Mated to you

Chapter 2 - First ball

As they arrived, a sweet lady ushered them toward the large doors. They opened slowly, revealing a grand hall laced with history and fine gold.

The ceilings arched high, carved with ancient symbols and stories only the oldest wolves could recite. Golden light spilled from chandeliers shaped like blooming wroves, casting soft glows across polished stone and velvet-lined walls. It was breathtaking. Intimidating. Exactly the kind of place where power dressed itself in beauty. As they neared the end of the hall, Reign was there. Waiting.

Oh, moon gods, he was something out of this world. She couldn’t even describe how handsome he looked, dressed to the nines, the midnight tones of his suit matching her and brightening his amber eyes. He seemed a lot healthier now, maybe Diandra was the reason for this new and improved Reign. He looked every bit the Alpha of Velmira, strong, confident, deadly and absolutely gorgeous. Something that made her breath catch. She steadied herself before reaching him. His eyes never left her. Not for a moment. He extended his hand for Thea to take. “You look more than beautiful, Thea.” He said, his voice and scent sent her into overdrive. River continued past. Finally, Thea took his hand, offering him a polite smile. “You don’t look too bad yourself,” she said, voice light, but her heart wasn’t. Not when he looked at her like that. Not when she knew what he was doing with Diandra. They stepped forward together. “Are you ready?” He asked, taking in the sight of his mate. She was so beautiful, it took a lot of restraint to hide his hunger for her. She nodded once, then looked away, she couldn’t stare at him any longer. Their first entrance as Alpha and soon to be Luna of Velmira. The room shifted. Filled with awe, and questions. She wasn’t the first human to enter their world, but they certainly didn’t expect Velmira to have a human Luna. Thea didn’t know where to look, everyone’s eyes were on her. She squeezed Reigns hand tighter, nerves unexpectedly rising within her.

Reign leaned in as they reached the bottom of the staircase, his breath warm against her ear. “We have the first dance to start the ball.” Her eyes almost widened in surprise, but he pulled her in close before they could betray her. “Don’t worry,” he said gently. “Just relax and follow me.” He paused, then offered her a devilish smirk. “I’m a good dancer.” She smiled wearily; she had no idea how to ballroom dance. “River didn’t tell me I had to dance,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. His grip tightened around her, just slightly. “Would you have come?” he whispered back, then twirled her into the centre of the floor. She didn’t answer, and as her gaze met with his, she felt it again, that quiet ache of not having him. She followed his lead, step by step, every movement building tension between them. The crowd filled the floor around them, but they were nothing but the background to their dance. Their breaths became one, their bodies finally relaxing into each other’s, and for a moment, it felt like everything had stilled, until a tap on Thea’s shoulder had her letting him go.

Diandra, dressed in a stunning red number, took his hand without hesitation. She wasn't in Velmira colours, Thea thought as she noticed the slight shift in Reign, almost like he was disgusted by Diandra. Thea’s gaze moved towards Diandra where she returned a smile to her before turning to leave. Reign went to move past Diandra to get back to Thea, when Viktor appeared. Reaching a hand out for Thea to take. Reign’s eyes darkened immediately, and Diandra pulled him away from them. The crowd begun dancing around them until he could no longer see Thea.

Thea looked up to meet with gorgeous blue eyes, his brown hair kept neat matching his well embellished navy blue military attire, he was prince charming kind of handsome, very good looking. She placed her hand in his, as he pulled her gently to his chest. “We finally meet,” he said. “Hi… Nice to meet you?” she replied, unsure who he was. “Viktor, Alpha of the Helwren pack.” She smiled, polite but guarded.

River mentioned that they’d held tension with the Helwren pack for centuries. “Hi Alpha Viktor.” She said, keeping the conversation short. She just wanted to get far away from Diandra and Reign. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. She nodded yes, a lie. She most definitely wasn’t okay. The man she loved was dancing with the person he’d slept with right after dumping her. Viktor surprisingly pulled her in close, their bodies closer than anyone had been to her since Reign. He tilted his head studying her, and she did the same. Nobody noticed them, everyone now too busy mingling or watching her mate, Reign. “Have we met?” Viktor asked, and Thea shook her head no. “I can honestly say, no we have never met.” She said with confidence. He hummed, not entirely convinced. She just looked so familiar.

“I heard this is your first time here?” he said, changing the subject.

Thea nodded. “It is. I’m hoping to explore in a few days.”

“Well, I was hoping to do the same,” he said. “Did you want to do it together?”

She hesitated. But River had told her to entertain the guests.

“Um… sure,” she said.

Suddenly Diandra bumped into her back. “Reign!” She heard Diandra mumble before she let go of Viktor and turned to see Reign, his eyes darker than she had ever seen them. Viktor noticed, he wasn’t born yesterday, mates will be jealous over everything. He acknowledged Reign and then took Diandra’s hand and continued dancing, leaving Thea and Reign alone. Reign didn’t move, just glared at Viktor. Thea didn’t understand what was going on, so she left the floor, she was only required to do the first dance.

Reign followed her but she hadn’t noticed. She’d pretended to head toward the restrooms, then made a quiet beeline for the exit. Where was she going? She couldn’t bail. Maybe she just needed air. Yes, air. That’s all. As she waited for the large doors to open, a hand grabbed hers.

“Where are you going?” His voice was low but laced with anger.

She turned, startled, meeting Reign’s eyes. “Just getting some air,” she said, pulling her hand back. She didn’t like his tone.

He sighed. “You can get that upstairs.”

“I didn’t know that” she replied. “I haven’t been here before.”

His jaw tightened. “Why are you going with that guy?”

“What?” she asked, confused.

“Viktor. You agreed to go sightseeing with him.”

“You heard that?”

He didn’t respond.

“Of course you did,” she said, voice flat.

“Yes, I agreed,” she continued. “River told me that’s what I have to do.” Reign ran a hand through his neat hair, tousling it in frustrated.

“She didn’t mean agree to be alone with another Alpha,” he said, louder than he realised.

“Wow, okay.” Thea replied, a bit taken back by his tone. “ And how was I supposed to know?” she snapped, her patience thinning. “You don’t exactly talk to me.”

He looked at her, jaw tight. She could see it, the way he wanted to say more but didn’t.

“I won’t do it, if that makes you feel better,” she added, softer now.

“No, it doesn’t!” His voice rose, just enough to sting.

“It’s fine.” He lied.

“Fine.” She huffed, turning on her heel and walking back toward the ballroom.

Her steps were sharp, deliberate. She didn’t look back.

Reign stood there, watching her go. Jaw clenched. Hands fisted at his sides. He wanted to tear Viktor apart. For touching her. For pulling her close. For doing the things he wanted to.

She had no idea how much control it took, how much effort it cost him, to stand there and watch her dance with another man.

His mate.

Every step they took together felt like a blade against his skin. But she didn’t see it. Didn’t feel the storm beneath his silence. She thought he was angry with her efforts to be his Luna. But she didn’t know he was breaking.