Battle of the Alphas

IV

I was just putting in my earrings when Luca knocked on the door, signalling that we should be heading down to the ball now. I sighed, not really in the mood after today's events.

"You look nice, Luc," I smiled as I caught sight of my brother in a tuxedo.

"Same goes for you." He offered his arm to help me walk down the stairs in my heels.

Everything was already in full swing by the time we arrived in the ballroom. People were dancing whilst others were at tables, chatting. There was an overwhelming sense of power in the room, from the presence of so many alphas. Luca and I made our way towards the table we had been assigned and I quickly scanned the rest of the guests that would be sitting here with us. There were three packs per table, so six seats. I recognised the names of the other two packs but not their alphas.

Almost immediately, Luca wanted to mingle. He was desperate to find his mate and here would be the perfect opportunity to look for her. He asked permission and I shooed him off, going to talk to some guests myself.

"Ah, Isobel, so lovely to see you again!" An old friend of mine, Annalise, waved as soon as she caught sight of me.

"Anna, looking as gorgeous as ever," I smiled, leaning in for a small hug.

"Everyone, this is Alpha Isobel Calder." Annalise introduced me to the few people that she had been talking to.

"Pleasure to meet you," I nodded my head in acknowledgement. "And you must be the alpha I've heard so much about." I shook the hand of Annalise's mate politely.

"Andrew," He supplied the name, wrapping an arm around Anna's waist. "Only good things I hope,"

"Of course." I laughed softly. The two of them were very much in love, that was rather obvious.

"This is my beta, Elliot Zhu," Andrew directed my attention towards a very handsome man on my left. "And Alpha Connor Tremain is to your right."

"May I ask which pack?" I tried sniffing the air as inconspicuously as I could but the scent was unfamiliar.

"Emerald Hills. It's about two hours away from here," Connor replied with a small smile as he scanned my figure, as if he thought I was unaware. "Maybe you should come visit sometime, you'd be more than welcome."

"Mhmm," I made a non-committal noise at the back of my throat before glancing around the room. He was creeping me out slightly. "Oh, I've just spotted one of my friends, I must go say hi before I lose them. It was nice to make your acquaintance. See you later, Anna," All my words were rushed and I hurriedly made my way from the group and over to Luca.

"Are you okay? You seem a little flushed," He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm fine, just wanted to get away from someone. I take it you've had no luck on the mate front?" I changed the subject, successfully diverting Luca's attention as he sighed.

"Not yet,"

"Honestly, you're only seventeen. There is no rush." I soothed him.

"I just don't see the point in waiting, I want to meet her now and spend as much of my life with her as possible." He shrugged. Before I could reply, Redker was up on the stage, informing the crowd that dinner would be served soon.

We were the last ones to be seated at our table, the two other alphas already in conversation.