Chapter THREE: Wolf

Mals POV:

I finally arrived at the entrance to the grand hall. My heart was pounding a million miles a minute as the realization that in precisely 2 hours at the stroke of midnight, I would FINALLY HAVE MY WOLF! "My wolf," I repeated in my head over and over. I know I didn't want the whole horse and pony show around me tonight, but my wolf was something I did want. I knew that no matter what, once I had my wolf, something would actually be there for me, not just for what I had. I took a long deep breath before I finally moved closer to the door allowing the ushers to open the door and announce my arrival. "PRINCESS MALERI OF FULL MOON PACK," The man to my right announced like we were back in the 1800s attending a ball at the castle. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of them announcing in that announcer tone like you would hear in a baseball commentator's box. I walked through the doors; my face still lit up from such an introduction like everyone here wouldn't know it was me, and I descended the stairs. Everything seemed a tad bit overdone for my liking, but it was proper to my parent's fashion.

Once I reached the bottom of the stairs, my parents met me. My father, Alpha Ezekiel, extended his hand for mine. When my hand hit his head pulled me gently in and kissed my cheek as though he had done it a million times. Again, it was all show, but I knew just to play along; my mother followed suit after my father and hugged me, allowing her usually flat-pressed lips to curl into a smile. "You look perfect," she said loud enough for all those near to hear and whisper about. All I did was a bow to them both slightly with the most innocent smile I could muster. I wish they wouldn't just act. It was rather tiring seeing the lack of care in their eyes. My parents dragged me around, introducing me to all the available alphas first, then to all the mated alphas and their Lunas. I grew tired of it all, and once all the ~proper~ greetings were held and about an hour had passed, I snuck away to the wine table, trying to catch my breath after all the fake hellos and false how do you dos. I picked up a glass and took a small sip before leaning against the wall. I said one more hour to myself, seeing the clock hands slowly ticking away. One more hour and I get my wolf; maybe it won't be an alpha; perhaps instead, the moon goddess will bless me with a petite frame so that no one will want me except my true mate. I let out a sighed and closed my eyes until I heard a male voice clear his throat.

"Ahem" He looked down at me from my right side. I opened my eyes and jumped, a little startled. "Oh, I'm sorry, I was just taking a quick breather, um, thank you for coming; yes, I'm excited, and I have been doing well," I answered the male hoping to deter him from pressing for more conversation. He let out a smirk, and I felt a pull at my stomach. Shit, I said in my mind, I just spoke that way to an alpha? I think he had a strong aura but I couldn't tell. I guess I had forgotten my parents introduced me earlier that evening. Great, way to go Ma- "I am glad to hear all those things, but I was more hoping to squeeze past you. I'm in dire need of something to wet my lips with after all this promenading" I was just a second away from smacking my own forehead when he spoke, revealing his intention. Not only was I rude to another alpha, but I also was standing in his way from wine. WINE, how could I be so stupid? Where were my wits and training? I flashed him a well-practiced smile and nodded, side-stepping out of his way." I apologize, sir. I hope you have a great night." I chugged the rest of my wine in my glass, prefer setting it down, grabbing another, and high tailing it away from the man. HOLD IT TOGETHER, MAL, only 45 more minutes, then you can play with your wolf. I decided to waste the rest of the time on the dance floor.

The dance floor was huge and lit with many chandeliers, all for one purpose... For the wolf ceremony. My heart beat sped up again THUMP~THUMP. I looked around for a dance partner when a gentleman came up to me out of nowhere. I couldn't help but blush as he asked for my hand; my eyes locked onto his plump, succulent lips then my heart was yanked when I caught his dangerously blue eyes. "May I have this dance, princess Maleri?" My name rolled off his lips so smooth I got goosebumps. I nodded a little too quick for my liking, but I couldn't help it. "Yes, of course, um?" I fished for his name since I had already forgotten since we were introduced, but before he could respond, he took my hand, spun me around, and then twirled me onto the center of the dance floor. "I apologize, but I do rather love this song." I nodded with a cheesy smile and danced and danced with him to the point I almost forgot what was happening very shortly, and I cursed under my breath for not remembering his name. The thought was fleeting as I was now too focused on his hand that rested on my back and even dared to dip to my lower back, resting just above my rump. My chest was close to his, and a free hand was holding my hand, guiding me around the dance floor. I was in a trans, or I was, until my father's voice came over a loudspeaker.

"Attention, everyone! Please exit to the side the dance floor besides my beautiful daughter. I think we all know what time it is. Please gather around as we officially welcome my daughter and her wolf to the pack, and don't forget the hunt when they finally become one."

I could tell my father had been drinking. It irritated me, but my mind was jerked elsewhere when a voice not my own came into my head. "Hey bitch, it's me, KIRA!" I looked around, almost lost, until it clicked in my mind it was her! IT WAS MY WOLF, and her name was- was KIRA! I smiled and thought back to her. "Well, aren't you cheeky?" I looked around the room to distract myself. "Oooohhh, this is only the start, but it's time, doll, and well, it's going to hurt, but I need to run free after 18 years of waiting to play. Just let me take over, okay?" I froze hearing her playful voice. I had forgotten this would hurt a lot. I took a deep breath and then spoke back to her. "Let's do this shit" the next second, I grunted in pain and fell to the floor on my knees. "AAAAHH," I snarled out, trying to focus on my breathing. "Don't fight it, babes, it will get better; relax, ill make it go quicker" I attempted to give in and relax, but my every muscle felt as though it was tearing every one felt like it was breaking. A few more screams left my now dry lips, and I forgot I was even in a public place. A tear escaped my eye before it all went black...