"Yes this is my mate Amara." Alaricus said staring down at me tenderly. I trembled in his hold wanting nothing more than to run into the comfort of my fathers arms away from this terrifying man.

Everyone stared with wide eyes gaping at us. Whispers rang out as I stood there uncomfortably.

"How is this possible?"

"He's not supposed to have a mate." And then there was the one that had my heart racing in fear

"That poor girl, he is going to destroy her."

"Enough." Knight's voice rang out making my slight shivers turn into full tremors and I tried to wiggle out of his grasp but his hold only tightened. He stared out at the thousands of people, almost challengingly. As if daring fir even one of them to speak against his claim. As if anyone could possibly be that foolish. They all stood there quietly, eyes downcast at the power behind his command. I was human, no connection to their twisted hierarchy and yet I wanted to fall to my knees.

"This ball is held so that wolves can find their mate and this here today is only an example of it. I ask you all to enjoy the party and wish you all luck in finding your better half." He said his deep velvety voice keeping everyone transfixed.

"Come love, I'm sure you would like to enjoy the party as well." Knight said looking down so he could see my face stepping even closer than he before was.

"I, um yes yes I would." I said slightly flustered by his close proximity trying to discreetly take a step away from him causing a frown line to appear between his brows.

"Lead the way love." He said simply, ignoring the fact that I had stepped away despite the fact that something changed in his eyes, his warm eyes seemed to tighten a bit.

I turned making my way towards my parents and he followed close behind, so close I was afraid if I stopped he would crash into my back.

My heart sunk when I noticed the way people seemed to move away from us very different from the way I had had to force my way through the crowds before. I was already an outsider.

An alpha approached us as we walked and Alaricus gently called out to me.

The large man I would normally feel very threatened by seemed as intimidating as a kitten standing near Alaricus Knight.

"Alpha Knight." The man said causing Alaricus to stiffen up. Alaricus simply nodded in return. The man turned to me.

"Hello, I'm Alpha Britchette."

"Amara" I answered trying to smile but it came out more as a grimace.

As the two men began to converse I excused myself heading towards my parents who stood whispering to each other frantically.

I gently tapped my dads shoulder and he turned towards me wrapping me in his warm embrace. I forced myself not to cry snuggling in further crumpling his fresh suit but he didn't seem to care.

"My poor little kitten I would do anything to keep you away from him." I couldn't hold it in a tear trailed down my cheek as I pulled away reaching up to give my father a kiss on the cheek.

"I know papa I know." I said slipping into my childhood habit of calling my father papa.

I pulled away from my father and turned to my mother who was tearing up looking at us. She smiled at me softly pulling me in for a gentle hug and I couldn't help it I was closer to my father but the feeling of being in your mothers arms could sooth anyone.

"Amara." His voice called out and I stilled in my moms arms. Slowly I turned around looking at him wanting to hurt the man who had caused my family this pain. He reached out to me softly taking my hand in his but I pulled away causing him to look at me with hurt but the expression was gone before I could truly read it and I faced my parents again.

My dad stood there glaring at him. Alaricus put his hand out for my father.

"I'm Alaricus Night you must be Amara"s father." My dad begrudgingly shook hands with him.

"Jay Winters" my father answered looking at Night sternly.

"And you must be her mother." Alaricus said turning towards my mother.

"Yes I'm Gloria Winters." My mom said completely serious as she put her hand into his awaiting one.

"I hope you both are enjoying the ball." Alaricus said in his velvety voice. My father simply made an agreeing noise, my mother ignoring his words completely.

"Alpha Night I-" my father started but Alaricus interrupted him.

"Please call me Alaricus." He said.

My mother noticing my father irritated expression quickly intercepted before my father could speak.

"Alaricus what we want to say is our daughter is very young as you can see, it would be appropriate for you to perhaps wait until she has completed her education to move further in your relationship." My mom said trying to keep her voice strong.

Alaricus looked furious but composed himself

"She is my mate, I can not live without her. She is old enough to attend the ball meaning she is old enough to be in this relationship and I assure you I would never rush your daughter into doing anything she is uncomfortable with." Alaricus said sincerely, making my father scoff in blatant disbelief.

Alaricus raised a brow at him his eyes challenging and I interrupted before my impulsive father could get himself hurt.

"Alaricus would you give me a moment alone with my parents?" I asked struggling not to stutter when he turned towards me his eyes boaring into me as I spoke. He nodded slowly, nodding at my parents in farewell before he left.

I stayed trying to pacify my upset parents and soon Marina joined us her eyes soft and sympathetic as she hugged me. We all stood there talking as if I hadn't just been claimed as a mate by the worst of all monsters. Soon his voice interrupted us.

"I thank you all for attending the ball I would like to take a moment to congratulate all the newly mated couples on finding their soul mates. I kindly ask you all to begin making your way to the exits, my guards will be willing to help if you need help finding your vehicles." Alaricus said his face void of any emotion as he stepped off the stage heading towards me.

We all stood in silence as he approached, the crowd lessening by the second.

"Mr and Mrs Winters if you two would kindly make your way to the cars I would like to speak to Amara for a moment."

I saw how hesitant my dad looked and discreetly modded at him doing my best to smile. I watched them walk away.

Alaricus took my hand softly holding it in both of his, bringing it close to his chest.

"I wish I could keep you here with me, it pains me to see you leave, but you must be tired, and you do need to start packing." I nodded hoping to get out of there as quick as possible until the realization of what he had said dawned on me.