62. The Mating Ball

KIARA

Two hours later, Raven and Raihana stepped back to admire their work.

"Ok…. I think she looks like a damn bombshell." Raven said with satisfaction.

"That lip colour is definitely hers; it just adds to it, doesn"t it?" Raihana added.

"Yes, girl! This babe's going to have every unmated wolf drooling…"

"Not to mention most women wear long gowns to the ball…" Raihana said smirking.

"Damn, I wish we had like a camera to see what"s happening out there." Raven said.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I am here, listening to you two as if I"m not. Can I see?" I asked, feeling a bit nervous about what they'd done to me.

"Sure!" Raihana said.

She turned me slowly towards the mirror and I stared at myself in shock. I looked… stunning! Regal even...

Raven had styled my hair into a very high, stylish up-do, leaving a few long, loosely curled strands to frame my face. As for my face, Raihana had done a heavy smoky eye in glittering golds and blacks. With some thick black lashes that weren't too heavy but enhanced my long ones. My face was bronzed and glowed to match the shimmering bronzer I had applied to my body. She had painted my lips a matt deep pink that really did suit my skin tone. It was the only pop of colour from my otherwise very bronzed golden look.

My heart pounded as I looked at myself. I prayed I found my mate tonight because I looked amazing, if I do say so myself. I felt a pang of sadness behind my smile as I remembered Alejandro... I will not think of him, not tonight not ever.

"So…" Raihana said, jumping on her toes.

"I love it, thank you girls." I said, giving them both a smile.

I picked up the large statement earrings I'd brought and put them on. The final thing was the delicate moon necklace. After Raven hooked it on for me, I stood up. Currently, I was only wearing the silk bodysuit that pushed my breasts right up.

"Ok, let's get you into that dress." Raven said. With a lot of their help, I managed to get into it.

The girls untangled a few strands from the bottom of the dress, before finally they were satisfied. I then slipped on my 2-inch heels, a size that didn't strain my ankle too much.

"Perfume left and you're done!" Raihana said, reaching for my Armani Diamonds fragrance.

"One spray." I said. I didn't want my scent clouded.

‘Kiara, how long?' Dad's voice came through the link.

‘On my way.'

I gave both girls a tight hug before turning to the mirror and taking a final look at my dress that hugged my figure perfectly. Emphasising my curvy hips and thighs, slim waist and cleavage.

"Thank you, both of you. Honestly, I love my hair and my make up... Thank you."

"Well, after seeing you, I"m seriously questioning my sexuality." Raven teased, tapping my ass. Raihana laughed.

"I don't blame you." She said.

I shook my head, amused at their antics.

"Well, all the best babe." Raven said.

"Good luck, I guess we may not see you tonight… Sooooo have fun!" Raihana added.

"Here, condoms." Raven said, holding out a box.

I gave her a look.

"No thanks! I"m due my period any day, so no chance of getting pregnant." I said, amused.

"Oh, ok then, enjoy all his milky goodness." She replied with a smirk.

"Eww!" Raihana said, bursting into laughter.

"Honestly, I don't even know if I'll meet him tonight. And on top of that, who said I'm going to jump him?" I asked.

Raven looked at me incredulously.

"Seriously? With your track record you will." She said making me pout.

The girl had a point... If I didn't find my mate at least... No. Don't think of him. I pushed the thought of a certain man out of my head and turned to the door, taking a deep breath.

"Well, Dad's waiting for me, have fun."

"Say hi to the boys for me." Raven said. "Let me know if any of you find your mate ok."

I looked at her, knowing behind that casual demeanour she was nervous.

"I'll text from Dad's phone because I"m not taking mine." I replied. "I'll definitely video call with the boys!"

"Ok!" Raihana said "Send pictures!"

I left my room and made my way to the stairs, the light dazzling off the gems on my dress. I walked down the steps, seeing Dad standing at the bottom, looking handsome in a black tux. He looked up when he heard me. His frown softened as he looked me over. A soft smile crossed his lips, but I was shocked to see he looked almost… sad...

"How do I look?"

"Like a woman." He said, taking my hand and helping me down the last three steps.

My heart skipped a beat as I smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Dad. So, how good do I look? Almost as good as Mom?" I teased.

He kissed my forehead softly.

"Tonight, I'd say you rival her." He said, caressing my cheek, that look of sadness still lingering in his eyes.

"Dad… You look upset." I said, despite the fact I was smiling at his compliment. I only wished I had been able to record it.

"Obviously, tonight might be the day I hand you over to another. I just hope he treats you like the Queen you are."

"Don't worry Dad, I'm yours and Mom's daughter. No one will mistreat me. I can handle myself and make their life hell if needed…" I added defiantly.

Dad smirked.

"Good." He said, offering me his arm as he led me out of the mansion.

Our ride was waiting for us.

-----

The extravagant mansion looked beyond amazing, lit up so brightly. Even the gardens were illuminated dazzlingly with hundreds of fairy lights and lanterns.

"Wow, it"s beautiful…" I said breathlessly.

"And a hundred times brighter than usual." Dad remarked.

"Courtesy of the King." A voice said from behind us.

Dad and I turned to see Darien and Serena standing there, both were dressed smartly. Serena looked stunning in a pale peach gown. Dad frowned at Darien's comment as he scanned the garden.

"Hmm." He said.

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be because of me? It didn't matter, he doesn"t care… Maybe he just wanted a change…

"You look beautiful, Kiara." Serena said as the four of us headed inside.

"Thank you, so do you." I replied with a smile.

"Where is Alejandro?" Dad asked.

"He won't be attending…" Darien said, looking uncomfortable.

Dad's frown only deepened.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I'm not sure." Darien said.

Dad looked him in the eye. Although Dad was the stronger Alpha, Darien was an Alpha who had stepped down and was able to look Dad in the eye equally. I wondered what that was about but I soon decided to forget Dad's issue as we stepped inside the stunning entrance hall. People in gorgeous gowns and smart suits roamed around. A mix of scents and luxury wines filled my nose. My smile grew as I smelt two very familiar scents.

"Dad, I"m off." I said, letting go of his arm and hurrying ahead.

I slipped through the crowds, ignoring the eyes that ran over me. The murmurs that I was Alpha Elijah's daughter followed me like a whisper in the wind. My smile grew as my eyes fell on two men. They stood side by side, Liam dressed in a grey suit and Damon in a deep navy.

"Guys!" I said, they both turned and I saw Damon give me a wistful smile. It seemed he had hopes that I'd be his mate. Pretending I didn't see it, I walked over to them as Liam closed the gap between us and lifted me in his arms, hugging me tightly.

"Goddess, Kia! I missed you." He said, making me smile in amusement.

"Aww, I would say I missed you too but I enjoyed my freedom." I teased.

When he finally set me down I turned to Damon, giving him a tight hug too. He hugged me back and I felt Liam watching us. I didn't feel as awkward. Although it had only been a few weeks, it felt like it had been so much longer. Something about this pack…Alejandro… everything seemed so different.

"Not mates then?" Liam said.

"Nope." Damon said, with a small smile. "Now you can rejoice."

"Hey, I wouldn't have minded it." Liam said, now looking at me. "Your aura…"

"It's impressive." Damon said seriously.

I shrugged. "A lot has happened."

"Yeah, I know. It's not been long but you seem... different. Like you've finally become a woman." Liam teased. I had filled them both in over the group chat but seeing my aura was completely different then hearing about it.

A familiar scent invaded my nose and I turned to see Rayhan, dressed in a black suit, walking over. I felt two pairs of eyes bore into me from behind and I knew they wondered if I had found my mate. I mouthed to Rayhan.

‘Play along.'

He smirked, giving me a tiny nod as he looked me over.

"Mate." He said, with an intense look in his eyes, but I knew he was trying to hide his amazement. He stopped in front of me.

"Mate." I said before wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Damn." Damon said, shocked.

"Whoa really?" Liam said, also shocked. "You're lying."

"Why do you say that?" Rayhan asked, keeping his eyes on me.

I was so close to bursting into laughter.

"I can sense it." Liam replied, shrugging.

I giggled.

"Yeah, not mates." I said.

"You look amazing though." Rayhan said.

"Thank you."

"I want to see who gets Kiara… I"m guessing some Alpha in his early twenties…" Liam said as Rayhan met them both with a hug.

"Gets? Am I prize to be won?"

"Well, you do kind of look like a trophy right now." Damon teased and I glared at him.

Somehow, that felt like the ice breaker between us.

The other two men nodded in agreement and I rolled my eyes. I knew of the four of us I had the highest possibility of finding my mate, as women were often younger than the male by a few years in many cases. Most males end up finding their mates in their early twenties, unlike the females, who often find theirs pretty soon after turning eighteen.

"Well, until we sniff our mates out, how about we get a drink?" Rayhan suggested.

I looked around, looking at all the males. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had caught my nose.

"Drinks sound good!" Damon said, motioning an omega waiter over.

We all took a flute of champagne when I felt the sudden urge to look up. I turned and looked around the vast hall. There was a balcony that spread across the entire length of the hall, leading to the second floor. I scanned it; it was mostly empty apart from a few couples. Nothing out of the ordinary caught my eye.

"Kiara?" Damon asked concerned. "You ok?"

"Yeah…" I said, feeling a pair of eyes on me.

My heart pounded as I spun around, seeing the shadow of someone move back. They were far too high up for me to catch a scent. "Excuse me…"

I didn't wait for a reply as I sped up, the urge to find that person overtaking me…