Chapter 4

Lucianna’s POV

The night of the Mapping Ball has come! I had few hours left to prepare and I spent most of the day inside my appointed room. There wasn’t much to do outside, anyway. I felt the need to exercise and sweat, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to use the pack’s training centers or even where they were located.

Well, crossing those red borders was prohibited, so it wasn’t as if I could wander anywhere I pleased. But, oh, how I longed to burn off some energy.

I tried calling Ashira, but she didn’t pick up. Having already spoken with Mommy Len earlier, I was hesitant to ring her again. Those two seemed to be the extent of my contact list.

I rummaged through my small suitcase and retrieved the dress I planned to wear to the Ball. I laid it out on the bed, inspecting its folds. Fortunately, the guesthouse room was equipped with essentials, including an iron. I set to work smoothing out the creases in my dress.

This dress was a thrift store find from back in my own pack, and it still looked as good as new, just like the pumps I’d paired it with. As an orphan and a pack fighter, earning money was a challenge. Most of what I owned came from the prizes I’d won in the She-Wolf Fighters Game.

Riiiiing!

I grabbed my phone and placed it between my ear and shoulder as I continue ironing my dress.

“Luce speaking!” I said in a cheery voice.

“How’s the second strongest pack?” said a familiar male voice on the other line. My eyes grew wide from realizing who my caller is.

“Dylan?!” I screamed!

“Hush, Luce. That hurt my ears!” he complained!

I screamed and turned off the iron, ensuring it was far from my dress. I couldn’t risk ruining the only dress I had for the ball. Taking a deep breath, I checked the dress for any signs of damage. Thankfully, it was unscathed. The dress was more than just fabric; it represented my hopes for the night ahead. Every stitch and fold held the anticipation of meeting my mate.

I laid on my bed with a wide smile. “Why are you calling just now?! I haven’t heard from you since the Game!”

Dylan was the Beta of the Trivian pack, the third strongest pack of the North. I had met him two months ago when I participated in the fighter game, and we had become friends there.

“I am calling now.” he chuckled.

“You got my number two months ago, you idiot!”

Dylan laughed on the other line. “I’m sorry, I got busy. How are you doing?”

“I’m at Shadow pack right now!” I said with enthusiasm.

He paused for a second. “Why are you there?”

“For the Mapping Ball, duh. The same event will take place at Trivian, too, you know.”

He chuckled lowly. “Of course, I know. That is what made me busy. I was just shocked.”

I frowned at how disappointed he sounded. “Why?”

“I thought you will be my mate. I prayed for it, you know.” he laughed even though I can sense the awkwardness in it.

“Aw, Dylan…”

I had joined the fighter’s game when I was sixteen. I had been talking to Dylan whenever I visited his pack, but it was only two months ago that he joked about liking me. Or had I just assumed it was a joke?

“You didn’t take me seriously, huh,” he stated.

“No! I mean, yes, I thought you were just kidding.” I pouted. My heart pounded loudly, and it was because I was nervous. I had never thought someone would like me romantically. I had never experienced this, and it felt crazy!

“Just as I thought. Well, I’ll hang up now. Give me a call if you didn’t find your mate.”

“Hey!” I called but he turned off the call.

Sighing, I stared at the ceiling. I thought Dylan was insane to like me; he would meet his mate eventually. Whatever he felt would fade in time.

I couldn’t even imagine cheating on my mate, even though I hadn’t met him yet. Dylan was a nice guy. He had been kind and very concerned about me during my stay at their pack. But still, I was after my fated one, not just fleeting affection or infatuation without a deep bond.

“Okay, Lucianna! Time to prepare for tonight!” I should shrug these thoughts and focus on my big day!

I stared at myself in the mirror. Hair? Check! Eyeshadow? Check! Blush and contour? Check! Plump lips? Check! Dress and pumps? Check!

I decided to put my hair up in a chic, messy chignon, letting a few wavy tendrils fall gracefully along the side of my face. I didn’t want my mate to struggle claiming me with my hair in the way, so ensuring he had easy access to my neck was essential. My eyes were adorned with a soft smoky black eyeshadow, complemented by a sleek winged eyeliner that accentuated my naturally dolly eyes. A subtle rosy blush dusted my cheekbones, giving just the right hint of color without being overpowering. My naturally full, bow-shaped lips were painted in a muted pinkish-nude hue, ensuring they didn’t compete with the drama of my eyes.

Slipping into my dress for the evening, I chose a sultry red, strapless tube gown that cascaded down to my ankles. The upper bodice was plain, emphasizing the sequined shimmer of the fabric from mid-thigh downwards. The backless design added an element of allure, and even if the night turned chilly, the thought of my mate’s reaction kept me warm. The gown was tailored to perfection, accentuating my silhouette and highlighting every curve with its form-fitting design. I finished the look with strappy stiletto heels, ready to leave an unforgettable impression.

“I think this dress will look even better with a slit…” I talked to myself. I’m 5’6” and my legs were long and round, it was a waste that I couldn’t flaunt it tonight.

Oh, well! I was sure my mate would take me out of this dress soon, so there was no need for a slit, baby!

“Kyaaa!” I screamed as my face turned red from the thought of completing the mating process!

I had learned that after this ball, once my mate had put his claim on me, it was normal to get straight to the business and hit a home run.

Okay, I’m seriously flushing right now.

*Knock-knock*

I approached the door and, upon opening it, was greeted by a girl in a uniform. She smiled so widely that her eyes seemed to disappear. Honestly, I couldn’t tell if they were open or not.

“Good evening, Ma’am. I hope I’m not disturbing your preparation. I’m Maya, one of the guesthouse staff here.” her voice came out stern, a stark contrast to her cheerful appearance. I got the impression that she might not be as friendly as she initially seemed.

Still, I smiled. “Hi, good evening. You’re not disturbing me at all, is there something wrong?”

I wasn’t sure why she approached me. After all, there was a designated time for everyone to gather downstairs before we’d board a vehicle to the Hall where the ball would take place.

“There is a change of time and we are asked to tell the guest to come to the lobby as soon as possible. Three vans have left with the previous batch, only one van left awaits downstairs. I’m so sorry for this inconvenience.”

So, the ball was being held earlier than scheduled? And only one van was left? Holy f—Oh my god! I couldn’t afford to be late! If I missed out, it would be a massive problem!

“Sure! I-I’ll just grab my things and head down.”

“Okay, Ma’am. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you, Maya!”

I quickly grabbed my pouch, stuffing in the makeup I’d need for touch-ups later. Why had they changed the schedule? This was so unexpected! It was fortunate that my excitement had led me to get ready early. I had thought there was still an hour before the scheduled meet-up in the lobby.

“Oh! My invitation!” Oh my! I almost forgot my invitation! I wouldn’t be allowed to attend the Ball without it!

Oh, no. Oh, no! I’m panicking!

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, I dashed inside and rapidly pressed the ground floor button. Every second felt like an eternity as the elevator made its descent. I kept checking the time, hoping I hadn’t missed the last van. The anxiety was killing me!

Oh, fuck! I’ll fucking run!

I went to the stairs and inhaled deep, filling my lungs with oxygen that I know will leave my body later.

Oh, my thrift heels!

I took off my pumps and almost hugged them. I don’t want to judge the durability of this poor little thing but it was better to be safe than sorry.

With inhuman speed, I started running down the staircase of the emergency exit, slamming on every floor’s door, and boom! I reached the ground floor—huffing.

“Oh, there is one more here, bud!” said a guy in a uniform to the same guy who oriented us yesterday.

The serious-mysterious guy looked at me and arched an eyebrow when his eyes landed on the heels on my arms. I smiled sheepishly and started wearing the three-inch precious black pumps.

“H-Hi!” I said, trying to walk closer to the guy while putting on my heels. Struggling.

“You can sit down first and put that on,” he said, pointing to a chair nearby.

“I think I’m late. I don’t want to be a—”

“We will wait. Please take a seat first.”

“Oh, okay.”

I slumped on the soft couch in the lobby and wore my heels, making sure to lock the straps.

I muttered under my breath when I realized how unladylike I sat and the position I have now. I forgot to be prim and proper! Ugh! It was hard when what I was used to wear were man-clothes and boots!

I immediately sat up straight, smiling at the guy who frowns at me.

“Come along.” he started to walk so I walk-run to keep up with him. The guy holds a piece of paper and he scanned it before asking me, “From which pack?” he looked at me with a poker face.

“Regal,” I said with a grin.

He cleared his throat. “That’s weird. The other girls from your pack told me there was just three of them. Your name, please?”

My jaw dropped from what he said. Those bitches!

“L-Lucianna Withefield.”

How can those bitches gang up against me? I didn’t do anything bad for them to act like that! Fucking bitches!

“May I see your invitation? I need to confirm that you belong to the Ball,” he said as we stopped beside the vehicle that would take the last batch of women to the Hall.

“S-Sure.” I handed him what he asked.

And now I was under investigation because of those selfish, bully bitches!

Okay, calm down, Lucianna. This was your night. You would meet your mate tonight! Forget Leslie and her group and just hope that their mates were dead or away so they had to come back for the next year’s Ball!

As for me, I never entertain in my head that I wouldn’t meet my mate tonight.

I will meet him! Claim it to have it, right?

“Okay. Here is your invitation. Hop in, the Ball is about to start by now.”

I paled and hurriedly went inside the vehicle. I felt some chills as burning eyes from irritated girls stab me in the back. They must be mad that I was the last one who made it in.

Looking back at them, I gave them a wide smile though my lips were trembling from how awkward it was. They all looked away and I shrugged as the vehicle started to drove us to our fates.

“I think I’m gonna pass out!” says one of the girls inside the van.

“I know, girl!” another said with excitement then all of them started a whole conversation full of giggling and squealing.

I wanted to join, too!

But since they kept on pretending I was invisible, I couldn’t. I was too familiar with this ambiance, the feeling someone has when they are being left out. I was not that dumb to try and blend with them when I could sense the cold stare and treatment from these girls.

Sighing, I decided to focus on the Ball tonight.

As I remember from pack lessons about the Mapping Ball, the she-wolves will fall in line at the entrance of the venue. And one by one, the girls will move to the middle where the males could see them.

The one fated to them would move forward, having their wolf at dominance, uttering the one simple word but enough to make my knee turned to jelly just by thinking about it.

‘Mine’ That was what the male would say before biting on the females’ neck, putting his claim on.

I couldn’t wait for my turn! Just thinking about it made me so dreamy that butterflies on my stomach were causing a stampede inside my system!

Male wolves sense their mate through scent and other senses while female wolves will only know theirs once their eyes met.

It was so magical! I would definitely look for mine in advance while being lined up there!

“Okay, girls. The Ball has started, follow the line.” the mysterious guy said when we reached the Hall.

Shadow pack’s Hall was much bigger than ours. And that was understandable because the population here was bigger than the Regal pack. I was too amazed by the Hall and started walking slowly.

One girl bumped my shoulder and I almost stumbled but gained my balance back and looked at her.

“You’re in the way,” she said, not even apologizing, and then moved on to walking.

“Gosh! We didn’t have the chance to watch the opening remarks of the Alpha because of that weirdo.” I heard one of the girls said to another.

Huh! It was not my fault that they changed the fucking time, dumb ass!

I followed the line and my shoulder slumped from realizing one thing.

Great! Just when I’m ready to die from being excited, I’m the fucking the last one in the line!