The Lycan Queen

Selenay's hands nervously smooth the skirt of her beautiful gown as she checks her reflection in the full length mirror. Her midnight black dress sparkles with silver thread woven through the gown, shining like the stars in the moonless sky above. Her silver hair falls in gentle natural waves to brush the back of her calves, mere inches from the floor. Her attendant, a silent omega assigned to her when she arrived places the rose and white gold tiara on her head, the diamonds and sapphires catching the light from the chandelier and glowing brightly, as if lit from within. "You look beautiful Selenay," her wolf Onyx whispers in the back of her mind, "quit fussing or you will be late!" Selenay chuckles, "Of course little mother." she replies, making a tiny adjustment to the tiara sitting heavily on her head. "Everything must be perfect, mother and father sent me here to represent the European royal Lycans. I am just nervous." "The king and queen would not have sent you if they did not already know that you will be perfect. Stop fussing." Onyx gently reminded her. "You're right as usual." Selenay replied silently. "Onyx," she asked timidly, "do you think we will find our mate here?" The question hung in the air full of all Selenay's hopes and fears "I don't know, little one, the moon goddess does not tell me her plans." was all Onyx said in reply. With that reply Selenay takes one more look in the mirror, affixing her black and silver mask in place over her eyes and signaling to the omega that she is ready. The walk from the guest quarters of this beautiful mansion in the heart of Manhattan takes only a few minutes. Selenay walks with the confidence and grace that only years of training and practice could give a young female. When they reach the door the young Omega bows slightly to Selenay and gestures toward the heavy oak doors. The guards open both doors wide as she hands her invitation to the herald and waits for him to announce her. "Princess Selenay, of the European Royal Lycan Court!" the herald announces above the noise of the crowd. Every eye turns to see her. Selenay has just come of age and this is the first time she has attended in any royal capacity. The other guests are curious to see the beautiful female they have all heard about but had never seen. As Selenay steps into the room a faint aroma of Cedar and Lavender catches her attention. Though it is not a strong scent, it is slightly intoxicating. She can feel Onyx stirring slightly in the back of her mind. "What is it Onyx?" Selenay asks her wolf "I am not sure, but I like it. I have never noticed a scent like this before. We must investigate where it is coming from." Onyx announces excitedly. Selenay slowly moves through the crowd of obviously influential and wealthy werewolves and Lycans. The crowd parts in front of her, everyone making respectful little bows or curtseys to the princess as she goes. The others in attendance are all wearing jewel bright costumes, with masks that look like all manner of feathers, flames and everything in between obscuring their faces. "Princess!" a cry comes from behind her. Selenay turns at the familiar female voice. "Emma! I did not expect to see you here!" Selenay exclaims as her friend wraps her in a strong and fierce hug. "Well, my family is the richest in Manhattan, and this is my home, why wouldn't I be here." Emma states with a smile and a laugh. "I am just happy that the King and Queen accepted our invitation to send you here. I have missed you." Emma continues, taking Selenay's hand in hers. Selenay smiles back at her oldest and closest friend. "I am just happy to see a friendly face. I feel like everyone here is waiting for me to make a mistake. Your American customs can be strange. Do you know that little omega assigned to my quarters never even spoke to me? I am not used to silent attendants" Selenay informed her friend. "I swear she hates me." She giggles. "Nonsense!" Emma quickly replies, "no one could hate you. She was just being respectful. Now come, I want to introduce you to some people." Emma says practically dragging Selenay across the ballroom floor. Selenay finally looks around the grand room she has stepped into. The walls are paneled in a beautiful oak that had darkened with age. The candles flickering in their wall sconces cast a beautiful golden light across the aging panels. The floor is made of the most expensive tile in a vining moon flower motif. Selenay looks up to the vaulted ceiling at the chandeliers of glowing crystal that resemble the flowing waterfalls of her home. "Emma, this room is so amazing! I didn't know you Americans had such beautiful architecture. I thought it would be all glass and metal." Selenay teases her friend. 'Nonsense Sel, this mansion is over two hundred years old!" Emma replies. "Our pack has been here since before the Europeans came to this land. Back then we were revered as ancient spirits by the Native Americans." Emma replies chuckling at the little jab Selenay made. "Just because we are not as ancient as you Europeans, doesn't mean we don't know how to build with style and class." she continues. Selenay chuckles at her friend's quip. This is how they have always been. Selenay teases Emma that the American packs are too young to be cultured and Emma returns the teasing by saying the Europeans were too old to change. Emma stops in front of a handsome couple, wearing matching emerald green costumes just then. "Mother, Father I want you to meet Selenay." Emma announces. "Selenay this is my mother and father, John and Alice." "Princess Selenay we have heard so much about you." Emma's mother replies giving a small curtsey. "It is so wonderful to finally meet the young princess our daughter has spoken so highly of." "Please, just call me Selenay. Emma has told me so much about you as well. She has been like a sister to me all these years I feel like you are practically my second parents." Selenay replies smoothly. Just then the wonderful scent of Cedar and Lavender washes over Selenay again. She looks around trying to identify the source of the aroma and her eyes land on a handsome male standing along the wall. He is tall and slender with well defined muscles straining at his costume. He is dressed in all black with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. As Selenay watches he jolts away from the wall like he received an electric shock and looks around the room. Onyx is practically purring in the back of Selenay's mind. "Onyx what is it?' Selenay asks. "I don't want to say until I am certain " is the cryptic reply from her wolf. "Emma?" Selenay whispers, "who is that man standing over there staring at me like he wants to pounce?" she asks. Emma glances around to where Selenay is motioning. "That's Xavier, the Lycan King of North America." Emma replies. "I have never seen that look on his face before." The young werewolf states. Just then Xavier pushes himself away from the wall and advances toward their little group like a soldier on a mission. "Mate!" he whispers when he is just close enough for Selenay to hear. "Mate!" Onyx roars in her mind. "Mate?" Selenay echos timidly. "What did you just say?" Emma asks quietly. Selenay begins trembling slightly. Out of fear or excitement she does not know. "Mate!" she replies with more confidence.