Call of the North

Chapter 9

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In the days that followed, I noticed a lot. Kai's mother announced a celebration of my 'good health' and the official courtship of her son and his 'new Luna'. At this celebration, I would be introduced to many Alphas worldwide. Other Alpha's and Luna's would be attending, along with a few royals who I was not allowed to speak to. For whatever reason, I didn't complain.

In addition to preparing my dress and decorating the large ballroom I had never been in, Kai was always present; though he had not seen the dress yet.

I noticed that Kai made it his priority to keep me in his sights at all times. Whenever I went for a stroll, he had to accompany me. No matter what he may have been doing at that moment, he dropped it just to go wherever with me.

One time, while we were out accessory shopping at a local mall, I persuaded him that he needed some sort of jewelry. Despite his obvious attempts to avoid any more jewelry than the ones he had to formally wear, I managed to get him to buy a watch with the symbol of what the cashier said was for time, because time was something I had, and I was willing to give it to him.

"Ouch."

"I'm sorry m'lady, the dress needed a minor adjustment. Now, let me tighten the back for you."

My second hand, as Kai had called it, had been picked especially for me. While accompanying me, Annette had turned out to be quite interesting due to her pack's proximity to the British border.

The ball was tonight and the nerves in my body couldn't reach the pins and needles that had stabbed me at least millions of times in the time it took for me to get into the dress. Even though I had spent an hour doing my hair and makeup, the dress had already absorbed the sweat that was dripping down my neck.

"Miss, you must stop sweating. You'll make it more difficult for it to get off." I attempted to somehow get myself under control and failed. However, I managed to calm my breathing down until I was taking smooth breaths.

"There, all done." Annette stepped out from underneath my dress where she had been adjusting the edges so that the volume was a bit defined. I stepped off the pedestal where I had been mounted and was guided to the long mirror in the corner of my room.

Our room.

"Oh my..."

The amount of silver I had seen on the dress had made me think I would look like a whole royal dish set. The makeup Annette used was a smoky, dark but barely noticeable navy blue mixed with silver. My eyes were darkened by the amount of mascara that covered my eyelashes, making my eyes pop.

My hair was a half-and-half style, and from what I could see on the back of my hair, there were silver beads beaded within my braids.

"Just in time.." I heard Annette murmur, walking over to the door and opening it. Though I couldn't see him from my angle, I could hear his fast-paced heartbeat.

"Miss Ainsling is ready to be presented, my Prince." The two exchanged a few more words before the door closed, and the room was empty except for a heartbeat that was beating faster by the minute.

Turning around from the mirror, I walked around the corner, feeling the dress weigh heavily behind me and stopping when I saw him.

"Ainsling, Annette said you were real-" I watched as Kai caught my movement as I turned the corner and his gaze settled upon me.

I would never call myself pretty. I was pretty average compared to most of the she-wolves I had already seen. Even Annette was a dark-haired beauty.

But the way Kai gazed over my frame, I couldn't help but feel even more beautiful than I would ever admit in my life. His intense gaze made me feel like I was the most beautiful she-wolf there, despite even Annette's dazzling beauty.

It was customary in the royal ways for Kai to wear a silver tuxedo, as he couldn't wear gold unless he was part of a ceremony.

His hair was straightened and looked like it had been dyed. With Kai's coal-black hair, I knew it was out of sync with his dress code. Knowing that it was temporarily dyed gave me relief. I hated admitting that I liked it.

"You look beautiful." Kai's words finally broke the silence as he approached me. Maybe I was nervous, but my heart started beating along with his.

Kai clearly took notice with his head slightly leaning my way. As he approached me, I noticed that one of his hands was behind his back.

"What are you hiding?" I turned my head towards his hidden arm and I watched him falter, clearly taking him off guard that I noticed.

"Um. It's something to, you know, go with the dress. But seeing as you already have one, I'm not sure you wa-"

"Give it to me." I shocked myself with how bluntly I had spoken.

Without saying anything, Kai reached over to hand me a box. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a necklace inside. Likewise, it was silver, but it did not look extravagant as I had expected. It was merely a wolf.

"I know it's not really exceptional, but I thought you would like something simple. A token for us."

My hand was firmly in place as I slowly pulled out the necklace and revealed the wolf's head. It was simple enough that it anchored me back to my status as a loner before him. My life before. It reminded me of my home, but more so, my home with this man.

"It's beautiful, Kai. Thank you." I reached up and grabbed the necklace around my neck, the one that weighed my chest down, and looked to him for help.

"I want to wear it." Kai didn't seem to want to argue, and soon I was gazing into his eyes as he reached around my neck to unclasp the old and clasp the new. When the cold silver finally settled on my neck, I stayed where I was, both of our heads meeting together. I listened to both of our heartbeats.

I never thought an outcast like me would ever have a mate, and I had accepted the thought that I might never find one.

And now I never want to let him go.

"Shall we head to greet our guests?" Kai cleared his throat, leaning away and holding out an arm towards me, which I took as he shot a gleaming smile my way and opened the doors.

"Of course." I shot a smile back which obviously made him happy.

Lead the way, my love.