Welcome Party

It didn't take long before the next day arrived. I barely slept four hours. I had to perfect my speech throughout the entire night. It is my responsibility as a Royal Beta’s daughter to introduce the contestants to my pack and the packs attending the welcome party. But it’s also an important part of the plan.

My parents, the former Royal Alpha and the former Royal Luna planed the contest entirely. They wanted me and the contestents to meet and become acquainted.

Neither of the contestants has a mate. Either they lost their mates or they never found them. Roman and I were in a similar situation not so long ago, before I even knew he was my mate. His mate is dead, as are most of the contestants' mates. I was once mateless too, but now I have a mate, and he is trying to reject me even as his wolf is rejecting him rejecting me. Wow, what a mess.

Through it all, my only mantra is to remain strong. I need to be. For my family and for my pack. Myself, mainly.

In preparing the report on these men yesterday, I encountered some really astonishing details. Despite being mateless, they proved that they are not useless.

Unlike me who lingers in her little world of sadness, waiting for her knight in shining armor to sweep me off her feet and save her.

They come from different backgrounds, different packs, yet they will be here, side by side like equals, competing for a title of such a high honour.

A Royal Beta is unlike any other Beta in a pack. He is the beta of betas.

He is the Third in command after Royal Alpha and Royal Luna. He is the one that stands by his alpha from the beginning to the end. A pack operative, he is reliable and responsible. In case of need, he can switch between his Alpha and Beta duties. The one who accepts change and is capable of negotiating any threat with or without being verbal.

I watched my father, who was fit for his title, perform such duties growing up. He made it seem so easy. It's one of these men's jobs now to make it look easy.

It's almost seven, and I have three hours to get ready. Yesterday when my father asked me if I was ready, I nodded and smiled. To be honest, I am terrified.

But I cannot give up now. I need to focus on one problem at a time. And now my problem is to get ready.

I've never been a big fan of makeup. Using mascara and concealer here and there to cover my blemishes, along with a lip tint I use for my cheeks as well, has been my go-to look for years. I need to do more than that now. Just like that, as if the goddess had heard me, I heard knocking on the main door.

In my robe, I walk downstairs. As I open the door, they yell when they see me.

“Hey doll”

“Surprise”

"Dan, Lauren", I say, surprised. I move so that they can enter.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask.

The whole pack is decorated in festive colors to welcome the contestants and the other packs who came here. I thought these two were outside having a blast at the party.

“We came here for you doll” Dan winks at me.

“To get you ready for the party. You gotta be tip-top when you meet your marked mate." Lauren dove into a little dance while bumping fists with Dan, who was also being silly.

Oh, these two. I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Now lets get started”, Dan clapps his hands.

While Lauren applies my makeup, Dan talks about how he had an adventure when he hiked with his grandmother. That lady doesn’t have a filter. Dan is the same as her. Fun and carefree. His adventures mainly include, him hooking up with a human. Humans are as much a mystery to us as we are to them.

“When I pulled his shorts down, man you won’t believe it but he has this huge ass pe…..”

Laurene cuts him off, “Pencil”.

“I read that pups can hear in the womb. I don't want him or her to learn that stuff” she explains while doing my hair.

Dan shrugs, “You are missing the fun part”.

“All done,” she says curling the last section of hair.

Goddess.

Laurence did a fantastic job. The smokey eyes, winged eyeliner, cream blush on my cheeks, a rich neutral lipstick, and a little bit of contouring completed the look. Freshly curled hair cascades down to my chest. This is me?

“Alright, now the girl needs to get changed. Let's give her some privacy” Lauren drags Dan away, who is being dramatic clutching his chest.

The outfit I'm wearing is already decided. Earlier today, my mom gave me the dress, which she said "This is the dress I wore when I met your father.”

Immediately after putting it on, I looked into a full-length mirror. The long gown pooled at my legs like a cascading waterfall. The halterneck top enhanced my neck and shoulders. The leather crisscrossed under my breasts and hugged my waist. Lace and leather straps combine perfectly on the back of the gown.

The dress has a touch of strength, which is exactly what I need right now.

Are you ready Lilly?

I look at the person in front of me. So perfect on the outside, but so broken on the inside. Can she even be repaired in the slightest?

I promise myself I will do my best to smile and enjoy today. A new beginning.

We are. Let's do this, she paces.

The moment Daniel and Lauren saw my fit, they yelled and embraced me. The way they screamed, I almost thought we were being attacked.

Dan wipes his tears away with a handkerchief as he says, "You are a beautiful doll.". Where did he pull that handkerchief from?

“I can't believe that I am agreeing with Dan. You look amazing” Lauren smiles with a hand on her belly.

“Oh come on. Everyone knows I'm always right"

"I once heard you say that penguins fly."

"I didn't say that"

"You did"

While they are bickering, I interrupt them.

“Thank you so much, guys. I didn't know what to do until you came along and saved the day."

“Welcome, doll” Dan throws his hand on my shoulder.

“It's all right. Since I did all the work, she is thanking me." Laurene says as she shoots daggers at Dan.

Dan immediately shuts up. Nothing is more frightening than a pregnant woman glaring at you.

We walk our way to the welcome party. It is almost 10 and the contestants will be here at any moment. Before they arrive at the party, they will have ten minutes to freshen up.

There is a loud roar, that's when I see them, 12 cars arrive in all black, tinted windows. The cars straight make their way into the guest quarters.

Soft music plays in the background as we arrive at the party. We part ways and my gaze catches the former Royal Alpha and the former Royal Luna. They are wrapped around each other, whispering to each other.

I make my way there to greet them.

“Alpha Ezekiel, Luna Thalia. It's great to see you"

“Wow, Taylor, look at you. A beautiful strong woman. Just like your mother.'' Luna Thalia muses and embraces me in a hug.

“You look amazing, Taylor”, Alpha Ezekie compliments me.

I thank both of them. Seeing my parents approaching, I feel a sense of nervous anticipation. There are tears in my mother's eyes. "My baby," she says, embracing me.

Dad's look softens and he kisses me on the forehead.

Catering wolves pass by us, we each take a champagne glass. When I take a sip, the salty taste fills my mouth. The air is suddenly thick with authority as I watch Royal Alpha and Royal Luna enter. There's a bit of a hush in the party as a result.

“Alpha, Luna” I try my best to give a smile and address each of them. As Alpha Nero nods with his hard face, Luna Iris smiles softly with the same expression I have on my face.

Alpha's hand is tightly wrapped around Luna as if she will disappear any moment. As she leans into him, his thumb rubs circles on her pregnant belly. I turn my head away at their intimacy and my mind wanders to Roman.

His hands touching me, his lips kissing my neck. All of it is etched in my mind. I tried shaking my head to get them out of my head, but I couldn't. My eyes search for him involuntarily, but I do not see him anywhere.

Get a grip

Lilly says as I see a dozen men in suits arrive at the party.

“They are here” Alpha Ezekiel announces.