Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

“Oh, ouch!” I gasped as I reached my hand back to grab my hair. “That hurt.”

“Honey, I really need to finish getting your hair ready for the ball.” My mother told me in a sweet but firm tone. She added some serum to her hands, gently rubbed it into my hair, and continued combing it. My hair was still semi-wet from soaking it that afternoon, but the serum really helped to detangle it even more.

It wasn’t that I never combed my hair or anything. But, tonight was the most significant night of our lives. The Moon Goddess ball was held in honor of the Great Mother Goddess of the Moon. She was our guide in the dark nights of the woods. The frigid winters in the mountains. The lonely evenings we spent beneath the aurora borealis listening to the wind sweep over the tundra. That was centuries ago now before we were given the ability to shift our form.

We are werewolves now, but we have adored the moon mother ever since we crawled on all fours in the wilderness of the world. That was why we cried out to her in a song of sorrow, our faces pressed to the sky, releasing our solemn howls.

“Are you excited, Ariana?” my mother asked me as she continued combing my long, black hair. Her hands were rough and dry from hard work, but they were still so gentle. I glanced at my own smooth, white, creamy hands and felt a tinge of guilt. I lived such a pampered life when compared to all the turmoil she has endured.

“I am, mom,” I responded to her slowly as I thought about all that this ball has meant to me throughout my life. “Do you think I will meet my mate tonight?”

“Oh sweetie,” she responded dismissively, “you are not yet 18 years old. You will not be able to smell your mate yet. Alex is a fine member of our pack. Just stay close to him and see how he feels and acts towards you. He is 18, and he will know if you are his mate or not. Just remember, he might not be your soulmate.”

“But, why must I stay beside him?” I asked nervously.

love Alex. We have been dating for two years. Ever since we were 16, I was eager for this night, but I knew it could establish us forever

elders would always say that young pups dated way too early. They should wait until the Moon Goddess ball. They’d save so much heartache. But, back when I got together with Alex, everything just felt so right. I was so sure he was my eternal mate. Tonight just felt like the test I

fooling you.” My mother said reassuringly. “You are not 18 yet, so you will not be able to smell your mate. But, at least you will know for sure

she was trying to be reassuring, but I still felt so nervous. I stood once she finished tying my hair into a

face was solemn. I might

you look

my hands and looking me over with loving eyes. I smiled, but she was my mother. She’d love me if I had mismatched socks, bad breath, and had no front teeth. She was not so sure about her boyfriend,

I heard Alex’s voice from

ready yet. I did not know when I’d be ready, but I knew I was not yet. I nervously ruffled my skirt with my hands and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

honey.” I greeted him shyly. He reached out and

be back before 12, Mrs. Lloyd,” Alex told my mother as he escorted me out of the house. After my mother took a dozen and a half photos, we got in his

he

change us forever.” He said gently and then kissed me softly. I felt my heart soar as we took off down the road to our school. He

***Triton’s POV***