***The Lycan King’s Heir - Chapter 8 (on Wattpad) OUT NOW!!!***
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"You look amazing Gracie!" My best friend Petra squealed, clasping her hands to her chest excitedly. "Remind me you have that dress next time I ask to borrow something."
I assessed my reflection in the mirror as Petra settled back onto the velvet sage-colored duvet on my large four-poster bed. She was right. The deep blue form-fitting satin dress fell about mid-thigh with slit that trailed up to just below my hip bone. The bodice clung to my waist and had a sweetheart neckline. Strappy black 4-inch heels adorned my feet. I chose to pair the look with a thick satin ribbon choker with a large tear drop black diamond and matching earrings. My long hair was left down to fall at my waist. The omega stylist teased and braided my hair for what seemed like hours, the results being a Northern look with white anemones, blue daisies, and baby's breath weaved into fishtail braids of various sizes throughout. Two evenly sized braids just above my ears were tied back with black satin ribbon. I wore little make up, showing off my clear skin and freckles. A quick brush of brown mascara helps my dark green eyes stand out, and some tinted gloss to plump my lips.
I look over at Petra who looked spectacular. True to her goth fashion, she had decided on a black oversized t-shirt dress that flowed to a stop just above her knee. Her long legs were sheathed in fishnet hose and clunky leather boots with small metal spikes swallowed her dainty feet. Her long black hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, her bangs tickling her brows. Unlike me Petra had gone all out with her make up. Eyeliner and smokey eyeshadow rimmed her eyes, foundation a couple shades lighter than her already light skin tone smudged across her face, and some matte black lip stick.
"You look pretty sexy yourself," I say with a wink. "Are you ready to head out?" We were headed to a small bar in the city that I had asked my father to rent out for the night. This ensured that the facility would be ran and guarded by pack approved guests. Renting out a venue for a private event was especially helpful since it meant that underage pups 16 and up could attend and legally drink outside of pack borders.
Other than my father, stepmother, and Petra I really didn't have any close friends. Being the Alpha's daughter meant that my 21st birthday was THE event for our pack. To appease the public, I decided on the bar idea. People would come and go as they pleased, and it wasn't restricted to just the pack. Other packs could attend as well as vampires, witches, warlocks, and other "Mythics" the humans called us.
My father somehow lined up my favorite artist to play a short surprise set in the evening and arranged for an open bar. Despite the rental time beginning at four in the afternoon, Petra and I planned to my appearance around 9. Not that anyone would notice if I no showed. That's what the open bar was for.
All day we hung around the house watching our favorite rom-coms and getting ready for the party while gloom lingered thick in the air. Neither of us dared say anything, but what if after today things were different?
Turning 21 was a big turning point for a werewolf. It marked the beginning of official adulthood as we shifted into our wolf form for the first time. Our wolves are more of a feeling or mood until our first shift. When we shift and our fur color is revealed, we receive our rank. Black or white fur indicates an Alpha, dark grey or golden brown identifies Betas and Gammas, and omegas look like your average wolf. Alphas, Betas, and Gammas tend to be larger than omegas as well.
I'm older than Petra by four months. This means that not only will I be shifting first, but I will also be finding my mate this year, while Petra will have to wait until next year's Mate's Solstice since you have to be 21 at the time of the solstice to feel the mate pull, and that's only if your mate is in attendance as well. I sighed inwardly. I guess it really doesn't matter now that I'm to be mated to the King regardless.
Petra and I had done everything together since the first day we had met in kindergarten. From first sleep-over to first dance. In fifth grade we made a vow to save ourselves for our mates. Neither of us had even been kissed. I'd decided not to tell her. Keeping the secret from her manifested guilt that only grew as time passed. It was getting harder everyday as the future I'd try to ignore became my present all to quickly.
We walked through the Alpha's mansion, my home, and climbed into the limo that waited for us at the bottom of the stone entry steps. The driver helped us both in before walking around climbing into the driver's seat. As we travelled through the pack grounds, we made small talk guessing who we would see there and who we hoped we wouldn't. Once we crossed the border and started coasting down the highway the driver informed us that we would be arriving in about 15 minutes. I watched through the window as rural landscapes slowly faded from livestock and greenery to gradually taller and taller buildings and more and more lights.
A few minutes later the limo pulled up to the front of a small brick building that had been painted grey. The bouncer removed the velvet barrier to let us in.
"Happy Birthday Ms. Thewton." He said, dipping his head in greeting as we entered.
"Shh! Let's not make a big deal of things. Let's just all have a good night." I said waving my hand as if to brush his words away.
"Sorry miss!" I heard him call softly after me.
Petra elbowed us a path through the crowd and ordered us both shots. We were a few shots in when we decided to go to the small dance floor. We danced for several upbeat songs, and we even joined in a few line dances. Between songs we would refill our drinks and take more shots. Suddenly the room erupted in applause, and I registered the chords to my favorite song. I guess it was time for the surprise set. The tempo for this song is much slower than the songs we had been dancing to.
Couples around me moved closer together and began swaying in little circles around the dance floor. As I was turning to leave my ankle rolled and I lost my balance. Before I could hit the floor a strong arm wrapped around my waist and another hand grasped my hand. I was pulled up against a strong, sculpted chest. The smell of sandalwood and rain assaulted my nose and I gulped softly as my gaze wandered up a black button down before connecting with a pair of soft golden-brown eyes. The eyes widened in wonder before his arms wrapped around me again, this time holding me close against him. I started to push away, but as soon as he started to sway to the slow beat, I instantly felt my body relax.
The floor starts to spin, and I instantly realize there is no way I'm in any condition to shift tonight. Resolving to stay inside and to hopefully sneak off and shift another night this week, I signaled the bartender wading through the crowd and grab two shots. I hand one to my dance partner and we toast before downing the burning liquid and handing the test-tube shaped glasses back.
"Happy Birthday to me!" I shout up at him before blacking out.
I gazed at the woman next to me. Her hair reminded me of brush fire, the curly red strands setting the pillow case aflame as the locks tumbled across the sheets. I stroked her cheek softly, pulling back when she stirred, turning her face into my touch.
Sparks lingered on my fingers where our skin had made contact. This was the woman haunting my dreams. And now, she was mine.
I kissed her forehead softly before lightly brushing my thumb across her lips and getting up from the bed. I thought about the love we made the night before. From what I could recollect, the first time was awkward and drunken. Too late had I realized she was a virgin.
After both having slept some of the alcohol away, we had gone again, this time felt more natural. She had responded to my every touch, and her noises of pleasure had quickly sent my wolf spiraling out of control. I felt my eyes darken as he pushed his way forward.
I'd never felt him this out of control. I took her over and over again until we both fell asleep tangled together late into the night.
As the first light of the morning creeped through the window, I locate my clothes and get dressed quietly.
Glancing towards the sleeping goddess of my dreams I slipped off the thin gold chain I wore around my neck and removed the small, plain wedding band. It had been my mother's. My mother had passed away when I was 16. It seemed that one day she got sick and only got worse. Within months my mother was bedridden and frail, before the year was up, she was gone...
Seeing my own father suffer the anguish of losing a mate was unbearable. I buried myself into school to avoid having to be around him. I placed the band on the bedside table and walked out of the door.
In 2 months I'm supposed to be marrying Gracie Thewton if she doesn't find her mate at the Mate's Solstice. My wolf whined sadly at me as I walked down the hall, away from the unknown beauty. 'I feel it too.' I assure him.
They say if the bond is strong enough you can feel some muted effect if mates are in close proximity up to the time of the Solstice. Deep down my wolf and I knew this girl was our Chosen mate that the Moon Goddess, Selene, selected just for me.
I had decided long ago to never claim my Chosen mate. At 29, I had never attended a single one of the past seven of the Mate's Solstices I could have. There was no need. I would never experience what my father went through. Eventually, the grief had killed him.
Still, seeing the love my parents shared throughout my childhood, I respected the Chosen mate bond. It's said to be the most intimate relationship anyone can experience.
It wasn't fair to the girl that I had chosen this path and that we'd never share the bond the way the Goddess intended. I was hoping that by leaving the ring that she'd at least get to remember a small bit of the time we shared together.
================================================
I woke up to the sun spilling across my face. I groaned as I sat up slowly. My head was pounding. I looked around the room as it slowly began to come into focus. The sleek white and grey features and dark black stained wood.
This was certainly not my room.
*bzzzzzzz bzzzzz bzzzzzz bzzzzz* I heard my phone going off somewhere across the room. The sheets slide off of me as I roll of the bed and stumble over to the sound.
The cold air hits my naked skin. I shiver, not only from the cold, but from the thought of why I was naked.
What happened last night? I remember the bar, I remember dancing. There was a man, I couldn't recall his face, but I remember he smelled delicious. Like sandalwood and rain.
After rifling through my handbag I found my phone. 56 missed calls. I am so dead.
I checked the call record. My nerves calmed instantly when I saw most of calls were from Petra, and 54 of the calls had been made last night. I guess that's what time I stepped out.
The other two calls had been from my father earlier this morning, and just now, Hudson, Petra's twin and my ex-boyfriend.
We hadn't spoken much more than curt greetings in public in months. Why is he calling me?
We ended things about a year prior. It hadn't gone well. We started unofficially dating when we were 13. We weren't allowed to date that young, but also, most werewolves really don't officially date before they find a mate.
Most wolves prefer to save themselves for their mates, however it wasn't uncommon not to wait to have sex. Hudson and I both wanted to wait, but we also enjoyed being with each other. We never did more than hold hands, and once he kissed my cheek three years ago after seeing how distraught I was when I agreed to marry King Shaun.
At first we stayed together anyway.
We'd promised long ago that we'd both attend our first Mate's Solstice and if neither of us found our Chosen mates we'd pick each other as our Destined mates. Except I'd robbed him of that.
My choice put a strain on our relationship. He started distancing himself from me. One night I had gone over to his house to speak to him. Petra had let me in not knowing what I would find. Knocking on the door to his bedroom and entering at the same time, I saw Hudson and a girl from that our school who was just a grade below us. She was straddling his lap, her hands were grasping his hair while his hands were roaming over her back and hips as they noisily made out at his desk. I just turned and walked out. We never had to officially end things because we were never official.
Clutching my phone to my chest I turned on my heel and stalked to the bathroom. I sat the phone down on the grey marble counter and turned the shower faucet to scalding hot. I didn't need to remember everything to understand what had happened last night, my aching pelvis and lower abdominal regions giving me a hint as to the events that transpired after I had blacked out.
I quickly showered using the travel sized soaps provided by the hotel. Once I dried off I called the front desk to bring me a toothbrush. I had also asked to settle the bill for check out, but I was told to stay as long as I needed, the room was paid for as long as I needed it.
Shocked, I thanked her and said she could cancel the account further and call maid service as I would be leaving shortly. I went to hang up the receiver and noticed a golden band on the table next to the phone. Carefully I picked it up and put it on my ring finger on my right hand.
It fit perfectly. So I kept it on. I didn't see a note, but somehow I felt like the ring had been left for me.
After brushing my teeth and swapping the plushy hotel robe for my dress, I grabbed my heels by their straps and swung the satchel strap of my handbag over my shoulder as I walked barefoot out of the hotel room.
I pulled out my phone to call Petra. I needed to let her know I was okay. She had texted me earlier in the morning that she had covered for me but that I needed to get home as soon as possible.
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