Waking up had always been a struggle for me, but today knowing I would have to attend the mating ball there was nothing I wanted to do more than to simply stay in my warm bed hiding under the covers where no monsters could get to me. But of course that wasn't possible and to ensure this Alaricus Knight actually had guards go around to the attendants houses to pick them and their families up personally.

The day had gone by in a blur and before I knew it my mom was throwing me into my bathroom telling me to get ready. I showered taking my time to revel in the warmth of the hot water, blow drying my hair afterwards. Although I didn't like putting makeup on, I simply didn't have the face for if but my mother would most probably murder me if I didn't and I wasn't cruel enough to let the guards who'd come to escort us be greeted with the sight of my mauled corpse. I climbed into my dress the satin sinfully soft against my skin.

As my dad had always wished he was the one to put the family bracelet on for me, it had been passed down generations and was now mine. The thin white gold chain that had one charm with our family W on it, encrusted with exactly one diamond, to others it wasn't much but to me it was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on.

I felt my heart fill up when I saw the tears in my dads eyes, when he looked up at me. I had always been a daddy's girl, but today the fear that I could lose him propelled me to throw myself into his arms, pretending that I would be safe in my fathers secure hold. I heard my mother walk into the room, and my dad gently released me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. My mom gushed at how beautiful the dress was, and told me that our assigned guard was already here.

The guard had come to pick us up in a limousine with two other human families already sitting inside of it. The ride was quiet and much too short. Before I could even attempt to get my heart beat in control it was over and the guard in his gruff voice was demanding for us to exit the vehicle, his attempt at being polite not working very well.

I had never been to the house of Alaricus Knight before, if you could even call it that it was really more of a castle, a gorgeous castle but as I stared at it longer I realized it was missing something, what, even I wasn't entirely sure.

My parents walked slightly ahead of me my moms arm pressed into my dads, and I couldn't help but feel my heart sink at the idea of never having that. Never having a partner I walked in tune with, for there was a possibility that today I would be claimed by some monster, who would forever drag me behind him everywhere he went. Human and wolf matings never turned out well the human was always degraded, the wolf's protectiveness border lining insulting. The human could never even go anywhere without the wolf making a scene, it was repulsive to see, it happened more times in public then I or most human mates wished to remember.

If I had thought the castle was beautiful from the outside, the inside was incomparable. This inexplicable strength in the castle, or withstanding age old beauty, a type of eternity seemed to be cemented into the very walls. I had always thought the home of the beast would be empty and dull, but this was extraordinarily beautiful.

I looked around hoping to see a familiar face, and soon caught sight of Marina who was standing next to a pretty girl waving at me enthusiastically. I made my way towards her carefully hoping not to attract more attention then her frantic waving already had. Although being as clumsy as I was I managed to stumble against the edge of a couch. I finally made it over to Marina and after the awkward introductions and the exchange of compliments that Marina and her friend definitely deserved for they both looked stunning I stood off to the side quietly as they spoke. My never a left me completely incapable of making conversation and my naturally awkward personality didn't help very much.

A frown was upon my face as I looked around, the poor girl was actually hoping to find her mate, the werewolf written romance books about matings had obviously deluded her into believing there was anything romantic about the ancient old tradition. I hope she never realizes how serious her misconception of mates really was. She had nobody to tell her the truth and how I wished to but I knew better then to bad mouth them when I was surrounded by thousands of them.

So I somehow managed to keep my mouth shut fearing I was gonna start turning purple with the effort. But if Ana said even one more thing about how wonderful it would be to have a mate, or be able to choose curtains for her house I surely would explode.

Looking around for a distraction from the discussion we were currently having I noticed the odd warrior who lived a few houses down looking at me. He stood in his place his eyes glinting with approval, maybe he thought I would run away before the ball, he really did take his job seriously. My eyes widened as he started to make his way towards me and I panicked hoping to avoid him I quickly excused myself from Marina telling her to distract him and ran out of the hall hoping to find a washroom to hide in.

I found the exit of the huge party banquet and rushed out as I could still feel his eyes on me. When I had successfully made it out and caught my breath I looked up and my eyes widened at how beautiful the castle was. It was even more beautiful on the inside than it was on the outside.

I walked around the gorgeous castle in no hurry to get back to the banquet, until one of the help who were rustling about spotted me and politely requested for me to get back to the banquet. My cheeks turned scarlet in embarrassment as the woman sighed tiredly at me before turning around, she thought I was one of those troublesome people. Mumbling to myself I stumbled around hopelessly lost in the large castle.

After walking down a long narrow hallway I arrived at a staircase. I felt my curiosity peak and started to ascend the staircase despite the fact that was definitely not the way back to the banquet. I went up the stairs cautiously knowing this could lead to me ending up in a dungeon but I couldn't help myself my curiosity always got the best of me. I finally reached the top seeing a long hallway with many doors and a beautiful antique chandelier. I cautiously opened up the first door but to my luck it wasn't leading back to the banquet. Large dark coloured couches lined up against the walls an expensive looking glass table sitting between them but what caught my eye was the grand piano at the back of the room. My dad used to love to play but we didn't have the money to purchase one ourselves.

My feet took me to it before I could think my fingers trailing softly over the keys. I didn't know how to play but I remembered how happy my father would be while he attempted to teach a four year old me. The sound of the door opening broke me out of my reverie my breath catching in my throat as I froze shutting my eyes tightly. Counting to ten in my head I turned around slowly my eyes still tightly closed hoping that it was simply help and not a upperclass wolf. I felt the intense stare of a person on my face making me tremble. Slowly I opened my eyes only to gaze into a pair of blazing honey coloured eyes, a prominent amount of gold in them. Framed by thick black lashes making them impossibly more enchanting. I felt my heart stop when I heard the one word I had been dreading all my life.

"Mine"

I felt strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me causing me to crash into the firm chest of the man who stood in front of me and a soft gasp left my parted lips. His eyes at first so intently gazing into my eyes now released me from their burning hold and fell down to my parted lips. He tightened his grip pulling me impossibly closer.

"Meum miraculum." The man mumbled softly nuzzling his face into my neck inhaling my scent. His soft hair tickled my skin, but my body had become too numb for it to bother me. I felt myself quiver in fear. Despite how softly he spoke his voice had a rough near primal edge to it that awakened my own instincts to flee.

I struggled to get out of his arms and he let out a low but threatening growl effectively scaring me even more and fueling my struggles. But my struggles were futile for the man was much too strong it seemed he wasn't even slightly affected by my movement.

"Calm down love, I won't hurt you." The man said clearly trying to soften his deep voice as much as possible. I stopped struggling hoping he would just release me. His large warm arms stayed tight around my waist, but they shifted to my lower back. Allowing me to bend enough to look at his face.

"What's your name?" The man asked, his scorching gold eyes so intense it took me longer then it should to process the words.

"A-Amara" I stuttered out finally.

"Amara" he said lightly testing out my name on his tongue.

"Beautiful" he growled out in approval and I couldn't help but flush slightly.

"M-my parents are downstairs." I managed to stutter out.

"Lead the way love." The man said staring at me fondly lightly cupping my face in his large hand.

I quickly pulled away from him almost rushing out the door but he was easily able to keep up with me and he lightly grabbed my hand in his.

We walked down the stairs. Him maintaining his gentle grip on my hand and his stare drilling holes into the side of my face. The initial panic began to dim and the dread set in. Everything I had ever aspired to be, hoped to do, was gone. This story was far too common, the human always had to leave everything behind, let go of any dreams for they now belonged to their mate. What their mate chose for them, was what they would have, and the mates were too possessive to ever allow the human to do what they pleased. If it involved separation from them, or the company of another, then it was out of reach for the human. Humans were weaker than wolves, so the wolves primal instincts were heightened, and they became obsessively protective, because in comparison to them we were fragile. Never was it heard of for a wolf to allow a human to gain education, or work, or even see their family without the presence of the wolf.

Everything I'd wanted now was too far from reach, his arms would forever hold me back from all of it. All because of this one man who decided that he had some sort of right on me, a right to claim me, to own me just because I was his mate. This mate bond, Alaricus Night had decided was more than enough for this man to keep me as a treasured possession for the rest of my existence. I felt my eyes begin to water as I realized that was what I was now. I was a prisoner to this man's deeply ingrained infatuation.

I turned to face him meeting his adoring glance with my own hatred filled stare. His brows furrowing in confusion, head tilting to the side. He stared at me trying to decipher as to why I was glaring at him before he noticed the tears in my eyes. Immediate panic seemed to swarm him and he made a move to grab me but luckily we were already at the banquet and I quickly dodged his arms. Stumbling into the hall making everyone turn to look at me questioningly. And despite the situation I felt my cheeks redden with embarrassment. I spotted my parents eager to reach them and feel the comfort of them being so close.

I hiked up my dress a bit ready to run towards them. The man must have guessed my intentions as he quickly wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me back into his firm chest.

"Where do you think you're going love?" The man questioned in his low velvety voice causing my breath to hitch at the obvious power in his voice. The man as undeniably alluring, and that applied to his voice as well. It was positively compelling. Something so dark and low but yet smooth, seducing the listener into doing this man's bidding. My head swarmed for a moment, but I shook it trying to clear my thoughts.

I attempted to struggle out of his arms once again but he didn't let me go keeping his arm soundly wrapped around my waist. Everyone still stared at us and I wondered why that was. It wasn't uncommon for a wolf to be holding their mate, and it was often that we had to turn a blind eye to the struggles of a human as the wolf ignorantly showered them with affection. It was as if the wolves didn't even see the state of their mate, or perhaps they thought coddling them would make it better, perhaps they were unaware to the cause of the struggles.

A nearby standing alpha finally gathered the courage to ask what must have been on everyone's mind. But his words make my limbs fall numb and my breath hitch in my throat.

"Sire Knight is this young lady your mate?"

"Yes this is my mate Amara." Alaricus said staring down at me tenderly. I trembled in his hold wanting nothing more than to run into the comfort of my fathers arms away from this terrifying man.

Everyone stared with wide eyes gaping at us. Whispers rang out as I stood there uncomfortably.

"How is this possible?"

"He's not supposed to have a mate." And then there was the one that had my heart racing in fear

"That poor girl, he is going to destroy her."

"Enough." Knight's voice rang out making my slight shivers turn into full tremors and I tried to wiggle out of his grasp but his hold only tightened. He stared out at the thousands of people, almost challengingly. As if daring fir even one of them to speak against his claim. As if anyone could possibly be that foolish. They all stood there quietly, eyes downcast at the power behind his command. I was human, no connection to their twisted hierarchy and yet I wanted to fall to my knees.

"This ball is held so that wolves can find their mate and this here today is only an example of it. I ask you all to enjoy the party and wish you all luck in finding your better half." He said his deep velvety voice keeping everyone transfixed.

"Come love, I'm sure you would like to enjoy the party as well." Knight said looking down so he could see my face stepping even closer than he before was.

"I, um yes yes I would." I said slightly flustered by his close proximity trying to discreetly take a step away from him causing a frown line to appear between his brows.

"Lead the way love." He said simply, ignoring the fact that I had stepped away despite the fact that something changed in his eyes, his warm eyes seemed to tighten a bit.

I turned making my way towards my parents and he followed close behind, so close I was afraid if I stopped he would crash into my back.

My heart sunk when I noticed the way people seemed to move away from us very different from the way I had had to force my way through the crowds before. I was already an outsider.

An alpha approached us as we walked and Alaricus gently called out to me.

The large man I would normally feel very threatened by seemed as intimidating as a kitten standing near Alaricus Knight.

"Alpha Knight." The man said causing Alaricus to stiffen up. Alaricus simply nodded in return. The man turned to me.

"Hello, I'm Alpha Britchette."

"Amara" I answered trying to smile but it came out more as a grimace.

As the two men began to converse I excused myself heading towards my parents who stood whispering to each other frantically.

I gently tapped my dads shoulder and he turned towards me wrapping me in his warm embrace. I forced myself not to cry snuggling in further crumpling his fresh suit but he didn't seem to care.

"My poor little kitten I would do anything to keep you away from him." I couldn't hold it in a tear trailed down my cheek as I pulled away reaching up to give my father a kiss on the cheek.

"I know papa I know." I said slipping into my childhood habit of calling my father papa.

I pulled away from my father and turned to my mother who was tearing up looking at us. She smiled at me softly pulling me in for a gentle hug and I couldn't help it I was closer to my father but the feeling of being in your mothers arms could sooth anyone.

"Amara." His voice called out and I stilled in my moms arms. Slowly I turned around looking at him wanting to hurt the man who had caused my family this pain. He reached out to me softly taking my hand in his but I pulled away causing him to look at me with hurt but the expression was gone before I could truly read it and I faced my parents again.

My dad stood there glaring at him. Alaricus put his hand out for my father.

"I'm Alaricus Night you must be Amara"s father." My dad begrudgingly shook hands with him.

"Jay Winters" my father answered looking at Night sternly.

"And you must be her mother." Alaricus said turning towards my mother.

"Yes I'm Gloria Winters." My mom said completely serious as she put her hand into his awaiting one.

"I hope you both are enjoying the ball." Alaricus said in his velvety voice. My father simply made an agreeing noise, my mother ignoring his words completely.

"Alpha Night I-" my father started but Alaricus interrupted him.

"Please call me Alaricus." He said.

My mother noticing my father irritated expression quickly intercepted before my father could speak.

"Alaricus what we want to say is our daughter is very young as you can see, it would be appropriate for you to perhaps wait until she has completed her education to move further in your relationship." My mom said trying to keep her voice strong.

Alaricus looked furious but composed himself

"She is my mate, I can not live without her. She is old enough to attend the ball meaning she is old enough to be in this relationship and I assure you I would never rush your daughter into doing anything she is uncomfortable with." Alaricus said sincerely, making my father scoff in blatant disbelief.

Alaricus raised a brow at him his eyes challenging and I interrupted before my impulsive father could get himself hurt.

"Alaricus would you give me a moment alone with my parents?" I asked struggling not to stutter when he turned towards me his eyes boaring into me as I spoke. He nodded slowly, nodding at my parents in farewell before he left.

I stayed trying to pacify my upset parents and soon Marina joined us her eyes soft and sympathetic as she hugged me. We all stood there talking as if I hadn't just been claimed as a mate by the worst of all monsters. Soon his voice interrupted us.

"I thank you all for attending the ball I would like to take a moment to congratulate all the newly mated couples on finding their soul mates. I kindly ask you all to begin making your way to the exits, my guards will be willing to help if you need help finding your vehicles." Alaricus said his face void of any emotion as he stepped off the stage heading towards me.

We all stood in silence as he approached, the crowd lessening by the second.

"Mr and Mrs Winters if you two would kindly make your way to the cars I would like to speak to Amara for a moment."

I saw how hesitant my dad looked and discreetly modded at him doing my best to smile. I watched them walk away.

Alaricus took my hand softly holding it in both of his, bringing it close to his chest.

"I wish I could keep you here with me, it pains me to see you leave, but you must be tired, and you do need to start packing." I nodded hoping to get out of there as quick as possible until the realization of what he had said dawned on me.