Chosen

Chapter Thirteen

  My mother runs the brush through my hair humming softly. She is gentle with me. My nails dig into my thigh as I use the pain to anchor myself. A ball. This was the first one I would be attending and no one had told me until hours before. I was upset and overwhelmed. I had to meet the pack and the other Alphas. My mother was pinning my hair and Cat was getting my gown ready. Both were talking back and forth really fast and I couldn't keep up.
"Alright. Let's get you into the gown."
   Cat murmured and I wiggled into the dress. The material was cold and silky against my skin. The deep sapphire color was mesmerizing to me. Once the gown settled properly, Cat zipped it up and tapped my shoulder when she was done. I turned to face my mirror and blushed. My mother had pinned my hair from my face but let it fall freely at the same time. Cat had done minimal make up since she didn't need to hide much bruising anymore. She had made my eyes seem bigger and it was extremely obvious I was innocent. The neck of the gown was a bit lower than I was used to and showed more cleavage than usual.
"Cat... this gown doesn't seem very...."
   I was tracing the tops of my breast with a frown when my door opened and Blake walked in. He glared at my reflection and then settled on Cat.
"Appropriate. Catherine. That gown isn't going to make Axel happy. He'll be too distracted by the attention males will be giving her to focus on anything."
"Oh. Blake. She's beautiful. Let her be. Maybe the extra attention she gets will be the push he needs to finish the claiming process."
   I blush a deep red and bite my lip. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that yet. Blake sighed and shook his head. He didn't approve. Axel wasn't going to approve of this at all. My mother took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I had been looking at my feet, my eyes stinging as Blake and Cat argued about her choice in gowns for the night. My door opened and my father walked in, I peeked at him and he raised a brow as he saw the gown.
"Well... Axels going to have trouble keeping his hands off of you tonight."
    I blushed again and quickly looked back at my feet. My father chuckled and shook his head as he noticed Cat and Blake arguing. He sniffed the air and stopped laughing.
"She's in heat."
    Cat turned to me, her eyes wide in shock and she sniffed and confirmed what my father just said.
"Why isn't she in any pain yet? Heat is... very painful."
"It could have a lot to do with the amount of pain she's spent her life in. Heat may be nothing compared to it. But... that's going to make tonight tricky..."
    My father cupped my chin and made me look up. I blushed and smiled at him.
"You are not to leave our side. Stay by me or Blake. It's too dangerous. If you're with Axel. He can keep you safe. But until then do not leave Blake or I, got it?"
"I understand, papa. Is Heat why I feel so..."
"Yes. Now let's go. I bet Axel is getting antsy."
   Just as my father finished his sentence Ian walked in, seeming to be in a rush. Everyone's eyes snapped to him as he walked in. My father and Blake tensed, ready to jump between us.
"If you don't get her down there.... Axel might just...."
   He stopped mid-sentence and inhaled, his eyes going wide and darkening slightly.
"She's in heat. Well tonight just got fun. Let's go. Now. Before your mate goes insane waiting for you."
    Cat took my hand and everyone formed a protective circle around us as we walked down the hall to the ball. I kept my eyes at my feet, nervous and overwhelmed already.
"Chin up. You are the queen. You are untouchable. Show them the strength I know you have."
   Cat whispered and I smiled at her, holding my chin up high. My mother grabbed my other arm and I took a deep breath as Blake opened the door. The noisy room immediately quieted down when we entered. My eyes roamed, looking for Axel. Everyone bowed their heads slightly as we walked by, the males inhaled and their eyes all darkened. I blushed as I noticed this. My father stood on one side and Blake on the other. Ian had wandered off somewhere. I did as Cat said and kept my head held high, meeting each curious gaze without flinching. 
"I found Axel. He's on his way over. He's heard some males talking. I don't think he's pleased with what he's hearing."
    Ian murmured suddenly, causing me to jump. I hadn't expected him to be next to me suddenly and I squeaked in shock. My eyes roamed the room some more and then locked with Axels icy blue eyes. His eyes hardened when they raked over my form and noticed the gown I was wearing. I bit my lip and blushed, I dropped Cats hand and started towards Axel. He held his hand out for me and I eagerly took it. Once his skin connected with mine I felt less anxious and hot.
"Little one... who dressed you?"
"That would be me brother. You're welcome."
   Axel snarled at his sister and I wrapped my arms around him. He froze, caught off guard. I moaned softly as body cooled in places it made contact with him. Cat giggled as Axel suddenly inhaled and growled. He buried his nose in my neck and groaned.
"Of all times.... fucking hell. You're in heat."
"Mhmm."
    I whispered and pressed against my mate. I nuzzled closer and clung to him. My body wanted him. It craved his touch. I needed him like I needed air to breathe. Someone tapped Axels shoulder and he snarled.
"Axel. Is this the little lady you chose?"
"Jackson. This is Adalynn."
    The man grinned at me and bowed his head. I giggled and nipped at Axels neck. Jackson chuckled as Axel purred.
"I've never seen you like this Axel."
"She's in fucking heat, Jackson. If you don't take your eyes off of my luna..."
"Ahhh. That makes sense. Is this her first heat since you picked her?"
"Yes."
    Axels voice was tense and I squirmed in his arms. I pressed my thighs together as my core throbbed with need. I whimpered and Axels head snapped in my direction again, his eyes turning a soft gold.
"Maybe you should call the ball off, send everyone home for a few days. You can't do this while she's in heat. Especially the first heat."
  I sank my teeth into Axels neck and he moaned, his fingers digging into my hips. Someone pulled me from his arms and I whimpered at the loss of contact.
"Cat. If you don't give her back to me I.."
"Axel you have some Alphas to chat with."
   I noticed his father walk over and sighed. I wanted to be anywhere but here. I needed to feel Axels skin against mine. Blake walked over and stood to the side.
"I'll keep her away from unmated males, Axel. Go to the Alpha meeting and then collect your mate."
"Take her to her room in an hour if I'm not back."
   Axel snarled and stormed away, leaving me giggling at his reaction.