The Alpha's Rose

Chapter Four

HERC

I felt like I was choking. My breath was hitched and ragged and my body was constricted. This suit was absolutely killing me. Complete with a bowtie, I was the picture of gentility, only I didn’t feel like it. “Why am I so nervous?” I reprimanded, “All I have to do is pick one girl to have a cheap fling with for a little while then I could continue the search for my mate.” Despite my logic, it failed to calm my rattled self.

My pack mates had failed to elude this very, very comprehensive contract. It seemed they had essentially signed my life away in hope of me finding my mate. It was delusional of them to believe, even for a second, that the Bachelor, a show filled with humans, would be where I found my Luna. Utterly delusional.

The producer, Lara, had given me a rundown of what the expectations were for the Bachelor; each week I would attend a single date, a group date and then a cocktail party where I would eliminate someone. In her words I had to “pick a few girls who you want to see through to the end, pick some to keep for drama, and boot the boring ones”. Seemed simple enough. Although, standing on a red carpet, surrounded by rose petals, scented candles and fairy lights, it seemed like this experience was going to be anything but.

My wolf rested uneasily inside me. Surrounded by cameras, there would be little to no time to shift, leaving my wolf restless and full of angst. I quickly suppressed any feeling of anxiety as I spotted the first of many black SUV’s rounding the corner and stopping alongside the carpet.

A sparkling, silver stiletto emerged from the door, a train of glittery dress followed suite. I craned my neck to get a peek of the woman, but to no avail. My breath hitched, “Maybe, just maybe she could be my mate?” My inner most thoughts ignited a spark of hope deep inside me. Yet, as she emerged from the car, my stomach dropped slightly. Despite being a curvy, tanned brunette, my wolf had no reaction except to recoil deeper into my mind. As she approached I noticed her warm aura. Her smile shone as she strutted forward with open arms.

“Hello,” she spoke, in a soft yet sensual voice, “I’m Maria, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” She embraced me in a warm hug, her scent smelt of designer floral perfume.

“I’m Henry,” I replied, “but most people just call be Herc.”

“Well, Herc, it seems I’m the lucky lady that got to meet you first. Tell me, what do you think of my dress.”

Immediately, she kicked her leg out through the incredible high slit of her dress, revealing her toned muscles. It seemed she had practice in the art of wooing men because at the same time she battered her eyelids and flung her hair over her shoulder in one fluid movement.

“Very impressive.” I noted, hoping the compliment would satisfy her desire for attention.

“I guess I’ll see you a little later for a chat Herc, I’m very much looking forward to it.” She leaned forward, whispering her desire to have me chase her amongst 23 other girls.

“You’ll have to wait and see.” I replied, taking her slightly aback at my waning interest in her beauty pageant facade. I was the Alpha of the Evenfall Pack, I was the leader, the wolf that governed the strongest clan in North America, and I certainly was not going to chase a ‘pretty’ woman, especially one who was not my mate.

“Bye now Herc.” She spoke in a hushed tone, probably a tactic to convey her s****l desire with me.

“See you inside Maria.” I replied casually. “Heck,” I thought, “this is going to be a long night.”

As soon as Maria entered the extravagant mansion behind her I exhaled a long breath I didn’t know I had been holding.

With barely a minute to recompose myself, a second SUV rolled up. Out stepped a petite woman with voluptuous breasts and a tiny waist. Her dress hugged her ‘features’ tightly as she sashayed along the carpet, causing her body to twist in a runway model fashion.

“Luciana.” She stated sharply, pressing herself up against my chest and sliding her arms along my torso. 

“I’m Herc.” I replied as I weaseled my way out from her monster grip.

“My, my, aren’t you a hot one. Where have you been hiding Papi?”

I almost choked on my own words at her coarseness; this girl had nothing to hide. “Ha, well, umm I-”

“Shhhhh,” she halted my speech, pressing one hand alongside my cheek.  The touch felt foreign and oddly calculated.

“I like to win you see Herc. But I also like to hunt for my men. Don’t make it too easy for me.” And with that she giggled, slinking her body around mine and trotting up to the front doors of the house.

My wolf growled within me. These women were nothing but vultures vying for a spot on prime time television. But then again, I figured, the less romantic feelings involved the better. I would be less likely to break someone’s heart then.

Just as I collected my thoughts, another women stepped out. A leggy brunette, she walked with an air of confidence. Her small rounded face gave her a sweet appearance and her understated and simple dress style greatly enhanced her natural beauty.

“Hi, how do you do?” She asked in a British accent. “I’m Claire.”

“Herc.” I responded politely, shaking her outstretched hand.

“Gosh, this is an odd experience isn’t it.”

“For both of us.” I added. “I don’t think anyone could imagine being on TV to find love, least of all have 24 gorgeous women in front of me.” And boy, she didn’t even know the half of it.

She let out a beaming smile that lit up her entire face. “Yes, it certainly is a strange way to find love. Hopefully I’ll be so lucky!” With that she reached into her clutch and pulled out a small yellow rose. “Yellow is the tradition symbol of friendship. I’ve always hoped to be best friends with the man I fall in love with. It seems to me that if I’m going to spend my life with someone they should be that close to me.”

Her manner surprised me. Her hand shook a little as she extended her arm to hand me the rose. I gratefully took the rose and placed it on my lapel.

“Thank you very much Claire. I hope you do find a best friend.”

“I hope so too.” she sighed, looking wistfully into my eyes.

And with that, she gave me a brief hug and moved into the mansion.

She could be a great option to choose at the end. She seemed sincere and genuinely here for a strong connection. Yet, how could I bring myself to fake a relationship with a woman who wasn’t my mate. Maybe I should pick a woman like Maria or Gloria, at least the feeling would be mutual when I eventually ended it. “Gahh,” I responded to my rambling thoughts, this was going to be messy not matter what way it ended.

As the evening unfolded I meet an influx of women. To name a few; Sophie, Ella, Jasmine, Gloria, Meg, Abigail, Chelsie, Selina, Poppy, Shantel, Bianca, Juliette and Anita. My mind was spinning at the sheer number of women that I greeted, made causal conversation with and then sent into the mansion. Each time a high-heel emerged from the car I felt myself praying to the Moon Goddess that one would be my mate. But I had no such luck. It truly seemed as if I would be wasting the next four months, rotting away on some reality TV show.

As the twenty-fourth girl, Priya, emerged, I sighed in defeat. Turning to enter the house I sighed in defeat and reluctantly turned to follow.

“Wait!” Cried Lara, the producer.  “Where are you going?”

“Up to address the women?” I responded, intrigued by her panic at my actions.

“Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“Tell me what?” I enquired.

“We decided to add a twenty-fifth girl.”