Sould As The Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 51 : Belle of the Ball

*Lena*

Mom spread the amber-colored gown over my bed, taking a step back to look at it fully. Her pale brown eyes moved over the glistening silk fabric, but her black brows knitted in frustration.

“No, not this one,” she murmured as she turned back to the wardrobe and began to flip through the assortment of dresses she’d packed for me before arriving in Avondale.

I was sitting at the vanity while a maid curled and braided my hair for the ball, the first event leading up to the wedding. My lowlights had all but vanished now, leaving nothing but a sheet of silver-white cascading down my back. I dusted my cheeks with blush while I watched my mom through the mirror. Her fingers settled on an ice-blue gown, embroidered with silver crescent moons. It had long organza sleeves, with a low back and a high neckline. It was one of my favorites, and most importantly, it would hide the half-moon scar Xander had left above my breast.

“Your dad wants you in the amber gown, but it just doesn’t work with your eyes,” she said in a low voice, almost to herself.

I smiled at her through the mirror as she pulled the blue dress from its hanger and laid it over the bed. “I like the blue one better. It’s a better fit. I can still wear my tiara and sash with it. Everyone knows I’m part of Drogomor, anyway,” I said playfully.

Mom gave me a sideways smile as she stepped away from the dress and made her way to the vanity, smiling gracefully at the maid.

“You can wear the moonstone and opal tiara your grandmother gave me.” She twirled one of my curls around her finger before pinning it in place.

My mother’s name was Hanna, and she was the daughter of Eugene, the Alpha King of Findali. But she hadn’t always held her titles. There’d been a time, twenty years ago now, when she was a troubled girl from Red Lakes, whisked away to Winter Forest when Dad was meant to marry my aunt Kacidra, instead of her.

But my parents had been mates, and the first year of their relationship had been marred by troubles I couldn’t fathom. Born during the war of my grandparents’ time, they’d be raised in peace, but when they were my age….

The maid took her leave. Mom started to rummage through the jewelry box on the vanity, pulling out a few dainty bracelets. I turned to look at her, admiring her long, ink-black hair that was braided and twisted into an updo. She rarely wore makeup. She’d never needed it; her face was always beautifully pink around her cheeks and her dark lashes brought out the color of her eyes.

Growing up, I’d longed for even an ounce of her beauty. Compared to my mom, and my aunts, I felt rather plain.

“Are you ready to get dressed?” she asked, and I nodded, but then went rigid beneath her touch.

“I can do it, Mom. You still need to get dressed too.”

I didn’t want her to see the mark. I hadn’t told anyone yet, even when Oliver prodded me for details and made fun of me for wearing a shirt over my bathing suit when we went to the beach last night to catch the sunset.

him to Abigail tonight. I’d secured her an invitation to the ball, and I knew for a fact she’d

downstairs to greet

and left the room. I glanced

***

the light of three crystal chandeliers. The whole place was dripping in gold as I walked around the room gripping a flute of pink champagne. It was too sweet for my taste, but so was everything else in the room.

of Hollis’s blonde head in the crowd, her mouth twisted in a beaming smile as the Alphas and Lunas from across the pack lands greeted her and bestowed their congratulations. Will was nowhere to be found, at least so far. I’d seen Charlie though, the most amiable of my

was meant to be a celebration of the upcoming nuptials. It was one of three royal events that would take place before the wedding ceremony this weekend. It felt like

loose over her dainty shoulder. George’s sister turned to

hand and squeezing it.

like I blend in,” I laughed, bringing the sickenly sweet champagne to my lips. Isla, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Beta Keaton, and his mate Myla,

had Keaton’s golden hair, but it was curly, and she favored her mother’s deep skin tone and dark eyes. Isla was going to be an absolute stunner in a few years. She was wearing an age-appropriate dress with turquoise ruffles, her

I’ve been walking around

to be exceedingly painful for him. I heard Hollis hasn’t even looked in his direction in the past several weeks, and Oliver has been having to run all kinds of errands with Will in preparation for

grimaced, shaking my head. Poor Oliver–the love of his life was marrying his brother, and yet he’d still been happy and playful like usual.

What was up

I asked, wiggling my brows at

the end of the ballroom where her parents were

here to send me to bed,” she said under her

eye on you!” Lizzie cried, turning to chase

the babysitter of my younger cousins not too long ago, but that privilege had been passed on to the now eighteen year old

my family members talked to me as I made my way through the party. People glanced

way they gazed upon my grandmother Rosalie. They looked at me

marriage, he’d never said so. I found it unlikely anyone had, despite my incredible rank. As I turned the corner

ignored the stares, but that didn’t mean they didn’t hurt. I’d grown so used to blending in and just being normal, being

“Lena!”

my head to find Abigail standing toward the center of the ballroom, her face flushed from dancing. She waltzed over to me, doing a little spin in the emerald green gown she was wearing that hugged every curve

I grinned as she hugged