushed forward.

My eyes widened.

“Silas?” I whispered.

The golden thread linking us brightened for a second as dread filled my heart.

“Oh no,” I whispered.

This can't be.