His Hybrid Queen

Chapter 21(Bonus)

Laetitia

I felt the excitement growing as we drove closer to the palace through the sinewy road. I was anxious, though. Because we were a little late. When we tried to get rooms at the hotel on the Royal Pack territory, it was already fully booked. We had to settle for a motel a little far away. Our group leader underestimated the distance, which led to our tardiness.

When we finally reached the gates, I couldn’t help the smile stretching on my face. The guards quickly granted us access after checking our invitations and IDs. My heart started racing in my chest at what was waiting for us. It was a great honor for me and my companions to be the first members of our pack to step foot in the Royal Palace and see the Alpha Queen. The first female Alpha in werewolf history.

Our Alpha had met the late King, a few months prior, but he was already mated. For once, it was an advantage to be single. Because it could grant us an invitation to the first mating ball and the unique privilege to meet the Queen. My mouth dropped to the floor when we stood in front of the imposing building. It was one thing to see it in a picture, but the real thing was much more.

I hooked my arm with Katy’s, my best friend, as we were ushered inside by the palace attendants. We already missed dinner, and I didn’t want to miss the main event by a second. However, as soon as we entered the ballroom, my excitement turned to nervousness. Despite my best efforts, I was standing out like a sore thumb.

I traded my braids with a straight hairstyle, so I can fit in better. But I couldn’t change the color of my skin or hide my curves. Not that I would go to such lengths to be accepted by people I would only meet once in my life. 

It’s not my fault that my great grandfather was turned during the civil war. Turning humans was a forbidden taboo, and I was a living proof that someone committed that crime many generations ago. 

I was proud of my heritage and of my ancestors, and nothing could change that. I was just hoping that in case I found my mate, he would love me just the way I am. 

The other members of the pack were mostly males, and they were already on the hunt for their mates. Katy and I tried to find a spot away from the crowds and the staring eyes. We got ourselves drinks to help calm down our nerves. Everyone was dressed to impress with Haute Couture gowns and expensive tuxedos. There were so many handsome wolves around. Any one of them could be my mate or hers.

There was loud chatter and the musicians were playing uncoordinated tunes as they adjusted their instruments. After a few minutes, the Alpha Queen entrance was announced and everyone fell silent. From my position I couldn’t see her as she appeared and declared the beginning of the mating ball. It wasn’t long before a gentleman asked Katy to dance. 

“He’s hot!” Katy mouthed discreetly before walking away with her dance partner.

“Good luck!” I mouthed at her and waved, smiling.

Katy was a pure soul and a beautiful girl. She deserved to find a mate equally handsome and gentle. My earlier hopes to find my mate too, started to dwindle as I stood there alone. I watched the multitude of young people chatting, flirting and dancing. Some of the prettiest girls had several suitors, each waiting for their turns to have a dance. In the meanwhile, the space surrounding me seemed to grow.

I thought it would be better if I moved around a little. I caught a furtive glance at the young beautiful Queen. She looked picture perfect with her blue gown, cape and sparkly diamond crown. She was sitting elegantly and poised on her gilded throne with her gloved hands on her knees.

 As I walked around the ballroom, I was scanning the crowd. I exchanged smiles and looks with a few people, but their eyes didn’t linger. My confidence was taking a toll, and it wasn’t because I didn’t feel pretty. I did my best to dress for the occasion, but I simply didn’t reach the common beauty standards. And I am certainly not model material.

What was killing me was the silent rejection. I felt happy for my pack members, who were mingling nicely with the other guests. However, I couldn’t keep the fake smile plastered anymore. I walked towards the far wall and stood, seemingly admiring a large painting. I looked up, trying to hold back the tears. 

“There you are!” A husky voice said behind me.

My heart started pounding as I got a whiff of his scent, spicy and masculine and sexy. My inner wolf stirred to life. Slowly, I turned around to face the most handsome male I have ever seen.

“Mate!” We said at the same time.

His features were everything I was not, and in striking contrast. He was tall, broad and muscular, while I was short and curvy. He had silky hair styled effortlessly, while my natural curls had to be tamed and straightened. He had light skin and I had a brown one. I peered into his brown eyes and tried to decipher the look he was giving me. My first thought was that he didn’t like me and he was going to reject me. I held back my breath and braced myself as he opened his mouth to speak.

“I’ve been following your scent for the last hour. But you kept slipping away.” He said, and he sounded like he was scolding me. 

“Unless you were making me chase you on purpose.” My mate added, raising an eyebrow when I didn’t respond.

“Are you going to reject me?” I finally managed to ask.

“Reject you?” He looked surprised and incredulous at my question. “Punish you? Yes. Reject my destined mate? Never!” 

My heart started beating a fast tattoo, and my wolf started howling in my head.

“Are you going to reject me?” He asked in turn.

“No.” I said, releasing a shaky breath.

“May I have this dance, baby?” My mate invited me with a wide smile on his face.

My body moved on its own as I took his extended hand. I felt the sparks at the touch of his skin, and butterflies swarmed my belly as he walked me to the dance floor.

“What’s your name?”

“Laetitia. My friends call me Tisha or Tish.”

“You're beautiful, Lea.” He declared and brushed his knuckles on my cheek.

I was about to tell him that that’s not the correct short version, but he cupped my face and leaned down. My breath caught in my throat and I perched on my tiptoe to meet him in the middle. Our lips brushed against each other, and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. His arms tightened around my body as he kissed me passionately.

BAM!

A sudden force broke us apart, and we stumbled away from each other.

“I didn’t see you there.” The man who bumped into us didn’t bother to apologize.

Rude, I thought to myself, for interrupting the romantic moment.

“Alpha Peterson!” My mate piped up. “Can I have a word?” 

The Alpha nodded, accepting reluctantly. 

“This will take a minute. Don’t move. I’ll be right back!” My mate promised, and I let out a simple “Okay.”

I felt a little disappointed that my mate had to leave my side before I could ask for his name.  I walked to the refreshment table, suddenly feeling an appetite for the delicious looking amuse bouche. My cheeks ached as I ate the little gastronomic masterpiece. Smoked salmon and caviar tasted heavenly good.

 I haven’t realized that I didn’t stop smiling since I met my mate. I felt like I was floating on a cloud, until I felt an overwhelming presence next to me. 

“You smell amazing, mate.”

I was startled by the hunk breathing heavily on my neck and almost choked on the mini shrimp tart. I took a sip of champagne to down the bite and cleared my throat.

Mate. My wolf said, and I rolled my eyes internally at her. I knew who he was. I didn’t need her to remind me.

“You’re here. That didn’t take long.” I remarked.

“Time is relative, but I don’t intend on wasting any.” He said rather sternly.

It felt weird, but it was as if his whole demeanor had changed.

“What’s your name, mate?” 

“Laetitia,” I replied, a little annoyed that he already forgot my name.

“Lea,” He breathed, saying my new nickname. “You’re beautiful.”

My annoyance quickly vanished at his compliment. I will never get tired of him saying I was beautiful.

His arm snaked around me and leaned again. I didn’t waste a second and kissed him. This second time, even his kiss felt different. He was more precise, dominant, overpowering, and I was quickly losing my ground. Someone cleared their throat, and we had to stop for much-needed air.

A tall, slender young man stood next to my mate and me. He had dark blond hair and gray eyes. 

“Alpha Falkenberg!”

“Beta Hartmann. Just Sebastian, I’m not Alpha yet. I got word that  you were looking for me?”

“Yes, indeed.” My mate said before turning to me. “This will take a minute. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” He sounded commanding and like a broken disc but I found it hot.

As he retreated with the future Alpha, I felt irritated that my mate and I were interrupted again. At least now, I knew his last name and that he was a Beta. Which meant that he had business to discuss with other Alphas or Betas. If everything goes well, and we were to complete our mating, I must expect that he was going to be busy.

I felt a little overwhelmed and lightheaded by the furtive yet intense kiss. I needed some fresh air, so I walked outside. Looking at the luscious garden, I smiled to myself, imagining the future I might have with my newfound mate. Though our encounter was short and got interrupted twice, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe I found my soulmate and that we clicked immediately. 

Before I could delve into a farfetched reverie about our future house and children, heavy steps sounded behind me. I knew who it was before I turned around. The fine hair on my nape was standing in attention and my skin was tingling in anticipation of his touch. It was the same  sensation I felt the previous two times. He smelled a little different, but that must be because there were so many wolves from different packs.

“Found you, mate!”

Mate. My wolf yipped in my mind again, swinging her proverbial tail.

Yes, I know. I hissed at her.

“Sorry, I needed some fresh air.”

“You don’t have to apologize, sweetheart. I’m just happy I found you.” My Beta mate walked closer and reached to hold my hand. “What’s your name, beautiful?” He asked without breaking eye contact. 

Why would he ask my name three times in less than an hour. He looked only a few years older than me. He was too young to have dementia. Or maybe he had some kind of amnesia.

“Laeticia.” I answered for the third time.

“Lea,..”

“It’s LAEtitia. L.A.E not L.E.A” I couldn’t help myself from snapping at him. At least he was consistent in the way he mispronounced my name.

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” He cooed and rubbed my arms soothingly. 

Sparks flew at his touch and I quickly forgot about his little mistake. Unable to control the mating pull or my desires, my body moved on its own and I tiptoed. My mate tipped his face down and our lips made contact. This time around, his kiss was sweet, gentle and tender. I wondered how someone could change so much in a short span of time. Even the way he kissed me was different. 

A plausible explanation popped in my mind. Could he have DID? How many personalities does he have? It didn’t matter, as long as he kept kissing me this passionately. 

“What’s going on here?” My mate sounded angry.

I broke the kiss, abruptly. How could he talk and kiss at the same time? I was baffled, to say the least. 

“Brother!” My mate said after he turned around and I realized we weren’t alone. I walked around him, to see who interrupted us, yet again. And then, I froze as if someone threw a bucket of ice cold water over my head.

I looked at the three identical men in front of me waving my hand weakly. Maybe I am the one becoming crazy. My mouth gaping, I tried to articulate words despite the panic overtaking me. 

“W...Why...is there...three off...you?”