The first thing I noticed was the colour. It was beautiful with splashes of every colour on the dresses and suits with different colour masks. Waiters came around and handed out drinks and appetizers. I grabbed a glass and something fancy looking before walking further into the room.
The music came from a band in the corner beside the thrones of the alphas. I looked to see the Alpha and Luna sat smiling, chatting with one another but Orion was nowhere to be seen. I turned around and saw Mei had wandered off chatting with a group of wolves I couldn't smell. I guessed they were from another pack. Seb was talking to a young woman with a golden dress and our mothers were sat at a table talking to other parents.
I stood on the dancefloor alone, trying to recognise anyone but it was so difficult with the masks on. As I felt my heart race, I dashed over to the bathroom and slammed shut the door.
I ripped off my mask and began trying to breathe. Each breath wheezed out as I struggled to get it together. I slouched to the floor as the panic attack worked its way in and I passed out.
A splash of water over my face made me gasp. I sat up straight as I came face to face with Mei.
"Jeez, Esme. You scared the crap out of me. I turned around and couldn't find you. Someone said they saw you walk in here. Are you okay?"
I nodded as she helped me up and she passed me a towel to dry my face.
"Another episode?" I nodded again. She sighed before grabbing my bag and reapplying some of my makeup, muttering to herself.
I grabbed her hand and pulled it down, "Mei, stop."
She looked up at me and I saw her eyes were slightly glossy.
"You just had me so scared. I was worried your mate would find you here and..."
"That didn't happen though. I'm okay." I smiled and reassured her, and she wiped her eyes before finishing my makeup and then fixing her own. We put our masks back on and linked arms before walking out together.
With Mei by my side, I felt much more confident. She always did that for me. She was my best friend.
Once we re-joined the crowd, the moon had almost risen to the point of releasing the mate bonds. Every unmated person had walked out of the hall into the adjoining dining hall where we would go for a meal and party with our mate if we were so lucky.
Seb was standing talking to a tall man with a black mask and we walked over to them. The closer we got, I realised it was Orion, the future alpha. I bowed slightly as we reached them, and he nodded his head.
"Alpha, it's good to see you." I spoke clearly and Mei copied.
"It's nice to see you too, Esmerelda. You look very beautiful in your gown." I blushed slightly before turning my attention to Seb.
"Are you ready, girls?" He asked. "It's almost time." We both nodded and the nerves crept up on me once again.
"You've got this." He reassured me, squeezing my shoulder before we were called into position.
Women were on one side with men on the other. Simple rules were announced that we couldn't take off our masks until we saw our mate. If we get no feeling, we can leave to join our families or just leave altogether.
I shut my eyes as the moon rose to the highest point in the sky. Suddenly a fuzzy feeling overwhelmed my entire body.
Mate is here. Find him. My wolf spoke and I quickly opened my eyes. I felt rooted to the spot as people began walking and removing masks off one another and claims were made. I scanned the room and came face to face with the same black mask. His eyes were on me, but he also didn't move. Without thinking, I turned and ran out the door.
I took off in a full-out sprint straight for my car. I slipped off my shoes throwing them in the car and climbed in, turning on the engine. Ripping off my mask, I shoved it in the passenger and reversed out of the parking space. As I looked, I saw Orion standing with his mask in his hand with a sombre look on his face.
I shot down the road, not thinking about anything but thankful for the lack of traffic. Pulling up to my house, I ditched the car, stripped off my dress and pulled my wolf forward.
I charged through the woods, heaving, and battling with my wolf as she tried to pull me back to him. She called for him over and over, but I couldn't go back. I was overwhelmed. I felt slightly destroyed by this revelation.
I thought back to a class when we were first taught about mates. I knew about them because of my parents but mum never told me much after dad died.
I remembered one thing that my teacher said: the moon goddess doesn't make mistakes. It was repeating itself in my head over and over, weighing me down until I stopped running. I heaved out as my wolf let go and I collapsed to the floor. Tears fell from my cheeks, and I curled myself up, lying on the wet muddy floor thinking how she could have done this to me.
Werewolves, though advanced in nature, still held on to one rule. A wolf would never mate with someone below their ranking. An alpha would only mate with another alpha or beta. They couldn't be with anyone below that standing. It stood the test of time for good reason: heirs. Alphas were from strong bloodlines creating strong children to protect, uphold and care for their packs. I had no title, no ranking and had no background. That only led me to one conclusion: Orion was going to reject me.
For him, he wouldn't feel it at all. His wolf would pine for a little while but eventually, get over it. His marriage was already arranged for 5 days' time. I on the other hand had a strong possibility of dying. I was weak and my wolf had already gotten so attached for the mere moment we were close to one another. I wasn't ready to die.
Why couldn't he have just claimed Sienna? This would have stopped all the problems because my wolf wouldn't be able to feel the bond. We'd be alone forever.
Is that really better? I ignored her pestering and allowed myself to drift off, hoping the cold would kill me first.