CHAPTER NINE

AVYANNA'S POV

All day, both packs have been busy preparing for tonight's ball , not only are the leaders invited but supernatural individual who is Mateless. From the little knowledge I have about this ball, is that every pack gets a turn to host the party including the kingdom, hence, this year , the royal family is the one hosting it. It is a very important day or night for every creature in Kova, well except vampires. It will be the night it changes most people's lives for eternity. That is why around especially the females. I am pretty sure, they are looking for dresses, getting their hair and make up done whilst the males have no hustle than just to get a fresh cut and a brand new suit. How lucky, right?

As for me , this day is even bigger for me than everyone else because its the day I reveal that I am the alpha of two neighboring packs. It is the day I finally come face to face with my mate and bring him to shame with things that happened right in his watch. The best part is that not only will the wolves be there but the whole of KOVA will be there. I have to admit, I am a bit nervous and have a weakness of over thinking things, I mean what if things do not go as planned and also the mere thought of being in the presence of my mate is kind of nerve wrecking. Its been long ever since we last met, its been almost two months and some weeks. I really do not know, how I am going to act or feel when I smell his calming scent once more or how I will react when I finally meet him and his fiancé , yes I knew about her even way before I met him. I really don't think my wolf or me can handle seeing them hold hands with my own eyes. Even though, I hate to admit it, my mate is bonded to me and no matter what he does , I will always care for him.

Now I am standing in front of my room body mirror admiring myself. I got to say the glamour team that Marissa swore by did a true job well done. I was wearing a red mermaid dress with a sweetheart neck at the top with a deep cleavage. It hugged my curves so well showing off each and every inch on my body. From my waist down , it had a skirt or cap like designer, that was actually removable. The whole dress was shiny as it was filled with little crystals. The dress brought out my neck area, that was decorated with a plain silver choker that was perfect for this type of designed dress. The choker was part of a silver set that came along with bracelets that I'm wearing right now. My shoes were just a simple sandal heels that had top straps colourless or see through and the dominant colour of the shoe black. The heels of the pair was a glass, thick eleven centimetre block heels with colourful beads inside which went together with silver dangling earrings that were shaped like a teardrop. My hair was up in sleek high bun that brought out my face, pampered my lips with a blood red lipstick and a smoky eye paired with a cat eye and long lashes. My toes and finger had been taken care of with a pedicure and manicure, along with a stiletto designed white nails decorated with red designs. I got to admit, when Marissa said she knew and trusted her glamour team I should have never doubted her. She can be miss tough when she wants but despite that you can never take the girly out of her.

After I was done with a final look in the mirror, I grab my clutch bag and head for the stairway as I leave my room. As I descend down the front porch , I realise that there are a lot of cars outside, waiting to board the provided cars to the ball. So there was a lot of commotion and noise downstairs and it got even louder now that I am reaching the bottom stairs. Probably, Rhysand is waiting for me outside because he is the one I am going with along Alrik and Brian , just to keep an eye on them and be the confirmation Aedion needs when he learns that I am the alpha of half his kingdom. Hunter decided to stay behind as he sees no point in coming and to also stay in charge of the packs but however, he told me that he will be on alert and his mind link would be open to us, if we will need an extra muscle.

I reach downstairs and open the front door, which reveals a lot of cars as I anticipated earlier with males and females wolves boarding in vehicles, on their way to the castle. The amount of people and cars leaving are a lot , just imagine the castle right now, this makes me nauseous but I put on my big girl pants and sweep those thoughts to the back of my mind.

I scan the area for Rhysand. I finally find him beside an SUV at the right side of the porch talking to Hunter and another man probably our driver. Rhysand was wearing a simple black slim suit with a black shirt inside and a red bow tie , matching with me , probably this was the works of Marissa. As if on queue, Rhysand looks in my direction and his eyes brighten as he drinks in my appearance. He starts walking towards me and as he finally approaches me, he takes another look on me from head to toe.

"I have no words..... You look beyond beautiful, Avy." Rhysand states as he stretches out his hand for me to take ,so I can descend down the porch stairs. I take it and we walk towards , the SUV where Hunter and the other man are standing.

"Woah, Rhy who is this woman you have here, I thought you were taking Avy to the ball." Hunter says as he gives me a warm hug.

"Oh come on Hunter, I really do not look that different." I say as all of us break into laughter.

An alarm rings off, only to realise it is RHYSAND'S watch.

"Oh no, we are late." He states as he takes a look at his watch.

"Oh well better late than never , after all we want to make a grand entrance." I say as I hug Hunter one last time and go into the SUV with Rhysand.

As I was sitting in the SUV, I longly stare out the window into the beautiful night sky, trying to make sense of all this and the many different outcomes I could experience this evening , it could be or bad; it could work in my favour or not. Well you never know, until it happens. I guess we have to wait and see.

A warm large hand lands on top of mine. I look at the person who owns this hand and see Rhysand. He is giving me a comforting hand and smile, I guess he must have read the stressed expression on my face.

"Things will be alright , don't worry and if things spiral out of control I will be there, I am not leaving your side not even for a bit." Rhysand says to me in an attempt to comfort me, which I can say is slightly working as it calms my nerves a bit.

I half smile at him and say "Thank you Rhysand, I really needed that. You know , there was a time this Alpha King once called me a monster, well I guess time has come to show him that it is better to be a monster than an arrogant god." I say as I turn back to stare outside the widow, finding comfort in the beautiful dark night sky with its shining stars.

Thinking of what I just said to Rhysand, its true if I had a choice, I would choose being who I am now look where it brought me. I am so proud of myself and the woman I have become today over the centuries. I am going to be clear about that tonight at the ball. I will show people that you win some, you lose some, except for me, I always win.

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AEDION'S POV

I have been standing by the palace door for hours now, welcoming almost every guest to this ball especially the Kova leaders. It is my duty and Morrigan's to show our hospitality to people we invite here. Honestly speaking , I have better things to do right now. I wish I could leave this to Morrigan or not do this at all, I mean come on there are a lot of people in this realm and you can't expect me to greet them all one by one. Well, I just hate the ball, PERIOD!!

"I think that is the last of them." Morrigan states as she interrupts my train of thoughts. " let's go to the ballroom where everyone is , my feet are already killing me in these heels , I wonder how I am going to go on through the night." She whines as we start moving.

She is wearing a cropped a yellow top filled with glitters, that is sleeveless. At the bottom she is just wearing a plain , long and flurred maxi yellow skirt that brings out her pale skin, she wore six inch heels that made her leveled height with me and her hair was in an updo with her tiara on top. To finish the look she has dangling cross silver earrings. She really did look stunning in the two piece outfit.

We head to the door of the ballroom and waited as we were announced to the audience.

"Finally , the Alpha King Aedion and his fiancé lady Morrigan." States the announcer.

The door opens and we enter. As we go down the stairs people stare at us in adoration but as we get down, I realise that there are two people missing, the Reika and Domhnall alphas, Briana and Alrik. Those two are always the clumsy ones and always late especially Alrik but however, this time they are just too late.

As I was about to turn and leave the ballroom , to find out where they are, my nostrils pick up on the sweetest scent and Rowan gets excited. Only one person can make Rowan feel like that and only one person can have that mouthwatering scent.

I turn on my heels to face the entrance of the ballroom, I had just had come through some minutes ago. The moment I fully face the entrance, I lock eyes with the owner of that scent. After about two months and some weeks, I finally lock eyes with her. She is finally here, after months of searching, she is right in front of me in the flesh. This time, she comes to me and I don't have to go after her, she has come again and she is not alone. She is with another man.