The Alpha's Playmate

Chapter 2

Poppy's P.O.V

The Tall cypress trees blurred past the window as We made our way to the Packhouse. I held Danielle's hand nervously and thought of my dad's grin while he stood at the doorway waving us goodbye.

The driver taking us to the ceremony was oddly quiet. I wondered if the driver was so silent for the thousands of drives he made for reveal ceremonies. Our Pack had designated cars and drivers for the reveal ceremony. Our size and the importance of the reveal ceremony made designated drivers a must.

My right hand nervously drummed against the expensive black door. A black Audi is a bit much. I shook my head slightly and looked to Danielle, who was typing furiously on her phone. There must be a guy she was talking to that's meeting her here. I let out a soft sigh and looked between the front seats at the large mansion growing in the windshield.

The large Packhouse was alive with life as people poured into the great hall. I watched the swarm of people making their way into the large building for the ceremony. My ceremony. As if on cue, I felt Danielle's hand squeezing me back to reality as my heart began to race. I smile at my best friend since second grade. Danielle was a year older than me. We have been attached at the hip our whole lives, often spending our years in school sneaking out and binging movies.

"Poppy, time to go." The driver brought me back to focus as he parked at the special ceremony entrance and opened the back door.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and fixed my hair as I got out. He shut the door behind me. Danielle hopped out quickly and ran over for a tight hug.

"You'll do great darlin." she pulled back and gave me a wink before turning to make her way to the front of the building to gain admission.

I looked at the large double door before me and took a deep breath.

Today is the day I am recognized as an adult werewolf. My responsibilities are now to protect our Pack and be a valuable pack member.

I unknowingly Lifted my hand to touch the emerald on my arm. Traditionally, the mother would walk the children in for the reveal ceremony. The Belief was that the mother wolf was offering her children to protect the Pack once they became the age of independence. The lack of having my mother present tonight was a much harder feat than I thought it would be. After all, it's been ten years.

I choked back the tears and lifted my head high. I Blinked awkwardly and breathed deeply to keep my makeup in place.

Not tonight. I refuse to let the most important night of my life be depressing. 

I stepped down a few steps and entered a long hallway in the basement. The walls were adorned with deep burgundy wallpaper and hand-carved mouldings in a deep mahogany colour. I walked along the hallway aimlessly. I wasn't quite sure of the direction of the ballroom.

"Oh! You're Poppy I Presume? I'm Luna Kate, we are so glad you are here!"

Luna Kate ran down the stairs in black high heels and a long mermaid-style orange dress. Her raven hair sparkled, her warm brown eyes looked excited to see me. Luna Kate was the mate of the current Alpha Ben. She was a loved woman that often helped in the Packhouse and helped allocate resources for the pack gatherings.

I smiled shyly and shook Luna's hand. My nerves began to ramp up. Now knowing that since the Luna is here, The Alpha family must be here as well. I felt a lump in my throat and swallowed deeply. My body was now making me nauseous. 

"I will be the one doing your reveal ceremony tonight. Since your mother is unable. She was such a valued pack member." Luna Kate smiled sadly at me and nodded her head assuringly towards me.

I nodded at her gently and went a light pink from embarrassment. I always tried to stay out of the spotlight. Yet my reveal ceremony will include the Alpha family and the Luna revealing me to the Pack. The thought made me slightly terrified. It wasn't often the Alpha family would attend a reveal ceremony due to the sheer size of the Pack.

The Luna and I made our way up the winding mahogany stairs. I paused at the top of the stairs to look around at the backstage of the ballroom. The noise of people talking and laughing spurred my curiosity as I looked ahead at the burgundy curtain. This was the only thing that was separating me from the party. I took a deep breath.

She reached out and gave my hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance before entering the crowded ballroom.

The once loud chattering of people froze as soon as the Luna entered. It became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I frantically puffed up my large velvet green ballgown. I sucked in and pushed my chest up with my hands, trying to look as attractive as possible for my future mate.

I exhaled as Luna Kate began talking, slicing through the silence.

"Members of the Halo Creek pack. I am Luna Kate, The mate of your Alpha. I am here tonight to reveal to you the newest female pack member to come of age. Please welcome, Poppy Tenner!"

With a deep breath, I parted the curtains and stepped out onto the stage with the Luna. One spotlight stayed on the Luna while the other followed me as I made my way to the center stage and lifted the sides of my dress, bending in a formal welcome.

Formal applause rang out from the dark abyss ahead of me. Luna Kate gracefully walked over to me with a golden envelope. She took me in a warm hug. "Poppy Tenner The Halo Creek pack welcomes you with open arms. We are honoured to have you by our side" She grinned at me and gave me the golden envelope. The crowd broke out into applause once again as I smiled at the woman in front of me.

"Thank you, Luna Kate, for the honour to defend my home. Now let us all celebrate as a pack."

The applause continued as the lights began to turn back on, revealing the celebration in front of me. I had never been to a reveal ceremony due to not being of age, so the sheer size of the ceremony surprised me.

The ballroom was alive with life. People swarmed around the ballroom with wine in their hands while conversing with one another. Reveal ceremonies were often an excuse for unmated wolves to party and get together to search for their mates. Waiters walked through the crowd expertly with large tin plates filled with wine glasses. In the very back of the room was a large table covered in a long white cloth. The table was covered with cupcakes and other desserts. The room itself was not unfamiliar, with high ceilings and large white and gold panelling. The room was elegant. I watched the crystal chandelier as I made my way down the few steps onto the large black marble floor.

"Congratulations precious." My father met me at the bottom of the stairs and planted a kiss on my forehead. I smiled and hugged my father while clutching the golden envelope in my right hand.

"Thanks, dad."

I began making my way through the crowd of formally dressed people and looked around. Danielle was in the corner with a glass of wine while flirting pretty heavily with a brown-haired ally Pack member. I smiled to myself and grabbed a glass of wine for myself from a passing wait This isn't as bad as I thought it would be. 

I swirled the wine around in the glass absent-mindedly and scanned the many people in front of me.

People from all of our ally packs were here. Looking for a mate I assume, that or a little bit of fun for the evening.

Suddenly I felt a deep thumping within my head, it wasn't painful but was surprising.

I took a deep inhale and scrunched up my nose. I could smell everything. The scents of so many were overwhelming. I felt... different. The smells felt as if they were overpowering me, causing me to clear my throat a little. I have to go out and take a breather. 

I made my way through the crowd while trying my best to breathe through my mouth, sounds were beginning to sound much louder than before causing me to become slightly disoriented.

Was it a panic attack? Or was I sick? My mind raced for explanations as I worked my way through the large crowd to the right side of the room.

The last time I was here for pack activities, I remember a door that led outside here. I squeezed through the last few groups of people to find the side door. as fast as I could. I looked back down at the golden envelope within my hand. I finished my wine and laid it on the grass beside me. Then, I turned my focus to the envelope and carefully ripped the envelope with my red nail.

It felt slightly heavy as I shook the contents onto my lap. A key, a small letter, and a training manual. I nodded my head while looking over everything. These were the same things Danielle got when she began training a year ago.

I looked ahead to face the forest just in time to catch the view of an incredibly large black wolf exiting the forest. He must have been at least five and a half feet up to his shoulders.  He sauntered out of the forest looking bored.

"He must be..." I spoke aloud to myself and watched as the large wolf trotted behind the large boulder.

I swallowed hard as a young man came out. His hair was the same dark raven that his wolf form was. His arms were covered in tattoos while his body was toned, but not muscular. As he drew closer, a white t-shirt in hand, his scent hit me. He smelled like a mix between sweet cedar and whisky.

I looked at him up and down suddenly recognizing him. He was Alpha Ben's son, The Heir to be the next pack leader.

Ashton Horwood.

Mate!

A voice that was not mine echoed in my brain as our eyes connected.

His emerald eyes turned dark as he looked at me. My breath felt trapped in my throat. He Slid on the t-shirt and stood in front of me. I breathed in his sweet scent, becoming more addicted by the minute.

"The party is inside you know." He spoke slowly, his voice sounded bored as he smirked at me.

Mate! Mate! Mate!

My body tensed as he leaned forward. The growling of the voice inside my head became louder. It had to be my wolf. Which meant. Future Alpha Ashton is my mate. 

I looked back into Ashton's green eyes, trying not to be intimidated by the over six-foot man leaning over to face me, a lopsided smirk playing on his lips as he moved forward, I felt his breath against my neck causing the skin to feel hot. My body ached for him to reach out and touch me. So, this is a mate bond. It's so strong and addicting. 

I nervously chewed my lip while inhaling his scent waiting for him to speak.  

"So, you're the rookie. Training begins tomorrow." and with so few words he turned on his heel and began up towards the party, his hands lazily in his pockets as he leaned back.

I exhaled for what felt like the first time since the encounter began. The womanizer, Ashton Horwood, is my mate. Because of course, he is. 

I groaned and leaned back on the bench covering my face. He didn't even seem affected by the bond, meanwhile, it left me nearly incapacitated.