So, for the power of friendship, I am coming along!
Harmony helped me dress up a bit. She gave me one of her short black dresses, altering it a bit so that it would fit me better, and helped me do my makeup and curl my hair. Its color is probably the only thing I really like about me – it’s chestnut brown, shiny and healthy. I must admit that I don’t think I look too bad for once. Harmony really knows how to make others stand out.
The noise is getting louder the closer I get. The whole garden and field in front of the building had been turned into a party location. There are groups of people standing together, laughing and drinking. At least no one has started to make out yet. I have to give the organizers props for making the place look beautiful. It doesn’t feel like a fraternity party, as I feared it would, but more like a sophisticated outing.
When I open the door to the main hall, I am left speechless. I didn’t know that the place looked so…. gorgeous. I don’t know much about architecture, but it looks like they got their inspiration from European neoclassicism. Or is it baroque? Whatever it is, it’s luxurious.
The moment I step into the hall, I feel something stir in me. A feeling of anxiety, yet also expectation pooling in my stomach.Leah, is everything all right?
My wolf seems to be surprisingly restless.Sorry, Annie. It’s just… I don’t know.
Do you feel danger approaching?I look around carefully.
No, we are not in danger. It’s… just a feeling.
I sigh. Again. She has been acting weirdly confused recently. Like the first time I met Finn.Tell me when you know more or want me to react, okay?
Of course.
I turn slightly, scanning the hall in front of me. Ella is at the bar and waving at me. I am about to approach her when suddenly hell breaks loose. A few girls start screaming, scrambling for the entrance. The guys are not better, though. Half of them – probably the wolves among them, the Humans are looking around rather confused – start pulling out their phones to take pictures.
After a moment, I realize that I don’t sense any danger. I stretch my neck to see what or who is responsible for the ruckus. Somewhere in the middle, I can see Finn’s spiky black hair, and next to him, there is…
So that’s why.
Future Alpha of the Silverlake pack, Lord Elden’s firstborn, Alpha Liam. His hair is longer than Finn’s. Dark brown thick hair in slight waves stopping above his shoulders, prominent cheekbones, and thick eyebrows. Full lips. I have seen a few pictures of him, but it’s different to see him in person. Despite his height and his muscular body, he carries himself with elegance, as expected, and obviously radiates the dominant aura of an Alpha. He is so different from Finn, though. There is an aura of coldness around him, distance. Like Finn said, it seems like he doesn’t even notice the commotion around him, let alone care for it.
It’s hard to read him. He seems to be in perfect control of his expression. Finn looks pissed most of the time, he seems to go for that tough image, but I have also seen him do silly stuff and laugh with us, but his brother… he has this stony look, icy eyes, and calm demeanor.
I am about to tear my gaze away and join Ella when a sudden blow of fresh air hits me. Seems like someone opened a window. It’s not the chilled air, though. It’s… I close my eyes, allowing myself and Leah to dwell in that wonderful scent. It smells like a meadow, right after a cooling summer rain, like freshly washed clothes drying in the wind, with a hint of spicy chocolate.
Leah stirs again.He is here,she sounds excited, joyful, her voice growing louder in my head.He is here!
Who?I ask. I feel myself almost magically drawn toward the wonderful scent. I open my eyes and scan the area until my eyes meet his. Prince Liam’s icy blue eyes are pinned on me.
Mate!Leah exclaims.It’s him. We have found him!
Chapter five
Chapter 5 Mates!
*ANNALISE*
Ella hurried to my side with two drinks. “What’s wrong, Annie? Did you see the devil?” She elbows me. “Or the moon goddess? Dave is fetching us something to eat. Finn is here too.” She grins. “I bet you already noticed. It’s hard not to.”
I barely hear her talking. My ears are still ringing.
“Annie?”
I grab her arm nervously, a slight panic spreading through me. No, it can’t be. It can’t be him!
“My… mate,” I mutter.
Ella stares at me. Her eyes widen. “Shit, for real? Finally! Who is it?” She follows my gaze. Liam hasn’t moved at all. Finn seems to be asking him something, and then his gaze follows his brother’s. He raises his eyebrows when he sees me. Ella lets out a deep breath. “I can’t believe it,” she states, barely able to hide her excitement. “Goddess, girl, Liam fucking Alcott. That’s such an extra choice. Wow!”
I panic. Instantly, I tear my eyes away from him. “Ella, what am I supposed to do? I… that’s not what I imagined. He is too big, strong, good-looking, and important, too… Alpha.”
“Okay, honey.” Ella puts the drinks aside and grabs my hands. “Take a deep breath. Who cares who he is? He is your mate. That’s all that matters.”