The Alpha's Daughter

Chapter 2: Introductions

Colin, the head server, was an attractive wolf in his day - truly the Alpha did not allow those who may reflect poorly on him physically to work in his presence. He was well presented in a servers tuxedo as he rushed to open the large double doors for the first of the guests. Announcing each in turn was a formality the Alpha insisted on, making it seem he was above recalling the names or stations of his guests, though Alpha Jack kept meticulous details about who they were.

The first of the guests, unsurprisingly, were our own affluent pack members, and their unmated daughters. Summer noted not all were even 18 yet, so any hope that they'd discover they were Luca's true mate was in vain. She couldn't blame them for trying, though. Luna was an esteemed position in the pack, and Luca wasn't as bad as her father, at least.

Girls preened and primped themselves in an effort to catch Luca's eye, one, Vanessa, was so bold as to meet his gaze, and tell him for all to hear that she was so certain she was his that they needn't wait for confirmation before making things physical. Luca laughed good humoredly at that, playing it off as a joke, but Summer watched his gaze follow her dark haired, sultry figure a little longer.

The pack members were dispersed quite quickly as higher ranking guests from other packs began arriving. As every family was announced, Summer tensed, waiting for her father's hand to indicate which were the three he'd decided he wanted as sons in law. The eligible daughters far outnumbered them, of course, but the difference was, Luca was not expected to choose one, they were gathering for his convenience, so his wolf may more easily find his fated mate. Summer wasn't getting that opportunity - she was being forced to take a chosen mate, and not even her choice of mate.

Alpha Jack's arm encircled her hips as he pushed Summer forward suddenly.

"The honourable Alpha Marco of the Crescent Moon pack" announced Colin. The Alpha was not unattractive - Alphas rarely were - but he was not well groomed. He was in his late 20's, unshaven, and seemed almost barbaric.

As Alpha Marco stepped forward, he shook Luca and Jack's hands, ignoring Luna Ella altogether. His gaze swept over Summer and he smirked in appreciation.

"Ah, Alpha Marco, welcome! My son, well of course, the man of the hour as it were. Now, have you met my daughter, Summer? Unmated, you know, but her wolf is ravenous, and I can tell she likes what she sees."

The introduction was clumsy, but Marco didn't seem to care. He took Summer's hand to feign a kiss of greeting, but when he put it to his mouth, Marco's gaze meet hers and his canines grazed her delicate skin, breaking the surface.

Summer's lip curled in disgust and in response to the pain, but she didn't cry out. She was surprised by her father's mind link, forceful, an attempt at an Alpha command, though they didn't work on her.

"Lick the blood off, provocatively."

Summer tensed at the demand, and instead smiled at Marco, "My, my. Is the control on your wolf slipping, Alpha Marco? Canines bared even in human form, I see?"

Alpha Marco growled in response, but Summer could see the lust in his eyes. Challenging him only made her more desirable to him, and his eyes slowly perused her again. Summer shivered under his powerful gaze and unconsciously drew back.

Alpha Marco really was deeply entwined in his wolf. His voice was almost a raspy growl as he leered at Summer, "Control, pet? Who would seek to control the power of the beast within. Patience, my pet, soon enough I'll bare your flesh to match my canines."

Alpha Marco's gaze lingered on Summer's scarcely concealed n*****s, and he ran his tongue over his canines slowly, licking the trace of her blood from them, locking eyes with Summer as he did so. She recoiled further, or attempted to, but Alpha Jack's arm around her waist had her locked in place.

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The she-wolf Luca had been meeting, a prominent Betas daughter who had come out wage only three weeks prior, gasped at the scene, drawing Luca's attention. "Did he just... bite her?"

Luca heard the last moments of the exchange, and turned to face Alpha Marco and his father. As he followed Marco's gaze to his sister's scandalous dress, Luca's eyes narrowed in anger. He felt a rush of rage - how dare this wolf leer at his sister? He swiftly moved behind Summer, grasping her waist and pulling her back from the Alphas. Alpha Jack's grasp on her hips tightened momentarily, then he released as Luca pulled her away from them.

"Summer, in case you haven't noticed, this is my party and my guests. I won't tolerate you squandering my opportunity to make critical introductions with Alphas who will be my peers and allies in years to come. Alpha... Marco, is it? has not even had a chance to be greeted by the future Alpha of our pack. Your place is behind father and I, not beside us where you may attempt to steal my spotlight."

Luca turned, fitting Marco with a severe expression, "Alpha Marco, honoured though I am to make your acquaintance, I'm afraid the line of guests is rather backing up. I'm sorry Summer had so monopolised you this evening, you need not fear that she will continue to do so tonight."

At his insistence, Summer stepped backwards so she stood between her father and brother, but behind, so that any wolf wishing to touch her would need to reach past Luca.

After a few more she wolves and their parents were introduced to Luca, their gazes intense with longing to find themselves Luca's fated mate, another unmated Alpha, Alpha Clark, was announced. He was younger, only in his mid 20's, and shook Luca's hand with enthusiasm.

Standing behind Luca, Summer was somewhat shielded from his gaze and attention, which was not to Alpha Jack's liking. He growled at her over mind link,

"Come out from behind your brother, and don't think for a second there won't be repercussions for disobeying me with Marco."

Summer stepped forward, offering her rapidly healing hand to Alpha Clark. He took it in his and shook it, his gaze drifting downwards to her mostly exposed breasts before snapping back to Summer's face.

"My daughter, Summer, the only unmated she-wolf at the festivities not pining for my son, I'm afraid!" Alpha Jack's laugh was booming, and he gave Alpha Clark a conspiratorial wink.

To his credit, Alpha Clark appeared a little uneasy and embarrassed by the whole performance, quickly excusing himself after offering respectful greetings to the hosts. He glanced over his shoulder at Summer as she shrank back again, intrigued despite Jack's forceful approach.

The last wolves to enter were Alpha Barton, his Beta, Kevin, and Beta's 19 year old daughter, Savannah, their announcement made Summer tense again. This was her father's choice for her, should she please him.

Alpha Barton was already greying around his ears - werewolves age incredibly slowly, so an unmated wolf who was getting salt and pepper hair was more than unusual. He was well groomed and presented, and very tall, but he had been a bachelor for a long while. Summer fidgeted nervously. She could feel it, like a magnetism. Alpha Barton was powerful.