CHAPTER 2: GRAYSON

My father continued to drone on about how important it was for me to pick a chosen mate at tonight's banquet. I wanted to shout at him and tell him that he wasn't the Alpha anymore, but I knew the rumors spreading around the pack were getting to him. Rumors that the moon goddess had cursed our family -- First, my father lost his mate to another, and now his son is seemingly mateless. While it was rare for a wolf to still be mateless by the time they turned twenty-five, it was unheard of for an Alpha wolf to be mateless. Alpha Wolves had the most exposure to other packs; we were more likely than any other wolf to meet their mate.

"If I choose a Luna, how will that help squash the rumors that our family isn't cursed?" I ask my father, turning my attention from the window back toward him.

"It won't stop the rumors, but it will show the pack that you take your Alpha duties seriously. It will show them that you're a strong leader and are willing to do what it takes for the good of the pack."

"But what if my mate's still out there. What am I supposed to tell her when I meet her and am already mated to another?" I ask my father.

"What's to say your mate hasn't already found another." My father replied grumpily, letting his past cloud his answer.

I try my hardest not to roll my eyes at him. I understand my dad is still tormented by his past, but if his mate hadn't chosen another, I wouldn't be here today. He wouldn't be married to my mother, who he claims is the love of his life. Yes, I get he was embarrassed in front of the entire pack; yes, I get that my father lost his best friend at the time, but he also gained the support of the whole pack and strength in numbers from the Midnight Sky pack, when he chose my mother as his Luna.

"But enough of this useless conversation; what's done has been done. The banquet will go on tonight as planned, and you will choose your luna." My father stated firmly before leaving my office.

When I was beginning to wonder what would happen if I were to leave all my responsibilities behind and run away, maybe backpack around the Eastern Hemisphere in search of my mate, one of the packhouse guards linked me.

*Alpha, sorry to interrupt you if you're busy. There's a she-wolf here to see you. She said it's a matter of utmost importance. She's also upset she wasn't informed that your meetings had all been canceled today in preparation for the banquet tonight.* The pack warrior states.

I walk over to my window and look outside. I can see a feisty, long-legged, blond-haired, edgy-looking she-wolf staring at the packhouse like she meant murder. Her tits looked amazing in the tight red crop top she had on that fit to her body like a glove. I let my eyes wander down to her bare abdominal muscles that begged to be liked by my tongue. She wore black skin-tight leather leggings that enhanced the curves of her body. Her hair was pulled into a tight ponytail that I wanted to grab hold Of and use to guide her perfectly painted lips down to where I wanted them. Around her neck was a cute black choker that I wouldn't mind replacing with my hands. I felt myself stir as I let my imagination go wild. She was the first woman to make my wolf want to lose control.

Forcing myself to look away, I concentrated on what I wanted to say to Blake, the pack warrior.

*It depends on what she's here for, Blake; I might be able to find a minute to spare. What's her name?*

I watched out the window once more as Blake questioned the beautiful woman. I watched as his expression went from friendly to that of discontentment.

*Sorry I bothered you, Alpha. If I had known who she was before our conversation, I would have just sent her on her way.*

How peculiar. Blake is the outside packhouse guard because he's one of the friendliest people in the pack, he's also the strongest warrior, but usually, he gets on with everyone. Whoever this girl was must be someone with a terrible reputation.

*Her name.*

*It's Aurora. Aurora Macafee.*

I see; Blake's reaction to her name makes more sense now. Every wolf has been taught to hate the name Macafee from a young age. The beautiful woman standing outside the packhouse demanding to see me was the daughter of my father's supposed to mate and former best friend—the daughter of the pack traitors; the she-wolf who desired to meet with me and request that her pack link be terminated. She wanted me to disown her so she could live her life fully elsewhere. She, like me, was tired of living in the shadow of her parents' history.

*Blake, let Aurora know I will meet with her tonight at the banquet. Remind her that it is formal attire. Oh, and tell her to leave the choker at home.*

I watched as Blake relayed the message to Aurora. I watched as her green eyes, the color of Jade, swirled golden, her wolf rousing due to her sudden onset of anger. I wonder if her rage was towards Blake, the pack, me, or her circumstances in life. I felt the anger protruding from her when her eyes glanced up and met mine. I wanted to give her a little wave, but instead, I turned away from her and walked out of my study, searching for my mother.

Now that I had practically forced Aurora into going to the banquet, I wanted to do something to keep her hidden from the rest of the she-wolves, whom I'm sure will be attending with their claws out tonight. It meant everything in the Wolfdom to be mated to an Alpha. Whoever ended up being my Luna would be Luna to the most extraordinary pack. She would be invited to pack ceremonies worldwide and even attend the Lycan ceremonies. At first, I cringed at the thought of the banquet and being surrounded by position-hungry she-wolves, but now I was looking forward to it. Aurora Macafee would be in attendance tonight, and something about the pack traitors' daughter sent my wolf into a frenzy.

"Grayson," My mother called when I entered her sitting room, standing up from her lounging chair with her arms wide open. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Mother," I call back, walking further into the room and wrapping my arms around her petite frame, inhaling her comfortable scent of lavender.

"So why are you here, son, and please don't tell me it's to cancel the banquet ceremony. You already know your father will have an aneurysm if you try." She replied, pulling back from my embrace and looking into my eyes, her eyes full of questions.

"No, but it does have to do with the ceremony," I reply.

My mother casts her eyes downward, trying to hide her disappointment.

"I was hoping it wouldn't be too late to change the banquet dinner to a masquerade ball instead. I don't want my decision for my chosen to be based purely on looks. I want to pick my luna based on her intelligence." I state.

My mother quickly whipped her head up, staring at me first in shock and then joy. "What a brilliant idea. I always told your father you were a brilliant boy and would be a wise alpha."

"Don't sing your praises too soon, mother. Wait until after I've picked my chosen Luna." I reply, trying to return her smile, even though every part of me wanted to scream in frustration about having to choose my Luna instead of waiting for my fated.

My mother raised her hand and placed it on my face, caressing my cheek. "I know it's the future you envisioned, my son, but you will learn to love and cherish her; before you know it, you won't even remember that the goddess Selene didn't choose her for you."

I wanted to ask my mother if that was the case, then why did my father still punish the Macafees,' but I knew bringing up my father's fated mate only caused my mother pain, so I bit my lip, letting my silence seem as if I agreed with her.

"Now, you had better hurry along. I have a lot of work that still needs to be done tonight, including sending out a notice that the event for tonight has been changed." My mother replied, hurrying me out of her chambers just as a group of packhouse omegas came rushing in.

A few of their cheeks flushed red at my sight; one of the more courageous omegas took the chance to look me in the eye and wink at me. "I'll see you ladies tonight," I whispered, letting my chest rumble causing the unmated she-wolves to melt into a puddle.

"GRAYSON!" My mother yelled, "LEAVE MY WOMEN ALONE! THEY HAVE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE FINISHED."

I'm sure my laughter could be heard in her room as I hurried down the hall searching for my best friend, Tyson. People were surprised at how similar we looked, and I wanted him to play my role tonight while I watched our guests from above.