"What do you think, Lilith? Does this dress look good on me?" Willow asked giddily.
"You look incredible, Willow. You might actually find your mate today," I replied.
Today is the semi-annual mating ball, which wolves have traditionally hosted in order to locate their partners. It is only for people who are still unmated and seeking their true love. Willow is still single despite turning eighteen last year, so she is really thrilled to attend her first ball. But, unlike her, I felt terrified.
My situation stays unspeakable. No one in my pack knows that I have already been marked by a wolf. I've always made sure to mask my scent during the end of my encounters with Eligor. It was the only way for my father to keep being oblivious.
"You should also start getting ready, Lilith. There are only a few hours left before the ball!" She exclaimed.
I nodded. "It's okay, Willow. I don't usually spend a lot of time when I'm getting ready."
I looked beyond the mirror in Willow's room and saw the dress that I'd brought earlier. It's a silver glistening dress with a corset back, off-shoulder sleeves, and a slit that starts from the upper thigh. It's a fairly beautiful evening gown that would compliment my body.
I glanced at Willow and saw that she was nearly finished getting dressed. The back of my gown needed her assistance so I was patiently waiting until she was done.
"Can you help me with the back of my dress, Willow?" I asked, slipping into the fabric of my garment.
Willow smiled and went behind me. "Of course, silly. Anything for our heiress."
I broke into a laugh and shook my head. For some reason, I always find it weird when it's my friends who call me an heiress. It's just such a formal title.
"Do you think Atticus will attend this time, Lilith?" Willow suddenly asked.
"I think he would, Willow. Most of the wolves from our pack are going to be there, the Beta needs to watch them on behalf of our Alpha, especially now that we're still being threatened." I answered.
Willow tied the last ribbon on my back and held my shoulders so I could face her. "Let's see if he finds his mate, Lilith! Atticus is already twenty-two, but he's still mateless. I worry about him sometimes." She said, pouting.
True enough, Atticus is still unmated at his age. Sometimes, even I wonder why. Atticus is a fairly fine wolf. He's attractive, tall, and also competent. He's also admired by a lot of wolves from different packs, so I do not understand how he still hasn't found his mate up to this day.
"Let's just wait and see, Willow. Atticus had been to this ball numerous times before we even started going to them, but I've never seen him return home hand in hand with a she-wolf." I replied, shrugging.
Willow sighed and held my hands. "Let's not be like him, Lilith! I hope we both find our mates tonight." She giggled.
I almost broke into a cough when I heard the words find and mate in the same sentence. How can I find mine when I already have a chosen one?
I faked a smile and nodded. "You're gonna find your mate for sure, Willow."
It didn't take me long to finish getting ready. I looked in the mirror and saw my reflection. My makeup complemented my gown since I purposefully made my eyeshadow shimmer in order to get that sparkling and exquisite effect. I also wore my hair in a bun with a few pieces hanging beside my cheeks, to bring more attention to my marking spot.
My father believes that I am still unmated even after a year since I turned eighteen, so I knew that I had to pretend to be eager tonight, looking for a mate.
I looked back at Willow and tapped her shoulders. "We should get going, Willow. You wouldn't want to be late."
Willow immediately lifted her eyes and gave me a quick look. She smiled. "You never disappoint, Lilith. You look like the heiress that you are." She said.
I thanked her for the compliment and we went out of the room hand in hand, only to discover Atticus waiting to escort us.
He fixed his glittering black suit at the sight of Willow and me.
"Your tux is so shiny, Atticus. You're blinding my eyes!" Willow exaggerated.
Atticus just scoffed and crossed his arms. "Keep that mouth running and you won't find your mate tonight, Willow." He retorted.
My hands flung into my forehead as I listened to the two of them bicker.
"Can't we just go guys? The Alpha is going to be so mad if we end up being late."
Willow pouted at my nagging but also immediately entered the car.
Atticus smiled at me and whispered, "You look very beautiful tonight, Lilith."
When we arrived at the venue, we were greeted by the sight of multiple packs of wolves seated at various tables. The event has yet to start but a lot of the wolves are already mingling with each other. While Willow sat with our pack, Atticus and I made our way to my father.
"You have a lot to do tonight, Atticus," I said, pertaining to the responsibility my father gave him for today's ball.
Atticus heaved a sigh and nodded, "Indeed, I do, Lilith. I have to watch all of these wolves and stand guard in case a rogue attacks the hall. It's hard being a beta." He complained.
I bit my lower lips and patted his shoulders. "Do you even get enough rest, Atticus? I've been seeing less and less of you around our territory these days. "
He forced a smile as his gaze darted upon me. "The Alpha and I are trying our best to keep the pack safe, Lilith. We've been getting a lot of rogue attempts lately. I could tell that they were snooping their noses around our place to give information to their leader."
My body felt tense as soon as I heard his mention of Eligor. I haven't seen him in a week since the day that he visited me. He must have been busy plotting his revenge.
"I wish I could help, Atticus. But my father won't allow me to get involved. Alpha Khai and Alpha Declan have been consistent on not mentioning their history with the Koens." I replied.
"I understand you, Lilith. They've been keeping me in the dark as well. It's hard to tell what we're up against."
Atticus and I stopped chatting as soon as we reached the table of Alpha Declan and Alpha Khai. Both of us paid our respects and exchanged greetings.
"How are you enjoying things tonight, Alpha Khai?" I immediately asked after giving my father a peck on his cheeks.
He gave me a huge smile and a quick scan as he responded. "I'm doing great, Lilith. You look amazing as ever, by the way."
My cheeks heated with his sudden compliment.
"Thank you, Alpha. I could say the same thing about you." I replied.
Atticus nudged my shoulder, which made me look at my father, who was smiling.
"You would look good together with Khai, Lilith." He said.
My eyes widened immediately as my hands gestured no. "I wouldn't dare say that, Father. Alpha Khai is beyond my league." I replied.
"You're not in the place to say that, Lilith. You're the future Luna of the Leurunas," Alpha Khai retorted.
His remarks made me feel butterflies in my stomach. I unconsciously fiddled with my finger as Alpha Khai watched me in amusement.
"You're just such an amazing leader that I couldn't see myself being on the same level as you, Alpha. " I muttered in a low voice.
"Perhaps we should leave the two of them alone to talk, beta. I wouldn't mind if my daughter chose to be mated with my closest comrade." My father said, dragging Atticus away and leaving me alone.
My eyes immediately wandered off to Alpha Khai, who was smiling and patting the chair beside him. I sat next to him right away, though my hands were trembling out of nervousness.
Alpha Khai was someone that I have admired since I turned eighteen. He has always been a great alpha although he's still young, and he has always been attractive to my eyes.
I turned my head to look at him, whom I didn't realize was already watching me. My cheeks heated yet again. "Forgive my father for teasing you with me earlier, Alpha. I've been mateless for a year, so he's keen on finding me a partner."
His eyes sparked with amusement. "You don't need to apologize, Lilith. And please, drop the formalities and just call me Khai. I promise I wouldn't mind."
The corner of my lips curled into a smile as I nodded. "Khai? It feels somehow illegal to only call you by your name," I replied.
"I like my name better when you say it out loud like that, Lilith."
I couldn't stop myself from blushing. Is he flirting with me?
"You flatter me too much, Khai. With the way you treat women, I wonder why you're still single up to this day." I said, trying to fish for information about why he was still mateless.
Khai leaned back in his chair before putting his arms around my seat. My body tensed up.
"I also do not know, Lilith. I still haven't found her. What I do know is that I'm now in my late twenties, and it wouldn't harm to give up on my true mate and choose a chosen one." He whispered.
I understood what he was implying, and under normal conditions, I wouldn't mind being claimed by Khai Palmer. Eligor was the only problem. If it wasn't for him, then I'd probably have served myself already for Alpha Khai. I formed a genuine smile and relaxed into his arms that were wrapped around my seat. Khai noticed and smirked.
"You haven't told me about your type yet, Khai. Maybe I could give you a list of our single she-wolves that fit you so you could choose a mate." I stated, secretly fiddling with my fingers.
"I think you know very well who my type is, Lilith."
I bit my lower lips as our eyes met due to the close proximity of our faces. Something in me was instantly awakened.
"Do you want to get out of here?" I whispered, my voice being husky from the tension. Khai's lips immediately formed into a grin as he stood up from his chair and grabbed me by my waist.
"I thought you'd never ask."
When I and Khai exited the event, the wolves had already begun dancing with each other, and for some reason, I felt myself growing excited as Khai led me into one of the hotel rooms where we planned to stay after the ball.
His hold was warm and gentle as he pinned me to the wall, hovering over me. My arms immediately made their way into his nape, circling around it as if it were mine.
Khai came closer to my lips and my eyes instantly shut at the anticipation. "Can I kiss you, Lilith?" He asked.
My breathing hitched at his sultry voice filling my ears. "You don't even have to ask, Khai."
With my consent, he did not spare a single second and devoured my lips. I kissed him back with the same intensity, sucking at his lower lips as his hands started roaming up my thighs.
Khai's kisses were traveling to my jaw when he whispered, "You're so hot, Lilith…"
His voice made me feel things that I almost lost the remaining self-respect I had left for myself. I clasped his face in my hands and kissed him again, this time much more passionately.
"Less talking and more kissing, please… " I responded.
He willingly succumbed to my request and spent his time kissing me while also feasting on my figure. I could tell he wasn't holding back since his tongue was toying with mine. And strangely enough, I don't feel any different while making out with him. My body didn't feel like it was betraying Eligor, and the mating link between us was deficient.
My breathing became labored as I felt Khai's hand play with my breasts. Because I was repressing my moans, it was also becoming difficult to keep up with his kisses. Khai took notice.
"It's all right, Lilith. You may moan my name," he said quietly.
I complied. "That feels so good, Khai…"
But just as I was about to lose my wits, a loud thump burst through the window. We both came to a halt and I knew that he had to leave.
"I'm sorry, Lilith. I think I have to go, I need to check if it was another rogue." Khai hesitantly stated, to which I immediately agreed.