The Hidden Queen

Chapter Six

Fiona’s POV

           I am frozen, do I turn and high tail it back to the table, or do I stay and at least figure out what his name is. This cannot be happening, my food is getting cold at the table waiting for me. My mind starts rethinking everything from my outfit to how I gave in so quickly to Alpha Andrew. Why am I not hidden away in my room reading bedtime stories to the kids?

           “Welcome, Alpha Cullin. Why don’t we head in, as the feast has started, and give Fiona some time to get her tail out from between her legs,” Andrew laughs and ushers us all back to the hall.

The visiting pack with their shell-shocked alpha slowly follow behind us. Once back in our seats, I can feel Alpha Cullin’s eye boring into me. I just push the food around on my plate, I have completely lost my appetite thanks to him.

“Fi, this is your favorite! What gives?” Isaac leans over, whispers in my ear. I hear a low growl coming from the corner of the room where HE is.

“ Isaac, I will tell you later… Just enjoy yourself. Okay?” I look back at him and smile. He just rolls his eyes and goes back to chatting with everyone else at the table.

I maybe eat three bites of food before Andrew announces the desert course. Different flavors of cakes start filtering into the room. A big slice of New York Style Cheese Cake gets set own right in front of me, my favorite.

“Eat something,” James mind-links me, “Please!”

I glance over at him and take a bite of the cheesecake. I try and eat as much of it as I could; as I finish I glance over at James and give him a thumbs up and a huge smile. Earning me another growl from the peanut gallery. Could he not just focus on who is sitting at his table? I finally look over towards his table to see that everyone seems to be chatting and enjoying their food save one grouchy-looking Alpha with his arms across his chest staring straight at me, still. I just roll my eyes and shake my head, could he not get it through his head that I was not interested.

‘You will not reject my mate.’ Ivy howls at me in my head.

‘He is going to reject me when he sees the s**t show we have upstairs.’ I counter.

‘Give him a chance. He might love the pups.’

‘ha.’

‘Bronx is already smitten.’

‘And… who might that be?’

‘His wolf. He is just purring our names over and over. It is really cute. I think I am in love'

‘Ivy….’ I start and she cuts me off.

‘Give them a chance. Or I will reach out to Ethan and Evan….’

‘You wouldn’t?! You have barely talked to me in two years, morning the loss of our parents, and now you are threatening calling the uncles in?!’ I practically scream in my head at her, and she just giggles.

 Goddess, she is so aggravating. I jump out of my chair and turn to leave. Isaac grabs my hand earning me another growl from my new bestie, Alpha Cullin. I just shake my head and continue out of the hall.

Cullin’s POV

‘Fiona’ Bronx keeps purring in my head. All through dinner, I just stare at her. It is like the mate bond does not affect her. She sits and picks at her food, and then the man next to her leans over and whispers in her ear. Who is this! He is touching MY mate. Bronx lets out a low growl. I try and eat as much as I can, but I only manage a few bites here and there.

When dessert comes out, I see her smile at the future Alpha and give him a thumbs up. f**k… What is up with all these men and my mate? Was she with the guy sitting next to her? The Alpha didn’t even introduce her when we got here. Is she his daughter? I thought Andrew’s daughter is already mated. The whole ranked table didn’t make sense. With the new ranked members taking over so soon, they have twice the number of people up there than normally there would be.

“Dude, you going to eat that?” Kaleb questions and I just push my plate over towards him, and take another swig of my drink.

“Cul, It is going to be okay. Just talk to her. Do you think Kaleb had me with hello? No, he had to grovel at my feet, and I didn’t even know what a man w***e he was, yet…” Erica giggles. Trying to distract me from everything going on.

“Erica, She didn’t even say mate, and has barely looked my way this whole meal.” I finally speak my voice just above a whisper.

She jumps out of her chair and turns to leave. The guy sitting next to her grabs her hand, and another growl escapes my throat. f**k this mate bond is intense. I can’t even keep Bronx in check, but this man keeps putting his hands on MY mate.

“I hope everyone has enjoyed their meal,” Alpha Andrew stands to announce the next part of the Harvest Ball, “The music will start in the ballroom at 7:30 on the dot. Please reach out to any of our pack members if you need any help. Gamma Gavin and Delta Damien will be able to assist with any major issues that need attending to as well.” Two other middle-aged males stand and smile out into the room. 

The three men grab their mates’ hands and help them to their feet, and head to the ballroom. I find it weird that he did not introduce his Beta, I had figured the other man has been the Beta, but the Gamma had grabbed his hand leading him out of the room. I guess that’s what I get for assuming anything. I have never heard of a pack not having a Beta.

The tables start to clear out. I see most of our pack get up and head into the ballroom. If there is one thing, this pack knew how to decorate. This room is amazing with the autumn colors and décor. I walk up to the bar and grab another drink, and start to wander around trying to sniff out the amazing scent of campfires. Hours pass and I cannot figure out where she is hiding. Finally, I catch her dancing with future Alpha James.

“Fuck..” I mutter under my breath.