The Werewolf's Ball: The Resplendent Alpha

by Gabrijela Fouche'

  Sebastian was only now just beginning to understand the functions of his wolf and himself. The division of labor as it were. A werewolf could not get a female without the human form. The human could not keep that emotional distance to choose the right mate without the keeper of the emotions, the wolf. When in sync, the werewolf and man were powerful. When they had a true mate, they ascended to another, higher level of power. Werewolves who married human women but didn’t mate were only in it for the money. It was pseudo power. Those werewolves chose money. To Sebastian, money only went so far if you couldn’t produce pups. Deep down on a fundamental level, he wanted pups and he was now allowing his wolf’s emotions to join with his own. To accept Nat and to make her his mate.

  He clapped his hands as the women exited the stage. He turned and made his way to the exit. He’d seen what he’d come to see. His mind was made up. He would make her his. He would make her his mate. He had no choice now. He was feeling emotions for her that he’d never had for any other woman. He thought perhaps his own subconscious had cared for her and that was why his wolf had gone after her. He had simply counted himself too young to settle down. Fated to be mated.

  SIX

  Part of Natalya stood outside herself. She was joking and laughing with Sebastian. They were doing the last of the winter wear shoot. She’d never seen him so relaxed and gregarious. Where was the silent model? Tomorrow was the fashion ball, a celebration of the successful season. There would be awards given out, dancing, drinking and all the things that go into a ball. She’d missed last year’s ball. She’d broken her toe and she wasn’t going to the ball in an orthopedic shoe. This year however was special. She was going to meet Animal Lover at last and she had butterflies in her stomach. She sighed and applied makeup to Sebastian’s face. She was toning down his tan. He couldn’t wear winter gear if he were bronzed.

  She looked over at Tonya who winked at her. They’d not won any money for their dance but they had come in fifth place. That wasn’t bad. She looked back at Sebastian who was watching her closely. She felt a little shiver and it went right to her core. She shut it down immediately. No more fantasies. She was done with that and if at the fashion ball, Animal Lover was a looser, then she’d take another break from all men, real and virtual and their machinations. She would dive into her fantasy world but it would be with fake people, people who were not real. She would never again pin her fancies on another person. She was tired of it. Though she quite enjoyed verbal sparring with Animal Lover, she knew he wasn’t real, at least for now.

  She half expected that he’d not show up when tomorrow night came. He would text her some excuse but she was leaving her phone home. Cell phones were not allowed at the ball. Why she wasn’t sure. She thought perhaps many of the high muckety-mucks in the fashion industry didn’t want to be videoed having too good a time. A reputation lost was nearly impossible to get back and there was money and power in the fashion industry. She was on the bottom rung but she’d seen the behind the scenes and the dirty dealing that went on. She steered clear of that.

  Her attention was drawn back to Sebastian and she looked at him curiously. Why was he so suddenly sociable? So talkative? He’d even squeezed her arm a couple times. Yesterday when he’d left, he’d even leaned in for a hug. What the fairy fuck was that all about? She shook her head. Men. When she’d wanted him with all her soul, he’d not even known she existed. Now, when she’d gotten that bit of horse poop under control, he was suddenly Mr. Nice and touchy, touchy.

  Maybe if you made a move, he might reciprocate, a sinister whisper filled her head. No. She shut down that thought, that hope. She stomped on it. She wasn’t doing that to herself. She was a butterface and not very bright in his book. No. Stick with your own kind and if you don’t have a kind, then stay by yourself. Alone was better than the pain that had speared through her that day. A devastation she’d brought all on her own. She couldn’t do that again and she was still emotionally fragile when it came to Sebastian. No, he was just in a good mood because of the ball or maybe he had a new girlfriend? He always had some beautiful woman on his arm.

  “You okay, Nat?” he asked, his deep velvet voice washed over her and she had to fight the urge to drape herself all over him. To rip out his cock and suck it until his eyeballs were pulled out.

  “I’m fine. Thanks. You’re done and ready for the camera,” she said in an overbright tone. Please go, please go, before my heart breaks, she chanted silently. He smiled that beautiful smile and got up and squeezed her arm. His hand was warm and big and strong and she wanted him to wrap it around her throat and pull her to him and… shit. Stop! He was like a drug, an addiction. She sure as hell hoped that Animal Lover lived up to his pictures. She didn’t care if he were a butterface, if he was half as funny and sweet as his texts, she’d take him in a heartbeat.

  She smiled a tight smile, nodded and turned away before she embarrassed herself. Would she ever get over him? She wanted to laugh, because he had no clue. She was butterface and invisible. Don’t ever forget it, especially when he’s nice. She turned and felt the prickle of tears. Why? Why did he still affect her? She had someone else, well, kind of. Why was she so drawn to him? Why did she want to crawl all over him and rub up on him like a cat in heat? She wanted to lick him and…damnit! Stop. She went through her pockets and found a rubber band. She slipped it around her wrist and snapped it and squeaked with pain. Every time she thought of him, she would snap the hell out of herself.

  It was early evening and Natalya’s wrist burned. She’d had to take the rubber band off, she was causing a bruise to grow and she didn’t want a screwed-up wrist for tomorrow evening. She pulled out the dress she was planning to wear. It was a pale apricot color. She’d gotten it at a consignment shop last year but when she hurt her foot, she’d put it way for another time. She had altered the original dress, which had been too long for her. It had also had a weird back on it. So, she’d cut the back completely out and had taken six inches off the hem and had used that extra material to make a lacework of ties down the open back. This way, she could loosen or tighten the dress as need be. It had a formfitting bodice with a low scoop neck line. Not so low that the girls would be in danger of popping out, but that she showed halfway decent cleavage. The skirt flared out slightly though the heavy material made it cling to the hips. The sleeves were very short and just off the shoulder. The dress showed off her collarbones nicely and she had a pretty little aquamarine necklace.

  Many of the women and models that attended the ball wore nearly indecent and scandalous clothing. You could see their breasts or butt cracks half the time. Most of the models had small breast and when they bent over, the gap displayed their girls clearly to the enjoyment of the men. She’d stood back at many a party and watched. She would keep her girls covered. She planned to wear her hair up and throw a few baby’s breath in the strands. Nothing fancy. She planned on dancing and if Animal Lover was someone for her, then she was going to dance the night away with him. If he didn’t show up, then she was going to start grabbing men and dragging them to the dance floor. She was tired of waiting on the sidelines. Every man that asked her, she would not deny. She would dance with one or one hundred, but she was tired of being alone in her own head. She doubted any would ask her, but if they did, no matter how old or how ugly, she was going to dance. She was going to laugh and she was going to have a good time and she was not going to think about Sebastian. Damnit, she just thought about him.

  ↔

  Standing before the mirror with a towel around his hips, Sebastian regarded his reflection. He was at full erection and lately, seemed to stay that way. He was fairly sure that it was his wolf’s doing, but his wolf had been quiet since yesterday. And what was with yesterday, anyway? He had been a babbling fool. He had laughed and joked with Natalya, who’d looked at him like he’d lost his mind. He couldn’t seem to help himself and he didn’t know why. Was that why his animal had gone silent? Letting him have the wheel? Shit. He cringed thinking about
yesterday and she’d turned away from him, her eyes fixed with a fake smile.

  It had been all he could do not to drag her into his lap and suck her lips off her face. At first, he’d thought his wolf was up to his usual tricks, but it wasn’t the wolf. It was him and he’d kept sniffing her, inhaling her scent and it was intoxicating. Was she putting out her own pheromones? Was that it? Was she during the height of her breeding time? It was as though he were in rut and he’d wanted to have her there, not giving one shit who saw. That wasn’t like him. Was it the fact that he’d decided to mate with her? Had that been the last barrier? Now he was like the rampant werewolf.

  “Tonight, we make her ours,” he said to himself and his wolf. His eyes glowed gold and shimmered. He could see his wolf smiling back in the mirror. He looked down at his cock and saw the wolf’s cock in its place. He sighed heavily. It was going to be an uncomfortable evening. He’d have to wear loose boxers. Maybe the ones with the hearts on them? They at least wouldn’t crush his balls. Tonight, he would tell Nat who he was. That he and Animal Lover were one and the same. He’d see how she took it but he couldn’t let her know that he knew about her secret crush. He thought that might destroy her and their chances. His eyes went to the deodorant. Don’t. You want her to smell the real you, the real us. She needs that powerful intake to hook her, the wolf said.

  “What about all the others that will be affected?”

  Fuck ‘em, or rather, no don’t do that, the wolf laughed. Sebastian snorted and shook his head. He went to his closet and pulled out the tailored suit. It was one of those James Bond kinds of suits, sharp and sexy. He pulled the wolf’s head cufflinks out and set them on the dresser. He brushed his hair carefully and pulled it back into a braid. He didn’t like wearing it loose when he was dressed up. Many of his brethren did, but he preferred smooth and neat. Besides, the women liked to tug on his hair when it was loose. He dressed carefully, putting on the crisp white shirt. When he tried to put the cufflinks on, he realized his hands were shaking. He glanced up to the mirror and saw fear and uncertainty in his eyes.

  “What’s wrong with me?” he muttered.

  You face the possibility of rejection. You’ve never faced that before. You’ve always gotten your way, the wolf said.

  “Well, it’s a shitty damned feeling,” he spat.

  Welcome to Natalya’s world, the wolf hissed. Shit. What could he say? He knew his wolf was right. He pushed the guilt away. He’d not known and he’d not meant her any ill intentions. Tonight, he’d make her his mate. Make her their mate. He would take her to the room and he would make her his. And mine, the wolf added.

  ↔

  The large ballroom was filled and beautiful people were scattered like flower petals around the massive room. There were photographers, but they were scattered with specific orders to only photograph positive and beautiful pictures. No drunks, no tits, no blowjobs and so on. Only the perfect shots of perfect people. Tonya stood beside Natalya and though she knew she was only a butterface, she felt beautiful and radiant in her apricot dress.

  “I’m sure glad they’re running the AC, it’s gonna get hot as hell as the evening wears on,” Tonya said, fanning herself with her small purse. She was wearing a black, body hugging gown that had small jet beads sewn on. It shimmered in the light and she looked beautiful. Tonya had a beautiful figure, with a narrow waist and wide hips. Her breasts were high and her neck was long. She’d told Natalya once that her grandfather was an Australian Aboriginal and had migrated to the United States. Tonya’s hair was braided intricately and she had small pearls woven in and out of the braids. Her hair was swept up in a crown on the top of her head.

  “I kind of feel like a princess,” Nat confided. Tonya laughed and hugged her.

  “You look like a princess. That color looks good on you. I can’t believe you altered it. I think it looks way better than the original dress.”

  “Thanks, it fits better this way. Before, it rucked up around the waist and rubbed. I’m so nervous. Animal Lover will be here.”

  “Did he say what time he’d come?” Tonya asked, looking around the large room as though she might spot him.

  “No. He said he’d come to me. We’ve been here a half hour and he’s not come. Do you think he might have chickened out?” Nat nibbled on her bottom lip.

  “It’s early, give him time. The music is just starting and people are just beginning to loosen up and dance. He’ll be here. You’ve been flirting and texting with him for a while now. Don’t worry,” Tonya said. Both women turned when Cristian walked over with a tall handsome man. Nat’s heart did a triple beat. Was this Animal Lover? Then her heart sank as the man placed a possessive arm around Cristian’s shoulder. Cristian blushed and kissed each woman on the cheek.

  “Ladies, this is Jeff. Jeff, these are my girls. Natalya, who painted the wolf, by the way. And Tonya.” Everyone nodded, smiled, shook hands made small talk. Nat was nervous and looked around the room. She felt as though she might jump out of her skin. Where was he?

  “I’ll be back, I need a drink. Can I get you something Nat?” Tonya asked. She shook her head.

  “I’ll go with you, be back, babe,” Jeff said and left with Tonya.

  “Isn’t he just the cutest?” Cristian gushed. Natalya laughed and agreed.

  “He is. He’s a cutie. How long you two been dating?”

  “Just for a few months, but it’s going well. Oh, here comes Sebastian.”

  They turned and Sebastian walked over. Throughout the evening, only the loyalist models would come over and acknowledge the lowly stylists. Sebastian reached over and shook Cristian’s hand. He nodded to Natalia, placed a hand on her waist and kissed her cheek. They all three turned when a well-dressed man called Sebastian’s name.

  “Excuse me, sorry,” he said and left. Nat watched him hurry away and felt her heart drop. It had been a nice kiss and his hand had been so warm. Stop. She ordered. Tonight, it’s about you, not him. Only you. You’re going to have fun and you’re going to meet Animal Lover and he’s going to be wonderful and he is going to be real. A few minutes later Tonya and Jeff came back, each carrying an extra drink.

  “Brought you something. The lines are long with all the lushes. Better enjoy,” Tonya said. She handed Nat a glass of wine and she sipped at it. She glanced around the large room and watched small pockets of dancers. They were alternating between fast dancing and slow dancing. This way, the young and old could enjoy the dancefloor. Her feet were itching to dance and Jeff and Cristian drifted away. She smiled, they made a cute couple, Jeff seemed to anchor the flighty Cristian.

  She watched as the male models moved around, all looking at the women. Some looked her way and she smiled vaguely. She saw Luke and she groaned. Then she smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. Butterface. Bastard. She’d thought he was a little bit of a jerk, but he was really an asshole. Shit. He was heading toward them. Great. Play nice, she told herself. I just want to kick him in his butterface balls, she thought again.

  “Hi Nat. Hi Tonya. You wanna dance, Nat?” Luke asked. His eyes were bright and there was a sardonic glow in their depths.

  “No, thanks.” She smiled up at his shocked expression. She wanted to laugh, she didn’t think women rejected him or told him no. She still resented his butterface remark but she’d be damned if she’d let him know she’d heard him say it.

  “Hell, I’ll dance,” Tonya said and dragged the stunned Luke to the dance floor. About the time they reached the floor, the music changed to a slow song and when Luke tried to walk away, Tonya latched onto his arm and kept him there. Natalya laughed at the comical trapped expression on his face. It served him right. They were playing James Blunt’s Your beautiful. They were playing old and new tunes. It was a good song. She turned when a man came up behind her and her heart went into her throat. It was Ian Barclay; he was one of the top models, he had long wild strawberry blond hair that fell nearly to his waist.

  She’d only worked with him a few times over th
e years. He had moved on to get his own stylist and makeup artist.

  “Hi Natalya. Would you like to dance?” Ian asked, he had a deep soft brogue and it vibrated through her bones. He had bright blue eyes that seem to pierce her and he was tall, well over six feet. He had a massive chest, heavily muscled. He was one of the few well-muscled models, most were slender. She opened her mouth to say yes, but no words came out and she could only nod. He took her small hand in his large warm one and walked her to the dance floor and pulled her to him. His big hand rested at the small of her back, it was warm on her naked skin and she thought maybe wearing an opened back dress wasn’t such a good idea.

  Holy hell. He smelled wonderful and she had her hand placed on his chest and she felt the hard and heavy muscles beneath her fingertips. She had an overwhelming urge to laugh hysterically and claw him. What the hell? He pressed her in closer and she almost jerked back. He had a hard on and she could feel it through the fabric of her dress and his trousers. It was hot and seemed to move against her. She looked into his eyes and they were hypnotic. She could barely breathe; her heart was pounding in her chest and she was sure his cock could feel it. He smiled and his eyes seemed to shimmer. That was odd.

  He moved her about the floor and he lifted her bodily off the ground and pressed her harder to him and it was almost as if he were grinding up on her. What in the hell? Was he dry humping? Her face began to heat up and she looked around, no one noticed. Geez. His cock was growing and getting harder if that were even possible. The song was ending and he set her on her feet. When the song ended, he walked her back over to where he’d picked her up. He still held her hand in his large one and it seemed to burn her hand. Was this Animal Lover? She was almost afraid to ask. His dick certainly was big enough. He turned and brought her hand up to his mouth. Opening her palm, he gently licked it and then turned her wrist up, sniffed it and bit it gently. An explosion of pure pleasure hit her center and it was as close to an orgasm without actually being an orgasm. She stood, open mouthed, looking at his retreating back.