The Silhouette of the castle grew ever closer and with it so did Harper's excitement. Anxiety gripped at my stomach consuming me in fear as I tried to study the grounds but to avail; they were smothered by utter darkness. The castle loomed, the towering mass of inky turrets and high stone walls, coal black against the velvet sky, the moon cradled between the mass bathing the graveled drive in slivery moonlight. The windows of the castle were lit with amber and looked as if they are winking a mocking gaze at my nervousness. I tried to gulp back the hard lump that had begun to form in my throat as we pulled up in front of the stone steps that lead to the grand oak double door of this impressive castle.

I took a deep breath as the car door swung open and a hand appeared in front of me suddenly. "Miss," the voice greeted as I took their cool hand in my sweaty one. I smiled politely at the young man dressed in black who hashelped me from my car. "Thank you," I greeted the man as I stood waiting for the rest of my party to join me. I smoothed down my inky black dress trying to combat my anxiety as it raged war inside my head.

Aunty Frankie had picked well; it was beautiful. The dress was made from sequins that twinkled in the moonlight as the skirt moved. It was just off the shoulder and hugged at what little curves I had before descending into an A-line shape at the skirt. The dress wasn't totally black but faded into gold around the hem. I loved it smiling down at the garment.

My head snapped up "Come Iris," my father's harsh tone ordered me out of my daydreams. My father was an intimidating man, tall in stature and well built. He has slicked back chestnut hair tonight that had begun to grey from age and soft steel coloured eyes. Tonight, he was dressed in a tailored suit and had a determined look on his strong features as he held out his arm for me to take. Harper took his other arm as he led us up the stone stairs into the grand entrance hall of the castle.

The entrance hall was decorated for the occasion, glittering candles casted feathery shadows on the walls and floors as the heels of guests echoed on the cool marble floor. The golden double doors to the left of the room had a beautiful arch decorated with blooming white roses that wafted their floral scent around the room. I noticed a small smile playing on Harper's lips as we drew ever closer to the doors that led to the ballroom and to The Unmated Ball.

I gulped down my fear as Harper beamed at me. "Do I look alright?" she asked some of her nervousness leaking through her words. Why was she nervous? Harper looked stunning with her gold hair cascading down her back in soft ringlets. Her chocolate eyes were lined with soft brown and a silver eyeshadow washed gently over her eyelids that they glittered when she blinked. Her cheeks were slightly rosy from the excitement, but it gave her a healthy glow. She was the very definition of beautiful and I envied her for it.

I sighed, "you look beautiful Harper." My mum had help me get ready for tonight. She had curled my wheat coloured hair in tight ringlets before running her hands through them to soften. She had pulled back the front sections of my hair tying them together to make a half updo securing with a golden hairpin that was my grandma's. She applied a light covering of makeup, not successfully covering the texture of my spots that formed on my chin but enough to cover their glaring redness. She then painted my lips ruby before lining my eyes with coal giving them a slightly smoky effect. She had spent the better half of the day making me look presentable. I exhaled it probably wasn't even worth the effect, I was a freak!

Harper beamed as she quickly smoothed out her hair as we approached another man dressed in black. Without looking up the man asked, "names?" in a bored tone as he scanned over his clipboard.

"Iris and Harper of the Iron Wolf Pack," my father's sternness seeping through into his words showing his authority. My father's chest puffed out as the man ash eyes flickered over the names on his list. The man quickly glanced up, nervousness washing over his expression as he took in our pack marks. A pack mark was like a tattoo with images representing the different packs and what they stood for; it sat at the base of a werewolf's neck. The Iron Wolf pack was the head of a wolf, a scar slashed across its eye surrounded by chains.

The man flinched at the realization of who was standing in front of him. My pack had a reputation and that often made low-ranking wolves nervous. "Yes sir, you're here," quickly nodding down at our names. "Let them in," he ordered waving his hand at two other man dressed in black, holding the doors to the entrance. The man handed them a slip of paper as they opened the grand doors.

I froze, tingles began to dance on my hands as I was burden with fear. How can I go in there with my mutation? How can I expect anyone to accept my condition? My cruel thoughts poked at my mind filling me with dread.

"Darling," my father's voice softened as he turned to face me. My father may be stern, but he was always there to support me through my doubts and fears. "You'll be okay," he reassured me as best he could. I gulped nodding as I took a deep breath. I can do this, I told myself.

I glanced at my family, both my dad and Harper were giving me reassuring smiles. I was scared but at least I wasn't alone. I sighed, "lets get this over with." taking my father's arm again as he led us into the ball room.

The room was splendid made from pure creamy marble and high ceilings edged with gold. The ballroom was lined with high arching windows that glimpsed the starless velvet sky. More glittering candles casted their amber feathers as they sat in dazzling diamond chandeliers, illuminating the hall and its guests. The room was packed with colourful dresses and their owners chatted eagerly amongst each other. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the room hummed with talk of the prince. The ballroom was decorated with the same white roses that filled the air with their sweet scent and soft music could be heard over the shouts of greeting to other guests from different packs.

As we step over the threshold of the door a man in black announced our arrival into the room. I gulped staring down at my feet as the room fell into silence. I felt my father's elbow reminding me of my status, future Alpha. I closed my eyes mustering all the courage I could before standing tall. My father nodded at the room before it turned back to the hum of gossip as we began the long walk in.

As we made our way in, I noticed a group of gossiping she-wolves staring at my family. No, staring at me or my eye at least. When I turned my head towards their stares their heads soon came together to whisper as I walked past. I couldn't help but grit my teeth as I tried to stay calm reminding myself that I didn't care what they thought. A pain in my chest mocked me as my head bowed in shame. Why was I born such a freak?

Harper soon drifted away from our family group, her powder blue dress floating across the crowded room as she joined a group of, she-wolves. I sighed noticing male heads turning to watch her gliding towards her friends, she was beautiful. I followed my father deeper into the room as he was hailed by some of fellow fathers who had taken refuge on one of the many crowded tables that were dotted around the edge of the room.

My father was greeted by shoulder slaps as I drew a seat out for myself at the table. I took a deep breath sinking into the cloth covered chair. The tables were decorated with tall crystal vases filled with white pom-pom flowers and lit by more glittering candles. The table was lined with a crisp white tablecloth and an army of silverware stood at attention at each chair. I only had to stay for an hour I reminded myself.

"John," a familiar voice greeted my father with a grin. "How you been?" she asked pulling my father into a hug.

My father laughed "I've been well Mark thank you," he pulled back. "Hope your family is well?" my father asked.

Mark nodded grinning over at me, "Iris its good to see you." He bowed his head in acknowledgement of my presence. "Have you met my daughters?" he asked nodding over at the two young girls in bright coloured ball gowns who were giggling behind their small hands, "Jenner and Lucy?"

I forced a smile, "No I don't believe I have." I replied as the two girls greeted me with an over-friendly manner. It was almost too airy to be genuine, "hey don't you look a vision," the girl with a raven black updo and dusty pink gown laughed. The way they laughed amongst each other had me thinking that they have just stopped talking about me a split second before they had arrived at our table.

Something in me stirred but I quickly pushed it back forcing a smile, "thank you." I bowed my head. I had more important things to worry about that two catty she-wolves. The fate of my pack was on the line if my father couldn't make an alliance with one of the Alpha's tonight. I needed to try and get through tonight with out humiliating my family and my pack.

I turned away from the mocking gaze of the she-wolves as my father settled into conversation with his friend. I took in the rest of the room. The hall was an impressive size and sat at the front of the hall sat two golden chairs that was raised above everyone else's. The mental work on the fine chairs were engraved but as I squinted, trying to make out some of the detail my vision blurred. I couldn't make out the engravings that decorated the chairs so with a sigh I turned my attention back to my table.

"He's not there yet," a voice sounded close by my ear making me jump. I turned to see a girl with chestnut shoulder length hair and silk jade dress sat beside me.

I frowned confused, "who's not there?" I asked grazing around the room for clues.

The girl smiled, "the prince silly," she laughed showing off her pearly white teeth and long toned neck. I glared what was on about? She stopped laughing when she took in my expression. "Oh, sorry I just thought..." she spluttered. She frowned at her hands before plastering a smile on her face, "I thought you looking for the prince. I frowned shaking my head. Why would I want to look for? "Sorry its just that what every girl in this room seems to be doing." She laughed again.

"I don't know why," I muttered rolling my eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation. "I wasn't looking for him was just..." I shrugged "looking around," I gazed again around the room.

"I know what you mean," the girl looked around the room in awe. "Its like a dream," she smiled turning back to me. I frowned who was this girl? "Well just in case you were wondering," she flashed me another award-winning smile. "The Prince arrives with the rest of his family," she confirmed information I couldn't care less about.

I nodded, "Okay but I really don't care." I reminded her. She nodded smiling like she was agreeing to my comment. There was short pause as the girl next to me seen to take me in, her eyes slightly lingered on my eye which caused me to flush and look away. Why did people have to stare?

"Well I'm Ava by the way," she stuck out her slim hand in introduction.

I nodded in greeting, "Iris," shaking her extended hand as I studied her further. She had an olive complexion with full dusty pink lips that had a covering of clear lip gloss. The makeup she was wear had a gold tone which brought out the hazelnut colour of her eyes. Her dress was beautiful and fitted to her figure showing off her curves. The silky fabric left nothing to the imagination and she probably turned may heads tonight with her plugging V-neck that that suited her tall frame.

"Well Iris its nice to meet you," she smiled a genuine smile which I returned. Before we could settle into a conversation the room suddenly grew quite as the double doors to the ballroom swung open. A man dressed in black stepped forwards clearing his throat. "I think the royals have arrived," Ava whispered next to me.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the man's voice boomed across the room echoing off the creamy marble walls. "Please stand for His Royal Highness, King Alexander and Her Royal Highness Queen Sofia," the man announced as the room stood frozen. The man in black bowed as tow figures emerged from the doorway the room followed suit bowing low to their King and Queen.

"Where's the Prince?" I whispered to Ava. She shrugged gazing back to the royal couple as they made their way down towards the thrones. The guests parted quickly like the red sea as everyone gazed in wonder. No one had been this close to them for a long time.

The king stopped short of the thrones turning to his guests who had begun to crowd round them. He smiled down saying "I give you all a very warm welcome," standing in front of the high-back golden chair giving a welcoming smile to the guests in his ballroom.

"Maybe they're running late?" Ava suggested in my ear as the room held its breath. I shrugged in responds as another clearing of the throat caused the room to look back towards the double doored entrance.

The man in black announced "Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabett," the room once again bowed as a beautiful raven-haired woman glided into the room with a warm smile as she made her way up to her family. When she arrived standing next to the Queen. Their heads quickly came together in hushed whispers a frown washed over the Queens face, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

The King addressed the room again, "welcome each and every one of you," he held out his arms in greeting. "I welcome you warmly to my home," he flashed a pearly smile towards the room his blue eyes twinkling. "I am guessing by now that you all must be hungry," a small chuckle escaped his mouth. "So, let the feasting begin," he nodded to someone in front of him and the music began playing again as two doors beside the double doored entrance swung open. A string of people dressed in black filtered out carrying trays of delicious smelling food that made the room growl with hunger. Quickly people filed into seats as the king took a seat by the Queen and an empty chair. A table had been positioned in front of the thrones and two more silver chairs had been added next to them. One next to the Queen and the other next to the King. Princess Elizabett occupied the seat next to the Queen but the other remained empty.

"Maybe he's not coming?" Ava suggested as she gazed at the royals. I frowned if I had to come, he should my inner voice snapped. To distract myself from my thoughts I studied the royals. The Queen and princess both had raven-black hair that had been twisted into elegant buns showing off their long pale necks. Gold tiara sat upon their head and diamonds dangled from their necks and ears glinting in the candlelight. The Queen wore a vivid violet silk gown that was off the shoulder hinting at her delicate frame and was long sleeved ending just at her elbow. The princess wore a gown of scarlet made from satin and lace, embellished with tiny gemstones that shone when the light caught them. They looked beautiful.

"They look wonderful don't they," Ava snapped me back. I nodded in agreement as came back to the table. My father was sat next to me helping himself to the steaming dishes of food that graced our table. I noticed that Harper had joined out table and was talking to the two girls from earlier Jenner and Lucy. I took in the food that was surrounding me with smells. There was golden platters of different meats and pies, wafting amazing aromas around the hall, and silver dishes of steaming vegetables, bread and boats of sauces placed around us. My stomach growled at the range of food filling the table.

"Excellent," Said Ava, with a kind of groan of longing, as she seized the nearest plate of pork chops and began piling them onto her white plate. Jenner and Lucy stared at his with disgusted as they picked at the food. I rolled eyes at their pettiness.

"Steady on girl," laughed Mark "you might choke," he joked. Ava flashed him a smile, her mouth was so full that I thought it was quite an achievement that nothing fell out onto the table or her beautiful dress. Ava gave an enormous swallow before saying, "Well I am hungry, and I couldn't wait much longer." She giggled before sending a little glare towards Lucy and Jenner.

"I totally agree," I grinned grabbing some of the pork chops and some vegetables from the now, quickly emptying platters.

"I don't understand how people can eat like such pigs in front of the royal family," Commented who I think was Lucy, her nose turned up as she flicked her honey-wheat coloured hair over her shoulder. Unfortunately, Eva's mouth was packed to exploding point again to even comment on Lucy's snide remark and Mark sent Lucy and Jenner both a warning look which seemed to quite them up for the rest of the feast.

Harper smiled, "This food is amazing," she was always the peacemaker. I sighed she should be Alpha I thought as I shifted the food around my plate. My anxiety began to turn the food in my stomach making me feel sick. I hated being here.

Suddenly the noise from dinner was interrupted as the man dressed in black cleared his throat again. Everyone fell silent as they gazed over in confusion. "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Robert" the room filled with whispers as a man dressed in black tailored suit and a crimson tie, came into the room flashing every woman closest to him an award-winning smile, which made me want to gag. The whole room seemed to swoon as the young Prince walked past flashing his expensive smile around as he made his way with hid family. I glanced quickly to the thrones and saw a disapproving from on his father and a sad smile washing over his mothers.

He laughed, "sorry I'm late everyone." He winked. Disgust filled me up as I took in the scene. "Was making sure I took handsome for all you ladies tonight," he flashed another smile. He gave his father a quick bow before turning back to the room to give them one last wink before taking his seat. I shook my head as the room erupted into gossip.

"Doesn't Prince Robert look handsome tonight, Iris," Ava said laughing at the disgust written on my face.

"I guess," I watched as servants replaced steaming hot food on our table with sweet puddings. When the guest had all finished eating the noise level began to creep upwards again. The King was once again on his feet and the talking ceased immediately as they all turned to face him and listen to what he had to say.

"Well I hope everyone enjoyed our magnificent dinner we all just had, and I knew that everyone is eager to dance, like I am," he smiled. "I beg for a few moments of your lovely attention." He smiled with his hands now behind his back. "I would like to thank all the werewolf clans for your presence at our most honoured tradition of the werewolves. It gives me great pleasure to see all of you and I hope that my son," The King turned to Robert, who seemed to be in a discussion with his mother before he flashed his pearly white grin towards everyone. "Prince Robert will find his beloved mate and his Queen," There was a round of applause in which some excited she-wolves clapped a bit too enthusiastically. I however, noticed that Prince Robert and Elizabett exchanged slightly panicked looks because of these she-wolves. I almost couldn't stop the giggle at how scared the young Prince looked. "Now let the dance begin," the King grinned.

People started rising from their seat to seek out dance partners, girls babbling, and giggling met my ears as each young male, without a mate asked them to dance. Slowly my table began to disappear, with only me and Ava left seated. I sighed gazing up at the beautiful ceiling.

Someone cleared their throat "Excuse me," a masculine voice met my ears. "Would you like to dance?" I turned to Ava who looked somewhat shocked by the handsome man asking her to dance. The man was tall with board shoulders and coffee coloured skin. His hair was wept away from his face in a messy but well-kept kind of way. He smiled down at her as she looked at me in alarm.

"Do you mind?" She asked me a shy smile playing on her lips as she stole a glance at the man.

"No, no, not at all," I gave her a reassuring smile and with that, my only friend at this ball glided away to the dance floor in the arms of a handsome man. I hated this stupid ball.

I sulked glaring at the happy couples dancing. "Why don't you go look round sweetheart" my father asked smiling down at me. I nodded gently getting up from my chair catching a glimpse of Harper laughing in the arms of blonde wolf. She has it too easy I thought as I caught the stares of wolves as made my way through the crowds. I needed some air I thought as I exited the ballroom through the double doors. How could this night get any worse?