The Fall Ball
Chapter 22

(Rose)

I walk up to the table with our group. Alpha and Luna walk up and greet the King and Queen. Queen Mary looks behind Alpha Jake to me.

“And who is this young beauty you brought with you?” she asks.

“This is Rose she is the daughter of one of my fiercest warriors. She is having some problems at the pack, so I thought it wise to bring her here early for her protection. And the gentleman next to her is Craig. He is one of my warriors and is Rose’s bodyguard.” Alpha responds.

“Well it is nice to have you all here. Why don’t we eat? I am sure you are all hungry after your travels.” King James says.

“Yes please,” I say to him.

We all take our seats at the table. There is so much food, I don’t know where to start. I decide a salad would be a good start. I eat my salad and then I grab some of the chicken and a baked potato. I see Craig watching me.

“Do you have anything you’d like to say?” I ask him.

“No, I was just making sure you were eating. You don’t eat much, and I want to make sure you are okay,” he says.

“I am fine. You don’t have to worry about me. I know how to take care of myself.” I say. I finish my plate. The others are still eating. So I just patiently sit and listen to their conversation.

“Rose, there is more than enough food. Please be sure to help yourself and get your fill.” King James says to me.

“Oh, I am fine. I don’t eat very much.” I tell him.

“And why is that?” Queen Mary asks me.

“Umm…” I look at Alpha Jake, and he nods at me. Letting me know that it is okay to tell him.

“I was adopted as a newborn. They don’t know where I came from. And I never got my wolf. With no wolf, I don’t need as much food as the others.” I say to him.

“Impossible,” King James says.

“With all due respect sir, I’m pretty sure I would know if I had a wolf or not. And I don’t have one. No extradentary senses. No shifting. And no one else in my mind but me.” I explain to him.

Laughter erupts from him. “You don’t know what you need to look for. I can smell her and sense her. She is a very powerful wolf! I’m thinking she is keeping away for a reason. When the time comes she will come forward. And we are all gonna be in for a shock of a lifetime.” He says to me, with a smile on his face.

All eyes at the table turn to me. My mouth is hanging wide open. I am in shock. The king just laughed at me and told me I knew nothing about myself.

“We have informed her that we believe she has an inactive wolf. But she doesn’t believe us. Maybe she will now. This is also the reason I wanted to bring her, she has shown some interesting signs of things happening to her.” Alpha Jake says to the King.

“I would like to request a personal meeting with you later on today, if that is okay with you? I have some brand-new information that I received late last night and I would appreciate someone else to look at it and give me some advice on it. And I would like to fill you in on more information about Rose.” Alpha Jake says.

“I have plenty of time for the rest of the day. Maybe the girls can visit and do some shopping. Mary here hasn’t gotten her dress for the ball yet.” King James says with a laugh.

“Yes that would be perfect the girls here also need to find their dresses as well.” Alpha Jake says.

I just sit there quietly while they all discuss our plans for the day. Seems I am just along for the ride. Craig leans over to me.

“So looks like we are doing some shopping today.” He says.

“Yeah, looks like it,” I respond.

The others finish eating and we get up.

“I’m gonna go and grab my wallet so I have it just incase I find my dress today,” I tell them all.

“Ahh. No need for that my dear. It would be my pleasure to purchase anything you find today that catches your eye. And that applies for you too, Luna Liz.” King James says.

“Thank you my King,” Luna says.

“Yes thank you for that. I appreciate it very much.” I say to him.

He just nods at us with a smile.

We walk to the front door. As we are about to go out, someone walks in.

“Thank you for finally blessing us all with your presence.” King James says. We all watch the new person at the door. And I instantly bow as I recognize who it is.

Prince Ash, the Future King is standing directly in front of me.

“No need for formalities. Seems this is a friendly meeting. And we can keep it as it is.” Ash says looking at me.

I stand up and nod at him.

Everyone starts talking and introducing themselves. And I just stand there. Something strange is happening to me. I feel drawn to Ash, this has never happened before.

When he gets to me. He looks at me and smiles. “You must be the beautiful Rose my father was telling me about. It is a shame I missed out on joining you for lunch.” He says with a smile.

“Yes, I am Rose.” I squeak out. My actions make Luna and Queen giggle. The King and Alpha are smiling at me. Craig is just watching with a knowing look; he seems to know something that I don’t.

Prince Ash reaches his hand out to shake mine. As I put my hand in his I gasp. As does everyone else in the room.

Sparks… there was sparks!