Alpha's chase

Chapter Two: Rhym or Reason

~Austin Jade's POV~

Olive and I were packing up our gear to hit the slopes. The storm had passed rather uneventfully. I think the weathermen like to hype everybody up for the "SNOWSTORM OF THE CENTURY" just about every year. This year it just so happened to be two days before Christmas! Since the storm wasn't as bad as predicted we were able to go to the resort since they had plenty of time to maintain the slopes. Another perk of our job was a free annual lift pass. Our boss signed a contract to cater the resort's events and one of the perks was that our staff got lift passes for free. Matt loved the slopes as much as he loved his restaurant, hence the ironic name MELT. It was my weekday workout or leg day as I like to call it. Being a wolf kept us naturally fit but snowboarding and being a chef helped keep us in top shape. Snowboarding was all legs and abs, putting away trucks at work was mostly upper body and abs as well. I wouldn't say I'm bodybuilder status but I am pretty ripped for a she-wolf.

"You About ready? I wanna get in some quality cruisin' time before we need to come back and get ready to go to Rhym." Olive popped in while I was putting on my base layers.

" Yup I'll finish putting the rest of my s**t on when we get there or I'll be sweating like a sheep in a wolf's den before we get there."

We hopped in my old jeep and headed for Echo Mountain. It wasn't super busy cause most people were running around trying to finish their last-minute holiday errands instead of playing outside in the snow, so there weren't very long lines for the lift. we got in about six or seven great runs before we decided to break for lunch.

"So what are you wearing tonight? What kinda vibe are you feeling? It is a blackout masquerade!" Olive asked me with a devilish grin on her face!

"I bought this holographic body con mini dress with only one sleeve. It has a silver-colored fringe all over it like those Gatsby dresses used to have! I also got this epic silver mask that is made of Marquise cut opals. It's fake silver of course but damn is it gorgeous!" I replied imagining myself just glowing. No Pun intended. "What about you what do you have up your sleeve for tonight? If I know you it's not a lot" I winked at her.

"Oh boy! I got this long sleeve tie-die UV glow body con dress that came with matching bunny ears and I found a pink eye mask that goes with it perfectly!"

"That's a little toned down for you isn't it?" I asked, usually she is more risqué.

"Yes... It is Christmas Eve after all." She smiled.

"Look at you trying to be a saint!" I retorted

"Goddess NO! I could never be a saint!" She laughed as she punched me in the arm. "Let's go get a few more runs in before we need to start our trek home."

We finished with a few strong runs and one biffed one before we left the park. Luckily the cut I got on my face will be mostly healed by tomorrow and my mask will cover it tonight. Gotta watch those tricky front side edges! Even a wolf has to take a hit or two when you're strapped in!

It was an hour or so drive home and would be 6:30 by the time we got there. That left us enough time to take a quick nap before it was glam time. After I did my hair in a high pony and put on some light makeup, I stepped into my dress and did the buckle around my neck. It felt a little kinky but who cares. I wasn't not trying to go home with someone tonight. Olive walked out of her room looking fabulous as ever! We called an Uber to Rhym and got there about twenty minutes later. Luckily we were on the guest list cause I bought tickets three months in advance.

We stepped inside when they opened the doors at nine p.m. sharp and the music was already bumpin'. We ordered our gin and tonics and found our table. One of the perks of buying tickets in advance is you got your one table or booth depending on how many were in your party. Those who got lucky enough to be let in general admission were just s**t out of luck. It was a gorgeous club, built by one of the local packs in this region. Luckily for us, it was off territory so we could still come here. Word spread through the rogue community that it was wolf friendly so if you asked for a cocktail made dark they would use were-liquor. I like to start with regular cocktails so I could drink a lot more.

Olive and I were getting into the music the new DJ they hired was epic, he played remixes of all the popular t****k songs. We had been dancing for about two hours before these two decent-looking guys came up to us and started dancing. My body was shimmering with a fine mist of sweat, we opted out of the body paint with I am glad cause if I end up going home with this guy I don't want to have to shower before we do anything that would just kill my mood. This guy was about six feet even, not much taller than me, had a decent clean shaved muscular face and a nice muscular body. I would say he is a 9 at best!

He said his name was Grant, and the guy who could be his twin dancing with Olive was Hugh. He moved with my body as we danced the night away. We popped our poppers at midnight, it was almost magical. All night I kept getting hints of what I thought was his cologne or somebodies in the room it smelled like a warm tobacco pipe, not cigarettes, warm tobacco and vanilla. If My wolf and I knew any better I would say my mate was nearby but as a rogue, I never thought I could have a mate so I left with Grant.

On the way to Grant's place, my wolf became restless...

Austin: Lyla what's wrong?

Lyla: I feel like we have a mate... I can't tell without seeing him but I just have this feeling he was near us!

Austin: Why didn't you say anything sooner?

Lyla: I would have but you know clubs make it hard for me to focus! We don't get out as much anymore and it's hard for me to fine-tune my senses when I can't be in wolf form!

Austin: I'm sorry dude, we'll try to come out more often!

Lyla: can you please just not sleep with him... I know we aren't exactly pure but now that there may be a mate for us I would like to find him!

Austin: Way to be a buzz Kill! but I'll respect it.

"Grant I'm Sorry but I'm not feeling up to it anymore could you just take me home?"

"Sure, was it something I said?" He said glancing in my direction.

"No, I think i'm just more tired than I realized from the slopes today." I lied while glancing out the window.

"Okay well here is my number, if you ever wanna meet up again, you are beautiful and I would love to take you for coffee sometime!" he handed me a business card with his cell number on it. He must have anticipated a moment like this or something.

Grant was surprisingly nice about me not wanting to hook up. Most guys are douchebags about it but I guess he had to be nice if he thought he was gonna get a date with me later. I went to unlock my front door and text Olive to see if she was okay but when I walked in she was on the couch in jammies already watching tv.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were going back with Hugh?" I asked her worriedly.

"Me!? What about you! Grant was hot AF, I thought y'all were gonna hook up!"

"No Lyla thought she sensed out mate but by the time she told me it was too late and we were gone..."

"You too!! Storm was driving me Bonkers but it can't be right we are just rogues! I was always under the assumption that rogues don't get mates!" She exclaimed.

"Maybe we are wrong... We should go back next weekend to see if we can sense anything else! they are having another killer new years eve party! I wonder If I can talk my way onto the guest list!"

"Wouldn't hurt to try! I've always dreamed about having a mate, I just hope he isn't some douche rogue! Clubs are full of them these days!!" I said over my shoulder as I went upstairs to get ready for bed.

Sleep came easy that night but it was indeed a night full of dreams both good and bad.

~Ryker's POV~

Christmas Eve morning was finally here, I lead training with the warriors as usual but instead of showering and heading to the office, I showered got dressed, and went to breakfast in the dining room! Our omegas had put out a solid spread per Tates instruction. We had it all: steak, eggs, bacon, sausage, Belgium Waffles, assorted fruits, breakfast potatoes, juice, and coffee! The guys we already down at the table sipping their coffee but were gracious enough to wait for me to eat so we could all discuss the plans for tonight!

"What time does this shindig kick-off?" Tate asked Wren and he crammed food into his mouth as usual.

"Doors open at nine p.m. sharp! I need to be there at eight to see that everything is in proper order. Y'all can come at nine but I figured you guys would want to come later maybe ten or eleven so that the place is moving a little bit so people won't stare as much as the big bad wolves come to blow the house down!" He laughed at his dumb ass joke.

"We'll be there at ten, is Charlotte coming?" I asked.

"No, she is gonna help the omegas finish setting up for tomorrow morning. The pups have worked hard wrapping all their gifts and she wants to make sure that they are organized so it isn't chaos. Also, clubs aren't her cup of tea anymore, but she understands that I need to be there to see things go smoothly. I love that woman to death!"

"GODDESS! I hope I'm not as mushy as your ass when I find my mate!" Tate said

"You better pray to the Moon Goddess that she gives you a mate and that she can put up with your ass for that matter!" I smiled at Tate

"Oh Alpha you are one to talk!" Tate smirked at me.

"You better watch you you are talking to or I'll double your run in training for a month!" I threatened half-heartedly.

"I hate to be 'That Guy' but what the f**k are we supposed to wear to a black-out masquerade?" Tate asked

"Well if you want to be seen, I suggest wearing a bright-colored shirt! If you don't you should wear all black! We'll be in the VIP Lounge upstairs regardless!" Wren explained.

"Good I can stick to my usual all-black aesthetic," Tate stated as he was heading out to do patrol checks.

I spent the day doing my rounds checking on the various areas of the territory. I got to take a nap, something I haven't done well... ever. Tate and I got ready and decided to get dinner at a local restaurant before heading over to Rhym. Wren had a special dinner with charlotte just the two of them before he took off to the club to get things in order. It was going on at 10:15 when we finally arrived at the club. We went right in and up the stairs. Wren was waiting in the lounge area with a few bottles of were-liquor. Shots were lined up and he was grinning ear to ear!

"Welcome boys shall we get right to the celebrating!" Wren shouted over the music

"No time like the present! Here to the Alpha and finding us some hot Bitches!" Tate Screeched and shot back his drink.

"Do you have to be so vulgar dude! How would you feel if your mate overheard you saying that s**t!" Wren scolded.

"Hey, I'm just being my honest self!" He retorted.

We took a few more shots and lost ourselves in the music! It was honestly the most fun I had in a long time! The masquerade was great because I could avoid people staring at me, or at least not noticing it as much! Tate, Wren, and I are big dudes, standing at a staggering six feet seven inches, I look like I should be guarding the door. All night we danced with whoever came near us. I kept getting a whiff of the most amazing scent, Lemongrass, and wild sage. My wolf was becoming restless but we were too inebriated to pay attention. A little after midnight, we were heading up to the VIP lounge when I caught a strong whiff of that glorious scent and my wolf finally broke through my drunken haze.

Thunder: MATE! MATE! Mate is near! FIND HER!

Ryker: Are you sure?! I've been here all night smelling that smell.

Thunder: She was close, follow the smell.

I took a deep breath and let Thunder come forward to track her, the mask was a good cover for my black eyes. He took me towards the door and out onto the street where the scent was really strong but it just disappeared. She must have just left. How could I have let myself ignore all the signs? How will I ever find her again? I mind-linked the guys to see if they could help me.

Ryker: Guys we have a situation, Thunder sensed our mate but we lost her sent just out the front door.

Tate: NO f*****g WAY!!

Wren: Meet me in the office behind the bar, we can look at the cameras.

Tate: I wonder if she has a hot friend!

Wren: You are a tool dude!

We all made our way to the office to take a peek at the cameras.

"This feels borderline stalkerish. If you weren't so desperate I would definitely not be doing this right now!" Wren laughed as he scrolled back the video.

It had only been about ten minutes or so since I sensed her so we didn't need to scrub back very far.

"Wait is that her with that guy there, getting into the Mercedes?" Tate pointed out.

"Play it for a few seconds you should see me busting through the door a few seconds after they leave."

"Yeah, there you are! Look I'll look back at the video and get as much info about her as I can. Gus should be able to tell me if there were any she-wolves on the VIP list tonight. I just hope her bracelet was green like the VIPs and not red like the general admission. I'll put together a file and have it on your desk first thing in the morning! Go Enjoy yourselves! Tomorrow is a big day!" Wren shooed us back to our VIP lounge on the second floor.

We did go back to the lounge for a few more hours. I got my buzz back eventually and had a good time overall, but I just couldn't get my mind off my mate. Who is she? Who was that guy she was with? How will I ever find her if things aren't in our favor tonight!