The Rejected Alpha Wolf
FOUR-THE MATING BALL

Three Months Later: January 24th

Ace POV

Tonight was the mating ball, and I couldn’t wait to see if my mate would attend since I hadn’t met her on my birthday. It's been three months since my 18th birthday and my shift into Apollo. When I enter a room or walk by, the pack members stare at me and look stiff, except for my family and future Beta and Gamma.

"That's because they can sense our Alpha aura," Apollo said.

"What do you mean, Apollo?" I asked as he snorted.

"We are the sons of an Alpha with royal blood."

"Our aura is twice as strong as the average Alpha."

"Plus, with our Mother being a descendant of a white wolf, our aura increases ten-fold," Apollo said, widening my eyes.

"Royal Blood?" I asked as Apollo grunted.

"Our Father didn't tell you?" he asked.

"I only know about my white wolf heritage. I didn't know my family line was royal," I said as Apollo huffed.

"I think it's time our parents and I talked," I said.

I was at training doing warm-ups when Carlito and Julio ran toward me and smiled. I heard Julio whistle as the she-wolf warriors lined up and stared at the three of us.

"Has anyone noticed a lot of she-wolves joined training in the last three months," Carlito said.

"Because Ace is the future Alpha and a white wolf, any woman is desperate to be the next Luna," Julio said, smiling.

Carlito and Julio finally turned 18 and shifted into their wolves. Carlito's wolf is named Czar, and Julio's wolf is called Jupiter. Carlito is a silver wolf like his Dad, and Julio is a dark gray wolf like his Father.

"Well, they can keep being desperate. I only want my mate," I told them as we started running our laps.

I noticed the change in my body. I was bulkier, and my muscles looked firmer. I felt a strange surge of power coursing through me.

"What the..." I said aloud as I ran past Carlito and Julio on the track.

"Increased speed," Apollo said, widened my eyes.

"A new power?" I asked as he howled delightfully.

"Damn! Bro, you just ran past us," Carlito shouted out.

After doing laps, Carlito, Julio, and I sparred with each other. We sparred for four hours until Marcelo shouted for us to line up.

"Alright, I know the mating ball is tonight."

"So, first off, training will be cut short today," everyone clapped and cheered. Marcelo waved his hands as everyone quieted down.

"So, I need a few volunteers to help set up and prepare for our guest's arrival," Marcelo said as a few young warriors stepped forward.

"Ace, Carlito, and Julio, you all are needed in the Alpha's office," Marcelo said, dismissing the group.

"Any idea what it's about?" Carlito asked, and I shrugged as we all walked toward the castle.

Lotus Shadow Pack:

Rachel POV

I was in my closet packing a suitcase. After much debate and begging from Rayne, I decided to go to the mating ball. I had been avoiding Silas for two months and stopped having sex with him. I think he's noticed my recent change and has been coming to the pack daily. Rayne would always growl when his scent fills my nose and makes her want to rip him to shreds.

When we try to have sex, Rayne interferes and takes over, growling at Silas so he would back off. I try to reason with my wolf that Silas is the man I want, and she gets pissy with me and puts a block between us. It's hard fighting with my wolf and trying to keep Silas away so Rayne doesn't kill him. While packing, I heard my bedroom door open, and my Mother's floral scent filled my nose.

"Rachel?" she called out.

"In here, Mom," I said. She walked to my closet and stood in the doorway.

"What are you doing, dear?" she asked as I turned to look at her.

"I um... I'm going to the mating ball at Blue Eclipse Pack tonight."

"Chloe and Amber are going too," I said as my Mother smiled and pulled me into a warm embrace.

"You want to replace your mate?" she asked as I nodded.

"That's wonderful, my baby..." she started speaking when I cut her off.

"Mom, I'm only going to reject him just in case I meet him," I said, making Rayne howl with sorrow.

"Why would you reject him? Mates are...." Mom started speaking as I shook my head.

"I know, Mom, mates are a gift from the moon goddess, but I'm engaged to Silas."

"We plan on getting married next year," I said as my Mother shook her head.

"Do you know how much pain you'll put Rayne in?"

"Is giving up your goddess-given mate worth so little?"

"Is Silas Cartier worth the heartache? Rayne doesn't like him, and you know that," Mom said, huffing.

I sighed as Mom spoke and asked questions I didn't have the answer or wanted to answer. I knew my wolf didn't like Silas, but what about my happiness? Silas and I love each other.

"I know Rayne doesn't like Silas, but in time, she will," I said as my Mom rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I hope for both of your sakes this won't come back and bite you in the ass," Mom says and sighs. She gets up and leaves my bedroom, slamming the door closed.

I sighed and put my face in my hands. Rayne was silent, and I worried about her. A knock sounded on my door, and Chloe walked in. One look at my face and she knew something was wrong.

"Hey, everything okay?" Chloe asked. I nodded and quickly wiped the tears from my eyes before they fell.

"Liar," Chloe said, but she didn't press for answers, and I was grateful.

"Where's Amber?" I asked as Chloe grabbed my suitcase and I held my dress bag.

"She's waiting in the car."

"She knows how your Dad feels about her, so she stayed while I came to get you," Chloe said as I nodded.

We walked out of my bedroom and headed downstairs. My iPhone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out as Silas's name flashed on my screen. I didn't answer, so I let his call go to voicemail and turned my phone off afterward.

We put our suitcases in Chloe's truck. Her brother let her borrow his truck for the trip so we would have more room and space to fit our things.

"Did you thank your brother for letting us use his truck?" I asked Chloe as she smiled.

"He practically pushed me out the door while handing me the keys."

"Our parents are on vacation, so he has the house to himself."

"I guess Jennifer is coming over," Chloe rolled her eyes. She doesn't like Jennifer. We drove for about an hour and a half. It was after lunch when we made it to the Blue Eclipse territory.

"Have you guys ever been here before?" I asked the girls as they shook their heads.

"My brother had when he came for Beta training, but he never mentioned anything about the pack to me," Chloe said.

We arrived at a giant iron gate as a handsome warrior stepped out.

"Damn," we all said out loud. The warrior looked at us and smiled.

"Pack, name miss?" he asked in a thick accent I'd never heard.

"Lotus Shadow," Chloe said as we eyed the warrior.

He checked his clipboard and waved us in as the gate opened up.

"Is it me? Or was that guy super fucking hot" Amber giggled as Chloe and I joined her.

"He was hot," Chloe said.

"Slut," I said as we all laughed.

"Bitch, no way!" Amber shouted out as we all looked.

"A fucking castle!" Chloe and I shouted.

"Wow!" we all said in unison.

The castle was eight stories high. It was painted white with royal blue and gray trim, the garden surrounding it was very maintained, and the massive fountain in the center was an eye-catcher. I bet it had fish in it. Chloe parked the truck before the castle. As we all exited, Omegas began to remove our bags.

"Now that's what you call help," Chloe said, giggling. We walked up the steps as we approached a couple.

"Welcome to Blue Eclipse pack."

"My name is Alpha Antonio, and this is my Luna Staci."

"Ladies, I hope your stay will be enjoyable and exciting," the Alpha greeted us as we stared.

"Wow," we all said as the Luna giggled.

"Yes, ladies, my Alpha is very handsome," she said, holding her mate's hand.

She wasn't lying. He was 6'6 with lightly tanned skin, the most alluring greenish-blue eyes, jet-black wavy hair, solid muscles in all the right places, and tattoos.

"Oh, my damn," I thought, trying not to drool.

Chloe POV

After we were greeted by the pack's Alpha and Luna, we girls tried not to drool over the Alpha. We said our goodbyes as the Omegas who carried our suitcases led us inside the castle.

"Damn," we all said as we stepped inside.

The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. We followed the omegas as they walked toward a set of steel doors, and one of them pushed a button and opened to an elevator.

"Cool," Amber said as we all stepped inside.

"You ladies will be housed on the third floor with the other guests."

"My name is Cynthia, and I'm the head omega who works that floor with the other staff members."

"So, if you girls ever need anything, just hit three on the phone beside your beds," Cynthia said in her thick accent. We all nodded as Cynthia smiled at us.

"You ladies aren't from around here, huh?" she asked.

"No, ma'am, we are from the Lotus Shadow pack," Rachel told her. We arrived on the third floor and gasped.

"The Alpha and his Luna like to make their guests feel at home," Cynthia said as we followed her to our rooms.

There were at least sixty rooms on this floor, the hallway was decorated with white roses in vases, the color scheme was a rich dark brown with marble flooring, and some portraits of wolves and some of the various stages the castle has gone through.

"Since you ladies are from the same pack, we thought it best to have your rooms closer to each other," Cynthia mentioned as we all nodded.

"Names, please?" Cynthia asked.

"I'm Chloe," I said as we stopped before a wooden door.

"Alright, Miss Chloe, this will be your room," Cynthia said.

I gasped as I stepped inside. The room was huge, with a king-sized bed, hardwood flooring, warm cream-colored walls, a walk-in closet, and a massive flat-screen TV mounted on the wall in front of the bed. It also had a huge bathroom.

"The ball starts at 7 p.m. sharp," Cynthia said as I nodded. I waved to my friends as the Omegas set my suitcases by the closet. My wolf, Callie, purred as we flopped on the bed and felt like we were lying on a cloud.

Amber POV

We followed Cynthia to another set of doors. The castle was beautifully decorated, and my wolf Angel was very alert and sniffed the various scents that floated around the castle. We stopped before another wooden door. Cynthia looked at me and smiled.

"Amber," I said my name as she opened the door.

I gasped. Just like Chloe's room, with a king-sized bed and everything, the only differences were the room's colors, a light shade of cream, and the floors, a light shade of hardwood. The Omegas set my suitcases by the closet, and I turned to Cynthia.

"Thank you, Cynthia," I said as she smiled and shook her head.

"Thank the Alpha and his Luna," Cynthia said as I smiled and waved to Rachel and everyone else.

After everyone had walked off, I explored the room. The closet was walk-in-sized, and I giggled.

"You could fit my whole room in there," I thought as my wolf Angel snickered.

I walked into the bathroom and gasped. There was a massive shower with at least six shower heads, a claw-foot jacuzzi bathtub, and a large vanity sink. I returned to the bedroom and jumped on the bed.

"Oh!" I squealed.

The mattress was soft like a cloud. I sighed happily and closed my eyes.

Rachel POV

I followed Cynthia to the last room. Cynthia turned to me and smiled. I smiled back and sighed.

"Rachel," I said as Cynthia opened the door. I gasped.

"This is a beautiful room," I gushed and looked around.

The omegas set my suitcases by the closet, and I walked out as Cynthia stood by the door.

"Remember to press three if you need me, Miss Rachel," Cynthia said as I nodded as Cynthia closed the door on her way out.

Just like Chloe and Amber's rooms, there was a king-sized bed. The colors were my vibrant shades and hardwood flooring. Rayne had been quiet most of the day.

"Rayne?" I called out to her.

"Yes, Rachel?" she asked as I smiled lightly.

"Are you okay?" I asked my wolf. I knew she was upset about the mate thing, but I didn't want that to come between us.

"I don't know, Rachel."

"I'm hurt you want to take my fated mate away."

"But I can't control your decisions," I sighed as she spoke.

"I'm sorry, Rayne."

"Maybe things will get better once you get to know Silas and Spike," Rayne whimpered, and there was a long pause.

"I guess I will try for your sake," Rayne said as I smiled, but I could hear the sadness in her voice.

"Thank you, Rayne," she whimpered as she retreated to the back of my mind.

I yawned and lay on the massive bed. The mattress was soft as I closed my eyes to nap.

Ace POV

After we left my Dad's office, we all decided to help our Mothers for a few hours before the ball. The castle had been undergoing construction changes, and my Dad added a ballroom and more guest rooms.

The castle was finished right in time for the ball. My Dad just wanted to encourage us before the ball if we found our mates. It was helpful. I didn't even know my Mom had a mate before my Dad. Mom's first mate rejected her, then tried to return and stake a claim. Apollo was growling the whole time my Dad told the story. I'm glad he ended that Grayson guy. He was a real piece of shit.

"Those should go over there, honey," my Mom said as she pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Okay," I told her as I set the flowers on the tables.

We finished the room right after lunch, and my Mom dismissed us as she and my Father prepared to greet the guests. I decided to nap before the ball and headed up to our suite.

I woke up around five-thirty and decided to shower and prepare for the ball. After my shower, I dried off and walked into my bedroom. I threw on some boxers and pulled my tux out of my closet. I wore a royal blue Ralph Lauren tux, a black button-up shirt, a royal blue tie, and black loafers. I ran my fingers through my curls and brushed the sides.

"Looking sharp, Alpha. Ready to go meet our mate," Apollo said. I laughed.

"Of course, let us go to the ball and replace her," I said as he chuckled as I left my bedroom. I rode the elevator down to the first floor and stepped off the elevator.

"Hey, Ace," I heard Carlito and Julio call out to me.

"Hey, guys," I waved.

I walked over to my friends as they were hanging out by the ballroom's doors. Carlito wore an all-black Armani suit with a royal blue vest, a black shirt, and a royal blue tie.

Julio wore a gray Gucci suit with a royal blue shirt, a gray vest, and a gray tie. Carlito had his light brown curls slicked back, and Julio's jet-black hair was parted on the side and brushed back. At six-forty-five, our parents had joined us.

"Oh, my goddess," my Mother squealed.

"Aren't you young gentlemen just handsome?" she said, walking over and kissing my cheek.

"You, boys, ready?" my Dad asked, winking at us.

"Ready as we will ever be," I said and chuckled.

I watched him open the doors to the ball as the music started playing. We all walked inside as a few guests began arriving. I was talking to a few of the future Alphas I knew from Alpha training.

"Matthew," I greeted Alpha Miles's son.

"Ace fucking Silva. What's up?" he said, patting my back as we chatted.

"Hey, boys," I turned to see Alpha Drake's youngest son, Derek, and greeted him.

"Nothing much, Derek."

"How are things at Midnight Moon?" I asked as he rolled his eyes.

"Same shit, a different story," he said, huffing and folding his arms.

"Interesting. You would be a better Alpha than your brother," I said as he laughed.

"Well, Drake Jr is a major ass and an even more enormous prick as a brother," Derek said, rolling his eyes.

"Mate," I turned to Matthew as his eyes focused on the door. Carissa walked inside, and her eyes focused on Matthew.

"Isn't that Carlito's twin?" Derek asked me, and I nodded.

"Oh, shit. This should be interesting," he laughed, and I smacked his back. It made me wonder what Derek meant by that.

I watched as Matthew and Carissa embraced. Carlito had a murderous look on his face, and I sighed. For some reason, he never liked Matthew, but he was a good guy and didn't sleep around, so he was suitable for Carissa.

I told Derek I would see him later and walked around to greet the guests. Apollo started pacing and whimpering.

"What's with you?" I asked.

"Mate is here," he said as the scent of honeysuckle hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Mate," Apollo howled.

I saw a woman of 5'6 with blonde hair, olive-toned skin, and those deep forest green eyes that haunted my dreams nightly walk into the room. Our eyes met as Apollo howled delightfully, chanting mate in my head. I watched as she approached.

"Mate," she said as I looked into her eyes.

"Mate," I said as a smile graced her full, kissable lips. I sniffed her scent mixed with a bit of arousal and groaned.

Rachel POV

After my nap, I woke up around five-thirty and decided to prepare for the ball. I showered quickly and washed my hair. After my shower, I got out and dried off. I walked into my room, put on my panties and bra, and moisturized my legs and arms. I pulled my dress out and put it on.

I chose the royal blue sequin lace-up maxi dress I had brought a few weeks ago. I had trouble getting the zipper up when a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in," I called out as Chloe and Amber entered the room. The girls chuckled as they saw my state.

"Need help?" Chloe asked, and I nodded. She walked over and zipped me up.

"Thanks," I told her as she smiled. I put on my silver heels and did my make-up.

"Want us to help with your hair?" Amber asked, and I nodded.

Amber curled my hair, and Chloe helped her style it. They pinned it up and let a few curls fall.

"There, all done," they said as I turned to look and gasped.

"Thanks, guys, it looks amazing," I smiled as they smiled back.

I looked at the girls and complimented them on their dresses. Chloe wore a gray lace-up maxi dress, and her chocolate brown wavey hair was in a high ponytail. Amber was wearing a formal black cocktail dress and had left her sandy blonde hair down, but she curled it.

"You guys look amazing," I told my friends as they smiled.

"Thanks, Rachel," they said as I smiled and nodded.

"We better get going," I told them as we left my bedroom.

We rode the elevator down to the first floor and followed the group heading inside the ballroom. I caught the faint scent of spicy rum that had Rayne howling and pacing in my head.

"What's with you?" I asked my wolf.

"Mate is in that room," she said as my eyes widened.

"No! No! No! He can't be here, fuck!" I thought as Rayne whimpered.

"Please, Rachel," Rayne said as I sighed as Chloe and Amber looked at me.

"What's wrong?" they asked.

"My mate is here," I told them as they squealed quietly.

"Mine is here too."

"He smells like pine needles," Chloe said as she sighed happily.

"Mine is here also."

"He smells like spearmint," Amber says, smiling.

We entered the ballroom, and the spicy rum scent hit me in full force. Rayne was pacing and whimpering in my head.

"Mine!" I heard.

A guy of 6'4 with light brown hair and gold eyes approached Chloe and whisked her away as she giggled. Amber and I continued to walk around.

"Mate!" I heard again.

Another guy, around 6'3 with jet-black hair and silver-gray eyes, approached Amber and stole her away to the dance floor. My two best friends were gone with their mates. I sighed and walked around the room as the spicy rum scent intensified. I followed my nose to the source of the smell. As I walked around, I felt a pair of eyes on me and looked ahead. He was the tallest guy in the room beside the Alpha, and as I came closer.

"Oh, my fucking goddess," I thought.

He was 6'6 with jet-black curly hair, greenish-blue eyes, and was fucking built muscles on top of muscles. I drooled as I stared at him.

"Mate," Rayne howled in my head.

"You're kidding me?"

"That sexy ass hunk of wolf is my mate," I asked as Rayne chuckled.

"Isn't he dreamy, babe?" she purred.

"Those eyes," I thought and realized they were the same eyes from my dreams. I also remembered Alpha Antonio had the same eyes.

"Hmm?" I wondered if they were related as I walked toward him.

As I got closer, my eyes traveled his body. His tux was hugging his body like a second skin, and it looked like he would shred through his tux. I stepped before him.

"Mate," I said and looked into his alluring eyes.

"Mate," he said with that deep accent.

"What's your name?" I asked him.

"Ace," he replied, and I swear my panties were wet. Rayne was purring and pacing inside my head.

"What's your name?" he asked as I got lost in his eyes.

"Rachel," I said.

I watched a smile spread across his face as he leaned closer, and his lips claimed mine. I moaned into the kiss and ran my fingers through his soft curls.