HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO THE BEST ANGELS IN THE WORLD ❤️❤️❤️

I've wanted to write this story for ages and now that it's come to it...I'm at a loss. I'm sorry angels, this one is going to be short and crap.

It's not my best, but I'm focussing on starting other works ❤️ L x

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After we finish our meal, we have another drink and wait for the servers to announce that the ball has started.

Once the doors are opened, people start to leave the restaurant and head to the ballroom. Iota takes mine and Dyxnia's hands again and the three of us walk hand in hand into the cavernous room.

We have to stick together in conventions like these. We're a rare breed amongst shifters. Some think we're snobs, some think we're crazy, some think we're a bunch of male-hating lesbians because we don't allow men in our pack.

It's none of those options. It's simple, really. Our pack was founded my Iota's mother, after she was sexually abused by a close male relative as a child and then sexually assaulted by another man when she moved packs.

Iota was the result of the attack. After years of being abused by men, she never wanted to be around them again. She had the idea of forming a pack that would provide a safe haven for women who had been abused.

Sure, there are obviously males who have been abused, too. But she took the initiative to do what she could for women like her.

My mother and I joined the pack when I was seventeen, six years ago. Despite having dated and slept with guys, I wasn't too sad about cutting them out of my life. It was surprisingly easy, actually.

Yeah, I missed the d at first, but Espaira showed me how good it can still be without it.

Music from the orchestra echoes off the ceiling and fills the room. Alphas and their high-ranking subordinates chat and socialise.

The three of us attract attention and immediately go off to one side of the room. None of us enjoy the heavy stares or prying eyes.

Iota goes off to get us some champagne. Dyxnia and I stay close together, holding each other's hand tightly.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changes. The chatter dies down a little and there is even a dip in the orchestra's piece. All eyes move to the entrance.

'The Lycans have arrived,' Dyxnia whispers.

Twelve men enter the room. They are almost a foot taller than most of us. They are wearing suits like the rest of the men here, but they are easily distinguished from the shifters. Not only because of their sheer size, but because their hair is trimmed into short buzz cuts and tattoos adorn every inch of available skin.

They have this air about them, not threatening, but not welcoming, either. I step a little closer to Dyxnia and she lets go of my hand to snake her arm around my waist.

There are three main packs in the Lycan territory. Each Alpha has brought their three subordinates. Four members of each pack are here tonight.

They move further into the room and break apart. The atmosphere warms and the music continues fluidly. Chatter resumes and just like that, the moment is over.

Iota brings our glasses over to us and we accept them gratefully.

'We will socialise and say our hellos, but we can leave if either of you start to feel uncomfortable, okay?' Iota confirms for us.

'Let's just keep our distance,' Dyxnia says thoughtfully as she eyes the Lycans across the room.

I nod in agreement. Spotting a gentleman nearby, I gently touch Iota's shoulder.

'Isn't that Alpha Sebastian Lockwood and his Luna, Viola?' I point out the couple to her.

They've long been allies, we like their pack.

'Good spot, Taliope,' Iota replies. 'Let's go say hello.'

The three of us approach the happy couple, who both greet us with smiles.

'Alpha Iota, lovely to see you again,' Alpha Sebastian says warmly and shakes Iota's hand.

'It's always nice to see you, Alpha Sebastian. And Luna Viola, how are you?'

I smile politely and half-listen to the conversation, but I allow my gaze to stray around the room. There are many pack officials socialising, just like us.

This is a rare occasion where we can all get together and discuss important matters. Tomorrow, there is a whole host of meetings arranged for neighbouring packs to discuss issues or ideas.

It is easy to spot the Lycans moving around the room. As they are roughly a foot taller than everyone else, they tower over the rest of us. It's almost comical.

They only come once every five years. They say it is because they have too far to travel, but it really isn't that far, only a few hours. Most of us know it is because they don't like to get too involved with our kind.

Although we are related, we are different, too. I'm not too sure how different, as I've never spoken to a Lycan before. Five years ago when we came, they spoke only to Iota whilst Dyxnia and I remained stunned into silence next to her.

It is rare, but sometimes shifters and Lycans are mated. Every time, the shifter has to leave their pack and join the Lycans. It's unheard of for a Lycan to leave their territory.

I realise that they're moving through the crowd, greeting everyone. They smile, but it's not a warm smile and it doesn't really reach their eyes.

They are slowly gravitating towards where we are, and I feel the urge to move away. I turn to Dyxnia.

'I'm going to the toilet, I'll be back in a min,' I whisper in her ear.

She nods and I squeeze her hand once before skirting through the crowd.

The queue for the bathroom isn't that long and soon I can freshen up. I check my reflection in the mirror and then make my leave, hoping that the Lycans have moved away from us.

I scan the crowd as I reenter the ballroom. Iota and Dyxnia are still talking with the Lockwoods. I start to make my way over to them, but a Lycan suddenly stands in my way.

I stop short, almost stumbling in my heels. His eyes hungrily take in my body, and I give him the same treatment. He's just like the others, built, broad and tall. His hair maybe a dark blonde, it's hard to tell with it being cut so short.

His face is beautiful, like some kind of Greek sculpture. His high cheekbones and strong jawline could make anyone swoon.

His sapphire blue eyes meet mine and it is like everything falls away. I can no longer hear the music, the chatter, anything. It's like tunnel vision, too. He is all I see.

He takes a step towards me and panic fills me.

My mate is a Lycan.

I take a step back instinctively and his face becomes marred with a frown. I start to take another a low growl escapes his chest.

'Don't,' he warns lowly.

I halt immediately and swallow the lump in my throat. He takes one large stride, closing the distance between us.

This close, I smell his overpowering scent. Purely masculine and spicy. He gazes down at me, his expression softening as his eyes trail over my face.

'What is your name, sweet mate?'

I inhale sharply and desperately pray that my voice comes out evenly. 'Taliope, Beta.'

His eyes widen, no doubt realising what the unusual name symbolises. He looks me up and down, his gaze lingering on the tribal band tattoo around my left bicep.

'You are an Amazon,' he notes.

I nod. 'Yes, I am,' I reply proudly.

He recovers from the surprise and nods, his jaw set. 'I am Dorian, Beta of the Lycan Rothian Pack.'

'Hello,' I mumble awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

A small smile graces his lips. 'Hello.'

He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair out of my face. His fingers graze against my skin and send a shiver down my spine.

'You are more than I ever imagined,' he murmurs. 'I would like to introduce you to my Alpha.'

I feel scared at the prospect of meeting more of his kind. I'm not used to be around men, let alone jacked-up, super-men like these ones.

Before I can say anything, Dorian has his hand on my lower back. The dress is backless, meaning his hand is pressed directly against my skin. His touch is oddly comforting and I feel my worry fading.

He leads me over to two other Lycans, who look at me with interest.

'Alpha Garrick and Gamma Muzu, this is my mate, Beta Taliope.'

I can hear the pride in his voice, which makes me blush.

'It is lovely to meet you, Taliope,' the Alpha says and holds his hand out for me to shake.

Dorian's hand remains on my back the whole time, reassuring me as I greet his pack. We make polite small talk and then Dorian leads me away from them, making me feel relieved.

'Would you like to introduce me to your Alpha?' He asks.

I look over at Iota and chew on my bottom lip. She's talking heatedly with Dyxnia, the Lockwoods are gone.

'I'm not sure that's a good idea,' I reply uneasily. 'Your pack is very different to mine.'

Dorian follows my gaze and looks over at my pack members. 'I suppose you're right,' he murmurs. 'But you will have to introduce me to them eventually. Why not get it over with?'

He has a point. I'm just trying to put off telling them, it's not going to fun.

'Fine,' I mutter.

I have always been excited to meet my mate. Most shifters do by twenty-five and, when it was my 25th birthday earlier in the year, I had a feeling that I would meet my mate at this event. A lot of shifters do.

I did not, however, think that my mate would be a Lycan. It certainly makes things more difficult. It means that moving to his pack isn't just relocating, it involves travelling across the country.

Dorian's hand remains on my lower back as I walk over to my pack members. They both look up as we approach and neither of them make any attempt to keep the surprise off their faces. They already know what I'm going to say before we get to them.

'Alpha Iota, Gamma Dyxnia, this is Beta Dorian, my mate,' I tell them nervously.

Dyxnia recovers first. She forces a smile and shakes my mate's hand.

Iota manages to snap out of it and greet him, too. An awkward silence settles between the four of us.

'Would you like to dance?' Dorian suddenly offers and I'm grateful for the excuse to get away.

I accept and he leads me over to the other couples. I can feel Dyxnia's and Iota's eyes on my back as we go.

They are probably as stunned as I am. None of us was expecting this.

Dorian takes me into his arms and begins leading me around the ballroom with confidence and grace. I follow his lead and he makes dancing easy.

I'll admit, I love being in his arms.

We dance for a couple of songs, and then the announcements start. I return to Dyxnia and Iota as different Alphas take to the stage and make speeches.

Finally, after a long evening, we decide to call it a night. I find Dorian and tell him that we are leaving, he insists on meeting me first thing in the morning.

He doesn't push to come to my room or for me to come to his and I like that. Some mates wouldn't think twice about it.

'Hell of an evening,' Dyxnia comments when the three of us get into the lift.

Iota scoffs. 'You can say that again. My beta, mated to a Lycan. Who in Goddess saw that coming?'

'Not me,' I reply dryly.

I return to my room and get ready for bed. I stare at the ceiling, struggling to fall asleep. Too many things are on my mind, the main one being the fact that I'll have to leave my pack and join Dorian's.

I'll have to move and live in the Lycan territory, up the Lycan Mountains. That's a far cry from the hot forest I live in at the moment.

I certainly wasn't expecting this.

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Other authors I follow offer calls with their readers and, as much as I'd love to do that, I'm so awkward on the phone 😭 if we ran out of things to say I'd die of embarrassment and also, I sound posh as hell and hate my voice so...sorry but nope.

But please feel free to message me, I love talking to you! To those of you who have followed me on Insta, I have loved being able to put a face to your username.

I've shown you as much of me as I can, but it makes me so happy to know what you look like! 💗💗💗