The Alpha's Pursuit

Chapter 5-Beau's P.O.V.

Last night, I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned on my king-sized bed. My wolf, Blade, paced in my mind, he has been on edge and restless for days. No amount of runs through the woods seemed to calm his anxiety. The stubborn brute was driving me to the brink of insanity.

The final visit to discuss the design and cost of the packhouse weighed heavily on my mind. My inability to relax drove me from the comfort of my bedroom, causing me to leave my father’s pack early to head into International Falls, the city where Braxton Construction was headquartered. My soon-to-be-former Alpha, who is also my father, Alpha Alaric, acquired the land next to the Blood Moon Pack’s property for expansion. The New Blood Moon Pack would soon be my own. Not the most original name, but being right next to each other and basically an expansion, it made the most sense.

The typical practice for an Alpha was to pass command to their eldest heir. Therefore, my father would hand over Blood Moon to my older brother, Sam. Meanwhile, I would be responsible for overseeing the latest developments and all the associated work of the new property. Once the project was completed, my father would crown both, me and Sam as Alphas and retire.

We would manage both packs together. The pack members, as they currently were, have exceeded the original plot's capacity, making expansion essential. About a year ago, we commissioned Braxton Construction to begin certain builds, but with each new addition, a new bidding process began. Braxton notoriously made better bids than a couple other packs we have done work with in the past.

Generally to avoid any… mistakes… for lack of a better word, we stuck with construction companies that were wolf owned. Going forward I might just forego this step. They have yet to disappoint us.

Thomas Braxton, the owner of Braxton Construction was the Gamma to Alpha Marcus of the Whiteclaw Pack.

Living in the shadow of my brother Sam was frustrating, but now, with the new pack, I have the chance to prove my strength as an Alpha.

Sam was not just my brother, but one of my best friends; I loved and admired him. However, I felt the need to forge my own path. Although Sam was an exceptional leader, I wanted my father to recognize that both of his sons had the qualities of an Alpha.

Sam and I never complained about not having found our Lunas yet. We weren’t in any hurry. My brother and I, born two years apart and now aged 27 and 25, felt little pressure to find our mates.

A few years remained for Sam before the strain to take a chosen Luna escalated. A pack relied on the authority of not only an Alpha, but a Luna, the mate of an Alpha, and the heart of the pack they led.

I was luckier than Sam; with more time at my disposal and the construction of my pack about to begin, I didn’t need to think about searching for my mate. After a restless night’s sleep, I headed off with my Beta, Chris, the second in command, and my Gamma, Liam, who would become more of my future Luna’s second in command. Following protocol, I also included a couple of my top-rated warriors.

Hoping that my earlier arrival wouldn’t disrupt things, I texted Thomas Braxton, my dad’s best friend. That’s how his sister realized my dad’s Gamma, Mark, was her mate. We were definitely interlinked, especially considering Alpha Marcus was also my mom’s brother.

Me: My men and I will be arriving early today. Apologies for the short notice, but I plan to arrive around 8:00 A.M.

The drive from our pack took a few hours. As we got closer to the offices of Braxton Construction, the annoying voice in my head became harder to ignore. The constant huffing and puffing pushed me to my limit, so I built a wall to shut the irritating mutt out. The continual whining was giving me a terrible headache.

“Are you feeling alright?” Chris, inquired with concern as I massaged my temples, trying to ease the tension.

“Yeah, Blade is just acting up, and I haven’t been able to sleep. Not sure what his f*****g deal is,” I complained.

Chris just chuckled. My best friend knew my wolf could be temperamental and often irritated me. It wasn’t surprising to feel Blade stomping around in my mind. The last necessary building was about to go up on the land, likely triggering Blade’s troublesome behavior. Our Alpha inauguration was imminent, and this final piece was essential.

“He’ll settle soon enough. Once construction is finished, we can attend a mating ball where you can search for our Luna,” Chris smiled at me.

Fixing my gaze on him, I retorted, “You go after your fated first. I've got too much on my plate with the pack lands.”

He shook his head at me and said, “You can lie to yourself as much as you want, but I know you want your mate. We've known each other our whole lives. I still remember that day when you cried yourself to sleep. You sobbed to Selene for your mate.” He taunted me with a grin that bordered on smug. Selene, the Moon Goddess, was whom we werewolves believed in as our creator– the one who blessed us with our Fated Mates.

“You’re a douche. That never happened, and you know it," I quipped as I punched him in the arm with a chuckle.

“Ow! Take it easy!” he winced, but he laughed because I hadn’t hurt him. “Well, you thought about it every night,” Chris added with a shrug.

Sighing as we pulled into the parking lot, I rolled my eyes at him. I was trying to dodge the conversation, hoping he would forget it for now, so I exited the SUV with all the men following me and said nothing more, putting on my business persona.

“You can go into conference room A, and I’ll take care of starting some coffee,” I said. Thomas was a member of our pack, and I had been to his office many times before, so I knew exactly where to go. Turning toward the room that housed the coffee makers and other office equipment, I rubbed my hand over my face in exhaustion. Thomas had given me a key to his office since our packs worked so closely together with our relationship dynamics.

As I walked down the short hallway, the delightful fragrance of cinnamon and honey filled the air. Did someone bring donuts or rolls? Following the enticing aroma into the copier room, I almost tripped over my own feet as I came to a sudden halt. I quickly realized that the fabulous scent came from a shapely brunette woman who had her back to me. A human female!

She stood in front of the printing machine, humming to herself. The oxygen seemed to be sucked from the room, and my mouth dropped open. She wiggled her hips to the rhythm instead of standing still, which didn’t alleviate the strange tension flowing through me. Out of curiosity, I lowered the walls in my mind.

‘MATE!’ Blade yelled in my consciousness. f**k!

A passionate hunger washed over me as I examined her, utterly captivated by her presence. My mouth watered as the intoxicating smell intensified. Just turn around, baby, let me see those eyes. That connection would confirm everything Blade was growling.

A form-fitted skirt hugged her round, biteable ass. Her slender, smooth neck lay exposed and bare, as she had swept her hair into a sleek ponytail. Smooth, silky skin begged for attention and to be marked, whether she realized it or not. Likely not.

Shoes discarded, she showed off her cute, red-painted toes as she sang and swayed to the music playing in the background. A rumble released from me before I could think to contain it just as she bent over to fish the paperwork from the copier. My body lit up in passionate desire, and my c**k jerked in my pants. I flexed my fingers, desperately wanting to grab her by the hips and inhale the scent near her marking spot, where her neck and shoulder met as I would wrap that hair around my fist.

She froze momentarily before turning, her body trembling. A brief, but blood-curdling scream erupted into the tiny confines of the space where we stood as our eyes connected, confirming our mate bond.

Confetti of papers flew from her hands, scattering around us on the floor. The beat of her heart echoed in my ears, and the acrid scent of her fear invaded my nostrils, causing a twinge of pain in my chest. The urge to comfort her swelled, but that would only make her fear me more.

Stepping back, she gasped as panic colored her eyes behind the glasses framing her face. The thick frames couldn’t hide the violet in her blue irises.

‘Beautiful,’ Blade whispered.

'That word doesn't do her justice. She is human, right?' I questioned Blade to be sure.

‘Yes, but she’s ours,’ he growled, his tone making it clear that I shouldn't consider challenging our bond, which I had no intention of doing.

The word "Mate" slipped from my lips but emerged in a raspy, breathless murmur. Being human, she wouldn’t have noticed, or so I thought.

“What?” she whispered, her hand pressed against her racing heart. Like a startled doe, her wide eyes scanned her surroundings frantically.

She confirmed that she didn’t understand what I said when she questioned it, but she brushed it off instantly. Does she not feel the connection because she isn’t a wolf?

"What are you doing in here? How did you unlock the door?” Her voice trembled.

'Mate doesn’t understand her feelings, but I think her distress is stronger now. Mate is human. She doesn’t understand why you are here, dumbass, looking at her like a creeper,' Blade scoffed.

Oh s**t!

“Oh, my apologies,” I said, subtly inhaling her fragrance as covertly as I could.

“I’m Al... Beau Adler. My company has an appointment today. I’m sorry for being so early; my associates and I live a few hours away, so I miscalculated the drive time.” It seemed easier than explaining the lack of sleep due to having a wolf to a human, but working for Thomas, maybe she knew.

My explanation seemed to calm her for the moment, however, I noticed her slight movement toward the door behind her. Without thinking, I mirrored her movement, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her body language clearly expressed a desire to flee the area. Trying to outrun me would be foolish, but she didn’t understand what I could do. She couldn’t.

I raised my arms to demonstrate my peaceful intentions and offered another heartfelt apology.

“I don’t want to alarm you. Mr. Braxton is expecting me for the bidding meeting today for Adler & Company LLC, my company.”

It took all my willpower not to push her against the wall and bury my face in her neck to inhale her scent. The desire to lose myself in her marking spot overwhelmed me.

The urge to lick a trail along her delicate neck up to her ear became overwhelming, especially after she had openly admired my body and stared at my junk for a full 20 seconds. Yet, alongside that attraction lingered the scent of her fear.

Blade clawed at me from inside. Pushing me to tear her clothes off and plunge my c**k deep into… f**k. Should my little mate take another eyeful of my d**k again, she’ll be in for a surprise. Thanks to my idiotic wolf, it’s not going down anytime soon.

′You’re the i***t,′ he huffed.

“I truly didn’t mean to startle you. Let me help you,” I said, pointing to the mess.

My explanation calmed her a little, but I could still sense her anxiety as I helped her clean up. Her scent became more intoxicating the closer I got, and a growl escaped from me again. I held my breath, watching her eyes dart around the room, searching for the source of the noise. I wondered if she thought it had come from someone else.

With an arched eyebrow, she fixed her intense gaze on me. f**k, she is gorgeous. Controlling my urges under the bond felt insurmountable.

Blade must have surfaced, and Parker witnessed it when my eyes changed because she popped up in a flash and inched to the door. Optimistic, she didn’t see me edging in her direction to position myself to block a possible escape attempt; I took a hazard on one more step.

The desire to do so was evident on her beautiful face. My urge to be deep inside of a woman had never been this intense before. My jaw was clenched so tightly that I worried I might break my teeth. The rhythmic beating of her pulse and her exposed neck called to me, tempting me to mark her, just like the relentless instincts of my horny wolf.

The beast within me wouldn't be able to resist chasing her if she ran, driven by his love of the hunt.

Please don’t run, my gorgeous mate.

“Thank you for your help. The conference room is behind you. Please make yourself comfortable, and I can pour you some coffee. There are also restaurants and fast food options down the road. If you're hungry, I can get you something to eat.” Her cheeks flushed pink as she laughed nervously.

Shutting down the suggestion for her to leave the site to buy us breakfast, I only accepted the coffee. No way in hell would I give her the chance not to return.

“Yes, coffee is fine. I don’t need anything else. Any food, that is.” The temptation to tease her overrode logic, and her cheeks flushed. Wow, she is stunning. I wonder how far down that blush goes on her body.

She backed up again. Dammit.

"What’s your name?” I asked, shocked that it took me this long to ask.

"Parker.” Her eyes never left mine.

'Parker, such a sexy name,' Blade said with a dreamy sigh.

As I handed her the items I had picked up, our hands touched, and the sparks from our bond hit. She jerked her hand back, her eyes widening. She felt it too. The grumble in my chest emerged again.

Goddess, this is aggravating. I can’t just grab her and ravage her like I’m dying to do. This is killing me.

Tilting her head in fascination, she looked around her. What was she searching for? Parker noticed me again, but… ah… there it was… awareness. A slight pout formed on her kissable lips when she realized the noise had come from me. My body tensed, bracing for her to bolt this time for sure.

Sucking in a sharp breath when she didn’t take off, but rather the scent of her arousal slammed into me. What the f**k is she trying to do to me? Better yet, what is the f*****g Moon Goddess trying to do to me?

My fists clenched tight at my sides, and I sensed Blade pushing to the surface.

Thomas came bursting through the entryway. Cockblocking asshole. Though both Blade and I were hyper-focused on my sweet Parker until Thomas cleared his throat to gain my attention.

“Mr. Adler, I received your message. I apologize for the delay,” he said, taking my hand in a handshake but then lowering his head in respect for my position.

She has no idea who I am, and I’m not even sure she was cognizant of werewolves.

“Oh, so you’ve met Parker Rose, our accountant. She joined us several months ago, correct, Miss. Rose? I have to say, she’s the best hire I’ve made in a long time. Parker is really helping to bring this old man into the modern age of technology,” he laughed.

My focus was forced back towards my lovely mate, but now she examined Thomas. My brow furrowed. Why is she looking at him like that? She doesn’t find him attractive, does she? That is not gonna happen. She is MINE.

‘Does she know about us?’ I mind-linked Thomas, angry. ‘And are you guys dating?’ Another plus about our closely linked packs, we swore fealty to one another, allowing us to mind link each other, even though we were not in the same pack. Alpha wolves can communicate in wolf form with each other, but without taking blood oaths, there were no pack to pack links.

‘I don’t think so. Actually, I’m confident she doesn’t. But I think what you meant to ask was, does she know what you are… to her that is?′

I snapped my head back to face him, and I noticed a knowing glint in his eyes. He didn't bother to answer my question, which I took as my answer: they weren't together, and it seemed unlikely as he was much older than her.

‘Am I really that obvious?’ Wolves finding their mates for the first time succumbed to the strong pull of the bond, and we all turned into drooling morons.

‘Well, you are jealous, and Blade, that wolf, is transparent as hell.’ Thomas snickered within the link, but then lowered his eyes in deference. Blade grunted in response.

Before Thomas could lead me out of the room, I noted Parker’s fear had disappeared, and now she seemed angry, which made me smirk. And then, in a huff, she looked behind her dramatically, narrowing those beautiful eyes on me. Hmmm... telling me to stop staring, I guessed. Not gonna f*****g happen, Kitten. I sensed claws in her, and pride hit me in the chest. Thomas, fed up with our stare-off, moved me along to Parker’s relief. I didn’t love her reaction and now I was annoyed.

We entered the meeting room and discussed the progress of the new pack while we waited for Parker to bring in the paperwork. Stella, the receptionist, came in with coffee, being sure to give us all a good shot of her cleavage every time she bent over.

That must be why my mate didn't bring it. In a few minutes, Parker would be back with the numbers, and I shifted in my seat, anxious to lay my eyes on her again.

My c**k twitched at the thought of her superb backside and her enticing lips.

Awesome, now I sported a semi picturing that beautiful mouth on my hard throbbing – I thanked the Moon Goddess that I sat behind this table as I squirmed again in the uncomfortable chair.

'Stop, everyone is going to discern our arousal, Blade.'

He kept sending me images of her too, and it wasn’t helping; he chortled. He might have been panting as well — stupid, pervert wolf.

Thomas smirked, and Chris tilted his head at me with a questioning look in his eyes. That was until Parker knocked and entered the room, her arms full of folders and iPads for us. I straightened my back, and Chris chuckled in the mind link.

‘Guess I’m not first, after all.’ He jabbed at me in the link.

‘Shut up. She is human and is unaware of the supernatural world. Oh yeah, and shut it.’



Restating more firmly at the end to make my point. More laughter from my soon-to-be-dead Beta followed. Ugh!