"Mom, I am so excited to participate in tonight's ball! What do you think of the dress I bought, is it glamorous enough?" Asked Brianna looking satisfied and happy, as she was checking out her dress.

"You girl! You are already 6 months pregnant. Why did you buy a mini dress with that big of a cleavage, not to mention the red bright color? And what if you trip with those high heels?" Asked her mother.

She had thought to accompany her daughter when she searched for a dress, but the latter had already said she bought one alone. If she knew that was the dress Brianna bought, she would've stopped her from wearing it. But now there was no time to buy another one.

Really, it was easier before, when Celia was making her dresses. She always took notice of what fitted Brianna and the occasion it was for. But now her youngest daughter ...

"So what if I am six months pregnant? I still have to look my best, don't I? I am the Luna of the New Moon Pack. People might say we are not powerful and influential enough if I dress too shabby." Brianna answered arrogantly, not even looking at her mother.

"We also informed your sister to come and reject Rayan properly. If you show up all dolled up like that, do you think she will still take pity on you?" Her mother asked, trying to reason with her more.

Brianna snorted hearing her mother. As if she cared about what her sister would think?!

She was some months away from giving birth to Rayan's heir. She had checked and the pup was a boy. Her position was already solid enough. Like it or not, her sister should reject Rayan and get it done with. Her sister was the third person in her and Rayan's relationship. She had met him first.

She failed to consider the fact that Celia was the true mate and, in the werewolf's society, the mate was always the right partner and the first choice for another wolf. Especially for an alpha, who would become more powerful by mating and marking his rightful mate.

"Mom she said she didn't want him then. She left just like that. How can she do something about it now?" Brianna asked upset.

"Even if she does not want Rayan. Your father told her you were in the hospital in critical condition, and now several days later here you are attending the ball dressed up. What if she suspects that we only tried to trick her into letting go of Rayan?" Her mother asked.

"Mom we will be meeting the king tonight. I have heard his highness is quite a handsome man. Shouldn't I look my best? Who knows, perhaps I can even warm up to him and he may just help me get rid of the bond between Celia and Rayan. If his highness uses his alpha voice on her, she would have no choice but to say the rejection words, even without her willingness." Brianna stated, like what she said was the righteous thing in the world.

"Brianna, his highness meets so many werewolves each year. Do you think he would take notice of every member of every pack? Even if we are talking about alphas, there are some who have never spoken to him.

In all the years I've went to the ball, I have never gotten even in a few feet away from him, much less speak with him." Her mother reasoned, trying to suppress the childish dreams of her daughter.

"You never know mom. Perhaps he might just talk with me! And even if he doesn't, I still will not talk to Celia. She has to let go of Rayan no matter what. How can the aunt's baby become his stepmother? She will have to let go, one way or another. It is not my problem how." Brianna said getting angrier.

Her mother, Diane, did not argue with her longer. She tried many times to reason with Brianna, to make her call her sister and end their differences, but she never succeeded. Although Diane explained to her daughter that Celia could harm them if she wanted to, by using her position.

Unfortunately, Brianna not only did not listen to her, she had even scolded her by using her position as Luna, making her submit. So the relationship between them was strained each time Diane mentioned Celia to her youngest daughter, and she did not want to make the situation worse.

In the end, her mother gave up trying to argue further, or even talk with Brianna. She was more preoccupied thinking of how to talk with Celia and mend a little her own relationship with her eldest daughter. She was Celia's mother, the only one she had. Her daughter had listened to her always, if she talked a little more with her, she should be easier to convince than Brianna.

She had let her cool off for this period of time. So by now Celia should want to talk with her. Anyway, it was for the better. The opportunity she gave Celia, the chance to become a watcher, was even better than becoming a Luna of a pack. The Luna always had to listen to her alpha, but a watcher would make even an alpha submit.

A couple of feet down the hallway, from where Brianna and her mother were in, Rayan was pacing up and down in another room.

"Will you stop moving about? You will give me a headache!" Rayan's mother, Abigail, said displeased.

"Why aren't you going to your own room?" Richard, his father, also inquired.

"And sit with the mother and daughter while they are getting ready? Why should I stay with those two? When only seeing their faces and it makes me want to puke." Rayan stated sarcastically, with nothing but venom spouting from his mouth.

He was forced to accept that woman and make her a Luna, even though she had pretended to be an innocent girl and his rightful mate. Nowadays, having accomplished her goal, she revealed more of her true face.

Her words, her personality, her shyness, even her clothing had turned to 180 degrees. She only knew how to spend money and ask for this and that.

In the end, just so he did not have to see her often, he had given her a credit card and tried to stay far away from her. But more and more, she was getting even more insufferable.

Having accomplished her materialistic desires, she now wanted him as well. She kept purring near him like a cat, enticing him.

Did she really think that after seeing the real her, she still stood a chance?

He was only waiting for her to give birth. By right, the alpha's children would always remain in the pack, especially a boy. The second Brianna gave birth, she would be gone from his life, one way or another.

"Rayan, she is your Luna, whether you like it or not. You were the one who chose her. Now own up to it. She is the future mother of your children!" His father sternly scolded him. Richard was already upset because of his son. He had failed to recognize his own Luna, even though he should have found her at the summer ball before Celia left the pack. Now there was no more point regretting.

Also Celia had said that Rayan should marry her sister. This coupled with the fact that everyone knew she was the would be Luna, had made him force his son complete the Luna ceremony.

"Child, not children, only one child. As if I would ever have another child with her!" Rayan said disgusted at the mere thought of spending another night with Brianna.

"Just you watch father. Once the ball is over, I will go to the Academy and talk to Celia. I will convince her to come back with me. She must have suffered these past few months being away from me. Once I reason with her, she will come back with me. Only then I will have my rightful Luna." Rayan continued saying, with hope clear in his eyes.

"Rayan you have to hold her hand!" Richard ordered his son.

"Why should I?" Rayan asked visibly upset.

"Because every couple that enters the ballroom does so. It is one of the many royal protocols I have asked you to take notice of and read. Don't tell me you did not read the protocol manual? What if you disrespect his highness in some way?" Richard whispered to his son, but his voice, although not loud, was authoritative.

"I read it, I read it. Don't worry father I know how to act in the king's presence." Rayan assured his father dismissive of the matter.

"The fact that you called his highness "the king", in a place where everyone could listen, makes me doubt you!" Richard immediately scolded.

After repeated scolding and reminding from his father, Rayan finally reluctantly held Brianna's hand, who was by now grinding her teeth, and it was only the beginning of the evening.

Finally at 8pm, as the guests arrived, murmur could be heard from the hallway. It signified the arrival of the king. So everyone that was still in the hallways, quickly entered the giant ballroom.

"I can hardly wait to see his highness!" Brianna exclaimed enthusiastic.

Rayan said nothing in response to her affirmation, only irritated rolled his eyes and looked disgusted towards her.

"All who are seated rise on your feet." The doorman's voice boomed in the large ballroom.

But even without him raising his voice, the high ranking wolves in the room would have heard him nonetheless.

There was no need for him to say it again, in the next moment, all were standing and looking at the door. As always the king was last to appear, so everyone that should have come was already in the ballroom.

Two doormen opened, each one, a side of the double door, revealing the king and his partner. As well as the closest associates of the king. His beta Micah, gamma Joshua, Gabriel, along with their partners, followed behind the first ranked werewolf.

"His highness, Salas Christian Wolf and Miss Celia Blair, the alpha of this year's generation watcher pack, are in attendance!"

Almost everyone in the room deeply bowed their heads, but there was still a general small murmur. His highness had never brought a partner to the ball.

The only two people who had not reacted and bowed were Rayan and Brianna, as both of them froze at the mention of Celia's name.

Fortunately for them, they were far behind in the ballroom, having their table located with other smaller packs.

Rayan looked star struck, Celia seemed even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. Under the twinkling light of the chandeliers, her manner, her beauty and her overall appearance was nothing but elegant. There was longing and love in his eyes, but also confusion.

Why would Celia appear at the arm of the werewolf king?

The way the king held her arm as he entered, showed care towards her. He walked slowly to accommodate her long dress and his gaze never left her. He would recognize that gaze anywhere, it was the gaze of a man in love.

If it was not for the fact that the opponent was the king, he would have already ripped his head off. He could not go and fight for his mate, but a low small growl still rumbled in his throat.

At the same time, Brianna had only briefly looked towards Celia, before turning her eyes to the most handsome man she had ever seen. His highness was the embodiment of the ideal man.

Moving her gaze between the two of them, she kept her fingers clenched in her palms, with blood threatening to come out because of the force. She already had Celia's mate, she was finally supposed to surpass her.

Even though Celia was a watcher and had a higher ranking in society, in terms of romance at least, she was supposed to be the winner. She had Celia's mate, an Alpha of the pack, but the latter now appeared at the arm of the werewolf king.

Her eyes were filled with hate, but she was still convinced that Celia had such an honor only because she was part of the watcher students, the first watcher female.

"Don't be nervous. I am here with you!" Salas encouraged Celia with a small voice, feeling a slight tremble on his arm. She was nervous when she heard the announcement before walking inside the ballroom.

Feeling a bit more at ease because of his thoughtfulness, she inhaled a deep breath and nodded.

"You can all raise your heads!" Salas ordered with a stern voice.

Only then, the numerous alphas, betas, lunas, council members and other invited guests dared to look up to see his partner. Some looked only a little to satisfy their curiosity, while other stared more intently, but there was not a single person who did not at least steal a glance.

"Please enjoy yourselves this evening and be at ease! Although tomorrow we will talk serious matters, tonight we are only a large extended family!" Salas continued as a greeting to all of them, before heading to his own table.

As the king, his table was the one in front of the room. At the same table also sat his most closest associates. As such, at the table, the ones who followed behind Salas when he entered, also sat plus the head councilman and the second in command council member.

The next ones were occupied by the other council members. Then followed tables of members of other packs, with the closest to the king's table being the most powerful of werewolves and members of the strongest packs,. Getting further away from the king's table sat the weaker alphas and members of the weaker packs.

As a true gentleman he pulled Celia's seat and helped her get comfortable and only after pulled his own seat and sat.

"Your highness! It has been some time since we last saw each other!" The head councilman affirmed with a small smirk on his face.

"Has it? I do not think it has been that long Emery." Answered nonchalant Salas.

"It has indeed your highness. In fact I had some urgent matters to discuss with you, but did not manage to find you at all. Even when I came to the palace, I was obstructed to come to your personal quarters. Not to mention I have not even been able to get in touch with you on the phone. Did the guards not at least mention my visit?" The councilman continued with his questions, unfazed by Salas's lack of interest.

"Really, Emery?" Salas asked like he was surprised, but his voice was actually monotone.

"I was not aware you had tried to visit me. I was under the impression you were just touring the palace, since the guards informed me you were accompanied. And you know my personal quarters are not available to the public for sightseeing. Next time call in advance if you are coming to visit." Salas replied calmly, with the same expressionless face.

The head councilman was baffled, he tried to prick Salas, but there was no chance to do so. Not only that, he had even called the attempt to introduce Yvonne to him, as a sightseeing tour. The lady was right next to him at the moment. What if she felt disrespected?

The councilman peaked to the blond blue eyed beauty that was sitting at his right, but no evident emotion could be seen on her face, other than pure interest towards the king. She was even slightly smiling.

Since Salas had sat, she had followed every step and move he made. She did not even bat an eyelash or turned a gaze towards Celia.

A bit relieved that the lady was still hopeful, the councilmember looked towards Salas again.

"Well never mind your highness. It was my fault. Anyway, I would like to introduce to you Miss Yvonne Riemann. This lovely single lady just flew from England to be here tonight. She is one of the highest ranking female werewolves at the moment." Explained the councilman quickly.

He was afraid that Salas would interrupt him. He was also afraid of Salas saying something wrong to the lady, that was why he had said just how powerful she was. Salas respected a powerful werewolf, so by informing him, he would have a little more restraint in his choice of words.

"It is nice to see you again your highness. I have not met your highness since ..." A sweet voice started saying.

"Is that so? Congratulations Emery!" Salas interrupted, not letting Yvonne finish her greeting. He never even looked in the beautiful woman's direction. He was more interested in the person that sat at his left side.

Seeing her with her palms under the table, a little fidgeting because of the constant stares, his heart ached. Perhaps she tried to look at ease, so she took a glass of wine and was about to drink from it.

"What are you congratulating me for your highness?" The councilman asked with a frown. He was upset that Salas still behaved unbothered towards the lady, even though he had told him just how powerful she was. But he would not dare scold the king, especially not in front of so many people.

"Well, of course, for your new love. At your age to manage to charm the young lady, it is quite an accomplishment." Salas stated relaxed, and at the same time took Celia's glass from her hand before it reached her mouth.

"What are you saying your highness? She is not my lover!" Quickly affirmed the councilman. What was the king thinking? Normally he would not be so sharp with his words in an official setting.

Even though it was not the first time he had introduced ladies to him, he had never reacted like this. He would just listen a bit and find a reason to dismiss them.

"Wine is not good for you. You have barely healed. Here drink some strawberry juice." Salas gently said to Celia with a changed tone, as he set the glass of wine on the table and replaced it with a juice filled one.

She only nodded. She felt like she had unintentionally stepped in the conversation between the two men. Receiving the glass, she drank a few sips. The juice was quite sweet and yummy. She liked it a lot, as it was made from her favorite fruits.

"Oh. She is not your lover? But at this table, other than us that are working together, only our dates for this evening are allowed to sit. If she is not your date, then why is she sitting with us?" Asked Salas, returning to his stern voice.

Hearing his words, and especially the word "date", Celia started to cough, having choked with her juice.

Salas immediately took notice of her and grabbed a napkin from the table, and with the same warm tone he had used the other day when she had choked, gently scolded.

"Drink slowly. No one will steal it from you!"

She again nodded and, taking the napkin from his hand, gently patted her lips to not smear the lipstick.

"Oh it is because she is the granddaughter of councilman Marik and I thought ..." The councilman said. He was upset by the words Salas was using to toy with him, but at the same time his heart was jumping for joy. Seeing his attentiveness towards a woman, even if it was not the woman he was trying to introduce, he was thrilled.

"Well then, if she is Marik Riemann's granddaughter, why is she not sitting at his table? Hmm Emery?" Salas asked, finally turning his gaze to look at the elder.

The councilman was trying to find his words, when Yvonne took the lead in answering Salas.