#Chapter 6: Mate Ball

(Logan’s POV) At first, it was the Beta who saw the invitation. He cries out in shock, "Alpha! The princess is Evelyn?" What? Evelyn? My heart races as I lift my head and followed his finger. He suddenly lowered the invitation and shook his head. "Sorry. It's just the same first name. I must have been mistaken." I take a closer look at the invitation and notice the royal surname and title. I shake my head, "Aaron, she can't be the princess." It’s only a coincidence. My mother notices my hesitation and leans in to look over my shoulder. She picks up the invitation, her sharp eyes narrowing as she examines it. “Evelyn? Logan, I know what you’re thinking, but honestly, how could it possibly be that rogue?” she scoffs, a sneer tugging at her lips. “There are plenty of people with the same first name.” I nod slightly, not bothering to respond. “Yeah, that’s true.” My mother doesn’t need much encouragement to continue. She’s eager for me to attend the mate ball. She’s been relentless about it ever since the royal family announced the event. “You should take this as an opportunity,” she says, her tone brisk and businesslike. “It’s time you found a proper wife, Logan. You’ve wasted enough time already.” Her words are grating on me as they always do. She’s made her opinion on Evelyn clear from the very beginning. To her, Evelyn was nothing more than a rogue-a stain on the reputation of our pack. Even now, she can’t resist slipping in a subtle jab. “Mother, it’s not as easy as that,” I sgh sitting back. “Things…are complicated.” “Complicated,” she snorts in derision. “I doubt that very much Logan.” “I have Emma, she will do just as well as Evelyn did. Better as far as I can tell.” “Emma is from a noble family. She’s a thousand times better than Evelyn ever was,” my mother continues, waving the invitation in her hand as if it’s some kind of proof. “But even Emma isn’t the best you can do. You’re the Alpha, Logan! You should be aiming higher.” Her voice is sharp, but I barely hear her. My thoughts are elsewhere. It’s not the first time she’s brought up Emma in this way, and I know it won’t be the last. In her eyes no mate will ever be good enough. Not until she is sitting the halls of the great Alpha King, will she be satisfied. Mother sees marriage as nothing more than a union of interests—a way to strengthen alliances and secure political power. It doesn’t matter to her if there’s love or connection. After all, her own marriage to my father was nothing more than a political arrangement. It’s starting to annoy me. I glance up from the invitation, my gaze cold and steady. “Mother,” I say curtly, cutting off her rant. “Leave me to my work.” She frowns, clearly unhappy with my tone, but she doesn’t push back. “Fine,” she says, straightening her posture. “But don’t forget, Logan—you haven’t even agreed to the divorce yet. Punish the rogue accordingly for her disobedience and prepare yourself for a queen.” She leaves the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The sound fades as the door swings shut behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I had instructed my Beta to investigate where Evelyn went and who the man in the car with her was that day. It’s been days since she left, and I still don’t have any answers. “Beta,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “What did you find out about the car?” He shifts uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. “The security footage was blurry,” he admits. “The license plate is encrypted. Confidential. We couldn’t trace it.” I narrow my eyes, my jaw tightening. “What about the man? Did you find out who he was?” The Beta hesitates for a moment before shaking his head. “No, Alpha. We couldn’t get a clear look at him. He could have been a driver, or…” “Or what?” I ask sharply, my voice cutting through the air. He straightens, his expression is pained. “Or someone she knew.” I wave him off, dismissing him before he can say anything else. As the door closes behind him, I lean forward, my elbows resting on the desk. The image of Evelyn hugging that man flashes in my mind, uninvited and unwelcome. My hands curl into fists, a sharp pang of frustration coursing through me. But then I shake my head. It doesn’t matter. Where could she possibly go? What could she possibly do? Evelyn is penniless, powerless, and alone. A rogue with no connections. She’ll be back soon enough. I turn my attention back to the stack of papers on my desk. There’s too much to do—political matters to handle, pack affairs to manage, and Emma’s treatments to oversee. Without Evelyn here, I’m starting to notice small things slipping through the cracks. Beta and the servants are doing their best, but they’re missing the details Evelyn used to handle quietly and efficiently. And yet, I can’t bring myself to focus completely. My thoughts keep drifting back to her. To the way she walked out without hesitation, leaving behind everything—even the ring. The days pass quickly, and the mate ball approaches. My mother is relentless, constantly reminding me of the event and pressuring me to attend. “You can’t miss this, Logan,” she says one morning, standing in the doorway of my office. “The princess is supposed to be incredibly beautiful and capable. She’d be a perfect match for you.” I ignore her, barely glancing up from the report in front of me. Her words mean nothing to me. My mind is elsewhere—on Evelyn, not some stranger at a mate ball. The last thing I need is more complications or matters to attend to. I am drowning in complications enough as it is. Eventually, I give in, if only to stop her incessant nagging. “Fine, Mother. If you will stop berating me with this request.” I say, setting the report aside. “I’ll go.” She beams, clearly pleased with herself. “Good. And take Emma with you. She’ll make a wonderful impression.” I nod absently, waving her off. I don’t care about impressions. If I’m going, it’s only to network with other influential Alphas. The mate ball is nothing more than a political opportunity. Besides, I have Emma. When the night of the event arrives, I don’t feel any excitement or anticipation. I’m dressed in a simple black suit, ignoring my mother’s suggestions to wear something more extravagant. Emma clings to my arm as we arrive at the palace, her smile bright but forced. She is a silent regret, but I will make do. The palace is grand, its golden gates shining brightly under the moonlight. The sound of laughter and music drifts through the air as we step inside. The mell of the grand banquet is savoury, the desserts sweet. Almost immediately, I overhear whispers from the other guests. “Have you seen the princess yet?” one woman says, her voice filled with admiration. “She’s stunning.” “And so impressive,” another man adds. “I hear she’s not just beautiful—she’s intelligent and strong, too. A true Alpha Queen.” Their words barely register. I nod politely as we pass by, but my focus is elsewhere. My thoughts are still on Evelyn.