Fighting For My Mate: Blood Moon

Chapter 1

Eli POV

     We recently had pups that had come of age to begin their warrior training. The age our pups begin training is 16, and when they turn 18, they are eligible to train for different positions inside the pack. Some are future Betas and Gammas, and some are going to be strong warriors for the pack. Even our Omegas are trained to fight. I want everyone in my pack to know how to defend themselves if need be. As I was standing there watching them, it made me proud to see them taking their training seriously. As I watched, I saw a warrior from the corner of my eye come out from the trees in his wolf form. When our eyes connected, I nodded my head at him and began to head towards him, following him deeper into the woods away from the pups in training. As we got deeper into the woods, I smelled a foul odor, and my defenses immediately went up.

“Rogue!” A low growl escaped me.

     Two warriors were holding onto him, and two warriors in wolf form, ready to take him on if he was to attack. He held up his hands in surrender as soon as he saw me.

“Alpha.” He whispered, bowing his head.

“We don’t take very kindly to trespassing rogues on our territory. Why are you here?”

“I’m sorry, Alpha. My pack was attacked, and I barely managed to escape alive. My entire pack was slaughtered, and I ran until I found somewhere I could get sanctuary. Please, I mean no harm.” 

“Which pack did you come from?” 

“I come from the Blackriver pack.”

“I’ve never heard of that pack before.”

“We were a very small pack with only a hundred members. We stayed to ourselves, so we aren't very well known. I came from California. After my pack was destroyed, I began to head North. I had heard from other packs that the Opal Moon pack were taking in refugees from packs that were attacked. I thought this was my best chance.”

     As he spoke, explaining how he had traveled far to get here, I studied him taking a closer look. He had fresh black eyes; one eye was more swollen than the other, his clothes were torn to shreds and covered in mud; he had deep gashes in his arms and legs, and he had old and new bruises all over his body. His heart was beating rapidly. It's hard to tell if it's because he is nervous or because he could possibly be lying. I can’t take any chances, but I also want to give him the benefit of the doubt; if what he says is true, he should be treated accordingly. 

“What is your name?”

“My name is Jacob Johnson.” I nod my head. 

“Where did those new bruises come from if you were attacked days ago?”

“I ran into rogues on my way here, but I was able to fight em’ off long enough to get away!”

“I see. Alex, take Jacob to the pack doctor to get looked at, get him a change of clothes and set him up in the Palaksha house. I want two warriors with him at all times until we can confirm the information he’s given us is true.” 

“Yes, Alpha,” Alex responds.

“And Jacob, if I found out your lying, I will hunt you down and skin you alive until you’re begging for death! Do you understand?” He looks at me as he takes a deep audible gulp before he nods his head.

“You’re dismissed.” 

     I head back to where the young pups are training. Once their first day of training is complete, I have Evan come into my office. When he walks in, he sits down on the couch next to my desk. 

“What’s up, boss? To what do I owe the pleasure.” Evan says, chuckling. All I can do is roll my eyes at him.

“I need you to check on this, Jacob Johnson. He came in today battered and beaten, claiming he’s from a pack in California. He said the name of the pack was Blackriver before the Sigma wolf destroyed it. There’s something off about him, but I can’t put my finger on it. I also can’t lock him up until I know whether or not he’s lying.”

“You got it. I’ll get started on it right now!” 

“Thank you.”

     I’m still in my office doing paperwork later in the evening. I let out a sigh as I dial Christa’s number. I haven't seen her since she woke up. I’ve been so busy with pack business and everything else between; I find myself missing her smell, touch, and voice.

“Hello?”

“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” 

“I’m ok. I just miss you, that’s all.”

“I know. I miss you too. Has my sister and Rebecca been taking care of you?”

“Yeah, they’ve been doing their best to keep me occupied, but this emotional low is killing me.”

“I know, hun. It’ll get better, I promise.” 

“It better because I’ve seriously been on an emotional roller coaster ride, and I don't know how much more I can take!”

“If I could be there, I would. I still have a few more hours of work to do. I’ll be home late tonight.”

“I know. I understand. Do you remember what we talked about?”

“I do.” Just then, there was a knock on my door. “Speak of the devil. I have to go now; I love you, and I’ll see you later tonight.” I hang up the phone and yell out,

“Come in!”

“You wanted to see me?”

“Hello Eliza, how would you feel about joining me for dinner tonight?”

**Eliza**

     I stood there in Eli's office in shock at what I thought I had just heard. I cleared my throat and shook my head, and repeated his question just to be sure.

“You… You want me to join you for dinner?” 

“Yes, would you be ok with that?”

“Yes, absolutely!”

     Eli got up from his desk and opened the door for me, allowing me to go ahead of him. Once we got his sports car, he opened the door for me like a gentleman, making me feel as if this was a date. Once I got in the car and buckled myself in, he came around the driver's side and got in.

“Wow, look at you being all gentleman-like. Better be careful, or I might think we were on a date.”

“Maybe we are?” He says as he winks at me and starts the car. I can’t help but blush. 

Maybe I won’t have to use that love potion I have prepared after all! 

     We pull up to a fancy French restaurant that I have always wanted to go to. He gets out of the car and opens my car door for me as the carhop comes to take his keys to park the car. 

We head into the restaurant, and a waiter comes up to us, 

“I have a reservation.”

“What’s your name, sir?” The waiter asks.

“Eli.”

“Yes, right this way!”

     He leads us to a secluded area in the restaurant that sits near a balcony window, where we have a great view of the mountains. Once we sit at our table, he hands us our menus. 

“May I get you started with something to drink?”

“Yes, bring us your Château Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 1978.”

“Right away, sir.”

     I can’t help but stare at his beautiful face and his gorgeous eyes. I am also impressed that he ordered the most expensive wine on the menu. 

“So what do I owe this honor?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking that I haven't really been fair to you; I would like to be able to get to know you and give you a chance. If you’ll let me.” I couldn't believe my ears. He wanted to give me a chance to prove I’m the one for him. There was no way I was going to let this opportunity go to waste!

“Yes, of course, I will let you. That's all I have ever really wanted!” I let out a giggle. 

     The waiter comes and sets down two wine glasses and pours the wine for us both. As we look at our menus. 

“Today, we have our Chef's special, which is the Chicken Cordon Bleu and Lamb Chops with a Cognac Dijon Cream sauce, and for dessert, we have Cherry Clafoutis.”

“Mmmm, that sounds delicious! I think I’ll have the Lamb Chops.”

“And I’ll take the Coq au vin. And we’ll do the Cherry Clafoutis for dessert.” Eli says.

“Very well. I will get that to you shortly.” The waiter says as he takes our menus from us. 

     As we wait for our meal to come, we end up making small talk to keep things light. Eli notices I have finished my glass of wine and picks up the bottle, and begins to pour me another glass. Before I know it, I am feeling buzzed before our meal has even arrived. 

“I'm feeling a little buzzed already. I can’t believe this wine is so strong!”

“I’ll tell you a little secret. This wine is meant for werewolves. I know the owner personally, and he keeps it in stock for when I eat here.” 

“Wow, I’m impressed… and look at that, here comes our food.”

     As we enjoy our food, Eli orders another bottle of wine topping off my glass. I end up really enjoying our conversation, and we intentionally steer clear of the mate topic, but there is one question I want to ask him.

“So, I hear you already have a girl living with you. If you're in a relationship with her, why are you here with me?”

“Oh, you mean Rebecca? We’re not in a relationship. We were best friends in a high school, and for a while, we did become involved, but after I became Alpha, we decided it would be best to part ways, but we still remained close friends. She’s been staying with me to help me through these…  challenging times.” I reach my hand across from his and take his hand.

“Well, now you have me to help you. So, I don't know; maybe I can come to stay with you, and you can send her home?” Eli clears his throat and gently eases away from my hand. 

Oh no, I pushed too hard to fast! 

“I think it would be best if we take things slow. At least for now.”

“Yeah… Yes, of course. What was I thinking?” I play it off as though it was just a silly thought. 

     We continue chatting and laughing, and by dessert, I end up being extremely intoxicated. I don't think I have ever had wine as strong as the one I had tonight! I am having a fantastic time with my future mate if I play my cards right. Although, with me being so drunk, I can’t seem to control myself. 

“You knoooow, Eli, I wouldn't mind if youuuuu took me home tonight. Hiccup, I would make you feel soooo good!” I slur as I rub my feet up his legs under the table. 

“Oh, I plan on taking you home tonight!” 

“Then let's go, baby!” 

     I stumble out of my chair, and Eli quickly gets out of his chair and catches me around my waist. I immediately get a chill just from his touch, and I can’t help but rub my hands up and down his rock-hard chest. I can feel his warmth radiating off of his body. I look up into his eyes as he straightens me out.

“Oops, how clumsy of me!” Eli wraps his arm around my waist to support me as we walk out of the restaurant. The carhop already has his car waiting in front. 

“That was fast!” I announce.

     Eli helps me into the passenger seat. I try to put my seatbelt on, but I can’t get control of my limbs enough to put my seatbelt on. I look up at Eli with a pout.

“I Can't Do it. Can you do me, please?” I pause for a moment laughing hysterically.

“Ahahaha, I said do me! Eli’s gonna do me!” I say as Eli leans into the car to buckle me in. I take a deep breath as I inhale his scent. 

“You shmell soooo gooood! I could gobble you all up!”

     After I’m buckled in, Eli gets in on the driver's side and starts driving us back to the packhouse. I don’t remember the drive as I passed out at some point.