Chapter 10: The Big Reveal

KOL

It had been a few weeks since Gianna had moved in. I had to admit it was going really well. She was so caring and understanding about my having to work late while preparing for this ball tonight.

I guessed she was used to it, what with all the banquets her father had thrown. She was royalty, after all.

“Wow. Don’t you look dashing?” I turned and saw her. My mate. My beautiful, beautiful mate. I let my eyes travel her body, taking in all her curves.

Her royal-blue dress clung to them so well, showing them off. I smiled, extending a hand and pulling her in close. “Why, thank you; you look breathtaking.”

She giggled and looked at me with her glacier-blue eyes. ~God, I love this woman.~

“~You know what~?” she started, stroking my neck under my shirt collar. “~If we really are mates, we should mark each other~.”

I looked in her eyes, now sparkling with lust and passion. “Yeah, I guess we should,” I started, looking at the nape of her neck where my mark would go. Licking my lips, I looked back at her.

“~Do it~,” she whispered.

Man, she didn’t have to tell me twice. I brushed her ice-white hair from her neck and bit down.

Her body fell into mine as she groaned with delight, and then I felt it—the sudden rush of pain and pleasure as she bit into me. We had been marked. As mates.

We looked at each other, standing close, and I felt a warmth and power wash over me. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, and she was all mine. My mate.

~I will love this woman forever.~

Her head cocked to the side as she looked at me like she understood. She let out a soft giggle and pecked my cheek. “~I’ll love you forever too~,” she whispered.

I stared at her, dumbstruck. “Wait, what? Did you? How did? Can you?” What had just happened? ~Can she read my mind?~

She just giggled and grabbed a shawl. “Come on, baby, the alpha can’t be late to the ball.” And with that, she was gone out the door.

I followed after her, grabbing my jacket on the way. I knew mate bonds were close, but this close?

Was it because she was different?

I shrugged on my tux jacket and got into the waiting car.

I guessed time would tell. We sat in silence as the driver took us to the pack house. I glanced at her.

~She doesn’t look nervous; is she nervous?~ I scoffed, looking out the window.

~Of course she doesn’t get nervous. She’s the alpha king’s daughter, for God’s sake. A pack ball is nothing compared to the banquets her father has thrown.~

I felt her hand on mine and looked over. “It’ll be okay.” She smiled. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

I pulled her in for a kiss. “That’s right. You were the wild child, weren’t you?”

In a movement so fast I was sure if I’d blinked I would’ve missed it, she straddled me.

“Wild child, eh?” she said, her eyes sparkling, her fingers unbuttoning my shirt. “You’ve no idea,” she purred in my ear. My hands flew to her hips, grinding her against me.

My bulge threatened to rip through my pants. God, I needed her now.

I just about to undo her dress when the car stopped.

She hopped off me. “We’re here,” she giggled.

~Fuck.~

~I need her soon.~

The driver opened the door. I got out and saw them—dozens of paparazzi stood waiting to be the first to catch a glimpse of the alpha’s new mate.

I smiled to myself and extended a hand into the car. Boy, were they in for a treat. I felt her hand take mine. She moved with the grace of an angel.

“You ready for this?” I asked, pulling her close and hearing the gasps of the paps behind me. She planted a kiss full of passion on me.

~“Baby, I was born ready.”~

We turned to face the crowd and walked in together hand in hand.

GIANNA

I stood facing the paparazzi, hand in hand with my mate. I had always been used to the spotlight. That was part and parcel of being royalty, but this was different.

Once the rumors started flying that Kol had found a mate, the pack gossips went on the hunt to find out who she was.

I couldn’t blame them, really. He was gorgeous. Most she-wolves would tear the pack house apart just for a taste of him.

I had always been a wild child or a party animal. I was used to crazy headlines and rumors flying around. Lies mostly.

This time, it was different. I couldn’t be wild anymore. Had I been tamed? Was that even possible? I felt a reassuring squeeze on my hand and looked at my mate.

I dazzled him with a smile; he smiled back. The questions started flying as we walked in.

“Kol! Is this the elusive mate?”

“Gianna, what are you wearing? You look fabulous!”

“Gianna, is he the one? Gianna, have you been tamed?”

“Wild child no more, Gianna?”

“Is that a mark on your neck, Gianna?”

“Is this the real deal?”

I stopped midway in the door and turned to the paparazzi. I shrugged off my shawl and smiled as they frantically snapped photos of my mark. Gasps rang out as Kol showed off his.

Hand in hand, we turned and walked into the ball.

I gasped, wide-eyed. “My God, this place is amazing!” I said, looking around.

There were tables set up around a dance floor, and ten-foot tall Christmas trees with gold and silver decorations stood in each corner.

All eyes were on us as we walked in. I spotted a few catty bitches throwing me some dirty looks. I smiled smugly. ~Yeah, try it, girls~, I thought. ~I’d happily send you home in a body bag.~

“Come on. We should go to the head table,” Kol said, leading me to the table at the top of the hall.

“Okay,” I said, smiling, “but then I need a drink.”

He laughed and changed direction to the bar. He ordered us both a whiskey on the rocks with a lemon. We cheersed to a good night and drank before we heard a cough behind us. I froze.

“So, I see you’re making different kinds of headlines now, sis?” I turned to see Diego standing behind us.

“No trouble tonight, Diego,” I warned him. “This isn’t about us; this is about the pack.”

He held his hands up in mock surrender “Hey, hey. I come in peace! I just got one question, though.”

“~What~?” I barked at him through clenched teeth. Kol put his hand on my waist.

“Babe, calm; we are getting attention.”

Diego nodded in agreement, which infuriated me. Since when had these two gotten along?

“Nice to see you again, Kol.” Diego held out a hand and shook Kol’s.

My eyes narrowed. ~What’s his game?!~

~“Diego, spit it the fuck out! What is your question?!”~ I spotted Mom and Dad walking into the hall.

Diego cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him. “Did you receive blessings from the king and queen before marking each other?” I froze, wide-eyed.

~Shit.~

~Fuck.~

~Crap.~

I closed my eyes and swallowed hard.

~Father is going to kill me.~