Step Ten
Every year around the same time the Alpha family hosts an annual ball. By host, we mean other wolves set it up and we have the ball at a local country club. We did pay for it, well the government technically would pay for it, but we did arrange it and make the big decisions about it. Other than the paying part, the rest fell onto my mother and I, mostly because my mom loved to arrange the ball. She'd always go all out for this one little thing. My dad had learned to only give us a week or two to plan it because if he gave us longer the ball itself would be insane. So because of that we only have a short amount of time to prepare, which drove my mother insane. Everyone knew not to mess with her during this time because she got agitated easily. Since I was her only daughter, I happened to be the one that was stuck with her while everyone ran the other way. It wasn't too bad since I got to spend time and bond with my mother. It had also been the time when other teenage werewolves decided to be nice to me for once. Apparently they were afraid I would "snitch" and they wouldn't be allowed to go to the ball. I never said anything, though, and avoided them like a plague during the big event.
"What type of flowers should we use this year? Tulips or roses? I think we should do tulips." My mom was currently rambling on about the decorations.
"We did tulips last year, let's do roses this year." I suggested. Tulips was her favorite flower so she probably wouldn't listen to me about it anyway.
"Maybe we'll do roses, but that's still up in the air for now. We should do a masquerade theme!" She cried out. I just let out a sigh as she kept thinking of things to do for the ball. Last year we did a winter theme so this year it would be acceptable to do a masquerade theme. Thinking about it, I decided it would be a good idea. With everyone wearing masks, including myself, no one would recognize me right away. I could finally have a night that I could have fun without worrying about other wolves ridiculing me.
"I like that idea."
"Oh honey, I knew you would." My mother actually slowed down for once today. She wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into her embrace. Even if I didn't tell her everything, she knew how much I struggled with being the runt of the family and pack. We both knew how much a masquerade ball would benefit me. Not only would it benefit me for the mask part, but it would help me take my mind off of Brute. I hadn't seen him since he rejected me a week ago and it was driving me insane. The ache in my chest was still there, but I was finally able to zone it out, for the most part. Was this how Lucas felt all the time? Was there always a constant ache in his heart or did it go away eventually? I didn't know if it was possible for me to live the rest of my life with this ache from rejection.
"Hey mom, hey Ally. Is something wrong?" Lucas walked into the room but came to a stop when he noticed mom's arm was wrapped around me and my eyes watering with unshed tears.
"Just getting the ball ready." My mom lied as she unwrapped her arm from my shoulders. I was happy she lied, I didn't want to worry my brother too much at the moment. He was already worried about me enough, along with the rogues still on the loose. The pain in my chest increased when I started thinking about Brute, causing me to flinch a little. My mom was oblivious to the small movement but I could tell Lucas noticed it right away.
"I heard Chloe talk about going dress shopping, so I was thinking about taking you two." Lucas told me. I turned to my mom to make sure she was okay with that and she motioned for me to go with my older brother. I nodded and I followed Lucas out of the living room and up the stairs to my bedroom. We found Chloe inside there laying on her mattress with her head stuck in a book, just like when I first met her.
"Hey guys." She looked up once she realized we walked into the room.
"Lucas is going to take us dress shopping." I told her, but I was cringing on the inside. I truthfully hated the mall and going shopping in general, there were too many people there, especially teenage wolves. They didn't say anything to me since my brother was usually with me but I always saw the disgusted looks they gave me.
"Great, let me put my shoes on." Chloe said, jumping off of her mattress. In a matter of time we were at the mall and looking around the first dress store we saw. Chloe gravitated towards the green and I just in the middle of it all, not knowing where to start.
"Black's your color." Lucas commented before taking my hand and dragging me toward the black dresses. Brute's midnight black eyes flashed in my mind and the pain in my chest flared. Those eyes sent a shiver down my spine, but I tried to push the image away. His eyes, though, made me want to get a black dress.
Dress shopping took longer than expected. For some reason I couldn't find the perfect dress for me. Finally, though, we came across an antique dress shop and I found the one in there. It was a gorgeous black ball gown with long lace sleeves. It was beautiful and I absolutely loved it. Apparently my brother loved it too because he paid for it instead of letting me pay for it with my allowance. He did, however, let me pay for my masquerade mask that I manage to find at the same store. I'm not surprised it was at the same store because the mask was also lace and matched my dress perfectly. It was already clear I was going to look amazing at the ball and I truthfully couldn't wait for it. While social gatherings were far from being something I was comfortable with, this masquerade ball would be worth it.
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It was the night of the ball and my nerves were driving me insane. I was all dressed and ready to go, but I was waiting for my brother. Anxiety ran through me at the what if of the other wolves knowing it was me and ridiculing me. My dress suddenly felt like too much and I felt sick to my stomach. Maybe this was a bad idea.
"Don't you dare bail on me now." Lucas said when he walked into my room, noting my nervous look.
"This was a bad idea." I muttered, sitting on my bed. Lucas let out a sigh and sat down next to me.
"Just don't worry about them. You look beautiful, the only reason they'll make fun of you is because they're jealous. Just let loose and enjoy the night." He reassured me. I bit my bottom lip as I thought about what he said. I didn't know about them being jealous, but I did need to try to enjoy myself.
"Maybe you're right." I sighed. Or maybe he was wrong and the ball would end in a total disaster.
"I'm always right." He smirked. He was pulling me onto my feet in a second and out of the bedroom door. We walked downstairs together to where my mom and dad stood waiting for us. They didn't notice us at first, they were too busy staring into each other's eyes as my mom fixed his tie. The ache in my heart started up again when I saw how in love they were. That was how mates were supposed to be, but they got stuck with two children who were both rejected.
"Oh honey, you look beautiful!" My mom cried out, coming towards me with open arms. I noticed the tears that shimmered her eyes and I let her wrap her arms around me. I hugged her back, happy that I had her as my mother. She pulled away and we headed to the limo that waited for us outside. We made it to the country club in no time and we were not surprisingly the first ones to arrive. We were hosting the ball, after all. With being the hosts, we had to stand at the front and greet everyone who came in. Thankfully my mom didn't make me do it this time and instead I stood by the desserts, my mask already on. I wanted to be unknown to everyone else as long as I could so I could actually enjoy myself. It seemed to be working because no one came up to me, but I did see people casting me glances, especially guys around my age. I adverted my eyes away from them and instead watched as Lucas made his way towards me, his mask also finally on his face.
"If I have to smile for that long every day, maybe I don't want to be Alpha." Lucas complained, rubbing his cheeks. I rolled my eyes, he should be happy that he was the future Alpha. At least he wasn't the runt of the pack and basically a disgrace to the Alpha name.
"We both know you're going to love being Alpha." I said. There wasn't a doubt in my mind about him being Alpha, it was what he was made for.
"We'll see about that." He mumbled, his eyes shooting to the floor. He was having doubts about being Alpha, probably because of his mate rejecting him, but I knew he would become Alpha one day.
He threw a strawberry into his mouth and winked at me before walking away. I smiled slightly at his figure walking away, only for a few girls to quickly surround him. Whether they recognized him or not, he had an attractive figure. He didn't like to admit it, but he was a total lady's man. The thing was, I never saw him with a girl before, he was always with Tobin or me.
"I almost didn't recognize you." A voice spoke up next to me. I jumped a little and automatically recognized Tobin beside me. We hadn't really talked since that day at the mall, which left things awkward between us.
"Not being recognized was the plan." I sent him a small smile. He didn't smile back and instead pain clouded his eyes. Even if he was finally with his mate, he still cared about me. We did grow up together, after all, and that bond wasn't going to go away anytime soon.
"I'm sorry-" He started, but I cut him off. I already knew he was going to apologize about not telling me about Chloe, but I wasn't mad.
"It's okay Tobin, I'm happy for you." I interrupted him and this time I sent him a genuine smile. I really was happy for him, I was glad he was going to be happy and not be stuck like Lucas and me.
"You'll find your mate soon, I'm sure of it." He tried to reassure me, but it didn't work. Of course it didn't work, my mate already rejected me. Thinking about it caused my mood to turn sour and my chest was hurting more than ever. I excused myself and walked to the other side of the room to walk out on the balcony. The cool air washed over my skin and it helped me try to get my emotions in check.
"Ally." A voice said. It sent shivers down my spine and I knew who it belonged to before turning around. Brute's figure stood in the shadows on the other side of the balcony. He took a step out of the shadows, showing that he was wearing a suit with a black mask resting on his face. My wolf cried for joy at the sight of him, but I knew better than to act on her feelings. Last time I saw him he rejected me and I wasn't going to forget about that any time soon.
"What- what are you doing here?" I asked, finally finding my voice. Fear started to spread as my mind spun trying to figure out why he was there. He rejected me so was he here to kill me? Was he here to finish what he started with my pack? No one would be prepared if the rogues attacked right then, there was no doubt in my mind we would lose that fight.
"My wolf is mad at me." He answered. It was a simple answer, but it caused my heart to drop even more. He wasn't here because he wanted to be here, he was here because his wolf wanted my wolf. The pain in my chest increased, I needed to get out of there. With that thought in mind, I pivoted around in an attempt to walk back into the ballroom, but his hand wrapped around my arm. His touched sent tingles through my body and I knew I wasn't going to be able to bring myself to walk away from him.
"You already rejected me, just leave me alone." I pleaded. I couldn't handle being this close to him after being rejected. He was toying with my feelings and I didn't know if I would get out of it alive.
"I can't get you out of my head." He admitted, closing his eyes. My eyes widened and I stared at him, but he turned his head away from me. It was clear as day that he was ashamed of standing in front of me and admitting how he truly felt. He had a reputation to uphold and showing emotions was not part of it.
"Brute, I-" I started but I didn't have time to finish before I was being pulled into the ballroom and onto the dance floor. He put my hands on his shoulders and he rested his hands on my waist. His touch was burning hot and desire filled me, but I pushed it down. My body stood completely frozen as I tried to figure out what to do. There wasn't much to do because I knew I wouldn't be able to get away from him even if I tried.
"Just dance." Brute growled out, but he kept his voice down. Fear shot through my heart and I let my body start swaying to the music. While he was a lot taller than me, our bodies seemed to fit together perfectly. I let myself relax and I rested my head against his chest. I listened to the pounding of his heart, hearing its increased pace. My hands flicked against his neck and his heart picked up speed even more. I was actually affecting the Alpha of Rogues. He lied, he did have feelings for me, and it wasn't just his wolf.
"We have company." He whispered, his voice strained as a low growl rumbled in his chest. I lifted my head and glanced over my shoulder to see Lucas storming over to us, a scowl resting on his face. I panicked and grabbed Brute's hand, dragging him up the stairs that rested in the corner. If Lucas confronted Brute, all hell would break loose and it would end very badly. It was the night of the ball, I had to stop chaos from happening so my pack could enjoy a night off.
'Ally, stop,' My brother's voice entered my mind through the mind link. He didn't use the Alpha command on me, but he was trying to command me as his sister.
'I don't want anyone getting hurt.' I whispered back to him. He didn't say anything after that and I couldn't hear his steps following us anymore. I kept dragging Brute along, though, until we came to the top of the stairs where I barely hear the music. Brute took lead and he pulled me into a room, the inside looked like a mini lounge. I sat down on one of the couches while he headed to the bar, grabbing a bottle of whiskey for himself. My nose crinkled up in disgust as he took a swing of it. Gross.
"You know; I could kill everyone downstairs if I wanted to." He reminded me. My body completely froze at what he said, but I knew he was telling truth. I had no doubt in my mind he could succeed at doing that due to how powerful he was.
"Then why haven't you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I hate seeing you cry." He replied. My head snapped up to look at him but his back was to me. I could see his body trembling and his hands dug into the counter as he tried to control himself. Fear of him shifting caused me to stand up and cautiously make my way towards him. I slowly snaked my arms around waist, not knowing what else to do. His body immediately stopped shaking, but it was as stiff as a tree. He turned around in my arms till he was facing me, our chests pressed up against each other. His midnight eyes pierced into mine and his hands came up to rest against my cheeks.
"You're making me weak." He muttered before slamming his lips into mine. He never kissed softly, instead he kissed as if he would die without it. I could feel my wolf pushing through as his wolf called out to her. They needed each other and I couldn't tell if that was the only reason we were there or not.
"Brute." I tried to say but it came out more as a moan. Within a second I was laying on the sofa with him hovering over me. His hands roamed my body as my arms made their way around his neck. I softly pulled at his hair, causing a shudder to run through his body.
"Ally?" Someone gasped. Brute and I completely froze, our eyes piercing into each other as we tried to catch our breaths. I slowly looked towards the door to see Tobin and Chloe standing in the doorway. Brute's chest rumbled against mine as a low growl erupted throughout the room.
"Get. Out." Brute demanded, his power seeping into his words. Tobin and Chloe both sensed his power right away, but their reactions differed from each other. Chloe's face paled and you could see the fear in her eyes while Tobin stared Brute in the eyes, challenging him.
"Tobin, get out." I said, finally speaking up. Tobin glanced at me, almost seeming surprised at what I said. Hurt shown in his eyes, but he was quick to let out a snarl before walking away, slamming the door shut behind him. The moment the door shut, Brute jumped off of me and headed towards the closed door.
"I'm going to kill him." He growled out and I knew he was dead serious. Brute would and could kill Tobin in a second, thus why I told him to leave. I couldn't stand the thought of Tobin or Chloe getting hurt by my own mate.
"I think you need to leave." I suggested, my mind and body suddenly tired from the encounter. Red tinted eyes shot to mine, but they softened right away at the sight of me.
"Don't think you can get rid of me that easy." He reminded me before he was gone. I had a feeling that statement meant I was no longer rejected. I just had to decide if that was good or bad.
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