CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

(MELIORA'S POV)

Soon, we emerged once more unto the lamplit square of the village, our eyes were immediately drawn to the dazzling epicenter of the evening's festivities.

Long trestle tables were filled with succulent roasted meats, steaming dishes of stew, and heaping mounds of hearty breads. Colorful clothes, twinkling lanterns and bright swags of flowers lent an air of vibrant festivity.

And in the open grassy space left bare in the center, a large area had clearly been designated for music and dancing - while the music band were already playing soft music.

"Oh, over here!" Martha hissed urgently, gesturing us toward an empty table far away from the rest already filling the more centrally located ones. "We'll be able to sit peacefully here without being disturbed."

My shoulders sagged with relief at her wise thinking. Trying to appear nonchalant and unruffled as we settled into our seats, I worked to keep my face averted from the primarily occupied tables. Let me pass through this night unmolested...

No sooner had Martha returned from fetching us all goblets of mulled wine, than a hush fell over the assembled crowd as a small procession entered the green.

My gaze immediately snapped toward the unmistakable figures - the powerfully built alpha himself, proud and imposing in ceremonial robes of forest green and black...flanked by the regal Luna in a floor-length gown of rich sapphire velvet.

And there, slightly behind and to one side, was the ambitious Selene - luminously lovely in a gown of palest shimmering gold. With her glowing, artfully made-up features and sleek coiffure, she radiated an atmosphere of grace as she walked.

"Oooh, would you look at that?" Beth hissed none-too-quietly in my ear, eyes glittering as she openly ogled the alpha's daughter. "Even that priss Selene cleans up rather nicely, doesn't she? Still, she's got nothing on your natural charms tonight, Liora!"

I flushed crimson, giving her a sharp look. "Don't be ridiculous, I couldn't even match the beauty of her dress.."

I muttered, though my gaze was drawn inexorably back to the ceremonial dais where the alpha family had mounted a short staircase.

"Who's concerned about an expensive dress when you look finer than her?" Beth's whisper was heated with admiration as she boldly ogled me up and down.

I opened my mouth to retort, but the Alpha's presence already required attention.

Raising one powerfully muscled arm, he commanded silence from the murmuring crowd with merely a sweeping gaze. When the last murmurs died, he began.

"Ladies and gentlemen from far and near, I welcome you most gloriously on this hallowed night." His words carried the unmistakable charm.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence at this beautiful ceremony. As you were all informed, my daughter Selene has come of age and tonight wishes to select a mate from these handsome and delectable faces I see tonight."

My gaze was inexorably drawn to the shimmering vision beside him - Selene. There could be no doubt she expected to inspire awe in any potential suitors here tonight.

"I believe the rites of courtship we are about to witness shall produce an ideal mate worthy of standing at my daughter's side," the alpha continued. "So let the feasting commence - eat, drink, before the actual mating begins!"

With that, he sat at the head of the large table, flanked on either side by his stoic, elegant mate, the Luna and their luminously beautiful daughter.

Instantly, the crowd began eating from different meals on each table.

Reaching for a succulent roast hen quarter, I tried to focus on filling my belly as best as I could.

"Oh Liora, you can't just bury your nose in the platters all night!" Suzanne's teasing voice broke through my reverie. I glanced up to see the others were brazenly craning their necks and fixing raptly on different points across the crowded green.

Following their lines of sight, I felt my cheeks warm despite myself. Several new faces of wolf bachelors had arrived at the pack too.

"Look over there - do you believe the blonde is the most handsome among all?" Martha punctuated her whispered debate staring at Anna.

Anna huffed audibly, shaking her head as she replied in a tone dripping with challenge. "Well check out the muscular brunette over at that table. Doesn't he make your heart skip a beat?"

I couldn't restrain my gaze from flicking in that direction as well. Both men were handsome indeed.

To my surprise, my wandering survey was abruptly arrested by my eyes locking with those of someone intimately familiar. Simon - the raven-haired, quietly heroic hunter whom I told the girls was most handsome.

Our locked gazes held for a suspended moment before he smiled at me. I felt my pulse quicken traitorously, but I masked it up.

"Hey - who are those girls over there?" Suzanne was peering quizzically at a cluster of primped beauties, clearly outsiders in our midst. "I don't seem to recognize them from around here."

Beth arched one delicate eyebrow coolly. "Well, they must be Selene's friends from whatever city she's been studying in these past few years. Here to help celebrate her 'grand' mating ceremony, no doubt."

I suppressed a snort at her derisive tone, allowing my eyes to drift over the haughty group in question. Their painted faces and opulent gowns marked them rich...though they would show me nothing from the life I came from.

"Well, who do you suppose Selene will choose among all these strapping, strong-jawed wolves?" Anna mused, giving an overly theatrical swoon against Martha's shoulder before dissolving into girlish snickers.

Suzanne did not seem as inclined to maidenly mirth. "Well it had better not be hunter Dave she sets her claws into," she tilted her head in his direction.

"I haven't seen him since the festivities started until now!" she bemoaned.

As I turned to look at Dave for the first time, I felt a smoldering gaze so I looked in the direction. It was Selene looking at us with disgust.

She made a derisive moue before returning her attention to the alpha, likely knowing their private commentary on us lowly maidens.

In a low, urgent mutter, I cautioned: "Oops...we might want to focus on our food and not be so carried by checking the males, if we don't want to invite trouble."

"Oh tish, Liora - she can only choose one man for herself tonight," Martha scoffed robustly. An impish gleam entered her eye as she smirked at me. "That still leaves plenty of others free for us to choose too or be chosen, does it not?"

Laughter broke around our table at her comment. She was right, the Alpha's daughter can only choose one man among the dashing young men.