Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow - Page 74

Alpha Chet is also coming along to take a few tasks off Lyle’s shoulders. He has his son home from the Alpha training camp that the shifter council started. It is a college where alpha heirs can be sent to learn all aspects of running a successful pack. Of course, I was never enrolled to the college, but I would have been happy to attend.

I have heard good things about Alpha Chet’s son and heir, Bronze, and I’m sure Chet is proud of, and will be more than happy, to leave the pack in Bronze’s hands when the time comes.

Mulling over everything seems to have become a pastime for me, and my mind wanders from one thing to another. The main thing that worries me is the sudden seeming retreat of the rogues from no-man’s-land. We are all watching and waiting for whatever they do next.

“Connell, will you get ready? People will arrive shortly and you need to be with me to greet everyone at the front of the packhouse,” Hope whines, but I know she has every reason, and I give her a kiss on the forehead before running to our apartment and getting showered and changed in record time.

We greet Alpha Chet and Luna Sage along with Bronze and four pack members. Two males and two females, all looking eager to get inside and see if their mates are here.

Hope had no response from Alpha Aurora regarding the invitation, and we expect no attendees from the Blood Pearl Pack. It seems something dire is happening within the pack, and the council has not been able to enter the territory or speak to Alpha Aurora since before the war.

Alpha Lyle is not in attendance, but his Beta, Earl, along with six pack members, has arrived, bringing four males and two females, who are also keen to get inside the ballroom to check who is attending.

Alpha Gabriel is here too with eight members of his pack, all bustling to get inside, and so eager they give a quick nod of respect, then rush inside. I chuckle and look at Gabriel, who has Luna Tatiana tucked into his side.

“What can I say Connell? They are eager to find their mate, if they are in attendance. I had to give a firm order that no more attended because most of the damn pack wanted to come,” Alpha Gabriel laughs.

Luna Tatiana steps away from Gabriel, loops her arm with Hope’s and they both walk away with Gabriel and me behind them. We keep pace with them, and I have to admit I’m enjoying the sight of Hope’s hips swaying from side to side.

A small growl erupts from between my lips, and I rub my chest as I look over at Gabriel. “Sorry, it just escaped.”

“Oh, I know the feeling well, Connell,” Gabriel chuckles.

Walking to the front of the highly and beautifully decorated ballroom, I hold my hand out for Hope to join me. When Hope is standing beside me, looking beautiful in a long pale blue dress, I start to speak.

“Welcome everyone to the mating ball. I hope some of you will find your mate, and also the happiness that brings to you. I can attest that there is nothing better in this world than finding your mate. It completes you in a way nothing else can.

“If you find your mate, you will have to decide between you which pack you will stay a member of, whether it be the male’s or female’s. It doesn’t matter which, it is up to you to decide.

“Now, enjoy the food and dancing. May the Goddess be with you.”

Music starts and people start walking around, sniffing and looking for their person. The one that makes you whole. I look at Hope as she tugs on my hand.

“Follow me, Connell.”

I do, of course, but what she shows me has me stunned and unable to find a single word. We have walked into the garden my mother designed and worked in. The Luna Garden. It has been brought back to its original, stunning beauty. Someone has worked nothing short of a miracle. I can see Silas must have had a hand in this. It smacks of his attention to detail and care in the renovation.

A deep, luscious, red carpet stretches from the doorway into the garden itself. Beautiful roses are in bloom all around the flower beds. There are so many different colors and varieties, it’s hard to know where to look first. The soil looks rich and damp. It adds to the overall beauty of the garden. There are ground cover plants, climbers, and scented blossoms throughout the area.

In the center, however, is the water feature. It has been sympathetically cleaned so as to look worn, weathered, and not look new. The water tinkles as it flows from the vase that the female is holding while she is entwined with her lover. Two pups frolic and gambol around the lovers’ feet. Their tongues lolling and the eyes have been colored and polished to look almost real. I can’t help but notice that they resemble Hope’s and my eye colors.

After the delight of seeing all the garden, and the joy the memories bring to me, we re-enter the ballroom just in time to see William stop dead in his tracks, turn slowly and shout, “MATE!”

Looking in the direction he is looking, a small female with red hair, green eyes and with the largest smile I think I’ve ever seen responds, “MATE!”

This female takes off running across the ballroom and launches herself into William’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, arms around his neck, and kisses him thoroughly.

Giggling has me looking down at Hope, who is struggling to hold back the full-on laughter that wants to escape. “Do you think she’s happy to find her mate?” Hope giggles again.

“Not really,” I grunt, but we both know I’m joking.

We hear ‘Mate,’ ‘Mate,’ and ‘Mate’ five times throughout the evening. I’m not sure who is finding who at this point, but the ballroom is missing a few couples, that is for sure.

By morning I will either have gained a member or members or lost some. I hope it’s gained, because I don’t want to lose William or anyone else.

“What did you say?”

Both Hope and I turn, seeing Gamma Baildon looking down at Isla with shock all over his face. I take a step forward, thinking something bad is about to happen. But when Isla mumbles, ‘Pup,’ I stop and grin.