Fate of the Alpha's Mate

Chapter 11

Lucas

I looked around the field of wolves and turned toward the barn to find the bar. These events were essential and I was expected to attend. Especially now that I have broken up with Emily. But I have no desire to be here. I know no one will ever compare to Esme. I also know if I ever find my fated mate, I would only compare her even if I didn't have to reject her. That wasn’t fair to anyone, so I prayed she would never come. It was selfish of me to even want to find my mate, to even wish it was Esme.

What was I even thinking by allowing myself to slip yesterday and taste her? Now that I had tasted her, I couldn’t get her out of my head. She was intoxicating before but now I know I will never forget her taste. It will haunt me. Just the thought of her body pressed against mine last night made my c**k twitch. I have to get myself under control. That cannot happen again. It was selfish and stupid. I don’t make selfish or stupid choices. I don’t let my impulses control me. I have a pack to think about. Selfishness isn’t really an option. No more than risking Esme’s life is.

I saw Emily walk into the barn, her green eyes searching the crowd. I know she is looking for me. Her blonde hair is twisted up on her head with a few pieces falling down framing her face. She's wearing a tiny red dress that left little to the imagination. For all of her flaws, she was beautiful. I sighed watching her, I don’t have the patience for her today. I needed to make my appearance, shake some hands and get the f**k out of here. Her eyes locked onto mine as she made her way toward me, swaying her hips dramatically. I turned to the bartender and smiled at her.

“Can I get a glass of champagne for the lady and a Jim Beam, neat please?” I asked and watched her move quickly with a nervous smile. Though she was not a member of my pack, she could feel the alpha power radiating from me. She handed both to me quickly and I turned to hand Emily the champagne when I felt her behind me, her raspberry scent filling the air.

“Thanks,” she smirked and raised one eyebrow at me in question, reaching for the glass.

“Truce?” I offered. As much as I don’t want to deal with her, I also know Jackson is right and she wasn’t really wrong in what happened. I wasn't fair to her from the beginning and at the end of the day she was a part of my pack.

“I knew you would come around,” she smiled at me and moved closer, her free hand reaching up toward my chest. Her scent overwhelmed me and Kiko growled. He never cared for her and still hasn't forgiven her.

“No, I'm not interested in getting back together, Emily. I only want to offer friendship and apologize for how I treated you.” I said, firmly stepping back from her.

“You will come around. You’ll realize she will never be what you need.” She smirked and sauntered off. I knew she was trying to tempt me with the way she dressed and walked. She had been for years. If only she knew that to me, no one would ever compare. The fact that she even thought she had anything on Esme was laughable.

I downed the bourbon and turned back to the bartender. “Another please, double.” This was going to be a long night. She handed me the fresh glass and I turned back to the exit of the barn that led to the outside area. There was a huge dance floor with a chandelier hanging in the middle of the barn. It was beautiful, but I preferred to be outside. There was a second dance floor outside with lights strung above it through the trees and tables surrounding the dance floor. Huge live oak trees surrounded us, and lights twinkled in the trees. Most of the wolves were out here. We tend to prefer the fresh air. Winter is coming and you can smell the cold in the air, mixed with the scent of the oaks.

Orange blossoms and vanilla wrapped around me and that touch of amber in her scent called to me. I turned and saw her at the entrance of the dance floor. Esme entered the party and took my breath away. I didn’t think she could ever be more beautiful, yet every time I saw her, she still managed to stop me dead in my tracks. She was wearing a black, floor-length dress that shimmered in the light. The neckline plunged all the way to her waist with a sheer material holding it together and the dress hugged her curves tightly. A slit ran up the side to her hip on both sides. Her chestnut hair was parted to the side in some kind of braid and curls framed her face. Her makeup was smokey and seductive with bold red lipstick. I felt my pants tighten immediately. She smiled at someone walking up to her and I watched her reach her hand out to him. A growl rolled in my chest when I saw it was Mason, an alpha from a neighboring pack. Mine. Kiko roared in my head.

No, not ours. I corrected him and watched them walk out onto the dance floor. Mason wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer to him. My throat felt tight as I watched them, but I couldn’t look away. I moved to a table off to the side to make it less obvious that I was staring. I couldn’t help myself. Every time I saw her, I felt like I was drowning.

This is what you wanted, Kiko reminded me begrudgingly.

I know, I growled back to him and wondered if Mason was her mate or if they were just dancing. The way he was instantly drawn to her as she walked in made my heart clench in fear. I know I should feel relief, but I just couldn’t. I don’t think they have seen each other since high school. Mason missed the last semester of school when he went away to a training that his grandfather insisted on so it would be entirely possible. They were always flirty when we were in school. That was the main reason Mason and I never really clicked if I was honest. Her joy was contagious as he spun her around. I found myself smiling at her, despite her being in someone else's arms.

Alpha, we need you in the barn, Kyle linked me. He wouldn’t interrupt me at a place like this unless it was important. I stood immediately and took one last look at Esme.

What’s going on? I replied while making my way toward the barn.

I think someone has some information about the attack. I overheard them talking about it, he linked back and I moved faster through the crowd to find him.

“What’s going on?” I asked Kyle as I approached him with three wolves I didn’t recognize. They were in the back corner of the barn away from everyone else. Kyle motioned his head for us to follow and walked into a small, private room behind him. We all followed and I could see the anxiety all over the wolves.

“They say that they've been hearing rumors about the attack on our pack,” Kyle answered, looking to the wolves for confirmation.

“We have. But first I need to know that this information won’t come back on me,” the first one replied. He was tall and his build showed he was a warrior, yet he looked nervous to be seen with me.

“Not at all,” I answered without hesitation, studying the other two. They also look extremely uncomfortable.

“Okay, so I heard some guys talking about it at a bar. They said that they heard there was a warlock gathering rogue wolves for something and they think that they were the ones that attacked your pack,” he said nervously, looking around the room.

“And why would a warlock do such a thing?” I asked him, unconvinced.

“I don’t know. I didn’t hear much more. Other than they were talking about some kind of magical trace,” he answered.

“What does that even mean?” I asked. When it came to warlocks and magic, I was definitely out of my depth. I knew some packs that worked with witches, some wolves that have even mated with them, but we never had any reason to work with them. I didn’t want anything to do with them either. We never had anything good come from it. Witches don't have the same codes as we do, they live by different rules and can't be trusted.

“That’s all I got, sorry,” he said nervously and bowed his head slightly before stepping away and moving through the door. He was obviously concerned about even being seen with me, which made me wonder where the information came from to begin with, and what would have him so worried. Something just isn’t adding up here. I looked at Kyle but he just shrugged his shoulders.

Alpha, you may want to come out here, Erik, a warrior I had guarding Esme linked. I didn’t expect anything to happen but I wanted to make sure someone was watching her at all times. We were among many different packs and I didn’t really trust anyone right now.

I know she is with Alpha Mason, I answered and sighed as I made my way back outside slowly. If he was calling me out about what was happening between them, I wasn't sure I wanted to see it. I knew someday she would meet her mate and I would have to sit back and watch, but I'm not really sure how I will be able to do it. When I got outside, I saw wolves backing up and circling around something. I pushed my way to the front to see what was going on, panic setting in as I realized something more was happening than Esme finding her mate.