Chapter 3


    3


    When I finally decided to get out of the shower, my phone was ringing but I made the decision to ignore


    it. Instead, I got ready in myfy clothes and brushed my freshly washed hair.


    A knock at my door made me jump. Who was there? Sighing, I walked over and looked through the


    peep hole. It was only Zoya. I opened the door and was crushed in hug. I rxed in Zoya’s embrace


    and hugged her back. I didn’t realise how badly I needed this hug.


    “I’m so sorry Aarya. I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but I didn’t want to hurt you even more. I just


    want you to know that you are so strong, and I am so proud of you for not making a scene but just


    epting it. It must be hard for you,” Zoya said, still hugging me.


    “Thanks for being there for me Zoya and giving me the time and space, I needed. So, what brings you


    here? My brother annoying you.” I teased.


    Zoyaughed and replied, “No, not today. He is under strict instructions not to piss me off today. I don’t


    want to be turning up to the Lycan Ball with a mate when I am pissed at him. Actually, there is another


    reason I am here.”


    I rose my eyebrows in question and Zoya sat down on my bed and patted the space next to her. I sat


    down and looked at her in confusion.


    “It isn’t anything bad. Mom just wanted me to remind you about something important. I knew you


    probably forget after everything. Remember tonight we aren’t the only pack at the ball, there is another


    important packing. Your cousins pack!”


    I gasped. How could I have forgotten? My dad had a younger sister who found her mate in another


    pack, so she moved there. They have twin daughters, my cousins. I am very close to them both and


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    they are only a year younger than me. Last time I saw them was Christmasst year. I couldn’t wait for


    the ball. All thoughts of Hunter flew out of my head, now I was super excited to see my cousins again.


    Niya and Diya Chopra, identical twins who were my best friends during my childhood. Oh, how I have


    missed them. Seeing the smile on my face, Zoya said, “I love that smile! I knew you would be happy


    when I told you this. Now you get some rest before getting ready.”


    After saying goodbye to Zoya, Iy on my bed and decided to finish my book I was reading in the car. I


    had about 40 minutes before I needed to start getting ready and that was enough time for me to finish


    my book. So, I was sucked into the world of my mystery book. When I finally finished reading, I


    stretched and reached over to my phone which was on charge still. I had a few messages from Sophia


    saying she was excited to see me and from Niya and Diya also saying they couldn’t wait to see me.


    After responding to the messages, I scrolled through Instagram as I had time. Before long, I had to


    leave the warm,fy bed and begin the tedious process of getting ready.


    My hair was the first thing I tackled as it was still wet. So, after drying it, I decided to curl it. But before


    that, I put on my dress. It was a maroon coloured dress that came just above my knees. It was one of


    those dresses that was shorter at the front and longer at the back. My dress was also off the shoulder. I


    loved it because it was simple but also suited me. Then I got started on my hair which was rtively


    long and was easy to curl. Once it was curled, I decided to do a half up half down hairstyle. Looking in


    the mirror, I was pleased with the way my hair turned out.


    Now it was time for the longest part, makeup. Sitting down on the hotel desk, I pulled out all my


    makeup I had bought and my trusty mirror which I always use. 30 minutester, my makeup was


    finished, and I was pleased with it. I decided to keep it simple because I didn’t want to go all out,


    although I had put on falseshes which I rarely do.


    Next stage was jewellery, I wore simple earrings in all my piercings. Yes, I do have a few piercings. My


    ne was a simple gold chain with a heart shaped pendent, my grandparents got it for me when I


    turned 16. I wore my charm bracelet that I got when I was 18 from my parents and I was good to go.


    Obviously, before I left, I had to take some pictures but then I realised I was runningte. Quickly


    putting on my heels and packing a little bag with all the necessary things in, I left my room. Mom had


    texted and told me toe to her room, so that’s where I headed.


    As soon as mom opened the door, she gasped. “Oh my baby looks so gorgeous.”


    Iughed and thanked her as I walked into my parents room. Dad smiled and told me I looked like a


    princess and Zoya corrected him saying I looked like a queen. I rolled my eyes at thatment. Sai


    announced that he would have to keep an eye on me because apparently, the whole male poption


    would try and hit on me. Zoya hit him and said to loosen up. After Sai got told off by Zoya for being too


    overprotective, we all took some pictures and headed downstairs.


    Carter was standing in the lobby and smirked when he saw me. “Wow Smiley. Who knew you could


    clean up nicely?”


    “Wow who knew you were such a jerk? Oh, that’s right, everyone.” I teased.


    Carter rolled his eyes causing me tough. On the insistence of all the parents, we had photos taken.


    Carter made me take silly photos, saying that it would look perfect on his Instagram. I said his 3


    followers would really appreciate it. Carter was the best at getting me back to my normal self, us joking


    and insulting each other was part of our friendship. The best thing was, I was so busy having fun that I


    didn’t even notice Hunter and Lana standing there. It was only when we had to leave and the cars


    turned up, did I realise they were standing there the whole time. I nced at hunter who was actually


    looking at me. Before I would have melted seeing him look at me but today, I just smiled and turned


    back round. Carter held my hand as we got into the car. Since Carter was the Alpha, the car we were


    riding in was just for him and his Beta. Luckily, I sat in the front with Carter while Hunter and Lana were


    in the back.


    The pce was only 15 minutes away, I could handle a car journey with Hunter. As soon as the car


    started moving, Hunter and Lana started eating each other’s faces off. The noises they made were


    awful. I looked at Carter who had an angry look on his face.


    “Hunter. I don’t appreciate you and your mate making all those noises. I am trying to have a


    conversation here so shut it.” Carter said sternly.


    The kissing stopped immediately, I had never heard Carter be so serious but I was actually d he


    was. Those noises were going to make me be sick.


    “Anyway, Smiley. You better not leave my side tonight. I know that unmated males would love to get


    with you.” Carter said.


    “Wow. Sai said something like that. I am not going to go with any unmated male anyway. I want to


    spend time with Sophia and my cousins. Priorities.” I replied.


    “That’s my smiley. Always wants to be with friends and family.” Carter said proudly.


    “Hey, what if you find your mate? I mean there are going to be loads of people there. Your mate might


    be among them.” I asked, looking at how Carter’s eyes lit up when I mentioned the word “mate”.


    “Yeh maybe. Wouldn’t that be something.” Carter replied.


    “Hmmm… I would have to warn her though; how crazy you are and how you have no friends.” I joked.


    “Whatever you say smiley. I know you love me.” Carter winked.


    We didn’t get to talk for much longer as we arrived at the pce. Carter helped me get out and we


    waited for our families to arrive as well. When everyone arrived, we had to go through strict security.


    After that was over, I gasped as we entered the pce. It was gorgeous, the high ceilings with the


    intricate designs. The decorations all suited the colour scheme of the ce. Sophia had done an


    amazing job.


    “Aarya!” Sophia’s voice travelled through the crowds.


    Iughed as she rushed over to me and engulfed me in a massive hug. “Hey Sophia, you think you can


    let go now? You’re crushing me.” I asked.


    Sophia let go immediately and apologised, I teased her saying, “Someone clearly doesn’t know her


    own strength.”


    That was when Luke made his presence known, “That’s because she trains with me every day, she is


    an amazing fighter.” He boasted.


    I rolled my eyes as Luke gave me a friendly hug. “Of course, you’d say she’s an amazing fighter. She is


    your mate.” Iughed.


    Lukeughed and shook Carters hand, after introducing himself. Sophia noticed Hunter and Lana walk


    past us and her eyes suddenly snapped to mine. I shook my head and her eyes turned cold.


    “Whatever. My best friend looks absolutely stunning, she is definitely the prettiest here.” Sophia


    gushed, I knew she said it louder than needed.


    One because I know my best friend and two because Hunter turned around and Sophia had a satisfied


    smile on her face. I shook my head at her, she would never change. Lycan or not.


    “Well not as beautiful as you. Someone is having a very hard time keeping his eyes off of you.” I


    teased.


    Sophia didn’t get a chance to react as Carter handed us both drinks and we engaged in small talk. It


    must have been about 10 minutester when two very familiar voices shouted my name and Carter


    whipped his head around so fast saying the word I loathed, “mate”.