Your Alpha Mate

Chapter 3

I froze, shock and fear holding me down. His eyes stayed glued to mine, piercing me. His muscled arms grabbed the armrests with a force that told me he was restraining himself. My wolf begged to leap to him, yearning to have that first contact. If I did that, if I let my instincts take over like that I would look extremely unprofessional in front of all of these Alphas.

They would understand, my wolf whined softly but I ignored it.

If anyone noticed the intense stare-down happening between us, they didn’t show it. My mind was completely clouded, thinking straight seemed like an impossible task. Should we do something? Is he struggling against his wolf as much as I am?

The Alpha to my mate’s right spoke up, “I’m sorry, who are you?”

My mate angled his head toward the Alpha but his eyes remained on me a moment longer before he forcibly took them off me, and I could feel the weight lifting from me.

“I am Jayden, Tyto’s son. My father, he-“ His voice was deep, strength resonated with it. My wolf purred in approval.

I was so distracted by his dreamy voice that I almost didn’t catch the implication of what he’d said. It was only when the Alphas bowed their heads and whispered in unison, “May the Moon give him peace”, that I realised Tyto had passed sometime during this year. How the news of this hadn’t reached my pack was beyond me.

After a minute of silence, the same Alpha commenced “Welcome, Alpha Jayden.” He looked around the table to the other alphas, “Shall we?”.

As the Alphas began discussing their different points I felt Jayden’s gaze drift back to me. In panic, I adverted my eyes and pretended to listen intently to the speaking alphas.

My wolf was leaping with joy within me, knowing we had found our mate… and yet, the implication of being mated to an alpha made me halt my wolf. There was no way I would be Luna, because by doing that I’d be giving up my position as Alpha. Everything that I had been building and working for in the last three years would become his, or maybe the Moon would choose someone else within my pack. Both possibilities completely unnerved me. Even my wolf seemed to sag in defeat at the realisation. Before anyone’s mate, I was an Alpha and I knew the responsibility I carried.

I straightened my shoulders in determination and willed myself to focus on the meeting. I was relieved in a way when I noticed most other Alphas thought it worth mentioning the rising issue of rogue packs attacking our territories.

When their eyes had finally settled on me, as it was my turn to voice my own concerns, I cleared my throat before beginning.

“As mentioned previously, there is a very serious rogue problem,” I set my hands flat over the table in front of me and prayed they wouldn’t tremble, “My own pack was attacked not more than a week ago, the loss is too much to bear.”

Some of the Alphas whispered under their breath, “May the Moon give them peace.” I nodded in gratitude for the gesture.

“I am not going to whine before you and ask for your sympathy… What I want to ask from you is something I believe will benefit us all. I propose that each of us commends 5 wolves, that is a small army of 250 wolves total, and we go after these rogue packs, one by one. I am not talking about disorganised conflict, but a set of strategic attacks that will finally put a stop to our rogue problem.”

As I finished I almost slumped back into my chair when I noticed some Alphas nodding in agreement.

But my relief was short-lived as an Alpha on the other side of the table coughed forcibly. All attention went to him.

“Thank you, Alpha Cali, for your insightful suggestion,” I think he was the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack, his age present within the wrinkle on his forehead and the corner of his eyes, “However, I must stand against your proposal as my pack has not been impacted by these rogues at all and I refuse to send my wolves to be butchered by those filthy mutts without necessity. I think I speak for more than my pack in this regard as I know the bordering packs to mine have not suffered any attacks either. Perhaps you should seek improving your border security. Rogues have always existed in our land and we have managed to coexist with them for hundreds of years.”

It was that patronising tone that made my wolf snarl within me. Specially because I knew if I had been a man he might have refrained from saying the last bit, he might have even kept his mouth shut all together. My wolf begged to look at Jayden, as if to seek his support, but I refused to meet his gaze.

“I think it’s a good idea, and I’d be willing to compensate for the wolves refused by unaffected packs.” I didn’t have to look to know Jayden spoke directly at the Silver Moon pack Alpha, his tone tense, accusing.

“Just because we have /managed/ to coexist with these rogues doesn’t mean we should continue to suffer losses or other damages to our pack territories. If it’s okay with you, Alpha Cali,” my name on his tongue made me press my thighs together, “I would like to propose a second meeting tomorrow morning to those packs that wish to help us in this endeavour.”

I knew I couldn’t ignore him, and I clenched my jaw as I met his eyes again. How can someone’s eyes be so blue?

I nodded once, “That’s fine with me, Jayden.” I purposely said his name back to him, and by the way his shoulders tensed, I could tell I’d had the same effect on him as he did on me.

At least 30 Alphas nodded in agreement and we scheduled the meeting for tomorrow at 9am in this same hall.

Once we had finished going around and the meeting had come to an end, the Alphas stood and began to mingle, many of them friends and allies. I could see a few familiar faces with who I needed to catch up, but I knew I had to get out of that room before Jayden approached me. Or maybe we wouldn’t? But why wouldn’t he? Why am I assuming that he will want me? No. Focus, Cali. Get out before you can’t.

I strode out into the reception, the sun had completely disappeared and the glass ceiling allowed a perfect view of the night sky. Stars shone dimly next to an almost full moon. I made my way towards the exit but realised my company had not followed me, I must have exited faster than I thought. My heart had started pounding and my breath was coming in short. Air, I need air.

I quickly walked outside through the main double doors. The cold mountain air rushed into my lungs and I willed myself to calm down. I managed to wave to the valet in signal to bring the car that would take me to the cabin designated for my pack. I’d go and send the car back for Willow, Maia and Logan. I couldn’t bear to think what would happen if-

But it was too late. I knew it was when I felt it- him, his presence looming nearby. I turned sharply to find Jayden practically pouncing towards me, his eye frantic. I was helpless, frozen in place as he approached.