After the Alpha’s Death

Chapter 16

James POV

His world had changed completely in a second. His girlfriend had been mated to a warrior from the Crimson Moon pack and his mate had practically told him to piss off. His heart ached for her already, the striking she-wolf the goddess had chosen for him. Luke and Harry were talking about old times and joking trying to keep his mind off Jenna, oblivious to the fact that he was not thinking about her. No one had noticed that his mate had almost rejected him, they didn’t even know that he had found his mate. All eyes were on the couple that acted exactly how a newly found couple should. They were all over each other kissing and rubbing themselves together. Their wolves low growls of approval audible over the music. The happy couple eventually came to their senses and realised what they had been doing in front of everyone. Jenna scanned the room nervously her cheeks a deep red and a look of shame on her face.

“Don’t be embarrassed.” James reassured her through the mind link. I’m happy you found your mate, take the room tonight.”

“I’m so sorry, and thank you.” Jenna replied with tears in her eyes. She grabbed her mates hand and they ran out of the door together but didn’t get far before her mate grabbed her and pushed her back against a tree. They might make it the room at some point tonight James hoped. He was happy for her but that didn’t mean he wanted everyone to see the woman he brought f*****g someone else.

Several people were looking apologetically towards James, waiting for his reaction. Everyone had seen him with Jenna tonight. They had not been discreet and their situation was not unique among werewolves. The more unknown wolves you met the greater your chance of finding your mate and for this reason some wolves preferred to keep s****l relationships casual until they found their mate. How could he be so thoughtless as to parade another woman around on his arm who wasn’t his mate. He had known there would be several she-wolves that he had not seen in the last three years here tonight and he had never considered that one of them could be his mate. If his mate rejected him because she was pissed that had brought his girlfriend so he could piss his older brother off his wolf would never forgive him. His friends presumed the dire mood he was in now, was due to Jenna finding a mate and he let them think that. He couldn’t even begin to explain what was going on with his mate. He wasn’t even sure who his mate was. He tried to think if he had ever seen her before. Maybe years ago before he could scent his mate but he couldn’t recall ever laying eyes on her and he was sure he would remember if he had, she was stunning. He grabbed another drink from a passing tray.

“I don’t think that will cheer you up.” One of this friends stated, Luke or Harry he wasn’t sure which, he hadn’t been paying attention to their conversation for a while.

“I’m willing to give it a try.” James replied knowing they were right but having his mate completely ignore their mate bond was driving him crazy and driving Dylan crazy, he needed to block the pain a little and quieten his wolf.

He was staring into the glass watching the bubbles rise through the liquid like they were the most interesting thing he had ever seen when the ballroom doors opened and his mates scent hit him hard knocking the air from his lungs. Thank the goddess she hadn’t left for good. He might just have a chance to smooth talk her into giving him a chance. She looked straight into his eyes with hers, and it felt like her wolf was calling out to Dylan, Dylan stopped still in his head expectantly watching their beautiful mate. He downed his drink and was about to go over and try to talk to her again when she closed her eyes sighed and walked to the side of the room to talk to an Alpha he didn’t know.

“Who’s the ice queen?” He asked Luke and Harry trying to sound as disinterested in the answer as possible. They both looked at him incredulously.

“Did your brother not tell you anything about the ball?” Luke asked with amusement in his voice.

“He might have, I haven’t been listening to him much lately. In fact I’ve been practicing ignoring him as if it was an Olympic sport.”

“I bet that’s been going down a treat. The great and all powerful Alpha Drew can’t even keep his baby bro in check.”

“Yep, exactly how you would expect. Anyway Ice queen?” He probed nodding in her direction.

“How in the goddess’s name did you plan to congratulate the Alpha without knowing what she looked like.” Harry laughed. His friend was such as i***t.

“That’s Alpha Rose?” f**k. Not only had he pissed his brother off and then pissed his mate off, his mate was the most powerful she-wolf there was. He was so rejected. He rubbed at his forehead and groaned inwardly. It was really starting to hurt now and he was regretting all the champagne he had drunk tonight. Werewolves have a higher tolerance to alcohol than humans but even so if they drank enough it effects them the same way as humans and James had drunk a lot tonight. He tried to listen into his friends conversation but he couldn’t draw his eyes away from his mate for long. Every time he looked away he missed the sight of her. She was so beautiful, tall almost as tall as he was in her heels but slender and elegant. She wore a very modest pale blue dress that seemed to accentuate her height and beauty. He liked that she was dressed modestly and her face was without makeup so he could see her natural beauty. What she really looked like. Most of the men in the room were here to talk their way into her bed and she had let them all know they had their work cut out. He was snapped out of his thoughts by his friends laughter as he realised they were mocking him.

“It looks like James has found someone to replace his bodyguard already.” Harry laughed.

“She’s not really an Ice queen you know. You can go talk to her. That’s what you came here to do isn’t it? It would make Drew - soooo - happy.” Luke added.

He felt sick and his head hurt. This probably wasn’t the best time to try and woo his mate. He also didn’t want to get rejected in front of everyone. Goddess he would never live that down with his friends or his brothers.

“Actually I’m not feelings too good. I think I need to have a lie down. I don’t suppose either of you have a sofa in your room I can sleep on? I think there are some wolves f*****g in my room. At least I hope they have made it to the room and aren’t just f*****g outside.” He was happy for Jenna but he didn’t want to see her having s*x with her mate.

“Sure, I have a whole suite to myself now. There’s my old room or Holly’s old room free if you would prefer that.” He offered mentioning his 15 year old sister.

“Holly’s room sounds great.” The Beta put on a mock hurt expression. “I don’t want to think about what went on in your old room.” James joked.

“Nothing you wouldn’t expect from a future Beta, that’s for sure.”

The three friends walked towards the door but as they passed Rose, James nodded his head in respect and muttered his congratulations. At least he had done it now. He had done what he came here to do.