Alpha Nicholas
"This ball is just stupid! What happened to mates just meeting in the usual way? At parties or normal balls like Alpha ceremonies and so on. Why does there need to be a ball just for mates to meet and why the fuck does every pack have to take it in turns to host it? Surely it should be the Alpha's choice!"
"Nice to see your usual happy personality glowing there, brother!" I flip Shane the middle finger while he laughs his ass off at me. "I swear the older you get, the more grumpy you become." I snort at his words while my parents walk into the room, both laughing. They've clearly heard our conversation. Stupid werewolf hearing! "Fuck off. I'm a dream to be around!" I grunt while I drink my coffee and try to block his annoying voice out.
"Are you complaining about the ball again, Dad?" Lottie, my daughter, asks as she walks into the dining area and takes a seat across from me. Lottie will be turning 16 in a few weeks and is my whole world. She has the typical teenage attitude, but I wouldn't change her for the world, even if she is the image of her mother, a woman I'd like to never have to think of again.
"I'm not complaining, just stating a fact." She laughs as the door once again opens and my other brothers Will and Robbie come strutting in looking a little rough around the edges. "Is he still complaining about Saturday?" Will asks, causing everyone around the table to nod and laugh while I shake my head in frustration. I let others have their opinion about things, so why can I have mine? "Is it that bad, Dad? It's one night and besides... You could meet your mate."
I smile at the look on her face, but inside my gut churns at the thought. I'm 28 years old and if I was going to meet my mate then it would have happened by now, surely? It's rare for a wolf to not find their mate by my age and even more rare for an Alpha to have not met his mate, but I guess that's just my fate. My parents have been on my ass for the last 10 years to make more of an effort to find her, but if I'm being honest, I don't want to find her, not anymore.
There was a time when I couldn't think of anything better than meeting my mate. It was all I ever thought of but now, well now, it's the last thing that I want to do. For the most part, I'm happy with my life. I'm the Alpha of an incredible pack. I have the best family; a daughter and my best friend, Tony. I'm not short of offers from women, so I have no worries when it comes to fulfilling any kind of need. Why would I want to disturb that?
"After breakfast, I would like a chat with you, son." I nod toward my Dad, but I already know what he wants to talk to me about, and, as much as I want to tell him to forget it, I have too much respect for him to do it even if I'm going to regret it as soon as the conversation starts up.
Within 30 minutes, breakfast is done, and I'm in my office with my Dad sitting across from me. "I know what this conversation is going to be about, Dad. I'm not going to change my mind, so please just stop." He remains quiet for a few seconds while staring at me, making me feel on edge. "Nicky, it's time." I stand up pacing around my office while trying to figure out how to make this stop.
"Come in, sweetheart," I call out when I sense Lottie close by. She comes in smiling dressed in a dress that is way too short for my liking, but I've learned to pick my battles when it comes to a teenage girl and this isn't one of them. "Is it ok if I go to the mall with the girls? Hanna's mom will be there too. We're just going to get our nails and hair done for the ball tonight?"
"Of course, sweetheart. Enjoy." She gives me a look, and before she even says anything I know exactly what she is going to say. "What's happened to it now?" I ask her as I take my credit card out of my pocket and hand it to her while placing a kiss on her head. She shrugs her shoulders while doing her best to give me an innocent look, which means she once again lost her card and is waiting for a new one. I swear the girl has to order a new one every few weeks. "Make sure to keep your phone close and let me know when you are back." She nods, agreeing before saying goodbye to my dad and slipping back out of the office.
I turn to face my dad and can't help the sigh that leaves my lips. "I'm happy, Dad. Why change that?" He studies me for a moment before rubbing his hand down his face. "I understand what you're saying, son, I do, but I still believe it would be good for you for so many reasons. I know you are still haunted by the past, but that doesn't mean that you can't have everything you're supposed to in your future." Just the mention of my past makes me instantly pissed. It's been over 15 years since it happened and yet, I still can't seem to let it go.
"You say you're happy, son, but are you? Are you really? I'm not sure that I've ever met a wolf who doesn't want his mate, and I've certainly never met an Alpha who doesn't want his Luna. It's just so unheard of." He is right, I know this, and maybe deep, deep, deep down inside, there is a small part of me that does want my mate, but I just can't... The thought of suffering again... I just can't do it. As always, my dad seems to sense my thoughts as he takes my silence to mean more. "Nicky, aside from the obvious stuff, the Elders are not going to let this go."
"What do they want me to do Dad, just magic up a mate?" The elders hate it when an Alpha doesn't have a Luna, but what do they expect from me? Even if I did want a mate, I haven't met her yet, so I'm not sure what it is they want of me, unless... "Please don't tell me they're going to do what I think they are?" He sighs and then nods, making me feel even more pissed. "Please, tell me you're kidding me, Dad. Seriously?" He doesn't look too happy about this, so hopefully, he's on my side in this. "As much as I want you to have a mate, I want it to be your mate, not a fake one. I said as much to Elder Stone, but I'm afraid he wouldn't listen."
"So what happens now? Do I even get a choice or will I just be dressed in a suit and taken to meet my future mate at the isle on the day of our wedding without ever meeting her?" I'm being shitty, and I know it, but I can't help it. I know it's not my father's fault and I appreciate that he tried to help, but he's currently the only one in the room and therefore on the brunt end of my shitty behavior.
I slump down in my chair while I run my hand down my face. "So not only do I have to host a ball that I don't want, but I also have to face she-wolves who are mateless and ready to be my Luna? Dad, do you realize how insane this is? What's to say that some of them won't just be heartless bitches who are only out for the money and title that comes with it?"
"I know son, I know." I shake my head, but he holds up his hand, stopping me from saying anymore." I do. While I don't fully understand your thoughts when it comes to needing or wanting a mate, I can appreciate that this isn't necessarily the right way to go about this either." While this may not affect his entire life as it will mine, it's clear to see that he's not happy with this. He looks stressed and tired and that's the last thing that I want for him. Against my better judgment and personal wants, I decided to give him a break.
"I'll do it. I'll meet these women and talk with them. There will only be a few to get through, but I make no promises." Sometimes when an Alpha doesn't meet his mate, the Elders will encourage them to pick a mate instead of waiting for their fated ones. When they do this, they usually have a select few to meet the Alpha, usually around four to five of them. I can handle that.
The look on his face instantly has me on alert. "What is it?" He shifts a little, looking uncomfortable. "I'm guessing that you haven't read your emails today yet?" I shake my head no. "Well, the Elders have introduced a new law this year that all and any single male or female wolves must now attend the annual Blue Moon Ball. It's compulsory."
"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me!" He shakes his head while mine whirls. "I'm sorry, son, but there's going to be a lot of single she-wolves here and ready to be your Luna." Fuck!
BonnieI wake up with a thick layer of sweat covering my entire body while I struggle to catch my breath. It's not often that my father's abuse finds its way into my dreams, but when it does, it's hell. It's usually the worst kind of beating that haunts my nights and, after the beatings that I received Tuesday night, I'm not surprised that I'm dreaming about it. I have for the last two nights and I don't see it stopping any time soon.Yes, you heard me right. I said beatings, as in more than one. You see, I knew and had accepted that I would be punished after school. One because my dad hadn't finished with me in the morning before Alpha Mind linked him and two because I sneaked out for school without saying a word. I knew that it would make my dad even worse, but I just needed to get away.However, what I wasn't expecting was the kind of revenge he would get on me. Physical or mental abuse along with starvation and taking away my clothes were standard practice for my dad, but this time
BonnieThe journey to the Diamond Pack is long. Between stopping for toilet breaks, refueling the cars, and a food stop, it's been almost 7 hours, and we're still on our way. A delay on the highway added on an extra hour, which I was grateful for. Being stuck in a car with my dad, brother, and sister, you would think that I would hate it, but the truth is it's the complete opposite.I love to travel, even if it's just by car. I love watching the scenery and all the beautiful things that are out there in the world. And the best part about it is that when we travel, my dad is busy driving while Rowan takes the passenger seat and Blue always has her headphones on while she listens to something, so that means that I get left alone.I wish I could use this time to read the one book that I own. It's my favorite, it was my mom's and while over the years my dad has managed to take away everything that matters to me, that is the one thing that he hasn't managed to find and destroy. And if this
Alpha Nicholas"All final checks have been done and everything is set and in place for tonight." My brother, Shane announces as he walks into my office with Will right behind him. Not only is Shane my brother, but he's also my Beta while Will is also my brother and Gamma. It's a right family affair. Our youngest brother, Robbie has been offered a title more than once, both Shane and Will are more than happy to share their roles with him and with him having Alpha blood in him he's more than capable of fulfilling both roles but he doesn't want it, never has.He enjoys training with the warriors and helping to train the kids too. Several months ago he came to me asking if he could officially become a warrior and so I granted him that. He knows that he can come to us at any time to change it, but we all see how happy he is and I dont see that changing anytime soon. The moment he became a warrior he became the top warrior of the pack and no that wasn't because of who his family is.After of
BonnieAfter a few more minutes of chatter, Gamma will escort half of the wolves outside the packhouse, while Beta Shane escorts the rest of us to our rooms in the packhouse. With such a high number of wolves staying here on top of those that already live here, there are a lot of people room sharing but it's only for one night, so I don't see how it will be a problem. Right now, I'm just exhausted and more than ready for a nap in a real bed.We are soon shown to our room, and I'll admit, considering this is just a quest room, it still takes my breath away. There's a massive bed running along the back wall that could easily sleep four people, maybe more. The walls are painted in an off-white color while the carpet, curtains, and accessories are all a deep red.Of to the sides, there are two doors which I assume lead to the bathroom and closet and there's a humongous TV on the bottom wall. I swear it has to be at least 70 inches big. The room itself is huge and more than big enough for
Alpha NicholasI ran. I saw my mate and I ran. I ran from her, and now I'm currently hiding in my office. I'm a coward and a bastard. What kind of Alpha am I? What kind of man and an Alpha, at that meets his mate and runs? And if that wasn't bad enough, she saw me, and I'm pretty sure she knew who I was. "She did. Her wolf sensed us. She knew we were their mates and you fucking ran!" This is the first time Storm has spoken to me since it happened almost 30 minutes ago. He is furious with me and I get it and I don't blame him for being mad."I'm sorry Storm, I am. But I can't... I just can't." Before he can reply, my office door flies open as pissed-looking Will and Shane stomp in. "What the fuck is going on? Is something wrong?" I was about to chew him a new ass for just storming in here, but I quickly realize that he's not only pissed but concerned, both of them are.I knock back the rest of the top-notch whiskey that I've been nursing this whole time and enjoy the burn as it slides d
BonnieHe ran, my mate saw me and ran, and the worst part of it all was that a small part of me felt shocked. Stupid girl! Growing up every wolf hears the stories of how mates meet, of how they have an instant love, instant connection and are immediately glued at the hip and yet my mate saw me and ran away from me like his ass was on fire and I allowed myself to be disappointed with that, why? Why did I do that to myself when let's be honest, both my wolf and I already knew that our mate wouldn't be interested in us so what just happened shouldn't be a surprise."Hmm, no way missy. You're the only one who thinks that, so don't drag me into your negative thoughts." Lexi practically growls causing my head to thump. Ok, so maybe she is right about that but so am I, because he did exactly what I knew he would, exactly what my family has always told me would happen. "Maybe it was just a shock and he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. Maybe he wasn't expecting to meet his mate tonight a
Alpha NicholasAfter two hours of playing nice and actively avoiding my mate, it's time for the sit-down meal part of the night and of course, I have to make a speech and I'm not looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong I love being Alpha and I love all of my pack members even more, and it's always an honor to have other packs go out of their way to come here but I just hate all the mindless conversations that I have to entire, and the times that I have to play nice with someone that I do not want to.I get on with most of the people that I come across in life but now and again I get a strange feeling towards someone, a feeling that they are bad and the worst part of it is that in the past, when it has happened, I have ended up being right about them. Tonight I have had the same feeling with two wolves that I have met, one of them being the Beta to a fucking pack. I got talking to him and another guy, a warrior in the same pack and I swear that they made my skin crawl. Don't get me wr
Alpha Nicholas"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" James growls. This fuckhead has rejected our Sophie because of her scar, is he fucking serious! The growl that leaves me shakes the ground below our feet and it takes all I have not to snap his fucking neck right here, right now. I wrap my arms around Sophie and feel her sag into my body. Poor girl! Her life hasn't been easy since that day, not only did she lose her 3 best friends but every time she looks in the mirror she sees her scar and she's reminded of that awful day... those dreadful memories. And now to have her mate reject her for something that isn't her fault? For him to take all of her pain and use it against her... hell no! That prick is going to be sorry.She starts to sob into my chest filling my veins with anger while I will myself to calm down before I completely lose my shit here in front of everyone. "Why's it such a big deal? Mates get rejected all the time. Sometimes it has to happen so we can have someone else, a