I rush over to them both.
"Guys what's happened, why are you both here?" I say feeling the anxiety rise as the words flow out.
They remain still looking at me then looking at one another I know they are talking through mind link. I open my link and shout at them through it. "GUYS"
They stop and look at me, my heart racing my palms getting sweaty.
Cynth ushers me to sit so I do maybe not where she but int he spots where I am stood, they do the same.
Then finally Cynth breaks the uncomfortable silence.
"Sel, we have some news "her voice soft but her eyes wary.
Seleste is on high alert in my mind and she senses Aria and Cyrus too their wolves are active too.
She continues her voice low " Alpha Eric is going to make an announcement soon to the pack but we wanted to talk to you first as it directly affects you. It is about your birthday celebration with the pack " She looks at Arti as she speaks.
"There has been a change of plans " I look at her confused at the words she is saying.
"What do they mean Sel " Seleste saying the words I am struggling to get out. Arti takes my hand and continues talking.
"Sel, we have another engagement to attend on that evening now and you will be joining us. We have been invited to the silver moon pack to discuss the rogue situation and over the coming weeks we will train with them “She looks at me sadness in her eyes, but I’m now confused.
"Wait so because you too have to go to meet with Calder the cold, I can’t have my birthday party?" How could they just push the most important night of my life aside.
"We have not cancelled it Sel we will just have to postpone it”.
"Why? there will be other pack members here to support me instead if you two can’t be bothered " I am furious Seleste too!
Cynth looks up at me "That's just it, most of the pack will be attending this meeting, it’s not just a talk Sel it’s a masquerade ball”.
At those words, my ears stand up, "Wait hold on hold on! so instead of a party here I get to go to an actual ball in that massive house and my entire pack will be there " I say with a huge smile on my face.
Arti is staring at me confused. "You’re not upset?"
"How could I be upset I get to spend the morning surrounded by you guys and in the evening go to a Ball. LIKE AN ACTUAL BALL!" I am practically jumping at this point I stand up and got towards the wardrobe not realizing I’m saying, "what shall I wear, " and "I need new shoes " aloud. I spin on my feet to look at them both they are still frozen.
"Guys what’s the big deal, its one night and we can celebrate my birthday on Saturday together”.
They look towards one another Cynth speaks first "It’s not just that, the ball if for a purpose other than friendship between packs, the ball is for anyone who has not found there mate yet to see if they reside in the silver moon pack and vice versa. There is one specific person who is looking and who this is for his. Calder " I start laughing to myself thinking about all those poor people who have to go.
My thoughts are interrupted when Arti says "Sel why are you laughing”.
"I’m just thinking about all those poor girls that are waiting for the perfect mate and then they ger Calder the cold! God, I hope it is jenny. This birthday is going to be better than I thought”.
Then it hits me.
It’s my birthday.
I’ll be 21.
I’ll be of age to find my mate.
SHIT SHIT.
Then it dawns on me why they told me looking so sad, it could end up being me oh moon goddess hell no! My mind is filled with a thousand thoughts none of which I can produce into words and I start to panic and.
Arti and Cynth have moved towards me and place a hand on both my arms, they are stood either side of me and I feel calm. I close my eyes and We stay silent for a few moments and I feel as though all my worries are seeping out of me. I open them slowly and I for just a second, I could see my sisters glowing I bright light illuminating their aura’s I blink, and the lights have gone.
I break away from them both. I take a deep breath.
"I’m not going " I state.
Arti is looking at me I know she’s going to try to make me. I’m Shocked however when she says.
"We agree, we don't think you should go “I grab them both and pull them in for the warmest of embraces.
Cynth pulls away "We need to think of a plan when Eric announces this is will force all the unmated to attend, if they don’t go Calder might think we are hiding something and that’s a war we don’t want ". her words sound rushed and urgent.
I look at Cynth about to agree and suggest we plan tonight but they are mind linking again.
"What are you 2 talking about that you can’t share with me " I say I feel the hurt expression sweep over my face as much as I try to hide it. What are they not telling me?
As they are both about to speak Anxiety spread across their faces, we are all mind linked by Alpha Eric, we are all to go to the front of the house and wait for his announcement. His voice is firm, and we cannot disobey him.
Without saying a word, I turn to leave the room Arti and Cynth follow behind.
We are all stood in the grounds Arti and Ryan are on the steps with Eric and Cynth it stood close to the front I opted to stay near to the back I’ve heard this already I don’t need another reminder.
Eric begins talking explaining about the ball and how some warriors will train with them at their pack and theirs with ours. Everyone is buzzing with the news of the ball and the chance to meet silver moon warriors, while the pack is ruthless you cannot deny their skill you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a fight with them. Finally, Eric announces the purpose of the ball, gasps can be heard from the crowd but also some people are happy that they have a chance to search among another pack.
Eric announces that my birthday celebrations are on hold, and then I’m heartbroken everyone who turns 21 in the pack has a party and then at the end shifts and joins the pack run. That run is so special it binds you to your wolf and the pack even if you leave to live with your mate your mate your tied to the pack for life, I didn't realize how special that moment was to me until it was taken away.
Eric finishes and Cynth links Arti and me to let us know she must go back to the hospital and Arti is answering questions with Ryan and Eric. I link her and let her know I’m going back inside.
As I’m walking through the crowd people nod to me or say hi and feel the pity in their eyes as they stare at me. I carry on up the path keeping my head down and then I hit it, it felt like a tree or a brick wall I fall backwards and just before I hit the floor someone catches me and pulls me close. Looking up a little disorientated to see who caught me and what I walked into I see Dom.
He smiles at me his grey silver eyes lit up in as he looks at me.
"Hi"
Come on Sel he just said hi to you your taking too long to reply now it’s weird I rush to scramble words out of my mouth.
"Heyllo “. Heyllo great that’s not even a real word!
He chuckles and I pull away from him realizing I’m still in his arms and incredibly close to his face.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd want to take a walk with me?"
"SELENE HES ASKING YOU A QUESTION ANSWER HIM "Seleste shouts.
"Sure, I would love to”.
We walk and talk for what feel like hours about our families and lives, favourite books and movies and tv shows. We come to a clearing I little way into the forest behind the pack house.
"Do you want to sit?" I look up to him hoping he will say yes.
"Of course, I’m not done with the evening yet " He then flashes his charming smile its sits on the floor.
We sit in comfortable silence for 5 minutes staring at the starts twinkling into view like blinking fairy lights and then he speaks.
"I’m sorry about your birthday Selene, I was looking forward to it” he inhales softly "To seeing you “.
"I offer him a cheesy grin and reply, " well your seeing me now " and then I nudge my shoulder into his almost knocking him over.
"Oh god I’m sorry I didn't mean too " But he’s laughing at me.
"Its fine, really it was kind of funny" There pause and then he rushes with the words.
"Look Sel I know the point of this ball is to find our mates, but I was hoping maybe you'd accompany me, no strings or anything I just get nervous in those situations so it will be nice to not be alone”.
I look at him wondering if he will take a breath I’m about to reply when he carries on "Its fine if you want to say no, I mean it would be weird going to a ball to find a mate with a date, actually forget I said anything”.
When he is finished, I nudge is shoulder and simply reply "I'd love to”.
A smile spreads across his face.
"We should head back it is getting late and I’m technically still in trouble for the last time I went out”.
I help him stand and we walk back to the house, he insists on walking me to back to my room. We say goodnight and I close the door behind me.
Maybe this Ball won’t be so bad after all.