"You look wonderful, Princess Adeline." Preston said, bowing deeply.

"Yes, she does." My mother affirmed, smiling at me.

I almost rolled my eyes at the whole fake display, but I just plastered on a false grin instead. I felt awful. The dress, though stunning, was terribly itchy and becoming increasingly uncomfortable while my poor toes were twisted up in these dreaded heels. The crown that was sitting on top of head seemed to weigh a very painful amount all of the sudden. Plus, those tiny bobby pins had begun to press against my scalp. I wanted this night to be over and it hadn't even begun.

"There's my girl." My dad said excitedly, tossing his arm around me. Now my smile became more real and I relaxed slightly.

As much as I hated picking favorite, I really think I loved my dad just a little bit more than my mother. Ever since I could remember my dad had always been the kind, gentle one, while my mother was the stiff discipliner. My dad was a welcome hug at the end of a rough day while my mom was a cold lecture about perseverance and triumph. I guess I had always been a little intimidated by my mother. Before becoming a queen she had been an alpha, and it showed. She wasn't as regal or as dainty as the queen's before her, but she was classy and stronger than anyone I knew. People followed her every command, no one questioned her, and I'm fairly certain her subjects feared her just as much as they loved her.

My dad was different, being raised as an omega only to find out he was actually royal. His modest up bringing meant that he valued a home cooked meal more than any piece of jewellery. To him, family time was the only important time, and keeping everyone happy was his number one priority. He was trusting to the point that it was naive, but that only made me love him more. Sometimes it amazed me that someone as gentle and sweet as my father could love the hardened and cold woman my mother was. Then again, when I caught rare glances of them alone together my mother didn't look so tough or mean, just compassionate and loving, but I guess that's what a mate bond does.

My mother made small talk with her right hand man, Greg, and Preston while my father chatted with me about Poison. I could see the relief on his face when I told him that Poison had become much calmer with other people, because that horse had been anything but calm when I rescued him.

Eventually, the two alphas arrived.

It was all a big fanfare when they showed up. My parents greeted them with handshakes, the guards all stood at attention and the help staff scurried out of sight. I had to force myself to keep a scowl off my face at the sight of the men, both of them so cocky and arrogant due to their alpha status. Maybe if they had brains to match the brawn they would be tolerable as guests.

Everything was going as well as it could go until I glanced over and saw my mother intently watching my interaction with the two alphas and my stomach sank with dread. Feeling her eyes on me for the rest of the night left a sour taste in my mouth even though the food was perfection. My appetite was not helped by the way the alphas ate either. It looked like they were about to shift into their wolves, more animal than human and I internally sighed. These are the people I learned napkin etiquette for and they didn't even know how to use bloody forks.

After what felt like years, the argument over their land treaty was settled and the alphas were on their way back home.

I finally felt relieved, watching the burly men put on their shoes at the door, mumbling their last good byes.

"Oh, and Peter?" my mother said suddenly, making the alpha's head swing up, "We'll be in touch about the ball, alright?"

The alpha bowed his head, "Of course, your highness." He muttered, then both men were led out of our palace by the guards.

The second the door was closed I kicked off the uncomfortable heels and began yanking bobby pins from my hair. My foot nearly sighed with relief when they made contact with the cold marble floor and my head stopped throbbing once the painful pins were removed.

"Why are we having another ball?" I moaned. "The last one was so boring; they're always full of old alphas who think they're so much better and stronger than the next guy. You two have to admit that it gets really old really fast."

My mom bit her lip, looking nervous for the first time in years. Her eyes flicked to my dad who looked equally uncomfortable, but just nodded his head, encouraging as always.

"Adeline, you're almost twenty..." my mom seemed to be at a loss for words, which never happened to her.

"I know my age." I said with a tense smile.

"We're going to host a ball to seek out potential suitors for you." My father blurted, relieving my mother of her burden.

And that burden slammed right into me, almost knocking the breath out of me.

"What? What do you mean suitors? I'm a werewolf, I have a mate out there, somewhere." I rambled in disbelief.

My mom sighed and moved closer so she could grab my hand and hold it between hers. "I know sweety." Her softness was throwing me off, I would've preferred her to be tough and cold right now, "Your father and I are just worried. You're getting older and most werewolf women find their mates between eighteen and nineteen. I'm not saying we are marrying you off tomorrow, I'm just saying we need to keep our options open."

"By having a ball? Aren't all of the alphas mated anyway, isn't that how they become alphas? By finding their mates?" I demanded.

"Well, yes, but some of the men have lost their mates. Those are the ones who will be attending." My dad piped up.

"Are you guys crazy?" I demanded, becoming slightly hysterical. "I'm not going to pretend to love a man just because his mate died and I need someone to rule by my side." I shrieked.

"Oh Addy." My dad soothed, coming to my side and putting his arm around my shoulders, "I'm sorry that we had to spring this on you. I know it's not what you want, but we aren't going to force you to marry anyone you don't want to. We're just worried that maybe your mate isn't out there."

"Well, if my mate isn't out there then I won't just settle with some arrogant, pig headed, idiotic alpha!" I shouted. "I'd rather die alone!" I screamed, stomping away from them.

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