Omega's Christmas Ball

Mate Selection

River was ready to snap back at her annoying, arrogant savior, but as the stranger stepped closer, her words faltered. Her breath caught in her throat, and she froze, her gaze drinking him in as if seeing him for the first time in proper light.

How could the Moon Goddess allow someone like this to exist? she thought in awe.

The stranger was, without a doubt, the most strikingly handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. He was tall, so tall that he seemed to eclipse everything around him. His broad shoulders and muscular build exuded strength, and yet there was a grace to him that made it clear every movement was deliberate and controlled.

His hair, dark and slightly wavy, fell in a way that was both careless and perfectly styled. And then there were his eyes, deep, dark pools that she couldn’t decipher in the shade. Were they cold, amused, or indifferent? She couldn’t decide. They seemed to challenge her, almost like they dared her to look away.

When he tilted his head slightly and an ironic smile appeared on his face, River’s heart skipped a beat. Dimples. Dimples softened his otherwise stern and scowling expression, and yet they didn’t take away the sharpness of his jawline or the intensity in his gaze. His full lips, though curved in that arrogant smirk, carried an underlying seriousness that was impossible to ignore.

His clothes were immaculate, far beyond anything she had ever seen in her life. His exquisitely tailored jacket and embroidered waistcoat screamed wealth and power, the kind only a family of extreme influence could boast. Every detail of his appearance made her more painfully aware of her own simplicity.

Her wolf whimpered softly in the back of her mind, immediately submitting to his immense Alpha aura. River clenched her fists to steady herself as she fought back the pull to bow or lower her gaze. Even without knowing who he was, it was clear that this man held a position of immense power.

Swallowing hard, she finally forced herself to speak, though her voice came out small and cautious. “I didn’t mean to offend the royal family. It was just an innocent observation.”

The stranger’s lips quirked, and his deep, rich laugh, though laced with irony, rolled through the air like a distant storm. It sent an involuntary shiver down River’s spine.

“An innocent observation?” he echoed, his tone mocking. “It didn’t sound so innocent when you spoke earlier.”

River opened her mouth to retort, ready to defend herself, but before she could get a word out, the stranger’s expression shifted as his eyes unfocused slightly. It was clear he was mind-linking someone.

A moment later, his gaze snapped back at her, sharp and commanding. “Put yourself together and go to the ballroom. Prince Thas is ready to make his decision, so all the unmated females need to be present.”

River’s heart dropped, the words hitting her like a blow to the chest. Prince Thas is choosing his mate? She felt a hollow ache in her stomach, the idea of parading herself in front of the prince, or anyone, really, making her feel even smaller. She dreaded the idea of seeing Damon or her sister, or his chosen mate. But here, in the royal castle, defiance wasn’t an option. She had no choice but to comply.

She tried to lift her chin and appear composed, but as she reached to close the buttons on the side of her dress, buttons that had come undone during her earlier panic, she realized she couldn’t do it with him standing there, watching her so intently. Her cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat.

“Can you… please turn around?” she said, her voice unsteady.

The stranger raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “What?”

River bit her lip, her blush deepening. “Please turn around. It’s not appropriate, and I can’t close my dress with you looking.”

To her surprise, he let out a deep, rumbling laugh that made her heart stutter. There was something almost dangerous in the way he laughed, like he enjoyed watching her squirm. “And who do you think opened those buttons earlier?”

Her face went crimson as she stuttered, “It was, it was an emergency! Please.”

Shaking his head with an almost amused sigh, the stranger finally turned his back to her. River quickly fumbled with the buttons, her trembling hands moving as fast as they could. The dress once again pulled tight around her chest, leaving her breathless, but at least she was decent.

“I’m ready,” she said softly, almost shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.

When the stranger turned back to face her, his eyes swept over her again, this time with a level of scrutiny that made her squirm. He studied her for a long moment, his gaze lingering on the dress that she thought was beautiful.

“How could you choose something so unflattering and unfitting for you?” he said finally, his tone harsh and blunt. “Unless, of course, you were trying to make yourself unattractive to any possible mate.”

River froze, his words hitting her like a slap. Her heart sank, and her throat tightened painfully. This was the prettiest dress she had ever owned, the only dress that had ever made her feel even close to beautiful, and yet he had dismissed it so cruelly.

Her voice trembled with restrained anger as she replied, “The dress was a gift from my Luna. I didn’t own anything suitable for the ball.”

The stranger raised an eyebrow as if her answer wasn’t sufficient. “And why didn’t you purchase one? The event was well announced in advance.”

Her temper flared, her voice snapping before she could stop herself. “Because there are better purposes to spend money on than useless clothes.”

That answer seemed to get his attention. He looked at her with a mixture of intrigue and curiosity, as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out.

After a moment of silence, he straightened, his usual commanding presence returning. “Let’s go. Everyone is expected to arrive.”

River hesitated for a split second before following him. The way he spoke made it sound as though he wasn’t just another guest, he had authority here, a presence that commanded respect. Her mind buzzed with questions, but she kept them to herself as she trailed behind him, her blistered feet protesting with every step.

As they stepped into the grand ballroom, River instinctively turned her head to address the stranger who had escorted her, but when she looked beside her, he was gone. Her brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes darting around the crowded space, searching for the tall, intimidating figure that had both irritated and intrigued her. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

Who was he? she wondered, her mind still lingering on the mysterious alpha’s words and the strange pull of his presence.

Before she could ponder any further, the murmur of the crowd died down. The sound of a deep, authoritative voice captured everyone’s attention, sending a chill down River’s spine. She looked up toward the raised dais at the far end of the ballroom, where the royal family stood. Though she couldn’t see the king clearly due to her position at the back, she had arrived far too late, she could feel his aura, powerful and commanding, pressing down on the room like an invisible weight.

“Thank you, everyone, for attending,” the king’s voice boomed, calm yet commanding. “The long-awaited moment has arrived. Prince Thas will now select his mate and become engaged. And after, all the chosen mates' engagements will be announced.”

A hush fell over the room, and River’s heart dropped, a sickening pit forming in her stomach. The words echoed in her head as though they were mocking her. The reality of the situation hit her like a physical blow. She would see Damon standing next to another woman, likely smiling, perhaps even holding her hand.

But as much as that hurt, River knew it could never compare to the betrayal she had felt earlier when she witnessed Damon and Isabella behind the bushes. That memory alone was enough to make her chest ache and her throat tighten. How could they? she thought bitterly.

Her sister had always been seen as the ideal omega, beautiful, perfectly obedient, innocent, and graceful. Their parents had always taught them the importance of waiting for their true mates, that giving oneself to another before that was the ultimate betrayal of the bond the Moon Goddess blessed them with. Yet what River had seen earlier had shattered that image completely. Isabella had given herself to Damon, willingly, eagerly, it seemed, and the way they had moved together so fluidly… it was clear this wasn’t their first time.

River bit down hard on her lip, forcing the tears to stay at bay. Why does it matter now? she chastised herself. You finally saw his deception and lies.

The king’s voice suddenly cut through her thoughts, drawing her back to the present. “All unmated females, align yourselves in rows,” he instructed. “Prince Thas will walk among you to make his selection.”

River felt a wave of nausea roll through her, but there was no time to hesitate. She moved quickly to her assigned place, taking a spot in the back row. Her heart pounded violently against her ribcage as she stood still, her shoulders tense and her hands clenching the sides of her dress. She didn’t dare look around, fearing her face might betray her emotions.

The ballroom fell silent again, the only sound the faint rustle of skirts and the shuffling of feet as the women arranged themselves. Then she heard them, his footsteps. Slow, measured, each step echoing loudly in the cavernous room as Prince Thas began his procession.

River kept her eyes firmly on the floor, her breathing shallow as her heart thumped painfully in her chest. She couldn’t bear to look up. Please, just pass by quickly, she thought desperately, as though willing him to ignore her completely.

The footsteps grew closer, the air around her feeling heavier as Prince Thas moved between the rows, pausing briefly as he inspected each girl. The tension was suffocating. River kept her chin low, staring at the polished marble floor, pretending she wasn’t even there.

And then she felt it, his gaze.

It was brief, a fleeting moment, but it was enough to make her entire body stiffen. She could feel the weight of his attention, sharp and probing, as it lingered on her for what felt like an eternity. Her wolf whimpered softly in her mind, but River refused to react. She didn’t move, didn’t lift her gaze, nothing.

The moment passed, and his footsteps continued down the row. River let out a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her heart still racing.

Once Prince Thas had finished his circuit of the room, he returned to the place where the king awaited him. The silence was deafening as everyone watched the young prince expectantly.

The king spoke, his voice breaking the stillness. “Prince Thas, do you have a decision for us?”

River’s pulse quickened again as she heard the prince’s calm reply.

“I do, my king,” Prince Thas said, his voice deep and smooth, carrying across the room with ease. “My mate is in this room.”

A ripple of excited whispers spread through the crowd, but River couldn’t move. She was frozen in place, her hands trembling at her sides.

Prince Thas began walking again, this time with purpose. The crowd shifted restlessly as he moved through the rows of girls once more, their eyes glued to him as he passed.

River stood perfectly still, her eyes locked on the ground. Her thoughts swirled in chaos, and her body refused to move as she waited for the inevitable.

Who will he choose? she thought bitterly, though a small voice in her mind whispered, Why do you even care?

As the footsteps grew louder once more, drawing closer, River’s breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she swore the surrounding air changed, heavy and suffocating, and she felt the same intense presence as before.

And then, just like that, Prince Thas was there.