The Lycan Alpha's Mate (Second Chance) novel Chapter 4

//Emily//

The rest of the day went by pretty quickly and before I knew, it was evening, and the moon was out, blessing us with its luminous light.

I was trembling, barely breathing and completely nervous as the time for the ball got close.

With each passing second I got anxious: “Calm down sweetie, everything will be fine by the end of the night. Your mate is going to love you”, my mother said for the tenth time.

But I wasn’t reassured.

Mate!

What if Max isn’t my mate?

What if my mate is cocky or a playboy?

What if my mate doesn’t want me?

What if he rejects me?

A lot of what ifs!

These thoughts made my skin crawl. My nervousness grew more and more each time these silly thoughts crossed my mind.

Don’t get me wrong. I am eager to meet my mate but I couldn’t shake off the eerie feeling in my chest.

The night felt wrong. There was a strong sense of an impending doom.

But I couldn’t put my fingers on it. I felt like this night will be a total disaster.

I shook the idea off and allowed myself to sink back into reality.

We are in my room with Lisa doing a final makeover. I was dressed in a black ball gown with a beautiful pattern made from golden crystals.

My mother couldn’t hold back the tears that tricked down her cheeks when she walked in a few minutes ago and saw me standing in front of the mirror.

The dress was absolutely stunning. It brought out my tanned skin and my wild red hair. It hugged my figure perfectly. I opted to wear a crystal necklace and gold stud earrings instead of a rose diamond necklace.

My long red hair was tamed and held in a high pony, which flowed down my waist. And my makeup was lightly done by Lisa, the family’s beautician.

“ Ems, the guests are arriving. We need to be at the entrance welcoming them.” My mother informed and I got nervous again.

“ I don’t know mum... Can’t I sit this one out?” I uttered worriedly.

Her face scrunched up in confusion.

“What do you mean Sweetie? This is the day you find your fated mate and you want to sit this out. You have no idea the effort and money we have put into this ball.” She raised a brow in my direction.

“ What if my mate doesn’t like me? What if he rejects me? What if he is one of the pack’s enemies ?” I ranted out and started panicking.

I began pacing back and forth. Ranting and pinching the bridge in distress.

“ What if my mate.....”

Before I could rant some more my mother’s voice silenced me.

“ Stop pacing Emily. You’re making me dizzy. “ She roared.

I whirled to her and gaze at her with a watery eye”. Mom, I don’t feel too good about tonight. I feel like something tragic will happen to me and change my life forever”.

“ Come here, Sweetie. “ She tapped the bed. “ sit by me child”.

I flitted to her and settled down. Her warm palms cupped my cheeks and her earthly motherly scent infiltrated my nostril, calming my nerves instantly.

“ I’ll say the for the last time, Emily. Listen carefully, you’re a beautiful, strong and intelligent woman. Every man out there will be happy to have you and treat you like the queen you are. If your mate doesn’t see this then it’s his loss. Put yourself up and come to the ballroom. Before your dad sends a SWAT team up here”.

I giggled. “ Thank you, mom. You’re the best.” I pegged her cheeks.

“ You’re welcome, dear. Don’t take too long to come down. “ She barked before she closed the door gently behind her.

I exhaled loudly and rose to my feet. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress and trudged out.

I had to go through the back door out of the pack house and come through the main entrance, since I didn’t want to be the center of attention. Just for tonight, I wanted to keep a very low profile.

Tonight was a glorious day for the moonlight pack. Our annual mating ball was finally here. A day that not only moonlight pack treasure but every other pack in the region.

It was the night most unmated werewolves in the whole of Orlando find their mates and I was lucky my birthday fell on this day.

My parent created the mating ball eight years ago and it has been successful ever since.

The purpose of the mating ball was to bring all werewolves together and maintain peace and harmony between the packs.

So far, it’s purpose has been fully served.

There were a lot of giggles, laughter, and voices in the ballroom.