60. Ready For This

Kiara

Rayhan didn't look phased, as we both turned to see Dad standing on the top step. His cold glare was fixed on Rayhan.

I really was getting annoyed with him, especially since he himself was such a player back in the day. I gave him a warning glare.

"Hey, Uncle El." Rayhan said, a hint of a smile teasing his lips.

Dad simply gave him a calculating glare before looking at me.

"Dad, chill out, seriously.' I said through the link.

‘I wasn't going to say anything.' He growled back. ‘But he better get the fuck out of my way or I'll be disfiguring that pretty boy face of his.'

‘Ouch, don't you think of him as a nephew?' I replied, finding it a little amusing.

‘Not right now.' He replied, walking down the steps.

Rayhan flashed him a dazzling smirk before he waved and winked at me, walking off.

"Seriously, Dad you're suffocating." I said, as we both fell in step.

"You were upset that night." He said, now serious, his anger completely dissipated.

"That night?" I questioned, confused.

"The night we found out about your healing." He said softly.

My smile vanished. Had they seen through me?

"Oh… It was just…I thought I wasn't…You know… Good enough."

There, I said it. He stopped, cupping my face, concern in his eyes as he shook his head.

"No Angel. No matter what, you are worth more than any goddamn thing in this world. You're my princess, and I know I can be fucking suffocating, but it's only because I don't want you hurt." He said, kissing my forehead.

I felt my emotions swirl in my chest as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I"m sorry for thinking like that… But I just… I don't need my ankle to be healed for me to be strong."

His powerful arms wrapped around me and I inhaled his woody scent. This was the one man who would always protect me, my first love, my superhero.

"I just wish I had been able to protect you." He whispered.

"This isn"t your fault Dad, I've never blamed you. You did protect me, as you always do. You need to let go of your guilt, please. For me?" I said, looking up into those bright blue eyes that rivalled the sky in summer.

"I'll try." He replied, giving me a small smile.

I smiled back, tiptoeing and kissing his cheek.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too Angel, I"m sure whoever you end up mated with won"t really deserve you." He said.

"All Dad's say that." I replied, rolling my eyes.

"So, the guy you were messing around with was Rayhan huh?" He said, his eyes calculating.

My heart skipped a beat, I didn't want to put the guy under fire…

"Dad it"s no big deal… Can you not butt into my sex life." I glared.

He glared back. "Couldn"t you be a little more… tame?"

I smirked.

"I take after you." Flipping my hair, I waved and ran off. I did not want Dad prying. The way he had asked was as if he didn't think it was Rayhan, and I never wanted him to learn the truth about Alejandro.

-----

The Mating Ball. It came twice a year – on The Blood Moon. The second one in the year was always hosted by the Lycan King. A King I had barely seen over the last two days. He hadn"t come home, not even once. Jasmin had had to plan the engagement alone. I spent the time at the hospital and one day out with the girls getting nails and facials.

There had been a Wendigo trying to infiltrate but it had been captured. Something Alejandro, Dad and Rayhan had accomplished together. I knew that because I had been the one to heal Dad and Rayhan afterwards, but Alejandro, he didn't even come my way once. It seemed he had just wanted one taste, just like he had said... Talk about using someone.

Well, I was over him. I just hoped that I could still say the same when I saw him… I was brave when he wasn't here but I just needed to stay brave. Luckily Dad would be attending too, and I knew he'd have his eyes on me.

Serena had been swamped with the mating ceremony and I had helped. Not to mention Raihana and Raven were so ecstatic about prepping the venue. It was to be held at a large mansion Alejandro owned 8 miles from the pack grounds. It was large, security would be tight and, like every year, hundreds of wolves from all around the United Kingdom and some even from abroad came for this mating ball. It was lush, even some mated Alphas will attend as it is, in a way, a social event at the same time for Alpha's to meet and mingle.

The mansion was built in a traditional style and was a very old building, renovated in a luxurious manner. It was huge, with many rooms. The grounds would be decorated just as glamorously as the inside for this event. This ball would be the epitome of money and luxury. I knew every she-wolf there would be looking smoking hot.

I had seen pictures of it from a few she-wolves who had attended back home, but the fact that only eligible wolves could go meant Raven and Raihana had to sit this one out. It was often a once in a lifetime experience if you find your mate, and unless you're an Alpha, you wouldn't get an invite again.

Now the day of the blood moon had finally arrived. The day that I might meet my mate. I would see Damon and Liam there too and I was glad, I missed them a lot. I just prayed Liam wasn't mated to any she-wolf there. I wanted him with Raven, call me selfish, but they were perfect together.

I now took my gold jewelled gown out of the plastic bag. I smiled as I admired it, I had taken me three months to pick this gown out. I wanted to look perfect for my mate, although I wasn't planning on seducing him with my looks. Well, not completely… but I hoped he found me drool-worthy.

I now looked at the dress before me, it was fully covered with gems and beads on net fabric. The dress was up to my thighs, with strings of jewels and beads dangling to the floor. it was strapless with leafy gold vines around the chest area. Underneath was a strapless silk nude coloured bodysuit that would cover my main assets.

"Damn girl, you're going to have your mate hard." Raven said, from behind me.

Raihana laughed.

"And I'll be here praying it"s Rayhan." She piped in.

Making my eyes widen, he wouldn't be a bad option… I guess.

"Whoever he is, he better treat you like the queen you are." Raven said. "So, go shower and then let"s doll you up."

I nodded, as Raihana put on some music.

"Alright, I"m going to go shower and get shimmery, be out soon!" I said, grabbing my bottle of body shimmer.

"I have got the perfect make-up look in mind to go with this outfit." Raihana said.

She may not be a fighter, but she knew everything about makeup. I guess she put her time to use there, being even better than Raven and I in that department, and we were both pretty good with make-up.

Tonight was the night, the night I would hopefully meet the other half of my soul. The gift from the goddess herself. My mate, my future love and the only man I would ever fight for.