Spring came faster than I expected, and with it, the chaos of the annual mating ball. Originally, the ball was for wolves who were 18 and older, a chance for them to find their mate if they were in the pack. The twist, though, is that no one can sense their mate until the first full moon after their 18th birthday—so if your mate was older or younger, you had to wait it out.

About a decade ago, the school council decided that all high schoolers could attend. In other words, they replaced the spring dance with the mating ball to avoid having to chaperone two events. It became the biggest night of the year, and by April, it was the only thing on anyone’s mind.

Everyone except me, of course.

I’ve never been excited about dances, and formal wear was a form of torture, thanks to my dad. Anytime he dragged Leo and me to some official event, I was dressed like the Queen of England—stiff, formal, and anything but comfortable. Skirt suits and straight jackets were one and the same to me. So, naturally, the idea of prancing around in heels and a fancy dress held zero appeal.

But Kylie? She was obsessed. She had sketched out more dress designs than I could count, bursting with excitement over everything from fabrics to hairstyles. The fact that neither of us would find our mates didn’t deter her in the slightest.

“You still have to dress to impress,” she insisted, waving off my logic as nonsense.

One day at advanced training, Kylie took her scheming to the next level by dragging Luna Ava into it.

“So, what color do you think would look best on Selene, Luna?” she asked innocently, as if it were just small talk.

The question blindsided me. I froze mid-spar, and before I could dodge, the female warrior I was sparring with swept my feet out from under me.

As I hit the ground with a thud, I groaned inwardly. At least Alpha Michael had made these training sessions private—no spectators meant no one would see my lapse in focus or overhear this embarrassing conversation.

Luna Ava didn’t even break her rhythm. "She could pull off several colors. A blue would make her eyes pop, but deep jewel tones would look amazing on her skin."

"See!" Kylie said triumphantly. "I told you!"

“Selene won’t even go dress shopping with me,” Kylie pouted dramatically, “and she’s this close to skipping the dance. I can’t go alone, Luna! This is my only year here—I have to experience the ball!”

I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples. I was not going to win this. Luna Ava’s knowing smile told me that much.

“Oh, sweetheart, you have to go,” Luna Ava said, pausing her sparring to give me an encouraging look. “You’ll have fun, I promise. And who’s going to keep those boys out of trouble if you don’t?”

“That’s impossible. No one keeps the boys out of trouble,” I muttered, earning a round of laughter from the women around us.

“I still don’t see the point,” I grumbled, rubbing my shoulder. “Why wear uncomfortable clothes and shoes just to play dress-up for a mate I can’t even sense yet?”

Luna Ava and the others laughed knowingly. They weren’t wrong, but they weren’t exactly helping, either. I could feel myself caving, and they knew it.

“I promise, it won’t be as bad as you think,” Luna Ava said, smiling warmly. “And if you hate shopping, we can find you something from one of my old dresses. You’d look stunning—we’ll make it fun.” She clapped her hands like this was already a done deal.

“Fine,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “I’ll go. But I have conditions—”

Before I could finish, the women squealed in triumph, loud enough to grab the guys’ attention from across the field.

“What’s got you all excited, love?” Alpha called, walking up to Luna Ava and wrapping his arm around her waist. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek—he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her, no matter where they were. It was... adorable, actually.

“We just convinced Selene to go to the mating ball!” Luna Ava announced with a wide grin.

I winced, instinctively shielding my eyes from the sudden spotlight.

“You weren’t planning on going?” Ethan’s voice rumbled from nearby. He stood with his arms crossed, his usual defensive stance making him look even more intimidating.

Why would he care if I went? He had Marnie to keep him company anyway, and there was no way I’d be hanging out with the guys with Stacey and her crew hovering around.

“Uh, no,” I replied. “Where have you been these last few years? I hate all this formal nonsense, and I’m not old enough to find my mate, so what’s the point?”

“Because it’s my only chance to go,” Kylie chimed in. “And we’re going shopping this weekend!”

“We’re coming too,” Devin announced, smirking as he stepped closer. “For, uh... professional opinions.”

Kylie squealed and jumped away as Devin tried to wrap his sweaty arms around her.

“Gross!” she cried, swatting at him with her towel. “Go shower before you touch me!”

I laughed, trying to hide my own discomfort at the idea of shopping with these guys.

“You just want to laugh at me trying on dresses,” I accused Devin.

“Maybe,” he teased, dodging me when I aimed a playful kick at his butt.

“I bet you’ll make all the other girls jealous,” Ryan chimed in, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I groaned, fighting the blush rising to my cheeks. “Fine. You can come. But you’re buying me food,” I shot back.

“Deal, Little Bit,” Devin grinned. He ducked behind Leo as I tried to kick him again, making everyone laugh.

Before I could escape, Ryan grabbed me from behind and lifted me onto his lap, keeping me in place as the others chuckled.

“Hey, Ryan, you’ve got a little something on your back,” Ethan teased, walking over and lifting me off Ryan by my armpits like a rag doll. My feet dangled helplessly, and I fought the urge to squirm—Ethan’s massive hands were dangerously close to my chest, and the realization made my cheeks flame all over again.

“Put me down, a**hole!” I kicked my legs, earning another round of laughter.

“Need a hand with your baggage?” Ryan quipped, scooping me into a bridal carry. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, trying not to think about how close we were.

Before I could get too comfortable, Aaron stepped up, grinning wickedly. “That’s not how you carry her, idiot.”

With one quick motion, Aaron threw me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. I squealed, laughing despite myself as he gave my leg a playful squeeze.

“Is Selene your new toy now?” Kylie teased, laughing as she smacked my butt.

The impact made me let out a little squeak, which only made everyone laugh harder.

This was going to be an absolute disaster. I could feel it already.