The Alluring Alpha

Untimely connection

As Ash expected, the ball was full of Alphas busy shaking hands and sharing their latest accomplishments. Despite Sam’s numerous attempts to get them to talk to others, Ash could tell that Alex was also content, keeping to the sides. The trio spoke quietly amongst themselves. “There’s so many people here I don’t know. I should have done more research” Ash chided herself. Alex shook his head. ‘Will you just relax Ash, and try to have a good time? Leave all of that for now, you’ve plenty of time for that at tomorrow’s meeting. Tonight, lets just relax and try to have fun.” Sam smiled widely at this. It seemed Sam was making a mission out of trying to smile at everyone in the room at least once.

Ash resumed scanning the crowd aimlessly, noticing before long a feeling of being watched. Before she could pinpoint the person, Ash saw an older gentleman making a bee-line for them, making her sigh. Ash nudged Alex, nodding towards the man, as if to say ‘here we go’. Alex looked up, just as the man stopped in front of the trio. Ash acknowledged the man first. “Elder Roy, how are you?” Elder Roy looked briefly at Ash, before looking toward Alex. "Hello! I’m glad to see you were able to join us this evening.” Ash glared at Alex as he smiled at the Elder, not saying anything. Elder Roy then looked at Sam. “Who is this that you’ve brought with you?” Alex smile widened as he glanced at his mate, pulling him closer.. This is Sam, my mate and our pack’s Luna”. Sam flashed Elder Roy a dazzling smile and gushed “Pleased to meet you Elder Roy! I wasn’t going to let Alex and Ash here attend without me and miss out on all the fun!” Ash watched the Elder closely for his reaction, noting how he stiffened. Elder Roy cleared his throat. “Luna, you say? I thought….” The elder trailed off, looking between the three wolves standing before him, before his eyes landed on Ash. Ash stared defiantly back. "Sam here has a knack for hosting events, and as Alex’s mate, was more than happy to help us out.” she explained. Doubling down, she spoke again. "I mean, I couldn’t very well do it..." Elder Roy stood speechless for a moment, staring at them all, before turning to Alex “I take it this is what you planned to discuss with us at tomorrow’s Council meeting.” He sighed, rubbing his temples briefly, before looking at them again. “I’ll tell you this now. You best go get a good night sleep. The Council are all very traditional. You’ll need it if you’re going to convince the others to allow your pack to have a male Luna, mate of the Alpha or not”. The Elder turned to leave before stopping, and turned back towards the group. "May I suggest though, you go with the title of 'Lune'? Its more masculine, and historically, I'm certain there have been other packs who have had an Alpha and Lune leading the pack. It may endear you to the other more traditional Elders, and you're going to need all brownie points you can get." With a curt nod, the Elder turned and walked away, leaving Ash alone with Sam and Alex who were failing to stifle their laughter.

Ash followed Elder Roy’s reiterating back, and was surprised to lock eyes with a man across the room, and felt a tug. Ash knew instantaneously what it meant, and groaned. “s**t”. Her wolf, Lin, perked up inside her head. “We don’t have time for this” Ash told her sternly. Lin whined. “It would only make us stronger” she argue, making Ash shake her head. “It doesn’t matter. You know what the mate bond does; it would distract us, and we cant afford to be distracted. I have all the strength needed to support the pack”. Turning back to Alex and Sam, she suggested they leave. Sam shook his head “No way. It’s just getting good” Alex shrugged his shoulders and Ash sighed. She looked around and saw an exit sign. She got her brother's attention and pointed at it. Alex nodded his understanding, and Ash made a beeline for the door, hoping the fresh air would help. She rushed towards the door. She couldnt believe it. Of all times and places, tonight, she had to find her mate. She shook her head. It was no good. She didnt want to reject him and hurt him, but she knew that her mate wouldnt want to answer to her. She could as Faith make a charm or amulet that would mask her scent long term, and stop him from realising they were mates. She hoped he hadnt realised yet. That was the last thing she needed at the moment. Having a mate, even one as devilishly handsome as him. Or one with hands that looked like they knew exactly which buttons to press and lips that would make her sigh and scream… Ash, lost in her deep thought and enjoying the fragrant night air that carried a wondrous mix of orange blossom and vanilla scents through the air, when her ankle gave way in the terrible heels Sam had forced her to wear. A strong hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards them, and saving her from toppling over. In the process, she felt herself being flattened against what felt like a wall of muscle, and another hand grabbed her waist, steading her. All at once, her senses were overwhelmed. Ash felt complexly relaxed and hyper-sensitive at the same time, with sparks dancing across her wrist and hips where her mate’s hands were. She realised in horror that she had walked right into the man she had been thinking about ways to avoid. Her treacherous wolf howled, as she looked up at her saviour in shock. She was surprised to find that even this small contact with him had heat pooling within her. She watched frozen as he breathed in her scent, and she knew she needed to make a hasty getaway. Ash groaned internally as her heart sped up when he spoke. ‘Uh hi. You smell good”. Not knowing what to say, and wanting to make a quick exit before he realised she was his mate, Ash pushed lightly on his chest. ‘Uh Thanks. Im sorry, but you’ll have to excuse me”. She turned, and as quickly as she could without running, hastened around the corner, hating that she missed the warmth of his touch on her body.