The Rogue King's Mark

V E R A

I don't have a good feeling about today.

I don't know if it's the noise, all the clashing scents, or the fact that every important wolf from every major pack in the region decided to crowd into one place at the same time.

All for the Moonfall Gala. 

It is an annual event that takes place days before the largest supermoon of the year, and a time when all the packs in the region gather to celebrate community. Having all the packs in one place like this is also a good opportunity for people to find potential mates as well. In Werewolf custom, a male wolf is able to mark the female he desires, and the mark can either be rejected or accepted. If rejected, the two are not meant to be together, whether they both want to or not, but if the mark is accepted, then the Moon has decreed that they are destined to be together.

It's always an interesting experience, one that's both nerve-racking and exciting.

The moment the doors close behind me, my chest tightens, and I instantly regret agreeing to come here, even after my Beta and Gamma spent two straight days telling me I was insane for even considering skipping the Moonfall Gala when the Ignis Pack was attending.

It's always unpredictable having this many packs in one place. There have been multiple fights in the past as a result, but the Council of Elders have decreed that there is to be no violence between any of the packs during the week of the Moonfall Gala, and a temporary truce will be issued. 

Still, that doesn't make me feel any less uneasy.

"Vera, please relax." I hear Kassandra, my Gamma, let out beside me, her voice light as she walks beside her mate, and my Beta, Ronan. 

"I'm not nervous," I answer stubbornly, and that's when Ronan scoffs lightly at me. 

"No one said anything about you being nervous." Ronan retorts, and I huff lightly, watching as he gives me a light smile. 

The two of them have been my best friends for as long as I can remember, and when we got older, Ronan finally had the guts to tell Kass how he really feels about her. And when the time finally came for him to mark her, the mark was fully accepted. Kassandra has green eyes, beautiful brown curly hair that reaches her shoulders and rich brown skin that seems to glisten with gold specks, complementing the golden dress she has on. As for Ronan, he is tall, with shaggy dark blonde hair and hazel eyes with freckles scattered across his nose, and he is dressed in a deep brown suit with gold accents to match Kassandra.

After I became the Alpha of my pack, choosing them as my Beta and Gamma was a no-brainer, and I'm happy they accepted. My Pack, the Ignis Pack, is old and well respected. I come from a long bloodline of Alphas that have built this pack to what it is today, and I am the first female Alpha of my line.

My hazel eyes glance sideways at them while we walk deeper into the hall, bringing my attention back to the present and trying not to wrinkle my nose at the smell of too many wolves packed together.

I then glance down at my dress before looking back at them.

"I hate this dress," I mumble as I move my reddish orange hair out of the way. My dress is long, down to the floor, with the fabric soft, clinging to the shape of my body in a way I actually appreciated. Though it's definitely out of my comfort zone, I know today I had to show up and show out, especially for the MoonFall Gala. 

"You loved the dress an hour ago. Besides, everyone needs to see how gorgeous the Alpha of the Ignis Pack is... especially, you know who..." Kassandra encourages me as she glances up at Ronan with a cheeky smile, both of them looking back at me.

I begin to blush at the mention of that, looking away from them as I glance around the room in the hopes of seeing him.

"I wonder if he's here yet... I can't quite pick up his scent..." I let out as my eyes scan the crowd.

"You already know what his scent is like. You know tonight just might be the night." Ronan teases just as I look back at him, not being able to help the smile that forms on my face.

"We don't know that for sure," I mumble, but the truth is, that's all I'm hoping for. 

Seeing Alpha Alaric Talmor... and him realising that I'm the right woman for him, especially since every interaction I've ever had with him has only ever left me feeling completely breathless, and without a doubt in my mind, that he is meant to be my mate....

Suddenly, the hope of seeing him tonight makes being here more bearable.

I begin to glance around the hall, appreciating how beautiful it actually is. I'll admit that much. Lanterns hang from the ceiling beams, gold banners from different packs drape across the walls, and music echoes through the massive space. Servants move through the crowd carrying trays of wine and roasted meat, and for a second, I almost manage to relax until...

I finally see him, the man I've been waiting to see...

Alpha Alaric Talmor...

And the best part is... I find that he is looking at me as well...

Alaric is the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on. He is dressed in a deep navy blue suit, and his hair is a light brown, with the sides lightly shaved. His eyes are a magnificent crystal blue, and the moment his gaze lands on me, his mouth pulls into a confident smile, and he begins to stride in my direction, my heartbeat immediately picking up as I try to keep myself calm.

"Vera, what is it? Your heart sounds like a drum right now." Kassandra lets out worriedly, and that's when she follows my gaze and realises who is it I'm staring at.

"Oh, I see." She answers with a cheeky smile before giggling lightly and turning back to Ronan, who also begins smiling at me.

"Try to breathe, Alpha," Ronan encourages, and that's when I take a deep breath, trying to remember who I am. I can't show him how nervous I am. What will he think of me? 

I need to be as composed as ever.

Alaric finally reaches me, being so tall that I have to tilt my head up slightly to properly look at him despite the heels I forced myself into tonight, and the closer he gets, the more difficult it becomes to ignore the effect he has on me. His scent alone is enough to make my chest tighten. It's cool-smelling, like cold rain, familiar and comforting enough to instantly settle my nerves.

"Alpha Vera..." he greets once he reaches me, his voice deep and smooth as his eyes move over me openly, not even attempting to hide his admiration.

"Alpha Alaric, good evening..." I answer calmly, though inside I swear my heart is trying to punch its way out of my chest.

"Good evening. You look magnificent tonight." He says to me, and I can't stop the smile that forms on my lips at the compliment, especially when he says it so naturally, like there isn't another woman in this entire room worth looking at...

"Thank you... You look... very handsome..." I answer, trying not to sound too eager.

"I tried my best to put something together," he chuckles lightly, glancing down briefly at his suit before looking back at me again, and honestly, it should be illegal for a man to look this attractive while acting this effortlessly charming.

He then turns slightly toward Ronan and Kassandra, acknowledging them properly.

"Beta Ronan. Gamma Kassandra." He nods at them.

"Alpha Alaric," they both answer respectfully, bowing their heads slightly.

"If I may, I'd like to steal your Alpha away for a few minutes." He lets out, a small smile, appearing on his lips.

Ronan instantly grins like he has been waiting for this exact moment all evening...

"By all means," he answers before looking at Kassandra. "Come darling, let's go get ourselves a drink." He tells her, taking her hands as he begins to tug her away.

"Of course," Kassandra answers as she gleams at him before glancing back at me with the most shamelessly excited expression imaginable.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she whispers quickly through our mindlink while walking past me.

I nearly choke at that and try my best not to react outwardly. 

"Kassandra," I warn her through the link, hearing her laugh in response before she and Ronan eventually disappear together into the crowd, leaving me entirely alone with Alaric...