Four years later…
“You can’t cancel your own birthday celebration,” Jared said to me.
“Why not?” I asked him. I wasn’t looking forward to it. I would be twenty-one soon and be able to meet my bonded half, or my mate, the one meant for me, the one that would calm my anger and soothe my troubles, the one made for me for eternity.
“Firstly, you’ll give Elder Isaac just more ammunition against you and secondly, think of all the girls from sixteen to twenty who would be heartbroken if you did,” he said to me and I laughed at him.
“I hate this,” I said to him.
“I know but unfortunately this is how it works, you’re an Alpha so everything you do is public knowledge and cause for a celebration, especially if you find your mate on your birthday,” he said to me.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that, a lifetime commitment, settling down,” I said to him.
“You don’t have a choice, that bond does the magic for you, once you meet her, you’ll want all those things,” he said.
“Please don’t let her be sixteen,” I said and Jared burst out laughing.
“Imagine you’ll have to wait two years before you can touch her,” he said as I pushed him out of his chair.
“Don’t be an asshole,” I said to him.
“I hope she’s a bitch though and keeps you on your toes,” he said as I smiled.
“The bond won’t let her be a bitch to me,” I said as his smile faltered.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that part,” he said as I laughed at him.
For the next two weeks, the packhouse was filled with activity as my mother and Kat took over the organizing of my birthday celebration. The guest list consisted mainly of other clowders that we had alliances with as well as the Elders and our Council members. If by chance I did imprint and meet my other half there were more than enough witnesses to validate it.
I was standing in my dressing room when a knock came on my bedroom door and then opened as I zipped up my pants. Kat and my mother, Sara, walked in and sat down on the sofa in my room. I chose a shirt and walked out to meet them.
“You should’ve been dressed already,” my mother chastised.
It had taken about fourteen months to get her out of that slump and then another year before she could function like a normal person. It had been a hard journey but it was well worth it, especially now as I looked at her proud smile.
“You two are early,” I said as I put the shirt on.
“Your father would’ve been proud Damon, by twenty-one only half of his one arm was marked,” my mother said.
“What happens when both your arms are covered?” Kat asked.
“Then I’m an Elite Enforcer, my strength comes from the marks I collect, each one adding strength and wisdom, trust me, it will be many years before both my arms are covered,” I said to her.
“An Enforcer wears his marks with pride Kat, you would count yourself lucky to mate with a man who’s arms are covered,” she said.
“What if I mate with a human?” she asked cheekily.
“Then we will accept him into the family,” she said as I smirked.
“After I’ve beaten the crap out of him,” I said and Kat smiled.
“Always the over protective brother, lucky for you I’m not eligible yet,” she said as I smiled.
“And I always will be, no matter what, so if some guy thinks he can make you submit, he’s got another thing coming,” I said and they both laughed.
“All right, we need to get downstairs and greet the guests,” my mother said as she took the tie from my hands and tightened it around my neck. I hated wearing suits, but there were many ceremonies such as this one that required it.
I followed them downstairs and then my mother took one arm while Kat took my other arm and we made our entrance into the ballroom. The chatter and music had died down as I made my entrance and I received plenty of smiles from other Alphas and friends.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this birthday ceremony, tonight is a celebration of another prosperous year for all our clowders. My wish tonight is for us to once again stand united, honour our members and feast!”
There were loud cheers as I finished talking and made my way down the raised dais where plenty of people waited to congratulate me.
“She's here,” Axel said and I stiffened as I realized what he meant.
“Where?” I asked him.
“She hasn’t entered the ballroom yet but I can smell her from here,” he said.
I couldn’t fully concentrate on the conversation around me as I kept looking around. I caught the faint scent of lilies and I tried to find the source as I excused myself and started walking through the ballroom. Axel would be searching as well because he needed to connect with her jaguar, only then would she imprint on me.
“Alpha Damon,” I heard a voice behind me.
“Elder Isaac,” I said as he stepped forward.
“This is my granddaughter Nina,” he said and I sighed in relief when Axel didn’t go crazy in my mind.
“Nice to meet you Nina,” I said and nodded my head.
“The pleasure is all mine Alpha Damon,” she said and I caught the hidden meaning behind her words as her eyes roamed over me.
“Nina just turned sixteen,” he said and I gave him a slight smile as my eyes found her.
“It’s her!” Axel yelled in my mind.
“Alpha Da…” Elder Isaac started to say.
“Please excuse me,” I said as I started walking towards the woman who had her back to me.
I knew it was her, she was the one. Her scent became stronger and almost addictive and I could feel Axel reaching out to her. She turned around when I was a foot away from her and I could see it in her eyes, her jaguar had recognized Axel.
“Iris,” I said as she looked at me with wide eyes.
“Alpha Damon,” she whispered.
“Mine,” I said as I took a step closer to her.
“Yours,” she confirmed and the crowd around us was quiet.
“Congratulations Alpha Damon,” Elder Isaac said but I could hear in his voice that he didn’t mean it. He had hoped that Nina would be the one that Axel recognized.
Iris Howell, the younger sister of Jared Howell, my Beta and best friend. She had just turned seventeen and I couldn’t touch her for another year. I could feel that bond clicking in place as I took her hand and led her back to my table as people watched us and murmured quietly among themselves.
“This is great!” Kat squealed. She and Iris were close friends and now they would be family.
“This will be your seat now Iris, on the left of Damon,” my mother said as she stood up and gave Iris her seat.
“Thank you Mrs. Woods,” Iris said.
Even though Jared and I were best friends, I hadn’t ever really spent any time with Iris, I didn’t really know her that well but as I sat down I saw Jared rushing into the ballroom, probably as he heard the news spreading like wild fire through the clowder.
“You couldn’t wait ten minutes for me!” he said as he reached the table and sat down on my right.
“Not my problem you were late,” I said to him as he looked at me.
“I’m glad you found a decent girl, my poor sister though,” he said as he smiled.
“Is it just me or is Elder Isaac glaring at me?” I asked him.
“He’s probably pissed that you didn’t imprint on his granddaughter,” Jared said.
“Spare me, it’s already bad enough having him as an Elder here,” I said and we both laughed.
“So Alpha Damon, what are your intentions with my sister?” he asked me.
“Relax Jared, it’s not like I’m going to haul your sister off to my room and take advantage of her,” I said to him.
“Just checking,” he said and narrowed his eyes at me.
“I promise,” I said to him.
“You have a year to get to know each other at least, and I think you should wait until she’s eighteen before doing the acceptance ceremony, because if you mark her before the time, you won’t be able to resist, neither of you will,” he said to me.
“I know how it works Jared,” I said to him as I looked over at Iris. She was talking with my mother and sister and they all seemed happy and content.
“Do you smell that?” Jared asked me.
“Smell what?” I asked him.
“Cinnamon,” he said and looked around.
“Go find her,” I said to him but he had already left the table.
I watched Jared as he made his way through the throng of people to a table near the back of the ballroom. Seated at the table was Alpha Mandrake, his daughter Bessie, his Beta Roger and his daughter Charlotte. I wondered which one of the two girls it was as Jared stopped in front of the table.
I saw the smile on Charlotte’s face and then she stood up as she took Jared’s hand. Her father, Roger, had his hand on Jared’s shoulder and I knew he was in for a speech and a half. Charlotte was sixteen and suddenly I laughed as I realized his predicament.
Both Alpha Mandrake and Beta Roger nodded their heads at me and I nodded back confirming that I had witnessed the imprinting and that they had my approval. Of course negotiations would take place as Charlotte neared eighteen for her transfer to our clowder, the acceptance ceremony and all that goes with it.
“Damon, you remember Charlotte,” Jared said as he reached our table at the front.
“Alpha Damon,” Charlotte said and bowed her head.
“Welcome Charlotte and congratulations,” I said as I smiled at her.
“My father has granted permission for Jared to cross our borders and asks that you do the same for me and my chaperone so that Jared and I can get to know each other until I become of age,” she said.
“Of course permission is granted Charlotte, you are welcome here at any time for as long as you want,” I said to her and Jared smiled.
“What were you saying earlier about waiting until the right time?” I asked Jared as he laughed softly.
“Asshole,” he said to me.
“How long will you be gone?” Iris asked me as we stood in my bedroom.“A few days,” I said to her.“Will you miss me?” she asked with a sly smile.“Of course, will you miss me?” I asked her as I placed my arms around her waist.“Not even a little bit,” she said and chuckled as I pushed her backwards until her back met the wall.“Are you sure?” I asked her as I started kissing her.She pressed herself against me and I almost groaned at her teasing. We had another month to go before she turned eighteen and the past eleven months had been pure torture for me since she lived in the packhouse and I saw her all the time.Her scent was intoxicating and the need to spend time with her was just ridiculous. I took more and more assignments just to try and clear my head because I wasn’t sure how long I could keep my hands to myself.“Now I’m sure you’ll miss me,” she said as her hand strayed down my side and she lingered at the top of my jeans fiddling with the button.“You’re a bitch,” I whispe
I showered and dressed in jeans and another t-shirt for lunch and the inspection meeting afterwards. Jared was waiting for me in the hall and we entered the dining hall together as many heads turned towards us.“Good afternoon Alpha Damon, I’m Winston,” the young man said as he stood up and shook our hands.“You can call me Damon, how was your training?” I asked him as he led us back to the Alpha table.“Is that a trick question?” he asked me and laughed.“Who is in charge of training?” I asked him.“I am together with the Gamma, Bruce,” he said and nodded his head to a man sitting at the end of the Alpha table.“Your border guards are lax and unprepared for an attack,” I said to him as his eyes darkened.“They’ve reported the matter to me,” he said.“A suggestion if I may,” I said and looked at him.“Of course, that’s why you’re here right,” he said and I knew he didn’t like this. Alphas liked to think that they were mighty rulers and nobody could teach or tell them anything.“Border
I sent the Omega, whose name was Catherine, with Max who would take her to the Council for relocation and also inform them about our recommendations with regard to the pregnancy and the penalty I had already imposed.“You were very lenient today,” Jared remarked as I drove towards the next location on our list.“Not in the long run,” I said to him with a smile.“What do you mean? You gave him a pass,” Jared said.“Did I? He’s going to pay for the next eighteen years and if that baby’s a boy he can challenge Winston for the Alpha seat one day,” I said as Jared looked at me.“Do you think he realizes that?” he asked me.“Not yet,” I said“Are you going to tell the Omega that?” he asked me.“She has a name Jared. I will most definitely be seeing Catherine again and I might even extend her the courtesy of visiting our pack to train that baby if he’s a boy and reaches the age of ten,” I said to him.“You really don’t like this guy, do you?” he asked me.“Not in the slightest,” I said.“Nei
Two weeks later…We had visited almost all the assignments on our list and we had one last pack left to visit. We were tired and irritated and by now both Jared and I just wanted to go home. I had left Max and Justin with Catherine to help her get settled with the Council and help her choose a new pack.We were driving down a wooded lane but Axel suddenly flicked his tail and sat upright in my head. I caught their scent a moment later and I turned to Jared who had fallen asleep with his head against the window.“Jared,” I said loudly.“What?” he asked me with his eyes still closed.“I’m going to pull off in a clearing up ahead, get ready to shift, we’re being tailed by rogues on both sides of the forest,” I said to him.“Shit,” he said wide awake.It was seven pm at night and we were about five miles from the packhouse of the Goodwin pack. I had no idea why rogues were following us and if Goodwin’s pack had already been attacked. I took my shoes off as I kept driving and threw them on
Iris and Charlotte stood on the steps in front of the packhouse as Jared parked the car. Charlotte ran down the steps and into Jared’s arms as she hugged him tightly and he’d barely had a chance to get out of the car.I walked up the steps as I looked at Iris. Today was her eighteenth birthday and acceptance ceremony. She didn’t look like someone who hadn’t seen their bonded half in three weeks and I wondered if something had happened.“Happy Birthday Iris,” I whispered as I reached her and she finally smiled at me.“Welcome home Alpha,” she said and then she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me hello.She followed me upstairs to my room where I unpacked my suitcase and then lay on my back on the bed next to where she was sitting. I was utterly exhausted and I knew Jared was too. We hadn’t slept much the last week as we rushed to finalize things to be back in time for tonight’s ceremony.“You should rest before tonight,” she said as she gave me a kiss on the cheek.“I’m plann
“Good morning Alpha,” Jared said as he breezed into my office looking a bit surprised to find me there. Usually newly mated couples didn’t leave their rooms for at least two days as they became acquainted with the strength of the bond.“Morning,” I said somewhat rudely to him. What happened wasn’t his fault, but Iris was his sister and I had to wonder if he knew about this other guy.“I’m surprised to find you in the office already working,” he said as he picked up the landline and ordered coffee for both of us.“Work waits for no man,” I said to him.“Damon… what’s going on?” he asked me.“Did you know?” I asked him. He was my best friend and I had to know the truth even if I had to make him submit.“Know what?” he asked me with a frown.“That your sister is in love with someone else,” I said to him.“Bullshit,” he said with a laugh.I kept quiet and just looked at him trying to read his emotions and the expression on his face which was one of disbelief. I wanted so badly to believe
The following morning I felt like a different version of me, the me I used to be before imprinting on Iris and playing nice for a year just to be duped. I had a smile on my face as I got dressed and so far I had successfully ignored Iris’s phone calls and texts.I walked to the Council Headquarters again and this time the man behind the counter just waved me through and I took the elevator up to the nineteenth floor again. Natanya stood on the other side and welcomed me to the Council.“Good morning Alpha Woods, Miss Catherine is in Conference Room One awaiting your arrival,” she said like we hadn’t done a few inventive things the previous night.“Thank you Natanya,” I said as she showed me to the conference room.“Miss Catherine, Alpha Woods is here to see you,” she said as I followed her into the room.She gave me another smile and then left us alone. Catherine was standing by the windows looking out over the city of New York and I could tell she was very nervous.“Good morning Cath
“Tell me about your pack,” Catherine asked me.We were driving out of New York and it was eight am. The Council had tried to stop me but in the end with Catherine saying that she wanted to go with me, it sealed the deal.“Firstly, we don’t have a pack, we’re called a clowder,” I said to her.“Sorry,” she said and I laughed.“Don’t worry about it. You already met Jared, my Beta, and then there's Connor who’s my Gamma, the rest of the clowder are warriors and members. We don’t refer to people as Omegas and we function just like a normal pack would. People have jobs and houses and our territory is enclosed like a gated community,” I said to her.“And what about the Alpha family?” she asked me.“My mother’s still alive, her name’s Sara and then I have a younger sister Kat,” I said to her.“I’m sorry,” she said.“For?”“The loss of your father,” she said as she quickly glanced at me.“It was a while ago, but thank you,” I said to her. “What about you?”“I don’t know who my parents were, I