TORN

Take-off

Avery's POV

The whole pack was filled with excitement, everyone was getting ready for the Alpha ball.

"Honey you didn't let me see the dress you'd be wearing today" mom complained

"It wasn't intentional mom I left the dress at the Beta's house because I'll be going from there Claire is gonna do my make up"I replied

"It's fine, go with the beta's family and let me go all alone even though you know your dad can't come with me because of his duties," she said with an exaggerated sigh

My dad was in charge of park security tonight so he wouldn't be at the ball.

Ok mom why don't you dress up and come with me to the Beta's house then wait for me while I do my make up then we'll go together

"No thanks I rather go alone, you know I can't stand Patricia" she grumbled

Patricia is the name of Claire's mother. You see my mom didn't like Claire's mom she felt that Patricia had a superiority complex and some other women in the pack felt that way about her. So although Claire and I were besties, our mothers avoided each other.

"Ok mom, I'll dress up then come back here to meet you so we can go together, is that ok? "I asked

"That would stress you too much. Why not you go there and do your make-up and get ready. When you're done I'll meet up with you and we'll go together" she suggested

"Ok I would love that" I beamed

*********

"Hey Chase, you look nice," I say walking into the beta's house. Chase was wearing a tuxedo, I usually only see him in casual clothes so this was different, I helped him adjust his tie.

"Thanks a lot, Ave, gotta look my best you know......Claire is in her room waiting for you by the way" he said

"Ok" I replied running up to Claire's room..... might want to thread carefully she seems pissed" Chaise yelled

"Finally you're here, what took you so long, do you know how long it will take to do your makeup and you know we have to get there on time, we only have about a few hours left" she ranted

"Well you look gorgeous" I avowed " I'm sorry I lost track of time and I'm here now aren't i" I replied

"Thank you now go put on your dress and come sit here," she said

"Ok mom''I laughed as I went to get dressed

"I'm done" Claire said after about an hour of working on my face. I stared at the mirror and I looked like a totally different person.

"We look very beautiful," my wolf said

"All of you come downstairs this minute, we are already late"Beta Anthony yelled angrily

"We're coming," we all said rushing down

"I was already done, women do too much," Chase said

"I have to look my best, today is a very special day. I would be meeting other fellow high-class she-wolves" Claire's mom said

"Wow Avery you look so gorgeous," Chase said staring at me

"What about me!?"Claire whined

"Hmmm I guess you're ok too," he said smirking

"Chase! stop being ridiculous your sister obviously looks better, don't put down members of your family just for the benefit of people outside"Claire's mom said

"Sorry mom, sorry sis"Chase mumbled

"Ok let's go, get in the car people! "Claire's dad yelled

" I'm actually going with my mom I'll meet you all there" I muttered and left them

I walked out of the beta's house and in less than a minute I saw my mom. "Honey you look stunning" she said to me.

"Thanks, mom, you too I'm so happy right now" I gushed "Let's be on our way then" she chuckled

On getting to the venue of the ball; which was a huge hall in the pack house we saw that the place was already crowded with people.

"Cecilia are you just getting here" we turned to see one of my mom's close friends approaching us, noticing me she gasped "Avery is that you?....you look gorgeous, I mean you were always a beautiful young lady but tonight you seem to be glowing " she bellowed

"Thank you so much" I replied blushing

"Alright mom I'll leave you too to talk, I'm going to look for Claire" I said leaving them

Moving through the crowd trying to find Claire was very difficult because there were a lot of people present so I decided to call her, reaching my hand into my purse I brought out my phone, distracted trying to make the call, I bumped into someone

"Watch where you're going" the stranger said

"I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm trying to find someone" I said looking up at the stranger as he turned around. He was handsome, tall and his presence was powerful so I could tell he was a high-ranking wolf.

"It's ok pretty flower.....are you alright?" the stranger asked

"I'm fine thank you"I replied.... once again sorry for bumping into you

"There's no need to apologize. It's fine, it's not like anything got spoilt and I mean you did have the pleasure of meeting someone as good looking as me, and that's a reward" he joked

"Conceited much" I replied laughing

"Well I'm Bryce, may I have the pleasure of knowing your name," he said grabbing my hand and giving it a kiss

"Nice to meet you, Bryce, I'm-"

"STEP AWAY FROM WHAT'S MINE" a loud growl resonated through the hall

I turned around and was hit by the scent of Peppermint with a hint of roses, then I saw the most handsome man I've ever set my eyes on.

He had jet black hair, he was tall at least 6 ft 3. High cheekbones and an angular jaw. His golden-brown eyes held a sharp piercing gaze making me feel as though I would melt under its intensity, intense alluring eyes met with mine and I felt goosebumps appear on my body. It was like time froze and somehow we were the only two people in the world.

"Mine" I heard my wolf say in my head

I stood there in a complete daze unable to look away from him. I was feeling so many things at once. The joy of meeting my mate made me feel so much more alive.

My mate growled not liking the proximity between Bryce and I

"There seems to be a huge misunderstanding, we were just talking dude Bryce explained......"Flower it seems my good friend Axel is your mate and his wolf isn't in a good mood so please go over to him before he attacks me" Bryce said I couldn't tell if he was serious or just joking

Suddenly the spell was broken and I became aware of what was going on around me, all attention was on us. I looked at Claire and saw the dejected look on her face that was when I understood that this was our new alpha; Axel. Feeling like I betrayed her by being mated to him. I turned and started to run. I heard my mother call after me but I didn't stop; I couldn't. I continued to run and I didn't stop until I got home.