The days leading up to the Mating ceremony were the most hectic of my life.

After the ceremony, I would be formally introduced to the werewolf community as a royal lady and Demetri's mate at a debut ball.

Because of that, I have to go through training for the ball. The training include studying werewolf politics, I have to learn how to dance, proper posture over all, I have to learn how to be a lady.

Wednesday and Thursday had me falling asleep in Demetri's car after he came to pick me up from the training. I had barely buckled the seat belt properly before I was out like a light.

Friday is no different, Demetri waits outside the room as I listen to Madam Collinsworth's lecture on the origin of the Werewolf court of appeal.

My mind was half focused on her as I was already half asleep.

After twelve extra laps and fifty extra pushups after football practice, I was ready to drop.

Coach's special punishment for failing his weekly test is having the students on the football team do extra work like push up and laps.

"Miss Archer! Are you listening?" Miss. Collinsworth snapped at me in an irritated voice and my eyes snapped to her short stubby form.

"Not really." I muttered through a yawn.

"You need to pay attention as I will not put up with your lassies faire attitude." She hissed cracking her long ruler against my desk.

The sharp sound making me jump and cringe at the same time.

"Its a quarter to nine at night." I pointed out grumpily resuming my slouching position "I don't think my attitude could be considered lassies faire in any way shape or form."

I've been up since three this morning and I am drowning in exhaustion.

Because I'm so damn tired in the evenings, I have to wake up at three every morning to do my assignments so that I can take them to school the next day.

By the time I'm finish with my home work, I barely have time to bathe and get dressed before I'm late for school.

Then school is filled with work and stress then football practice which ends at 6:30 in the evenings followed immediately by this treacherous class that should last for four hours.

But because the mating ceremony will be tomorrow, Demetri is picking me up earlier than before to ensure that I get at least six hours of sleep.

"Miss Archer-" she began but was cut off by Demetri who had stepped into the room at the most convenient time.

"Ms. Collinsworth, I think you have covered enough ground for today. I'd like to take my wife home." He said

"As you wish, My prince," she said handing me a booklet with what I presumed was my homework.

"That is due next week Thursday, I expect it to be done and presented as soon as you step into the room. Good day Miss. Archer." She said sharply in a dismissive tone.

How fucking rude.

"Goodnight your highness." She bowed to Demetri before exiting the room.

Demetri leaned down and planted a kiss on my Lips. I returned the kiss before pulling away from him with a half stifled yawn.

He chuckled slightly. "You look tired." He sated to obvious.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." I muttered bitterly, standing from the plush chair in Madam Collinsworth's library and stretching the tiredness out of my limbs. "Why do I have to do this again?"

"All new members of the royal family have to do it. I did it when I was younger, it was apart of my tutoring when I was a child." Demetri told me picking up my bag as I grabbed my folder from the desk.

"You poor child." I mumbled half heartedly as he led me from the room.

"You do remember that we're not married as yet, right?" I asked Demetri as he led me to the car and opened the door for me.

"You said as yet." He pointed out moving in to kiss me again. He held the back of my head and pushed his tongue between my lips and I opened willingly for him.

"Don't fall asleep on me tonight." He muttered, gently pushing me into the car and closing the door behind me.

As soon as I was seated, I strapped myself in and leaned against the window closing my eyes.

"Jessy." Demetri called and I gave a faint hum of acknowledgement.

"I just want to say thank you, for attempting to try." He said pausing for a response but I kept quiet, "I know I can't give you what you want and it breaks my heart to hurt you, but it means a lot that you would try for me."

"Not doing it for you." I muttered sleepily, "It's for me."

"All that matters is that you're trying, and I love you more for that." He said taking my hand and tangling our fingers together before pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.

We drove in silence for a while until we arrived at the castle. I must have fallen asleep again because the next thing I know is that I'm being lifted out of the car and into Demetri's muscular arms as he carried me into the castle.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my face against his chest, enjoying the comforting warmth coming from him.

"You have to shower and change your clothes." Demetri said putting me on my feet in the bathroom.

"I'm tired." I whined miserably standing before him, squinting my eyes against the harsh lights of the bathroom.

"Just take a quick shower." She mumbled taking off my jacket then proceeding to take off my blouse.

I stopped him and stepped away from him before motioning to the door. "I can do it." I told him waiting for him to leave.

"Fine," He said rolling his eyes and turning his back to me. "I'll bring you some clothes."

"Okay, thanks." I said closing the door behind him before stripping off my clothes and getting into the shower.

The warm water soothed my muscles and relaxed me further, so much so that I was sleep walking when I stepped out of the shower and shimmied into the pair of panties and light blue t-shirt which Demetri had left for me.

Walking back into the bedroom, I fell face first into bed and was out like a light for the rest of the night.

"Jessabell, wake up." I heard a voice call softly beside me as something brushed against my cheeks.

Lifting my hand, I swatted away the annoying object and snuggled deeper into the soft bedding.

"She's already late, she needs to wake up now." A voice which sounded strangely like Violet said from above me.

"Maybe we should call Demetri." Another voice said.

They were disturbing my sleep.

"He can't see her until the ceremony. "

"But she-"

"Just shut it," I muttered grumpily, "I'm up, I'm up."

"Finally." Kyra said and I shot her a look of pure annoyance as I climbed out of the comfortable bed.

"What do we need to do now?" I asked stretching my muscles and rubbing my tired eyes.

"First, you need to take a relaxing bath, then you will shift and we'll call in the groomers to make you look presentable." Violet chirped excitedly.

"You're not gonna put bows in my fur, are you?" I asked with slight panic.

And they all laughed as if it was the most absurd thing in the world.

"No Jessabell, no bows." Violet said, "Haven't you ever watched a mating ceremony before?"

"Nope, I was never interested." I started on my way towards the bathroom, Violet following close behind.

"I'm gonna shower, I don't think I need company to do that." I mumbeled turning to slant them disapproving looks.

"We have to get the bath running, genius." Kelly said rolling her eyes

"I can do that myself."

"Nope, we're doing it for you." Violet said pushing past me and walking into the bathroom.

Well alright, if you insist. I thought trodding in behind them to take care of my morning routine.

By the time I was finished brushing my teeth and washing my face, the girls were finished drawing my bath. The steaming water was scented with rose petals and filled with large bubbles.

"Take off your clothes and get it." Kyra commanded me and i couldnt help but looking at her with a strange expression on my face.

"That's disrespectful, and I'm not stripping with you in here." I stated

"Okay, no worries." Kelly said and I became instantly suspicious.

"We'll just get the stylists and the groomers to set up now and leave you to it." Violet said.

Violet and the twins filed out of the bathroom leaving me with Freya.

"I feel sorry for you." She said and I frowned.

"Why?"

"Because you have no idea what you're in for." She stated with a slight shake of her head. "I've been to these things before and I've seen the horrors that you people have to go through to get ready." she shudders dramatically and I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

"It can't be that bad." I mumbled pulling my top over my head as Freya turned her back to give me the illusion of privacy.

"They wax you before you're allowed to shift. Its double grooming, both animal form and human form."

"Now I'm terrified." I muttered sinking into the bath full of petals and scented warm water.

Oh bloody hell this feels good.

"I'm gonna leave you alone now." Freya said.

"Okay, laters." I waved slightly as I heard retreating footsteps before the faint click of the door closing.

Not sure how long I laid in the bathtub just relaxing and humming softly to myself before a knock sounded at the door. Before I could say come in, the door opened to reveal a dolled up woman with light blonde shoulder length straight hair.

Her lips were bright red and her face well made up. She was fashionably dressed in a business like straight blue Versace dress with a black vest over it. Her black pumps added to her height making her look like a bloody giant.

I let out a small scream pulling my knees up to my chest and crossing my arms over them to maintain the faint decorum of modesty.

Well as much modesty as I could imagine considering that I was butt naked in the bathtub.

"Princess Jessabell," she greeted with a small bow, "I am Sienna, and I will be your hair stylist for the day."

"Hey." I said awkwardly.

"It is in the interest of time that I request you leave the bath tub so we may get started since we're already running late."

"Okay, if you'll just-" I made a shooing motion with my hand, "then I can get out and I'll be with you in a short while, please."

She turned her back on me and closed the door without another word to me.

Washing off, I released the water from the bath tub before stepping out and drying off with a fluffy white towel.

I donned the light pink robe hung on the rack behind the door, just noticing that it fell a little below my butt and reached mid thigh.

I walked into mine and Demetri's room to find that it had been converted into a styling studio. A main chair placed in the center of the room while people milled about organizing everything.

"Jessabell darling!" A tall brown man called as he strode over to me and all I could think was Damn he's sexy.

He appeared to be at least 6 feet and filled with muscles, but he moved with such grace and elegance that he resembled a swan. He was dressed in a pair of close fitting black leather pants along with a white long sleeved button up shirt, the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He stared at me with glittering green eyes making me swoon as I stared at his full lips, unable to look away.

"I'm Finchley Evans, but you can call me Finch." He introduced himself grabbing my hand and shaking it overzealously.

He released my hand and immediately grabbed a few strands of my wet and tangled red hair. His face contorted into a mixture of horror and disgust as he beheld my unkempt hair.

"Your hair looks terrible, gross." He said disdainfully as he moved on to examine my face he tutted in disapproval as he commented about the bags and dark circles around my eyes.

Before i could find the pride necessary to feel offended, i quickly reminded myself that it hasnt been my damn fault I've barely slept in the last few days.

Some of the other persons in the room, the majority were females and about three or four were males, quickly crowded into my space inspecting me just as how Finchley was doing.

Some commenting on the quality of my uneven and frequently broken finger nails. The chipped polish on my toes which Sienna dubbed as 'bored to death pink' had the other nail technicians shuddering.

They commented on my hairy legs and I rolled my eyes at their assessment.

Oh my gosh, I'm usually very up to par on my grooming and self care ethics, but with all the fuckage that has been going on in my life over the past couple of weeks, I haven't had time to properly care for myself.

I've never really had long nails because they tend to break when I catch the football or something, but due to recent stress I had started nibbling frequently on my practically nonexistent nails, leaving them chippy and disgusting.

"Ladies," Finch said drawing everyone's attention to himself, "We have our work cut out for us."

Everyone agreed "Let's get cracking." Sienna said and they proceeded to push me into the single chair.

As soon as my butt met the plush comfort of the chair, my feet were placed into a high class instrumental basin clearly meant for pedicures.

My hands were given the same treatment two girls worked on my right hand while two others worked on my left.

There was tugging at my hair and I assumed that others people were working on my hair.

One of the guys knealt Before me with a kit labeled Brazilian Wax. He observed my legs and shook his head.

Finch also stood before me and observed my face while a few females set up a table with a make up kit beside him.

"Don't worry princessa, I will make you so fabulous your prince will have heart for eyes." He said in what was supposed to be an alluring voice.

"Gina," he called and someone behind me responded instantly, "whatever hairstyle you do should be able to withstand the shift."

"Of course." A feminine voice said right over my head.

They all got to work, pulling and combing and snipping away at my hair while the guy at my feet proceeded to rip my flesh bare of any hair.

My toes underwent a thorough pedicure with a full foot scrub and accompanying massage.

Finch however, was quite gentle with my face asking me random questions as he worked, ordering me occasionally to either close my eyes or tilt my head or move my lips.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed other females organizing clothes which they place upon the bed. I casually ignored them as I was sure the clothes would be removed along with them once they were finished.

Not sure how long I sat in the chair before I was finally allowed to move. It was hard as fuck sitting so still in the chair while multiple people poked and prodded various parts of my body.

"We have finished," Finch said, inspecting me from head to toe before producing a mirror so I could behold his marvelous work.

He did a wonderful job on my face, I look fully refreshed and well rested. The make up was not done too over the top. It had a coy subtilty to it enough to make make heads turn but not too much that I look out rageously overdone.

My fingers and toes were both done in a light blue color that matched the dress that I would be wearing for the reception of the mating ceremony. My fingers were adorned with artificial tips that I would need to remove as soon as the reception was finished considering that I have a football match next week Thursday.

My hair was still in curlers which Gina stated would be removed momentarily as she placed a dryer over my head, the heat not affecting my well made up face.

"As soon as the jel and sprits dry, you need to shift because we are already running late and we have not started on your wolf form." Sienna said and I gave a small movement of my head enough to communicate my understanding to get.

I had almost forgotten that they would need to prepare and beautify my animal form.

When my hair was dry, the curlers were removed, leaving my shiny hair to fall down my back in large ringlets of bright red.

"Shift, chop chop." Finch said, clapping his hands before me.

With a sigh, I shifted into my red wolf form and watched as they all grimaced.

Being completely honest, I look worst in my wolf form. Because I've been so damn busy and tired, I haven't been out for a run in a long time.

My fur has split ends and has lost its sparkle and shine. My claws had traces of dirt and muddy residue under them, my snout was dry with a smudge of dried mud resting in the center of my black nose.

"We have our work cut out for us." The guy who had waxed my legs muttered pitifully as he stepped a little away from my wolf as I sat resting casually on my hind legs with my front paws before me.

They hurriedly got to work, cutting my excessive fur, adding insta shine and hair products to my neglected fur.

They soaked my paws before clipping the claws into a more acceptable and less dangerous length, filing them to smooth blunt edges.

My teeth was brushed leaving my mouth tasting minty as they applied some crest white strips to my animal teeth.

After I was ready and standing in the middle of the room in my wolf form after being ordered not to move, Finch retrieved a thick red cloak lined with gold with the royal crest placed directly in the middle of the back.

"Gina, get the dress." Sienna said as finch placed the cloak on the bed.

Gina, retrieved a dog dress in the same gold and red color of the royal kingdom. Hastily dressing me in the dress, Finch attached the cloak to the dress making me look like one of those pampered pooches on television in those reality shows.

I couldn't help the thoughts that floated through my mind, they all ran along the line of,

This is stupid or why did I agree to this or the most frequent thought, WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING?!?!

Obviously I lost my train of thought quite frequently as I was preoccupied with what they were doing to me but now that I appeared to be ready, I had time to sit down and ponder the situation carrfully, asking myself questions such as,

1. Am I really about to go out there and perform a ceremony with someone I can't stand?

2. What will happen to me after this?

3. Is it too late for me to run for my life.

And then there came the frequent flashes of Demetri and I engaged in some form of altercation.

The last thought that I had was of him spanking me before I turned and was about to bolt out the door and run as fast and as far away from here as I can.

Just as I was about to move off, a thought filtered into my mind, it wasn't my thought and it wasn't from previously. Mainly because of the timbre of the male voice and the fact that I could feel the anger coursing through the bond.

"Jessabell, your aunt Morgan looks absolutely lovely today, not to mention your little niece Katherine, she's adorable." Demetri's voice filtered into my thoughts.

This was not a praise it was a reminder of what is at stake should I run.

Settling into my position as I wait for Finch to finish.

"You asshole." I spat at him mentally and was rewarded with a light, remorseless chuckle.

"I can be." He said, "I'm waiting for you Jessabell."

Too angry to continue any form of communication with him, I slammed the bond shut and turned my focus towards the door where Violet and Freya had just entered.