Alexia's POV 

 The sound of my name being called over and over pulled me from my dreams only to see three grinning idiots. My parents and Mason began to sing happy birthday in an overly dramatic fashion which caused me to die laughing.

"Happy birthday Angel. We are so proud of you!" My dad says with a smile as he hugs me. He and my mom look like they are beyond happy to see this day.

"Happy birthday Lexi. As I'm sure you noticed we are not mates, but I hope we can always stay close. You're my best friend and that will never change." Mason smiles and winks at me.

"Thanks, guys. Mom, Dad I'm sorry it didn't work out as you hoped. Mason will take good care of the pack. We should get going. We don't want to piss off that King of ours!" I said with a smirk.

The next few hours pass in a blur of traveling and getting ready for the ball. My mother made sure that I was made perfect in every possible way. I felt the nervousness begin to creep up on me as we finished getting ready. Will my mate be there? Will he accept me? With the way things have been going for me surely the Goddess wouldn't be that cruel.

"Angel you are gorgeous. Any male wolf would kill to have you for his mate. Just remember you are worth more than you will ever know. Never let anyone make you feel otherwise." My father was often a man of few words. As an alpha, he often thought to be heartless but that was as far from the truth as possible. He was just the strong silent type who only showed emotion to his family.

"Thanks, Daddy. I will try to never forget."

The palace was unlike anything I had ever seen. Beautiful decorations were everywhere giving it a fairytale-like theme. People dressed to impress were as far as the eye could see and I was awestruck by the whole thing.

"We are going to go before the King. Everyone on their best behavior." My father looked at me with a knowing smile. He knew I wanted nothing more than to give the King a piece of my mind but I would behave only for my father's sake. So I prepared myself and got ready to enter the land of royalty.

Stephen's POV

Waking up with her in my arms is the best feeling in the world. Last night I think we did everything imaginable in bed, which makes me feel like I am making the right choice in choosing her for my mate. All we have to do is make it tonight without any problems.

"Baby I have to go take care of my duties before the ball. I'll see you there." She nods her head and rolls over going back to sleep. We are in a room that no one ever comes to, so I have no fear of leaving her here. I have to get ready for my day of training and then prepare for the ball. Henry is staying completely silent which means he is pouting over the decision I've made.

"Henry you're going to have to get used to her and accept that she will be our mate. There is no guarantee that we'll ever meet our true mate. I love her and that will be enough." There is no reply only silence, which makes me think if I will even be able to go through with this.

After hours of training and listening to my dad's lectures on mates it's finally time to get ready. Diego has been giving me the cold shoulder all day and I can't figure out what is going on with him. Deciding that I don't have time to worry about it I make my way to the ballroom after getting dressed. My parents are seated on their thrones with me by their side as the alphas come to give their greetings.

Tons of she-wolves have gone by doing everything they can to get my attention. I've seen more breasts about to pop out than I could ever think possible. Have these girls no shame? I mean my girl does show a little more than I would like but this is insane. Their fathers should be ashamed of themselves for letting their daughters act like this. I look up to see my angel walking around smiling. She is showing way too much skin and if I name her as my mate we are seriously going to have to talk about her choice in clothing. Unmated males are circling her as she flirts back with them. I would have thought that I would be more jealous but I truly don't care as much as I should. Am I doing the right thing? Just as the thought crosses my mind the most intoxicating smell of honeysuckles hits my nose, and the sight before me is of a goddess.

"Mate!"

Third Person POV

 The air was full of excitement with all the unmated wolves roaming around the palace. All eyes were on the King and Queen as all the alphas made their way to say their hellos. One particular set of eyes was searching for his so-called mate. She had made it clear that she wasn't happy with his position as a beta and refused to accept the bond. She never came out and directly rejected him but he knew what she was up to.

And there she was flirting like all the other females in the room. Acting as if he never existed and that she didn't care. All he had ever wanted was her and yet she was slipping through his fingers. He knew the truth about what was happening with her, but he was waiting for just the right moment to make his move.

A pair of female eyes watched Stephen's every move. He was completely unaware and she wanted it to stay that way. Each time he looked her way she would pretend to be looking somewhere or speaking to someone. She was watching closely when she heard the word that made her rage with anger. Mate.