Ryan's POV
We started to walk toward our parents. Abel immediately went to dad's side. They are thick as thieves. Father smiled proudly at us and asked me
" are you ready to find your mates my son? "
I'm not. But I can't say that. I need to be happy. Happy for getting my other half, getting marriage bliss and blah blah. I smiled
"Yes father I think I'm a little young for marriage but I can't wait to meet my fated mate."
"Young you say.. I was 18, two years younger than you when I met your father and dad and be happy that we gave you 2 years for wedding preparation".
Mom told me. She told us a thousand times about the magic moment when she met dad and father at a charity ball. Dad and father were together for a year at that time. And they met, fell in love and lived happily ever after. Seeing them is the only hope that my marriage life is not gonna be boring.
"Where is Caleb?"
Dad asked and I thought about my third brother. He is a beta. He enjoys his life like nobody else. Unlike me, he parades his lovers and brags about his adventures.
"Probably sleeping off his hangover". Brion murmured. Mom heard it and made a calculative nod towards dad. Caleb was in for another lecture.
Poor boy.
"That boy. He is going to be my death. He can't be here for his brother's mating ball?"
Dad sighed. Father was just watching his spouse with a lovely gaze. He doesn't usually interfere with little things like that. If we didn't do anything that made his mates cry or did anything tarnishing the country's name father will leave that to dad and mom.
"Sir, the potential mates are all ready and waiting for prince Ryan's arrival"
Karen, father's butler said.
Most of the palace's workers were like that. Silent. We often forget about their presence.
"Go there son, check whether your fated mates are there. Most Omegas and betas in our country are there. You are not only finding your fated mates but also the future ruling beta and ruling omega of our country"
Yeah, no pressure. By most of the omegas and betas father meant the nobility or the higher class. For most the things our parents are open-minded but pure blood is something they are still hung up about. And I agree with them somewhat. Because noble blood makes a good ruling beta and omega, they know what to do and how to behave and it's easier. And they will not mind if I take a concubine. With that thought, I separated from my family and went to the ballroom. My parents and brothers will be in the garden where the mating ceremony will take place. I hope that I find both my beta and omega or none of them. Going through the mating ceremony twice will be horrible. Anyways, seeing me guards bowed and opened the grand door and I entered the ballroom. It is a grand hall with lots of full-length windows and it is filled with so many betas and omegas. They were chatting among themselves. Drinks were served and a buffet waiting with caterers on the sidelines.
When they saw me a demeaning silence fell over for a few seconds. And then they were chatting about me. My eyes skipped from face to face. They all have smiles bigger than the Eiffel tower on their faces. I want to get this over with. So I sighed and took a long breath.
An aroma that I can't stop breathing in caught my nose. It is a mix of mint, lemongrass and paper. I recognised it as the scent of my future beta. At the same time, there was a glass shattering on the floor. I started following the scent. I hoped that the beta already found my omega mate.
When the mating ball occurs most of the betas and omegas find their mate. It will be the fellow contestants, the palace guards or even palace guests from the neighbouring country.
I followed the smell and my eyes fell on the most handsome man I have ever seen. He is shocked as I am. He is such a handsome man. High defined cheekbones and jaw lines that can cut glass and pitch-black curly hair with gorgeous brown eyes.
He jolt awake from the shock and hugged me suddenly. My nose was in his neck and took a large breath. Wow, he smells like paper and lemongrass with a touch of mint.
So delicious
He pulled off me and blushed a nice shade of pink. Oh, I think I said that out loud.
Ryan. Get a grip.
"Beta, you are one of my mates. Congratulations, I don't think our other mate is here..My butler here will inform your parents and get ready for the mating ceremony".
His mouth is opened wide and he is staring at me like I have horns on my head. Then all of his emotions suddenly blanked and he gave me a hand to shake
"My name is Bernard William Arthur, I'm the son of duke Arthur. Yes you are my mate prince. Thanks for asking".
Oh god!! I forgot to ask his name. Anyways who gave him the right to talk to me like that. I grabbed him by the hips and thrust our whole lower body together.
"Don't smartmouth me Beta, you will have consequences"
A throat cleared behind me, oh god I forgot we had an audience. I quickly pulled beta to my side faced by butler
"Sean, this is my beta mate and I don't think my other mate is here, so the mating ball is over".
Sean bowed to my beta and said to me,
"Your highness you should have your first dance with riyal mate and that can be the end"
"You are right Sean, come beta, let's have our first dance"
I dragged him to the centre of the room and the light adjusted accordingly and soft piano music started to play.
"Don't call me beta, my name is bernard William, I'm your mate, not your side lover."
He said to me. We were slow dancing to the music. oh, a wild one. I will have fun taming this one.
"Ok Bernard. Tell me, are you a virgin or had lovers".
Before he can answer a mouthwatering smell reached my nose. My eyes widened in realisation and I quickly looked to Bernard. He also has the same effect on the smell and was frantically searching the room.
"Come, let's find our omega".
I started to walk towards the scent, my hand on Bernard's back.
Hey, my future readers, I started this story yesterday and nobody is reading this. But I'm writing this to my satisfaction. If you are reading this, thank you for supporting me, pls vote and comment. sorry for my grammar mistakes. English is not my first language😘
Luv u all