Chapter 21

"Let's get this over with." I press my hands down my dress, trying to flatten out any wrinkles. Jungkook stands beside me fixing his bowtie and Yoongi is using the other mirror while putting on his blazer.

I turn to Jungkook, "How do I look?" A forced smile rests on my face

He glances at me for a second before continuing to fix his tie. "Like you're ready to murder everyone at the party."

I scoff while grabbing my heels, "Was it that obvious?"

My hands find the familiar scarf left on the bed. Taking the fabric in my hands, I press the article of clothing to my nose inhaling the intoxicating scent.

"Wow," Jungkook teases. My left eye opens glaring at him, "I never thought I'd see the day our Alpha regrets leaving her lovely mate~"

A louder than anticipated growl leaves my throat as I continue to hold the scarf close to me. Jungkook jumps back a few feet but does not stop teasing me.

Lovely mate? What right does he have to call Taehyung that! And I don't regret keeping him safe! It's just the mate bond and my sentimental wolf!

I just about move to strangle him when he starts making out with a pillow.

"Mwa..mwa mwa."

"Leave her alone," Yoongi sighs. There is an extra layer of gloom and misery laced in his tone, "It's been a pretty shitty past couple of days."

I take the scarf and wrap it around my neck. Taehyung's scent is barely there, but my wolf is going to go mad if I do not have it near me.

"I cannot believe the Luna wants to throw another party," Yoongi scoffs, "We just had one last week. Don't they have more important things to do?"

I nod along, "It's ridiculous. Their pack is in shambles outside the palace and the only thing they care about is if they have enough drinks to go around."

"You're not wrong," Jungkook holds the door open for us as we make our way to the event.

The entire time we walk, Yoongi and I whine and groan from being forced to attend.

Jungkook looks at us with sympathy, "It's only a few hours. You two can just stand in the corner and I'll take care of all the talking."

"Aish," I brush off his compromise, "We can't do that."

"People always prefer to talk to the Alpha, anyway." Yoongi remarks. We make it to the top of the marble stairs that cascades down to the grand room.

"We've been through more painful things, right Yoongi?" I try to convince them. Jungkook raises his eyebrows with concern

Yoongi mutters bitterly, "This is way worse than the time I got food poisoning. At least I didn't have my wolf constantly nagging in the back of my head."

A chirpy voice calls us down to the floor, "Ah, this is just perfect! Y/n! I would like to introduce somebody to you!"

Luna Seoyeon links her arm with mine and practically drags me down from the stairs. I try to slow us down so I don't accidentally trip over my feet or step on her dress.

A poised older gentleman notices our presence and bows his head. Cautiously, I bow back taking note of his Beta status.

"This is Beta Han Jongyul. He's one of the most knowledgeable and understanding wolves I've ever known."

The Beta smiles warmly, "You're being too kind, Luna."

"It's the truth!" she exclaims, "Meet Alpha Song Y/n. She has come all the way from the Shadow Pack."

"Pleased to meet you, Beta Jongyul," I reply as nicely as I can, but my head is pounding with worry. My wolf still won't stop thinking about her mate.

"The pleasure is all mine, Alpha Y/n. I've heard about the great things you are doing for our pack. I support your plan for the neutral territory. Alpha Namjoon simply couldn't stop praising you for your brilliant idea."

My chin lifts with pride, "Why I'm honored, but it was just as much Alpha Namjoon and Luna Seoyeon's efforts as well. They so graciously supported this monumental project."

From beside me, I hear a muted growl from Yoongi. Just as I was about to ask him what is wrong, another wolf joins us standing next to the Beta I just met.

"Father! The servants here are despicable! They so rudely spilled wine all over my brand new tunic—"

My eyes look up and down at the wolf who interrupted our conversation. The wolf's attire is covered in red stains and his sleeves are cuffed back as if he had already threatened to punch somebody.

The Beta sighs in annoyance, "You can easily find a replacement for your clothes, hm?"

The son bears his teeth in vexation before noticing my presence. A smug look lights up on his face, his eyes trailing down the curves of my dress.

The Beta clears his throat, "Please excuse my son for interrupting. This is Delta Donghyun. He's a charming young man, once you get to know him."

"Y/n..," Yoongi's voice growls in my head.

I bow my head towards the Delta, "Nice to meet you. I'm Alpha Y/n."

He takes my hand, deliberately making eye contact, "Alpha, you say?" He presses his lips to my hand and I suppress the urge to recoil my hand, "You're nothing like I expected. Your beauty is comparable to that of an Omega."

I pull my hand away from his hold, "Um....thanks?" An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach.

Yoongi growls again, his eyes threatening to turn orange. "He's the one."

"What?" I link back, wearing a fake smile on my face. Donghyun looks beside me at my Betas. His grin falters when his eyes land on Yoongi.

"These are my Betas. Jeon Jungkook and Min Yoongi," I gesture towards my friends behind me. Jungkook bows politely, but Yoongi refuses to look away from the Delta.

"Ah...we've met before, Beta?" Donghyun looks up, placing a finger on his chin before returning his gaze.

"Was it...that shoe store?"

Yoongi's eyes darken. I notice his hands slowly forming fists against his side.

Something is definitely wrong. Jungkook looks at me with confusion as well, and I immediately try to get us out of this tense situation.

"We will see you two around," I bow to the Beta and his son, "Thank you, Luna, for throwing this lovely party."

Seoyeon smiles back, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me, Y/n!"

"Of course," I glance one last time at the three of them before leaving and pulling Yoongi with me.

"Hyung..." Jungkook mumbles. Yoongi reluctantly peels his eyes away from the condescending Delta.

"Who the hell is he, Yoongi?" I smile at the other guests, however, my thoughts are anything but calm.

Yoongi takes a deep breath slowly counting down from three in his mind.

Jungkook taps on my shoulder, "That Delta is still looking at us."

Red flags are going off in my head, "Yoongi!" I growl demanding answers.

"He's the asshole who assaulted Jimin and Taehyung at the market! Y/n, he burned their home to the ground and punched Taehyung."

I turn back to the Delta whose eyes are still following us behind an archway. He crosses his arms over his chest while slightly baring his teeth.

My eyes flash red and my skin shudders of possessiveness over my mate, only to realize Taehyung isn't even near me anymore.

Yoongi grumbles, "I want to rip that mutt's head off. You saw the way he was taunting me!" He runs his fingers through his hair.

Jungkook agrees, "And that backhanded compliment towards Y/n."

I subconsciously try to rub off the spot he kissed on my hand, wishing I could forget it happened.

"People are going to get suspicious. We have to return to the party," I double-check Yoongi, making sure he was calm enough to not cause a skirmish.

His eyes meet mine, noticing my concerned look, and he takes another deep breath, "I'm fine Y/n, don't worry."

Music starts playing and people start gathering near the center. The room quiets down as wolves bring their mates and family members to the floor.

A group of small Omegas approaches us from the side. A few nervous giggles and whispers pique our interest. A delicate wolf steps forward towards Jungkook.

"Hi! Um...I think you're really handsome. Would you like to dance?" The doll-like Omega looks up to Jungkook with big eyes.

Jungkook sends a smirk towards us before agreeing to dance with the she-wolf.

"Have fun guys~" Jungkook teases.

Yoongi scoffs loudly, rolling his eyes at the younger Beta.

I chuckle a little, "Do you want to...?"

Before I can finish, a hand twirls me around dragging me slightly away from Yoongi.

"Alpha, if I may," Donghyun wraps his arm around my waist pulling me closer, "have the first dance with you, it would be an honor."

Yoongi growls from behind me, ready to pounce on the wolf.

"Actually," I forcefully remove his hands from my waist and take a step back, "I was going to dance with my Beta first if that's alright of course?"

The wolf raises his eyebrows with the slight shock of rejection. He even stands taller trying to pretend his massive ego was not hurt.

"Right, of course. Perhaps another dance." He stiffly stalks away from the two of us and I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Y/n," Yoongi starts rolling up his sleeves, "I'm going to kill him, don't you dare stop me—"

The music switches tempo and I hurriedly pull Yoongi into the center of the dance floor. He stumbles to the side from my harsh tug. "Easy there, big bad wolf," I tease. 

"Y/n...." He protests. I place his hand on my waist and hold onto his shoulder, "I don't like dancing..." Yoongi grumbles.

I snicker, "Stop lying," we start moving in small circles.

"I know you'd love to dance with your mate on this dance floor."

It's like that image forms in his mind and his gaze turns from irritated to full of longing.

"Yeah, I would love that," he replies.

We spend the rest of the dance barely speaking to one another. Our minds are too occupied by our mates. Wishing they were here with us on a dance floor like this. They would be laughing and smiling while we held them close to us.

I press my nose down to the scarf wrapped around my neck, trying to remember what his scent smelled like.

Cherry almonds. He smelled like cherry almonds.

Yoongi and I continue to dance for nearly the rest of the night. My mind drifts away, thinking about all that has happened at this pack. I was so set on getting out of here as fast as I can, but we just keep on getting dragged into Blood Pack affairs.

Not to mention finding my mate here.

Damn, I have a mate. I never thought I would be able to say those words.

My chest pains and I think about how far away he is. In another world, I could be dancing with him like this. Feeling the warmth of his skin underneath my fingertips, while he guides my waist. The gentle look in his eyes staring into mine and the soft smile across his lips that I've seen only a few times.

I am too absorbed in my thoughts until Yoongi calls my name.

"Y/n?" His hand spins me around before pulling me back.

I reply, still deep in my thoughts, "Hm?"

"You're a surprisingly good dancer," he notes. The songs come to an end and we bow at each other. He looks at me with warm eyes and his voice speaks full of gratitude.

I smile back, comfortable with the understanding between us.

"So are you." 

AU Fact: Courting is the common way wolves show interest towards their mates. Courtships can vary between different mates, and it is usually up to the wolf who is courting the other to make the advances. It is also done between wolves who wish to form an artificial bond when True Mates are not an option. 

Thanks for reading!