"Shit. Not at a time like this. Fuck James." Ki groaned. Pete had a moment of shock.
"You aren't jealous right?" he asked tentatively. If Ki was Karen's enemy, she would have a short unhappy life. Ki let out a mirthless bark of laughter.
"Of course not. I just can't believe in the centuries we've been alive, my damn brother just chose the perfect time to find his mate. Does she know?" Pete frowned as footsteps echoed in the hallway.
"Later." He said. Ki glared daggers at him, and walked off. Pete felt bad for himself, James, Ki and Karen. This was going to be one hell of a competition.
Karen looked at herself in the mirror. Her jaw dropped open. After hours of fitting, makeup and dressing, she looked completely different. Her hair was tied up in a high bun with a few locks of brown hair framing her face. Her cheeks were a rosy red and her eyes seemed huge and innocent. Her dress was a marvel of glittering gems that would have cost a fortune. It had puffed sleeves that ended at her elbow. She seemed to shine. Max flitted behind her nervously.
"Does the mademoiselle like?" he inquired. Karen was speechless.
"I mean, its beautiful." She was unable to describe how amazing it felt. Max clasped his hands together.
"You are stunning. Lovely. It is my job to please. Also, your new closet is ready." He grinned proudly. With a bow, he left. As soon as the door closed, Karen twirled around, looking at the mirror. The dress whirled around her heels. She laughed happily. Around and around she went, admiring the way the dress glittered. The underskirts tickled her ankles and she giggled, feeling like a preschooler. Spreading her arms she whirled around the room, bowing to the furniture, imagining she was in Beauty and the Beast.
For the first time, she felt free, not sneaking around, peering to see if James was lurking. She wasn't exactly afraid of him, she just needed time to get her thoughts sorted out. She danced over to the closet and flung it open. She gasped. There were dresses, sweaters, pants, skirts and all type of clothing and accessories. Pawing through them, she discovered a golden crown. With great ceremony, she put it on a pillow and proceeded to dance around with it.
James watched from the doorway, his eyes following her every move. His mate twirled and danced with the pillow, laughing. For the first time in his life, James envied a pillow. He longed to go over and take her in his arms and claim her as his. She was dazzling, beautiful in the dress. His. In his mind, his wolf urged him to go forward and take her. He resisted it, instead, he watched her silently, her brown hair shining in a halo around her head as she threw back her head and laughed. His wolf howled inside, yearning to be with her. He stayed for a moment more before leaving as silently as he had come.
The ball was an extravagant affair. Omegas danced around handing out glasses of wine and sandwiches. Everyone was dressed lavishly, the ladies practically dripping jewels while subtly bragging about their gardens. The men stood with a arm around their wives. James watched the proceedings with regret. The couples were not necessarily mates, wolves nowadays had forgone the old ways in favor of political gains. Would he be able to now that he had met his mate? James was perched on a high dais, feeling very much like a songbird on display. One by one, the visitors streamed past him, introducing themselves with smiles and nods. James adjusted his cuffs and nodded in return.
James remembered one couple in particular. They were the parents of the Kline girl, Peter and Marie. Both of them held each other's' hand without affection. Their eyes were sharp and cold as they smiled knowingly at James before leaving. James bared his teeth a bit more than was necessary at them. All of a sudden, there was a loud clap. Everyone turned towards Pete, who was grinning widely.
"So, now that everyone knows everyone, lets introduce the girls shall we?" he asked. There was an excited murmur as the guests turned towards the huge staircase. James stood up and made his way towards the end of the staircase. An omega appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a long tailcoat.
"The competitors!" he announced loudly. Everyone fell silent. James looked up expectantly. Pete appeared next to him and snickered.
"Alison Bell!" A tall girl appeared at the top of the steps. Her golden blonde hair was tied back in a French braid with a wreath of flowers around her head. She wore a long flowing blue dress that matched her eyes. She was pretty, but her expression was vaguely sad and resigned. She walked down with poise and grace. When she came to James, she curtseyed and smiled at him, her eyes sad. James bowed and lifted her pale hand to his lips.
After her came Tularose, a light chocolate skinned beauty who's hair was tied up in hundreds of tiny braids. Then came twins Jackie and Anne.
"How are there twins? I thought you said five families!" James hissed to Pete. Pete shrugged.
"Beats me. Five angry demands were made. I assumed five families." James rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Karen Johnson." James head shot up. There she was, making her way out shyly. Her soft brown hair was tied up behind her head with a few curls framing her face. She wore a bright yellow dress that flared out at her knees, a diamond shining at her neck. Her wide brown eyes met his for a second before she looked away. James' heart pounded as she made her way down to him. She stopped, looking into his eyes for a long moment. He forced himself to look indifferent as she curtseyed in front of him. He found himself shaking slightly as he lifted her fragile hand towards his lips. A familiar scent filled his nose. She was aroused by him. His cock hardened instantly. He prayed the others wouldn't notice. With the most willpower he had ever used, he pushed down his wolf and kissed her hand gently. James reveled in that moment of contact, her soft skin against his lips. Reluctantly, he let her go, a powerful well of desire bubbling inside of him. Karen glanced down and gasped a little before pulling away. Karen's eyes met his, her expression unreadable as she drew away. James grimaced as he fought down his desire, hoping no one had seen him.
Karen couldn't believe how beautiful the other girls were. Inside, she hated herself for feeling jealous. These were the real competitors. She was just an accident, she reminded herself. A charity case. She sat by herself in a lush chair, watching to other girls mingle. A pair of redheads came up to her, tittering.
