CHAPTER 3

The dining table was filled with Hamilton's cabinet members and a few other well wishers. Jane was not at the table, yet and that was because Mathilde had made it a point of duty to dress her up for tonight's dinner.

"What's the essence of all these, Mathilde? It's just a few hours of dinner. Why do I have to be made up?" Jane complained to Mathilde who was busy applying a matted foundation on her face.

"You have to look good for…" Her tone died down and Jane moved, causing the make up brush to fall off Mathilde's hand. 

"For who?" Jane asked, frowning. 

Mathilde shrugged. "You know who."

"I don't know who, you tell me." Jane rolled her eyes.

Mathilde ignored her and went back to applying makeup on Jane's face. But Jane was quick to brush her hand off again.

Mathilde groaned and bent to pick up the make up brush. When she straightened, she was glaring at Jane who was less concerned. 

"Who are you talking about?" Jane asked in a serious tone.

"Since you're going to act like you have no idea who I am talking about, it's Rock. Yes, Rock."

Jane immediately faced the mirror, keeping a straight face. She tried so hard not to blush, but Mathilde already saw through her. Mathilde shook her head.

Minutes later, Mathilde was done applying make-up on Jane's face. Jane looked really beautiful with her accentuated jaw and cheek bones. Her brows were high and her eyes were larger and more defined. Her lips were fuller and Mathilde had to admit that Jane looked breathtaking.

Jane had always been a beautiful woman, no doubt. With olive skin and a body to die for, anyone within her range would always feel the energy rolling off her. Mathilde stared at her, admiring the work of art she had just created on Jane's face.

Jane was too busy checking her dress out in front of her full mirror. 

She was wearing a blue slip dress that was strapless. Her bosom were ample, but not all of her cleavage was out in the open. She looked beautiful and the blue gown brought out her eyes. The makeup did justice to all of her outfit. 

Mathilde threw a strapped silver sandal Jane's way. "Put it on, real quick. You're going to be late."

Jane flicked a blue fluff off her gown. "I want to be late."

Mathilde was amused. "Why?"

"Throw in an air of confidence while I make an entrance so everyone can see me."

Mathilde chuckled. "You're so dramatic. Hurry along, do not keep your guests waiting."

Jane twirled around in front of the mirror for the last time before walking out of the room. She stopped in front of her vanity table and picked up a sapphire bottle and spritzed perfume behind her ears, below her chin, at her pulse region and between her breasts. Then she winked at Mathilde before leaving the room with an air of aromatic fragrance that filled the whole room.

In all honesty, Jane was quite jittery. Making an entrance wasn't going to be pulled off easily, but she was going to do it. When she got to the base of the stairs, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths before making a beeline for the large dining area.

When she got to the wide wooden doors that led into the dining room, she said a silent prayer to Luna before wrapping her slender fingers around the brazen door knob and pushing it open.

The room was silent. Perfect time for her to make an entrance. 

Jane closed the door with a flourish and turned, giving no one a smile and walking majestically to the head of the table; her father's usual spot when he was still alive. She could feel everything around her; her satin gown swishing against her smooth skin, the leather of her sandal brushing the back of her feet, her hair swishing behind her and the eyes of everyone on her as she sashayed towards her seat.

When she sat, she placed both of her elbows on the table and gave a brief smile, making sure that her gaze fell on everyone present at the table to see that she had made a desired effect on them all.

Rock was smiling in utmost surprise. He was also shocked by her entrance. She removed her eyes from him.

"Thank you all for accepting my invitation. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, and while we wait, I'd love to make a toast."

Rock stood up and walked to her seat. A cotes de provence sat on the space before her and Rock picked up the bottle. He looked at Jane who nodded at him before he opened the cork of the wine bottle. It opened with a pop and a small amount of vapour escaped the mouth of the wine bottle. 

With fluidity, Jane raised her cup to the level of the bottle Rock was holding and he tipped it, adding a generous amount into her wine glass. He shared it around the dining area, making sure that everyone got their share. 

Once he was done, he dropped the empty wine bottle back on the table and sat.

Jane stood up, raising her wine glass. "Like I said, I'd love to make a toast and it shall be to my reign in Blue Creek Pack. To sunshine and good service, to peace and harmony, to development." Then, she raised her wine glass higher. 

The clink of wine glasses could be heard around the room as everyone cheered to her toast. Rock left his seat and went to clink glasses with Jane who blushed violently. 

Rock was a sweet man.

Everyone took a seat and downed their wine and soon, they all began to converse amongst one another. Rock was seated close to Jane, so they began to converse while waiting for the maids to serve them all.

"You look really beautiful this evening." He complimented. 

Jane blushed again. This must have been the sixth time she had blushed tonight and Rock was the catalyst to it all. 

"Thank you." She said shyly. As she stared into his beautiful grey orbs, everything seemed to disappear and she saw only him. 

Then, he straightened and moved away from her. That was when she realized that the cook was already about to serve them all. Mathilde stood alongside the cook and once she saw Rock and Jane exchanging looks, she winked at Jane who returned it with a glare.

Jane was hungry and as soon as their first course was served, she began eating immediately. She was ravenous, but she controlled her eating speed. And as she did so, she watched Rock eat his meal with all calmness. He wasn't too fast or slow. He ate at a normal pace. She nearly moaned. Then, she shook her head. She wasn't meant to be doing this.

Someone cleared their throat and her attention shifted from Rock eating to a familiar man in her father's cabinet.

"So, Alpha Jane." He began, testing the title in his tongue. Jane also had to admit that it sounded unusual to be called an alpha, but she was going to get used to it with time. 

Jane raised her brows in askance. "Yeah?"

"Now that you are Alpha, how will you find your mate?"

Jane was left confused. She hadn't thought about this at all. When last had she even thought about having a mate? For almost a year now, she had been more concerned about taking care of her sick father. The idea of having a mate hadn't crossed her mind. 

Damn.

Rock was the only man she had ever had a feeling for. And he was far older than she was. A widower who had lost his mate several years ago to a rogue attack. 

Then it dawned on her. She sat up.

She was meant to have a mate!

Everyone was already giving her weird stares. Rock had to tap her before she jerked out of her reverie.

Then she cleared her throat. "Err, I'll soon find a mate. Or, he will find me. Whichever." 

The man was not done asking his questions. "And, when you both are mated to each other, you remain the Alpha or relieve your duties and become the Luna?"

Jane shrugged and then she realized that she had the authority to answer that question if she wanted. 

She sat up and stared at the man sternly. "And, how is that any of your business? How has my business become yours?"

From beside her, Jane heard Rock stifle a deep laughter. The man, obviously embarrassed, said a quick apology before returning to his food.

Jane returned to her food and everyone began eating in silence. 

It felt like her presence was intimidating. No one was saying anything and it was different with her father who everyone was free around.

Was she being too hard on them? Was she doing too much? 

She would ask Rock after dinner.

And she did as she had said.

As soon as everyone left, she cornered Rock who was about to take his leave. 

"Hi." She greeted shyly.

Rock stopped walking and backtracked to listen to her. "Hey, there."

For a whole minute, Jane was at loss of what to say. Rock had to click his fingers before she realized that she was indeed going to tell him something.  

"I am really sorry." She apologized quickly. "I have to speak to you about something for a few minutes. Do you mind?"

Rock shook his head. Then, she led him to the drawing room. Rock stood by the fireplace while she went to take a seat on the piano stool that stood behind the grand piano in the room.

"I just want you to gauge how I acted back there in the dining room while we were all having dinner. Was I doing too much to make everyone take me serious?"

Rock gave her his slow lazy smile. Then, he walked towards where she sat and slipped his hands into his pocket.

"I didn't think you were doing too much. You are carrying yourself with so much confidence. And it's intimidating everyone, keeping them in their place. And if you keep doing this, they're going to keep you on a pedestal and forget the fact that you are a female Alpha."

Jane agreed partially. "But, I want them to see me like a female. I want them to be reminded that I am a female Alpha each time they see me. I do not want to be masculinized."

Rock placed a hand on her bare shoulder. Jane felt sparks on that spot on her shoulders and countless times, shivers ran down her spine. 

"It's all up to you." He advised. "But you are doing really great. This is your first day and your impact is amazing. You are proving to them that any gender can take the place of an Alpha. It doesn't have to be male."

Jane melted at his words. He was a gentle man and she loved gentle men. "Thank you so much, Rock. For all you do, thank you. I really appreciate it."

Rock smiled. "You do not have to thank me. All I do, I do it for Hamilton. He's someone I respect so much and you are taking his place so quickly and so well." He said. "And know what? No matter what happens, I'll always have your back. I'll always support you, no matter what you do, okay?"

Jane nearly burst into tears at how tenderly he spoke. "Yes, yes. I know you will."

Rock nodded. "I have to go now. It's getting late. Don't worry, I'll be here tomorrow to put you through some paperwork. I'll give you a rundown of the finances, okay?"

Jane nodded. "Alright. Goodnight, Rock."

Rock gave her his last smile. "Goodnight, Jane. See you tomorrow."

Jane watched him leave, a part of her heart going along with him out the door.