Chapter Twenty-Two.

Leon

I buttoned up my tux jacket carefully before adjusting the collars of the blue shirt I was wearing underneath. I couldn't stand bow ties or ties chocking my neck so I never bothered wearing them, even on special occasions.

After combing my hair back, I looked into the mirror but couldn't find myself being satisfied with the look so I ruffled my jet-black hair and then combed it in a right-side parting, hoping my mate would like my look.

As I stared myself in the mirror, my blue eyes seemed more happier than ever. Before when I used to attend Luna balls, my eyes were always a little sad and disappointed because I hadn't found my mate. But tonight, it was me who was hosting the Luna ball for my mate, my Luna.

I think she will approve. Maybe a tie...? My wolf suggested and I scrutinized my look in the mirror before shrugging.

If she asks, then I will. I said.

A knock came on my door suddenly and I turned towards it as I called out. "Come in."

The door opened and to my surprise, Xander stood there. I raised an eyebrow at him in question and he held a tie up in the air.

"Mom is getting ready and told me to ask you for help." He said and I chuckled. I motioned for him to come forward and he slowly obliged.

"I don't like you too, you know." I said quietly as I took the tie from him and then kneeled down to his height. "Bella and you both are too young to be mates. I hope you realise that." I said and he frowned.

"But we are mates. You can't do anything about that. You're not even her real father." He said and I frowned, feeling a little hurt by that.

"A father isn't who someone is biologically related to. He takes care of the family. That makes me Bella's father. And don't you dare say that again." I said as I tied the first knot on the tie.

"So, you don't like me as a father?" He asked with a frown.

"A boys wolf is very hormonal. Your wolf keeps telling you to mark Bella, doesn't he?" I asked but Xander shook his head to my surprise.

"He keeps telling me that neither of us are ready for it. Too young." He said and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Smart wolf you have there then. I'm glad he hid himself from the Elders." I said and Xander cracked a smile.

"He says it was a piece of cake. He had to do it many times whenever Alpha Blake came over to our house." He said and his face darkened. I adjusted the tie before straightening his jacket.

"He's going to be here tonight. I want you and your wolf to not lash out on him. I've already told him that you and your mom are under my protection and the Elders will protect you two as well. Am I understood? You can't lose yourself in anger and hate for him." I said and Xander nodded slowly.

"We'll try." He said and I smiled, feeling like I had taken a step forward for the better with Xander.

"Good. Now let's go."

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that your breath left your body and you forgot how to even breathe? Felt your heart pound loudly in your chest from seeing something so heartbreakingly beautiful? That's how I felt when I saw my mate for the first time that night. She was wearing a midnight blue dress, a small slit that was showing the hints of her legs. I held my hand out to her as she neared the end of the steps and she took it with a shy smile.

"You look beautiful. Breathtakingly so." I whispered and she blushed. Her eyelids were coloured the same blue as her dress, a little hint of eyeliner could be seen also, but she mostly kept her look natural. Her hair was curled up and made into a neat bun behind her head.

"Thank you." She said softly and I offered her the crook of my arm. Bella and Xander started walking towards the door of the mansion and I could hear music playing to entertain the Alphas and their Lunas until it was time for us to enter the training ground which once again had been changed into a floor for the ball.

"It's time." Dad said and I nodded at him. He nodded back and walked out of the mansion with mom.

"Don't be nervous, alright? It'll be fine and I won't be leaving you for a single minute if you don't want me to." I said and she nodded with a small, nervous smile.

"Thank you."

"Good evening Alpha's and Luna's. Thank you for attending this ball. May I present my mate and the Luna of this pack, Jennifer!" I said loudly and all the Alpha's and Luna's clapped.

"About time you held this ball, Wolf!" A voice shouted and I laughed when I saw who it was.

"I know, Greyson!" I shouted back and everyone laughed. George Grayson had been my best friend since diaper days. Our fathers were best friends from their college days and used to visit us often and vice versa. "That's my best friend, George Greyson." I told Jennifer softly in her ear and she nodded with a chuckle.

"Seemed like it." She said and I laughed.

"Come. I'll introduce you to the Alphas and Lunas." I said and started leading her into the crowd.

Socializing wasn't something I excelled at. It took a little practice through the years but I was still a little rusty. Small talk wasn't my forte either, but after being an Alpha for the past ten years, I had learned what to say to make small talk with people.

It came handy tonight.

Jennifer had slowly started opening up as we socialized even more. Her nervousness and shyness had decreased as the minutes passed. Even though Jennifer got some looks from some Alpha's for being a human Luna, they had warmed up to her after we had talked to them for a while.

I was glad that all of them loved Jennifer. Even though I didn't need their approval, I was told many times how my mate seemed like worth the wait for such a large pack and me. I couldn't have agreed more with them.

"So how did you meet?" One of the Luna's asked and we chuckled.

"I came to take the job of his assistant." Jennifer said and the Luna chuckled.

"Must have been quiet a meeting. Did the truth of him being a werewolf scare you?" She asked and Jennifer immediately replied.

"No. Not at all." She said and then clamped her mouth shut quickly. I gave her waist a small, reassuring squeeze. The Luna frowned.

"It didn't?" She asked.

"I actually... As a teen, I had always wondered what it would be like to have werewolf's truly exist. So it was like a dream come true in the end." Jennifer said quickly and then softly sighed in relief. The Luna and I chuckled but for completely different reasons.

Nice save. I told her and she flushed.

"I see. Excuse me for a bit." She said and then walked towards her mate who had called her.

"Daddy!" I heard Bella shout. We turned around and saw Bella running over to us as quickly as she could at her normal speed. Bella was dressed in a white dress with a blue bow tied behind her back. Vines and leaves of blue decorated the end. I could hear her heart pound loudly as she stared at me with wide eyes.

"What's wrong, Bella?" I asked and Bella panted as she reached me for a while but I knew she was just acting for the sake of the crowd watching us.

"Xander. Someone is trying to take him away!" She exclaimed and my eyes widened.

"Lead the way." I said and followed Bella when she started running towards the back of the mansion.

"Pathetic pup! You belong to me!" A voice shouted and I quickened my speed when I recognised it.

A man was hovering over Xander as he lay down on the grass. I could smell the metallic scent of blood and my vision went red. I quietly ran over to them and grabbed the man by the back of his shirt before throwing him away from Xander. He crashed into a tree and I could see the trunk breaking as the body hit it.

"You okay?" I asked Xander as I held my hand out to him. He was bleeding by his lip and his cheek was bruised. Xander nodded slowly and took my hand. I helped him up and Bella hugged him tightly without a word.

"I didn't lash out." He said quietly and I smiled.

"How dare you, you pa-" The man cut himself off when he saw who threw him. I gave him the deadliest glare I could muster.

"I told you to stay away from them, Blake."