Chapter Five: Mating Ball

The day had arrived, one that could seal my fate or break it. I only hoped that my mate would love me and take me away from this pack of bullies. I also prayed to the moon goddess for my sister. She had not found her mate yet. I really wanted her to find him. She was such a sweet woman who deserved the world. A fear hid in the back of mind that Emilio was possibly my mate. Even though he had admitted that he loved me, I couldn't bring myself to believe him. He bullied me for years and that was not love in my eyes. 

The morning had started with excitement. Chloe had gotten up early to go get her hair done. She and my mom tried to talk me into it but I told them no. I would just curl my hair instead on my own. I decided to settle in my room for awhile and read a romance novel until they got home. I didn't have to get ready for another three hours. As the time ticked closer my anxiety mounted. I had never been to a mating ball so I felt uneasy since I was not one for public events. I heard my sister and mother come in from the salon. It was my cue to start getting dressed. I slipped in my dress before zipping the side shut. I quickly curled my hair in lose curls before finishing my look with some mascara and a deep red lipstick. The red lip against my fair skin really popped my blue eyes. I slipped my shoes on and then stood to admire myself. I was no Chloe but I was still pretty. As I headed down the steps being careful not to fall down them. Heels weren't exactly my thing. I heard gasping which made me look up. My mother looked like she was on the brink of tears. I was her baby girl who refused to be overly girly so of course she would react like this. 

"Oh Staz, you look so beautiful!" Chloe squealed out before gripping me in a tight hug. She held me at arms length to take me in. 

"Pictures by the fireplace?" My mom let the question float into the air. Chloe and me both nodded and moved over to the fireplace so mom could take pictures of us. We of course couldn't help taking silly ones after we took the more serious ones. Finally the time drew closer making my nerves go haywire. 

"Well, we better get going loves, your fathter will meet us there." Mom said and ushered us out the door with her in tow.

Chloe and me both got in the car, Chloe in front with mom and me in the back. Our father was already there, since he was the beta of the pack it was rare that he could escort us to the anythig pack related. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with us but his duty always came first. Ever since I was a child it was like that. He missed alot of big events for me and Chloe both. Graduations were the ones that hurt the most. As we pulled out to the pack house I took so deep breaths. The pack house was rather large, Emilio's father, the Alpha was a wealthy business owner. His home was a mansion with over 60 rooms with full bathrooms attached. There were two ball rooms and a large dining area. Chloe locked eyes with me through the rearview mirror giving me a slight nod of encouragement. We all exited the car into the cool October night. Dread came over me as I realized I'd have to see Emilio. He had taken a strong interest in me lately and I wasn't sure why exactly. Then pure horror struck me, what if he is my mate. This made me inwardly groan. 

I didn't look like everyone else which is why I was bullied so much. My white hair and bright piercing eyes made people uncomfortable. Legend had it that rare wolves born with white hair were the strongest of all wolves. That they we strong enough to rival an Alpha of the pack. Only I was eighteen and still hadn't shifted. Most pack members shifted as early as fifteen. The pack used this against me and called me a weakling. I could talk to my wolf, I just never got the urge to shift. At first I was really disappointed and upset but overtime I got used to it and let it go. The worst part was the taunting that came with it. I was a freak with white hair and a useless pack member. The pack members treated me lower than a human. And even then human mates got more respect than I did. When the taunting did get to me I made sure to cry in private. I didn't want to burden my family with my problems. Chloe took my hand and squeezed it before pulling me in after her. Once we stepped into the ball room she let go and went over to her friends. I'm sure they were gossiping about all the eligible bachelors who could possibly be their mates. 

I decided to hide away in the back of the ball room where it was a little darker. Before I could make it there though I caught Emilio's eye. He smiled the sexiest smile and raised his glass to me before turning back to the guy he was talking too. What in the literal hell is wrong with me. I can't like the future Alpha of our pack especially when he isn't my mate. I rolled my eyes at him and continued to the back table. I took a seat and let out a breath of relief that Emilio didn't come over to me. I couldn't deal with him right now and how dare he openly show his interest in me here. I was picking at the table, daydreaming when Chloe's excited voice called out to me. 

"Stazzzzz!" Chloe said with overwhelming excitement. I met her beaming smile and waited for her to go on. "My MATE! He's here, he's a beta! He's cousins with one of the pack members here!" She let out in a gushed thrill. But her face soon fell in realization. She would have to leave the pack she spent her whole life in. I smiled a soft smile at her. 

"Clo that's awesome! You can always come visit us." I said trying to comfort her. She smiled at my support and pulled me into a tight hug. 

"Oh Staz, I can't wait til you find your mate, he will love you so much. BUT! Not more than I do!" She exclaimed bopping me on the nose. Giving me one last hug Chloe skipped away. 

I watched on ready for the party to end. I let my wonder to my mate. Would he be loving? Will he treat me like a princess? Finally I decided I was tired of sitting and headed to the outside terrance. I took a deep breath of the night air closing my eyes. The smell of fir trees and fresh snow made its way into my nose. My wolf stirred inside of me, and said the single word I never expected. 

MATE!

I opened my eyes to see little snowflakes falling around me. It wasn't cold enough for snow? We rarely got snow in October. I took the time to admire the falling snow. I felt the presence behind me but I didn't want to acknowledge it yet. Snow was my favorite thing in the whole world. It was pure and quiet as it blanketed the earth in it's tiny crystalline form. 

"Beautiful isn't it?" A deep husky voice spoke from behind me. His voice revibrated through me. I soaked it in, basking in his voice. It sent chills throughout my body. I turned to face my mate, I wanted to see what he looked like. I gasped in surprise as my eyes were meet with the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His face look like he was chiseled from marble. His suit hugged over his well built body. I could see the muscle hidden underneath it. As he moved closer I could feel the domiance emienting from his body telling me he was indeed an Alpha. I felt my knees weaken and my heart was thrumbing in my chest. Emilio was nothing but a child compared to this man in front of me. He was tall with charcoal hair, beautiful golden eyes and sunkissed skin. He was mouthwatering and it started a fire deep in my core. 

"You see, snow is one of my gifts." He mused pulling me out of my trance of admiration. A knowing smirk evident on his face. 

"Gifts?" I said outloud without realizing I did. This causes a chuckle to escape him. Then the realization hit me. Rare Alpha lines have powers and they only stay in the purest of bloodlines. Which would mean he's one of the few families that were still a pure Alpha line. SHIT!