I stood in the back of the room, head down. My mother was teaching my younger sisters how to dance. The ball was a month away, and everyone was preparing for it. Everyone except for me, that was. I no longer cared about going to the stupid ball. There would be nothing for me to gain, so why should I go?

While it was expected that when a wolf turned sixteen, they would be introduced to the royal court, I was not. My sixteenth birthday came and went, and no one noticed. I was not allowed to go, and I was devastated. How was I to find my mate?

I had been a mistake, Mother often claimed. A mistake that she regretted and that no one should ever learn of. But I knew she was lying. The only thing she regretted was me, not the affair. And because she had to keep her perfect reputation spotless, she kept me hidden.

The man that I had grown up calling father gave me a sad smile from the other side of the room. He loved me just as much as he did his four daughters. But whenever he looked at me, I could always see that sadness that was present in his eyes. I was a constant reminder that his mate cheated on him. After years of begging her, she still refused to tell him who my real father was. But I knew.

I knew because she still meets with him once a month on the North side of town. And I hated her for it. I hated her for the heartache she caused in our house.

The real reason they threw the ball was so mates could meet. And seeing as how last year, at the age of 26, I no longer had a mate, I saw no reason in going. I remember that night well. Mother took Ruth and the others while I was left at home. I was reading in the library when a pain as I had never felt in my life exploded throughout my whole body.

My screams echoed throughout the entire house, bringing the servants at a run. When they saw me writhing in pain on the floor, pity filled their eyes. For hours, the pain stayed. And finally, when it left, I collapsed. Later, I remember my old nurse comforting me as I cried. She told me that my mate, the one meant for me, had marked another woman. My heart was shattered that night. Nothing remained of it.

And while I tried to blame him, to hate him for marking another, I couldn't. Our kind usually met our mates the year we shifted for the first time at sixteen. If not that year, then in the next two years for sure. Yet, because of my mother, I had not met my mate. And so, I had to assume that he was in his mid to late twenties, he believed that I had either been killed or had mated with another. But seeing as how he would have never felt the pain of me being marked by another male, he would believe I was dead. It was very rare for mates to find each other so late in life. Although 26 is very young for wolf shifters.

A sigh left my lips as I heard my wolf whimper in pain. My mate and his chosen one were alone. Every night he did this and because my wolf and his were still connected, she felt it. Once I told her to stop blocking the pain, to let me carry my share. She refused. I had enough to worry about, she thought.

Mother must have heard me sigh because I felt her glaring at me. "Kathleen, you are to escort your sisters to the ball this year. However, I forbid you to mingle or dance. Your main purpose is to keep an eye on Ruth, Kaylee, Beth, and Reily."

"I don't wish to go Mother," I spoke before I could stop myself. She glared at me harder. "You will go. You will watch over your sisters. And you will not complain." She yelled at me. I nod my head meekly, wishing that the floor would open up and hide me.

The days flew by quickly and before long, the big night had arrived. Mother had bought me a plain dark blue ball gown that shimmered under the light. And I loved it. But when I saw what she had bought for my sisters, I felt ashamed. They looked like Royalty compared to me. Why did she love them more?

We climbed into the limo and soon the house was gone. I noticed that they girls kept looking at me but I didn't speak. "We're sorry Kathy," Ruth spoke up and I turned to face her. "Sorry about what?"

"Mother," she said softly but I just shrugged. My whole life I had to face with her sharp tongue. It no longer held any sting. "Why didn't you want to come tonight?" Kaylee asked. "It's every girl's dream to find her mate at a dance." I couldn't help but really look at the four of them. They were really beautiful. They were indeed our mother's daughters.

"There's nothing for me to gain in going."

"But... Your mate," Beth, the youngest of us, cried. She was the helpless romantic of our family while I kept myself hidden away in the secret worlds of books. I just gave her a sad smile, hoping the hurt and pain I still felt was hidden. "I have no mate," I spoke softly and if they hadn't been a wolf shifter, they wouldn't have heard it. No matter how hard I tried, the sadness wouldn't leave my voice.

Understanding quickly flooded their eyes. "It's because of Mother isn't it?" Reighly asked. Everyone could hear the venom in her voice. It was, but I couldn't blame her. I knew I should, but she was still after all my mother. So, I just kept my mouth closed. They looked at each other and the rest of the ride was clothed in silence.

Just as the castle came into sight, Ruth spoke again. "What will you do Kathy?" I knew what she meant. Without your mate, you weren't complete. I could find a male whose mate had died, or left him. But I didn't want a life that didn't belong to me. I wanted my mate and only him. "I was planning on becoming housekeeper for the first one of you that meets their mate. It would be a nice change after Mother's house."

The limo came to a stop and the door opened. Quickly, we exited our ride and just stood there taking in the magnificent sight. I felt bad for lying to my sisters, but I was planning on leaving this very night. Distance, I had heard, lessened the bond between two wolves. And I was planning on putting as much between my mate and I as I could.

A guard led us up the stairs towards the doors. The second he opened them, I froze. My wolf was purring softly. Our mate was here. Ruth and Kaylee linked arms with me, and slowly, we entered the castle. It didn't take them long to be claimed for a dance. I watched as they were twirled around the floor, their laughter making my heart soar with happiness. They would be happy, I was sure, when they found their mates.

After making sure they were still dancing, I left to find a restroom. I felt too crowded in the ballroom. I passed a room and when I spotted the grand piano, I froze. My fingers itched to play it, and I found myself slowly walking towards it. I knew I shouldn't because it wasn't mine, but I gently eased onto the small seat and pushed the lid open.

My fingers acted on their own and soon the sounds of Moonlight Sonata filled the room. I lost myself in the music as I let it wash over me. When it was finished, I started playing Fur Elise. I didn't feel the eyes of the man that had entered the room. I was too engrossed in finally letting everything I had kept bottled up inside for years, free.

Once the last notes faded, the sound of clapping brought me back to the present. With a startled yelp, I jumped to my feet and spun around. When I saw who was standing before me, I froze, the king of wolf shifters, Alexander Tate. An embarrassed blushed turned my face red as I curtsied. "I'm...I'm sorry for...for playing your piano." I apologized softly, keeping my eyes lowered.

His scent of pine and vanilla hit me and I heard my wolf purring with happiness. She was chanting something over and over but I blocked her out. He laughed and stepped farther into the room. "Don't worry about it. No one plays it anymore. It's good to hear music flowing from those old keys again." He looked at me, puzzled. "Why aren't you dancing?"

The closer he walked towards me, the louder my wolf purred. What was going on? "I-I didn't come to dance Sire," I say as he comes to a stop just a foot or two in front of me. His eyebrow arched and he smirked at me. "Then why did you come, if not to dance?"

"I-I was sent by my mother to keep an eye on my younger sisters. I don't do well with crowded rooms and since this is my first time to see the castle, I thought I'd sightsee a little."

"This is your first time here?" Something in his voice made my eyes snap to his face, but I lowered them before I met his gaze. I saw disbelief written plainly across his face. My head bobs twice, my mouth dry. The need to step closer to him surged through my body and I found myself taking a step backwards. My wolf whimpered softly.

"If you'll excuse me, Sire, I need to check on my sisters. Good evening." Quickly I make my way towards the door only to stop when he spoke up. "I trust that you'll save me a dance madam." My breath caught in my throat. The king wanted me to dance with him?!

"If that is your wish Sire." He laughed again and I found myself smiling softly at it. His laugh filled the room and sounded carefree and happy. "You don't wish to dance with your king?" He sounded surprised and curious. It was almost like a woman had never turned his offer for a dance down before, or seemed uninterested.

His voice was low and husky. A shiver raced down my spine and I hurried from the room, forgetting that I didn't answer his question. As I all but ran back to the ballroom, I couldn't help but wonder why he had such an effect on me. Several people looked at me, curious. They took in my dress and looks of pity flashed through their eyes. But I didn't stop to see.

My eyes scanned the dance floor and I smiled when I saw that all four of my sisters were dancing. They were staring up at the men, stars in their eyes. They had found their mates it would seem. Looking at the clock, I noticed that I had almost three hours before Mother sent the limo back for us. That would be just enough time for me to slip away and run.

Taking one last look at my sisters, I slip back down the hallway towards the entrance. The doorman handed my wrap back to me and I gave him a kind smile. "Leaving so soon ma'am?" He asked and I could see genuine concern in his eyes. "I'm just going for some fresh air. If my sisters ask after me, I'll be right back."

"Of course ma'am." I slipped the black cloak around me and hurried down the steps, away from the castle. Just as I was about to reach the gate, a hand grabbed mine. Sparks exploded and I let out a gasp. "What's the rush to leave, love?" My mate asked, his voice causing me to spin around. When I see who stood behind me, I froze. It couldn't be.

His eyes slowly take me in and when they land on my face, I watch as they widen in surprise. Alexander turned his head a little and my eyes quickly caught sight of the mark on his neck. Tears burned my eyes as I tried to blink them away. And of course, he noticed them. He stepped closer to me, wiping them away as they fell.

"What's wrong my little mate?" I couldn't stop the sob that tore itself from my lips. "Do-Don't." I manage to get out as I made myself step back away from him. Hurt flashed in his eyes but I ignored it. My wolf was telling me to go to him, to let him comfort me. But I couldn't. He was no longer mine anymore.

"What's wrong princess? Tell me what made you cry?" The tender note in his voice brought more tears. I shook my head. Suddenly, a light shone in his eyes and I knew he understood. He uttered something under his breath as sorrow filled him. "I thought you were dead. I'm twenty-eight for crying out loud. I needed someone to help me run the kingdom. And I thought that I would never meet you."

"I know," I say sadly, slowly putting more space between the two of us. "Why is this your first time here? I should have found you at the ball on your sixteenth birthday." I wanted to tell him, but I knew that my mother would face serious consequences for not allowing me to find my mate. What the king had done, marking another while his mate still lived and hadn't rejected her, was unheard of.

When he realized that I wouldn't answer, he growled softly. "Tell me." He demanded and I could hear the Royal command in his voice. And I knew that I couldn't ignore it. "And I want the truth."

Taking a deep breath, I spoke. "My mother hasn't allowed me to come because I'm a mistake she made; a mistake that would ruin her if the truth of it was brought to the light. And it would ruin a very good man as well." Anger rolled off of Alexander. "Your mother kept you from me for how long?"

"Ten years," I tell him softly but he still heard. His entire body started shaking. "Your Majesty," someone called out and I watched as my mate instantly calmed down. A man ran over to us and slid to a stop before Alexander. "The Queen... water broke... your child...being born." His body stiffened as did mine.

The woman he had marked was giving birth to his child; a child that should have been mine. "She's calling for you." The man said as his eyes fell on me. He took in my tear stained face and then looked at the king. "You should go to her. I'll take care of this lady for you." My heart broke again as Alexander took off for the castle as fast as he could run.

I wanted to reject him, to break the bond between us. But I couldn't. It would weaken our wolves and he had a kingdom to run. He had to be strong to protect our entire race. "Come with me miss. You look like you need to sit down." The man spoke softly but I just shake my head no.

"I-I can't. I was already leaving when Al... the king stopped me. Please tell him for me that I wish both he and the Queen much ha...happiness with their child." My voice broke and another sob came out. "Is he..." I didn't let him finish. "He is."

I watched in surprise as anger flooded the man's face. Was he angry at me or Alexander? Or was he angry with both of us? "You should be with him." He said as determination made his eyes glow brightly and I gave him a sad smile. I knew that he could see all the hurt and pain I was feeling because his eyes softened.

"He's no longer mine. And while the blame falls to someone else, it is the both of us who shall pay. Would you tell him that Kathleen wished him all the happiness in the world with his new family?"

"I will. But only because you asked nicely." I laughed softly as his tone, but it quickly died. "Thank you." I turn and quickly walk away. I had been planning for this night for so long. There was no need for me to return to my Mother's house to pack my things because they were waiting for me on the boat. I was heading to America, and hopefully, I would find a little happiness for myself there. But as I listened to the sound of Angel crying for the loss of our mate, I knew that for me happiness wouldn't be found.