“Apologies, Alpha.” Tegan replied carefully, “No new marked women have been reported in any pack I searched.”
I tapped my fingers on the seat and frowned. Within me, my wolf was pacing in aggravation.
“Keep finding her. At all cost.”
Tegan flinched at my response but said nothing as the car rolled to a stop at the Silvermoon ceremony hall. Behind us in the drive, more vehicles from my pack parked behind us.
I stepped out of the car, and straightened my jacket. There was a group of women standing near the door, eying me appreciatively.
Their scents were all shouting a mix of curiosity and fear. I saw a few dive out of my line of sight to avoid attracting my attention. Didn’t they know that motion is what attracts predators’ attention?
Foolish.
I knew why they were running though. I had heard what the other packs said about me, and the things I had done.
I couldn’t care less.
But with my scary reputation, it was more difficult to believe that some of their cheeks were flushing already. I guess there were always lunatics who would take any risk if it meant a chance at power and status.
I spared no more attention to any of them while I strode towards where the old Alpha of Silvermoon was waiting.
“Alpha Gideon.” the old Alpha nodded his head in greeting over our clasped forearms. “I am honored to welcome you to this hall.”
“Alpha Leon.” I nodded brusquely in return, suddenly weary of these formalities. “I understand there was a rogue incursion here a few nights ago. I encountered some of them as well. Have you been able to make any way into locating them? It seems to be originating somewhere near your borders.”
The old man’s face took on a distant, wary expression.
“Oh, well now, let’s see.” Alpha Leon cast his rheumy gaze around the room, as though the answers were written on the far wall. “No, we haven’t located that. We’ve had some other incidents that have required our focus.”
Something in his tone gave me the distinct impression the rogue issue hadn’t featured in his attention at all, much less been the center of his focus.
Irritation bubbled up within me with all the subtlety of a geyser.
“Then I suggest you focus on that,” I ground out, “and stop causing trouble that I will have to clean up.”
Silence fell over the ceremony hall. To the side, I saw Tegan’s lips twitch. He knew how much I was leaving unsaid. Alpha Leon was lucky he’d only gotten a taste of my temper.
Even if I caused him to lose face in his pack, I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry about it.
If his pack had been patrolling properly, my mate would not have been almost attacked. My wolf might be less angry, and I might not need to claim her right there in the forest to calm my wolf.
If my wolf was patient enough to take her back to my packhouse, I wouldn’t have let her just run away the next morning.
The awkward moment passed, and formalities resumed, but I had already checked out. I moved through the greetings and hospitality traditions – my mind miles away. The sooner I got out of here, the sooner I could resume my search for her.
In the middle of what felt like an endless parade of Silvermoon’s eligible mates, one of the men in the crowd approached.
“I’m Cohen, the Gamma of the pack, Alpha Gideon,” He said. “I am responsible for organizing this mating ball. You have been shown all the daughters of our highest ranking families. Which matches are you most interested in so far?”
Everyone went quiet in the room. I could sense expectation, fear and curiosity bubbling from the crowd.
I glanced at all the girls in the room and crossed my arms. No big difference.
“I don’t really care. Anyone will do. Before I take volunteers, however, you need to know-” I paused. “I won’t mark anyone I choose today. Prepared for that…”
“But the tradition-” Alpha Leon hesitated.
“The tradition doesn’t force me to mark anyone. Just marriage,” I cut his words before he could finish. “I have a marked mate already.”
Now the room was filled with apprehension and wary glances.
I guess no one wanted to be picked under these conditions, by an Alpha known to be ruthless and a mistress to compete with in the future.
I was glad. It was better if no one volunteered anyways.
“So anyone will do,” I turned to the Gamma who spoke to me earlier. “Maybe your daughter?”
“Oh-, She-uh-she’s mated to Ryan already. So-” The gamma clearly panicked and stuttered.
“Father, how could you forget about Avery?” One of the girls walked to the front and turned around to face me. “Alpha Gideon, I’m Zara, the Gamma daughter of the pack. Forgive my father for neglecting to mention that I also have a sister.”
“She admires you a lot, but she isn’t here because she hasn’t been feeling well lately. Maybe you’d like to meet her?” she continued, but there was something to her smile that made me feel like she was scheming something vicious.
Still, all women except my fated mate were all the same to me.
“Fine. Bring her to me.”
Avery’s POV
The key turning in my door seemed obscenely loud.
When Zara stepped in, her face bore a haughty and pleased expression. My stomach sank. This wouldn’t be good.
“Lucky you. You get to live a little longer.” She informed me, dumping a pile of clothing onto the bed. “Your marriage has been decided.”
So. They had found some unlucky but obliging wolf to foist me onto.
I tried to stir up an emotion, but all I felt was relief that I wasn’t going to die.
Until she told me who it was.
“You will marry Alpha Gideon.” Zara crowed triumphantly.
A flare of panic raced through me. My fingers trembled where they gripped the blankets.
It can’t be! The man is ruthless! I might as well die anyways!
Zara looked at my pale face and laughed.
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