"It's a good idea. We've had the same ball arrangements for a while. It's good to mix things up a bit." Sozin commented.
We entered the ballroom and my eyes widened at the amount of people there were. So many Alphas and Lunas. As well as people of from the Arcanus Council. I took a deep breath as we continued to walk in. My grips on the buys arms tightened slightly as I began to get anxiety. However, I felt comforted when they both placed their hands over my own.
I looked at the whole set up and I was proud of myself. The flower arrangements were made into beautiful vines of white roses. Dangling down from the high ceiling. The roof was bewtiched to look like the night sky. They wanted to make the diamonds float around the vines of roses, however I thought it would be more pretty of it were diamond snow flakes.
"That's a lot of people," I said as I took a deep breathes.
"Don't let them intimidate you," Sozin said, "Remember, you're Zeus's mate. You're his equal and he's the most powerful out of all of us. Shoulders back and head high, you're the queen for the night Lil. Enjoy it."
I listened to Sozin's words. And they inspired me. I mean I am a queen all the time...but tonight, I get to show it off. I've always been treated like I'm made out of glass and in turn, I acted like I was made out of glass too, like I was weak. But here. The guys treat me like I'm one of them, that I am strong...and because they believed in me...I felt it. I felt strong.
"Hello Ladies and Gentlemen." I looked up ahead on the top of the balcony where the stairs lead up to. Zeus was standing there with a wine glass in his hand, "Thank you all for coming to our annual ball. We hope as a result, there will be many good memories as well as friendships being made tonight. I hope you all enjoy the drinks and food," Zeus raises his glass and said, "May all be blessed on this fine evening, cheers." Everyone who had a glass raised their drink and took a sip. Everyone went back to mingling and laughing together.
Sozin and Donny went around, introducing me to all of the Alphas and Lunas of different packs. I felt this thought itching at the back of my mind. I felt like Zeus should be the one to guide me around the room introducing me to people.
"Lily?" I heard a familiar voice that made my wolf jump around inside of me.
My head whips to my right and I broke out in an excited smile. My family. I looked up at the boys and they gently stepped away.
"Thank you," I said them both. I gave them a kiss on the cheek.
"If you need anything or feel uncomfortable just come to one of us," Sozin said to me. I nodded my head before quickly walking to my family.
I was shocked to literally see the whole family. Even my cousins were here...I didn't even know that they were invited! I snickered to myself, knowing them they probably invited themselves. I laughed in happiness as I saw my parents. I leapt into their arms and they embraced me tightly.
"Mom! Dad!" I shouted in joy.
"Oh I have my baby again!" My mother laughs, she cups my face as tears glistened in her eyes, "You looks absolutely stunning, my dear. I am so proud of you." I felt my own eyes sting of tears. Ugh! I can't handle it when my mother cried. Because when she cries then I cry!
My father steps in and gives me a big hug, "I'm so happy you're okay, Lil."
I hold onto my father tightly and said, "I missed you, Papa."
He kissed my forehead and said in a shaky voice, "I missed you too, Baby girl."
My mother stared at me curiously for a minute and then her eyes widened, "Hold on a minute," My mother said, "You can see us?"
Oh yeah...I totally forgot about that, "Yeah," I said nervously, "Arcanus is very different," I explained to my parents, "They have many different species and sorcery here...and for some reason...my eyes seems to respond to them."
"I always knew you were a freak of nature."
I roll my eyes when I face my big cousin, Xavier. I squealed as I lunged into his arms and gave him a giant embrace. I was so happy.
"What about me?!" I heard a higher voice.
I laughed and turned to my little sister, "Come here, Genevieve." She smiles and gives me a giant hug! For an eighteen year old she was strong. She looked like me except with black hair. Everyone in my family had dark hair except me.
I went around and hugged everybody. I saw Uncle Xander and Aunt Lizzy their kids Xavier and his two little sisters Penelope and Nina, Uncle Noah and Aunt Mia along with their kids Kieth, Tommy and their new born baby girl named Sophie. And last but not least, Uncle Soul and Aunt Ayla with their kids Milo and his little sister Valentina. Ayla was also expecting another pup. I was so happy to see them all. Literally. They looked the exact same. Seriously...they haven't changed at all. They might look the tiniest bit older, but other than that, the exact same.
I think what surprised me the most were the older boys: Xavier, Kieth and Milo. They've grown a lot! Like...they're huge. Probably bigger than their dads, but I'm sure they're proud. It made me a little sad to think I couldn't see them grow.
But that's okay. I get to see them now and that's all that counts.
My father and mother along with my uncles and aunties dispersed in the crowd. All of them talking to other Alphas and Lunas.
My little sister came to me in her beautiful gown and said, "There are so many hot males everywhere I can't handle it," She tried to say subtly.
I giggled, "Stop it, Gen! They can hear you!"
She laughs, "I hope they do, then they'll know I am single and ready to mingle! I'm serious, Lil! How can you even contain yourself! Oh wait that's right, you have a mate. But let me tell you. Your mate is freaking gorgeous!" She almost yells.
"Shut up!" I said through my teeth, "He's a freaking HellHound!"
She rolls her eyes, "It doesn't mean he has hella hearing? Get it!"
"Oh my gosh," I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"But Lil. Your mate is like divine. I've never seen anyone so good looking in my entire life...it's shocking. Like I bet the moon goddess was like, 'a pinch of danger, a pinch of personality, a pinch of good looks-oh shit! I poured the whole bottle of good looks inside the freaking womb that gave birth to perfection...you know? Like I always thought that..."
I zoned my sisters little rant out as I scanned the area. My eyes immediately found Zeus because...well he's Zeus. My heart raced slightly when I saw him in a tux. His black hair slicked back while his glowing green eyes still shine as bright as ever. Well...Christmas came early for me, didn't it.
He was talking seriously with some Alpha. He glanced my way for only a moment and he did a double take. His eyes locked onto mine. His gaze travelled down my body and back up to my face. I gulped as I felt the intensity of his stare.
"Lily?" And my moment was dead as soon as I heard that voice.
I was totally and utterly at loss of words when I saw Ryan! As in my ex boyfriend Ryan?!
"Ryan?!" I said bewildered. So this is what he looked like. He had blonde hair, blue eyes. He was cute, but...I wasn't into cute.
Guilt was in his eyes as he smiled nervously down at me, "Hey?"
"What are you doing here?" I asked totally confused. I turned and saw Xavier was right behind me, I grabbed his expensive suit and pulled him near me, "Why the hell is Ryan here?!"
Xavier looked confused as he answered, "What do you mean? You guys are back together aren't you?"
"Why would you even think that?" I said in a low and harsh whisper.
Xavier nods toward Ryan, "He said you guys have been in contact and sorted stuff out. He said that you were only here to help your mate, reject him and then go back to Ryan?"
That freaking liar, "He lied! We are not back together at all! Does he even know who my mate is?"
Xavier shook his head.
I groan as I felt a head ache coming on, "I can't believe he's even here, in Arcanus! Hardly anyone knew this place existed! How could he even be here!"
Xavier rubs my back comfortingly, "Alright so he lied, " He steps around me and said, "Wait here, while I go beat the asshole."
I grab Xavier's arm before he did anything, "No don't! There's-"
"Who are you beating up?" Kieth came in as well as Milo.
"Are we beating up someone?" Milo asks excitedly.
Xavier steps back closer, "We're beating up Ryan. He lied. They're not back together."
"Wait can I come?" Tommy came in, Kieth's little brother.
Kieth rolled his eyes, "No, Tommy you're too young. You stay with Genevieve."
Genevieve steps in and scoffs with her arms crossed over her chest, "Excuse me? I want to beat his ass too? Why am I too young to come? I'm old enough to have a mate so I should be able to come and at least slap him."
Xavier growls at them, "Everyone shut up! It's just us older three. Come on, boys."
Suddenly all three of my cousins started to slowly move toward Ryan. I quickly went in front of them and held my hands up, "Just wait a minute here and let me speak! This is a very important event! There are a lot of powerful people here. You can't just go an start beating someone. If you want to do that...do that at home."
All three of them stood there in thought. Xavier tilts his head to the side, "So we can at home?"
I nodded my head tiredly, "Yes!"
Xavier nods his head, "Fine. We'll do it at home."
I sighed in relief as they walked off and began to socialise once again. I walked to Ryan and said, "You need to leave." I growled at him.
He sighed, "Look I just-"
"This is an invite only ball. You were not invited, Ryan." I said firmly.
He grabs a hold of my hands and said, "Please, Lily. I was an asshole, okay? I wasn't ready to take on all your blind stuff. But I am now!"
I shook my head, "No, Ryan. What you did hurt me. We were together for a long time. You had convinced me that we would be mates in the future! But then you dumped me and went on a European tour with Alexa! Your Ex!"
Ryan rubs his eyes stressfully, "I know I know! And that was an asshole move, but-"
"No, Ryan. Just stop. Go home. I don't want you here."
I could see he began to get frustrated, "But we fit perfectly together! Come back and be with me! I will provide for you and I will love you. Your mate doesn't even want you! He doesn't even care about you! Why stay?"
I gulped. I opened my mouth to say something snarky back. But I realised he was kinda right. Zeus didn't want me. And I don't think he cares for me.
I shook my head, "That's not the point! You hurt me, Ryan!" The more I looked at him the more I was reminded of our time together. I liked him a lot. We were High School sweethearts. He promised me that he thought we were going to be mates. He said he would love me and cherish me forever. And I was stupid enough to believe it. I was scared that no one would want me because of my disability, so when Ryan started to make these big promises and confessions of love...I couldn't myself.
As he stepped near me, I felt my body respond a little bit. The farthest we had gone was just making out. He wanted to go further but I didn't.
I cleared my throat and took a step back. I would be fooling myself to think he wasn't attractive. I mean, this was the first time to ever see him. He was cute and hot and all that. But I knew better. I fell for his voice...I'm not going to fall for a pretty face either.
Ryan took a step forward, I jumped slightly when I felt his hand on my hips, he raises his hand and tucked a hair behind me ear. A flash of a memory came to mind, it was of Zeus whenever he tucked my hair behind my ear.
"Come on, Lily. Give me a chance. I can make you happy...make you feel wanted." I wasn't going to accept such an offer. But for second...only for a split second did I consider it.
"You alright, Lil?" Sozin appears at my side.
"We just came to check on you." Donny appears on my other side and has his hand on my back.
Ryan takes a step back and glares at them, "She's fine."
Sozin smirks but with no drip of humour at all.
Donny said in a not very nice voice, "We were asking our sister...not you."
I could see Ryan sizing both of them up. Ryan was a big guy...but he was nothing compared to Sozin and Donny.
"Which one of you are her mate, I'll challenge him here and now."
My eyes widen, "What?"
Sozin chuckles, "None of us are...but trust me, you don't want to meet her mate."
Ryan says over-confidantly, "What is he? An Alpha? I can take him, trust me," Ryan turns to me and winks as if he was acting all over-protective when he was actually being overly annoying.
Donny laughs, "An Alpha?" He continues to laugh, "Oh buddy, you are too confidant for your own good. Obviously no one has informed you about anything, Have they?"
Suddenly a tall and broad figure appeared behind Ryan.
Donny and Sozin both smirk at my ex.
"You're in my way, boy." Zeus growled lowly. Ryan gulped and turned around, his eyes widen in pure terror.
"Z-Zeus?"
He just stares down at Ryan as if he was nothing, "Who are you?" He asks.
Ryan gulps, "I'm Lily's boyfriend."
"What?" I exclaimed.
Zeus snickers, showing off his wolfish fangs, "Funny...because I'm her mate."
All the blood drains from Ryan's face. He was trying act like a badass, key word: acting.
Ryan stepped aside like a little puppy. Zeus came to my side and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him.
"Wait Lily!" I close my eyes as I hear Ryan say my name. He looks at me pleading me, "Please...I love you." I love you...the most overused and manipulative words ever. I remember the times he would say I love you. Even when he broke up with me he said it. All of our good memories flash into my mind. I felt a slight pang of hurt. I flinch at his words. I look down to the ground.
"Lily, is this your boyfriend?" Zeus asks firmly.
I reply quietly, "No."
"That's what I thought." Zeus presses firmly against my waist and ushers me away from the guy who broke my heart.
I raise my head and my breath hitched as his green eyes poured into my own. All thoughts of Ryan vanished as I felt completely Enchanted by his presence.
"Do you dance?" He asks with a familiar reflection in his eyes. This did feel...
I felt my lips slowly tug into a small grin as I said mischievously, "Only when I'm asked properly."
Zeus's eyes stared at me a little longer than normal before replying with a challenging smirk, "Lily Crowe of the Blood Moon Pack, Will you dance with me?"
The tugging pulled with more force and I felt my smile as I place my small hand into his large calloused one. He never broke eye contact as his hand closed over mine with the up most care.