Chapter 3

Azai’s POV

I’d been irritated all day. I was supposed to be reading reports from the warriors patrolling the pack borders, but I’d been mulling over my thoughts all day. Something about that girl from Cerulean pack was different. She was small but faster and stronger than the average she-wolf. Her attitude knew no bounds.

As irritating as it was, it was nice to have a girl who wasn’t afraid of me, wouldn’t just submit and listen, one that I wouldn’t have to take it easy on during a spar. Perhaps it was just because of who she was, daughter to an Alpha. I had watched her and her friends from her birth pack leave, growling when that weak Beta put his arm around her. Who was he to her?

A knock sounded at the office door, “come in.”

Beta Zaine walked in, “evening Alpha, did you read the patrol report from last night?”

I cleared my throat, pushing my thoughts of Alessia for another time. “No, was there something significant?”

He sat down on the couch on the far wall, “I’m not sure. Open the email. It’s interesting, at the least.”

I opened the laptop and clicked on the report the spoke of. Slowly reading over it. I sat there quietly for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Zaine sat forward, “you read that correctly. I already talked to the men on patrol to verify what they saw.”

I turned my seat back toward him, my head reeling. “A white wolf that appeared to have glowing blue eyes. What did the patrolmen say when you spoke to them?”

“Both of them said the same thing, they were surprised by what they saw, didn’t know what to think or do. By the time they blinked, it was gone.”

“Did they try to follow the scent?” I had sat forward, elbows on my knees.

“There was none, Alpha. I had them take me to where the wolf was seen, but there was no scent. What are you thinking? Tricks from witches? Rogue covering their scent?”

I shook my head; I’d heard tales in the past, but it wasn’t something I was concerned I would need to face. “I’ve got some ideas. Nothing serious. I’ll investigate it. Thank you, Zaine.”

He got up and left my office. A white wolf with glowing eyes. There was only one person in the pack to speak to about this. I mind linked her.

Come to my office. Be here in an hour.

She didn’t have to respond as I could feel her acceptance through the mind link. I got up and left my office walking down the hall to my room. Mary had been through, stripping my sheets and put fresh sheets in their place. I hadn’t been sleeping well and the tossing and turning made it look like someone had been in my bed. Mary didn’t ever ask questions though, simply did her job. It’s why I’d have a hard time replacing her when the time came. I went into the bathroom and turned the shower on.

I looked in the mirror as I waited for the water to warm up. My thoughts returning to Alessia. Was it possible she was the new Celestite wolf? Tasha had been an omega in our packhouse when I was only a pup, telling me all sorts of stories. The Celestite wolf being one I remembered very well.

She is different, I like it. My wolf Xander sounded in my head. Has more fight in her than the rest of the weak she-wolves. Fit for an alpha such as ourselves.

I noticed as my golden eyes flashed dark as my desire for her built. Had she noticed it in the gym this morning? I could feel the steam swirling around me, so I stripped down and got in the shower. Washing my body and hair, noticing how my body reacted to the thought of her. I stroked myself, needing some form of relief.

I had quit taking women to my bed when I became the Alpha at 22, I was now 27. Well, aside from a recent mistake I made bringing a pack member into my bed. I had never found my mate, but I didn’t get to leave the pack often to go search. I relied solely on the gatherings at my own pack in hopes she-wolves from other packs would travel to meet the infamous Alpha of Dark Moon. 3 years without a woman in my bed and that was becoming increasingly difficult with a she-wolf like Alessia around.

The curves of her body, the alluring look of her blue eyes against her dark hair cascading around her face. Oh, how I’d love to tangle my hands in her hair, feel her supple skin under me in bed instead of on a gym mat, her intoxicating caramel and vanilla scent swirling around me. To make a she-wolf like her scream my name. I stroked faster, thinking of myself between her legs. Finally getting release, I leaned against the wall breathing hard. How did she do this to me? Three years I was without issue and now I can’t keep her out of my mind or stop myself from getting off to her.

I washed myself, got out and got dressed. I wore a pair of jeans and a maroon button up shirt, styling my hair messily. I needed a distraction, drinking with Zaine and letting she-wolves throw themselves at me in an attempt to get into my bed seemed to be the best option. I’d never seen Alessia there in the past few months, why would she suddenly be there now.

I poured myself a drink and walked back to my office to find Tasha waiting for me. Had I taken that long?

“Apologies if I’m early Alpha,” she said as if she could read my thoughts. It always seemed as if she could when I was younger, but I didn’t have as much control of my bearings then.

“No worries, Tasha. Do you know why I’ve called you here?” I asked as I leaned against my desk. Tasha stood in front of the couch.

“I have suspicions, but please inform me.” She continued to stand.

I searched her face, nothing to be found as usual, she was great at keeping her secrets, “alright then. My patrol had an interesting discovery in the forest last night. A white wolf with glowing blue eyes by the river.” Tasha nodded and sat down, not saying a word. “What do you know about it? I remember the stories you told me when I was a pup. Are they true?’

Tasha shot me a look, “very much so. My grandmother was the last Celestite wolf, her birth pack was Silver Dawn, but she was mated to a Dark Moon Gamma. Her son was the last Gamma this pack had as he never had children. My mother had two daughters. Myself and my sister, Kristin. Kristin was a warrior along with her mate, they had one daughter. Her mate died while she was pregnant in the fight with Silver Dawn. She left for Cerulean as she felt as if she saw her mate everywhere here. Where her daughter, Lillian, mated to the Cerulean Alpha Brandon. Producing Austin and Alessia.”

“Austin is obviously at Cerulean pack; it wouldn’t be him.”

“It couldn’t be anyway. Celestite wolf is always a she-wolf.” Tasha said deadpan.

I thought this over quietly, “you didn’t know it was Alessia?’

Tasha shrugged, “we always suspected. Her mother swore her eyes were glowing when she was born. Kristin never wanted anything to do with any of that though, so Lily knew very little. She named me her godmother to ensure Alessia would always be able to gain the knowledge she needed. We talked about it yesterday evening and I asked if she had shifted and finished the bond with her wolf. She said there was too much going on at home and that they didn’t do their normal tradition, so she just never shifted… I guess she finally decided it was time.”

            We sat in silence for a moment while I processed what she had told me. “Do you think this will place her in danger?” I asked bluntly.

            Tasha’s expression turned dark. “Yes. I suspect it will when the other packs discover the Celestite wolf has returned. Perhaps not with Cerulean because her brother is the alpha but Silver Dawn, I am worried about. Our family originated from there, so they’ve always felt they had a claim to the Celestite wolf. They will want to control her powers.”

            I growled, “no one is touching her.” I knew my eyes had turned black with anger.

            Tasha nodded, “of course not Alpha.”

            I downed my whiskey, “that’s all I needed, Tasha. You can go.”

            She stood, walked over to the door, opening it, and pausing before she walked out, she looked back with this knowing look, “don’t deny what you feel, Alpha. It is destined.”

I was shocked and Tasha was gone before I could say anything. I mind linked Zaine, letting him know the plan for the night, I was thankful my Beta was also my closest friends growing up.

Alessia’s POV

The club was 2 floors, the lower floor consisting of 2 large bars, some bar tables and stools near the bars and a large dancefloor with purple lights dancing all over the floor. The upper floor looked very VIP with black leather sectional couches, curtains dividing each section. Ryan’s title as a Beta earned us a VIP section with a waitress scantily clad in black leather shorts that showed part of her bottom and a purple corset that pushed her large breasts together, toping it off with thigh high black leather boots, but all the waitresses dressed as such. The music was pounding. I had worn a short black sequin dress that was form fitting and was to my mid-thigh, low cut enough to accentuate my breasts. Arabella had brought it from my closet at home, Austin hadn’t let Shayla remove my things from the packhouse.

Arabella wore an emerald-colored satin dress that matched her eyes and Callie wore a white top with rose gold sequin leggings. Both Ryan and Caleb kept it simple with nice jeans and white button up shirts. Our waitress brought us the drinks we had requested, the girls and I drinking some fruity drink Arabella had requested and the boys drinking whiskey and coke.

Tasha had left the house and not come back before we left for the club, so I had left her a note telling her we’d all be back later. I was sitting next to Ryan laughing at Callie and Arabella making Caleb dance with them when Ryan put his arm around my waist and brushing his lips against my bare shoulder. I glanced over at him flashing him a small smile.

“Let’s all go dance downstairs for a little bit,” I said loudly trying to talk over the music.

Ryan grabbed my hand, taking me downstairs behind with the others. On the way down we passed Beta Zaine and Alpha Azai following behind him. He flashed me a dark look, his intoxicating scent filling my head.

“Can we get shots first,” I asked Ryan.

He flashed another smile and went to the bar, I heard him order a couple of silver bullets. The bartender made them quickly then placed four shots in front of us. I looked at Ryan questioningly.

“Two shots each babe,” he flashed his dazzling smile and passed me two.

I picked one up and threw it back, feeling it heat my body on the way down. There was that feeling of being watched again. I looked around as I grabbed the second shot, making eye contact with the Alpha as he stood upstairs looking down at me. I threw back the second shot, never taking my eyes off him. Ryan put his hand on my lower back just above my butt and Alpha’s eyes turned dark again.

Ryan got my attention when he kissed my shoulder, “let’s dance, beautiful.”

He pulled me out on the dance floor, putting my back against him, his hands on my hips. Callie and Arabella finding me and dancing too. I glanced up to see Alpha still watching me, speaking with Beta Zaine. His eyes dark as he watched Ryan and I dancing. Alpha and Beta moving away from the railing into their VIP section.

He seems angry. Amara murmured.

I ignored her and continued dancing, Ryan’s hands trailing all over my body, him using his mouth to nip at my shoulder and neck, his golden hair shining under the flashing lights.

Just then a large man dressed in all black walked up, “Alpha Azai, has requested your presence.”

Ryan smiled, “how kind of him to want his guests to join him,” he said smugly.

The large man looked at Ryan, “not you. Only Alessia.”

I looked around at my friends who had all stopped dancing when they heard what the man said. “Me? Why?” I questioned.

“I don’t ask questions, I do as I’m told.” He turned, his body clearing a path for me.

“I’ll be back, I’m sure I’m in trouble for something else now,” I smirked and rolled my eyes, not wanting them to see the concern I had for my own life now. Why did he have it out for me?

I walked back up the stairs slowly, preparing myself.

He’s not going to hurt you, Alessia. Stop worrying. Amara sounded sure, but I wasn’t.

At the top of the stairs the large man turned around, blocking the stairway for anyone trying to come up. Beta Zaine walked out of their VIP section, a smirk on his face as he walked past me, simply nodding his head to me. He joined the other man at the top of the stairs.

I stopped in front of the Alpha’s VIP section. “Do you need something, Alpha? Or are you intent on just ruining my night?”

Why can’t you keep your big mouth shut, I could feel Amara rolling her eyes.

Alpha was sitting down, drinking what looked like whiskey. His eyes had turned golden again, what looked like a hint of enjoyment swirling around. He smirked up at me, “sit,” he said motioning to an armchair in the back corner of the section.

Doing as I was told, I sat down, and he got up to close the curtains around us. “Why do you think you’re here?”

I scoffed, “hopefully not for a conversation.”

He flashed me a smile as he chuckled, it changed his features from hard to soft. “If you don’t want to have a conversation, then what do you want to be doing?” He put his drink down on the coffee table, turning to lean over me in the armchair, his hands on the arms, blocking me in. His intoxicating scent distracting me.

“Uhm.” I forgot my train of thought as I realized how close he was. “I could be drinking at the bar or dancing with my friends.”

The amusement in his eyes left, the serious look returning. “You mean letting that Beta put his hands on you?” He growled.

He doesn’t like that another man is touching you, Amara said, immediately regretting she said anything at all when she felt my irritation come back.

“Why does it matter to you who touches me? Not like I’m your daughter to worry about,” I growled back at him.

His hand moved from the chair to my throat, holding firm, my panties instantly dampening with my desire. “No, you aren’t.” He took a deep breath, hopefully to calm himself down and not because he could smell my desire. “Tell me Alessia, what were you doing last night?”

I looked at him suspiciously, “I hung out with my friends, then had dinner with my aunt.”

He released his grip on my throat, “that’s all you did? You didn’t go anywhere else later?” I shook my head. He backed off some, “who is that beta to you?”

I shrugged, “my brother’s childhood best friend.”

Alpha Azai opened the curtains again, the guard had left the top of the stairs and Beta Zaine stood leaning against the railing with a drink in hand, probably pretending not to listen in.

“You never dated then?” Azai asked as he sat back down on the couch beside my chair.

I shook my head, “nope, never. He dated Shayla, my brother’s Luna until she discovered she was Austin’s mate. Of course, that’s after she’d convinced Ryan to reject his true mate for her. My brother’s Gamma, Liam, I did date him for a few years.”

Azai downed his drink and Zaine came back to join us still smiling, “seems like you guys were a tight knit group.” I nodded, glancing over at Azai to see him looking broody.

His eyes shot over to meet my own, “go enjoy the rest of your evening, Alessia.”

I got up, quickly making my way back downstairs toward the bar. That was unexpected, Amara mused. I snorted back at her, yeah, you’re telling me. Things at this pack were starting to get strange. I walked up to the bar, waiting for the bartender to make her way over to me. I smiled as she made eye contact with me, coming my way. “Whiskey straight, make it a double.”

She nodded, got me my drink, and moved on to the next group of people. I drank it down quickly, trying to forget the encounter I’d had with the Alpha. Arabella spotted me and came over to sit next to me.

“What did that hottie Alpha want?” She waggled her brows at me.

I lifted my glass to the bartender to tell him I wanted more, “nothing.” I lied. “I know Ryan has to leave tomorrow, are you planning on staying?”

“I’m not sure, maybe. I had to practically beg Ryan to find a reason to come here.”

I scoffed, “what excuse did he give Austin?”

She shrugged, “I think Ryan told him he wanted to meet the other pack alphas or something.”

I hummed my acknowledgement as my thoughts went to what the alpha had said about Ryan touching me. Why was he so bothered by it? Those thoughts were short lived though as Caleb, Ryan, and Callie made their way over, grabbing Arabella and I to drag us back to the dance floor. We danced to the music for a while, lights flashing with the music, grabbing shooters as they made their way through the crowd. It was starting to get crowded, getting hotter in the large group of people dancing under the lights. I turned around to look at Ryan, motioning toward the bar. He nodded, following behind me as we danced our way out.

I had a good buzz going now at least, I thought as I sat down at the bar. “It’s been forever since I got to have fun with friends it feels like.”

Ryan sat beside me, both of us turning to face each other and he put his hand on my knee. “It hasn’t been that long but I’m sure you’ve been lonely. Have you talked to Liam at all?”

“No. He hasn’t even reached out to me… but neither has Austin. Is he really that busy or is he mad at me?”

“Allie…” Ryan began, trying to think of what to say. He paused just long enough for me to look back up at the VIP section where Azai and Zaine were. Leaning against the balcony railing was Azai, drink in his hand with some dainty hand on his arm that he looked to be trying to ignore. Why didn’t it surprise me that it was Caitlin? Or that one of her groupies, Valerie, was trying their luck with Zaine. Azai’s eyes found my own, flickering black for just a moment like something bothered him. He got off the rail and walked off, leaving Caitlin stunned. Zaine sat up, his eyes quickly finding me in the crowd, the same knowing smirk forming before he leaned back, returning his attention to the girl sitting next to him on the couch.

“Earth to Allie. HELLOOOO” Ryan was saying as I snapped out of it and looked back at him. “You good, Allie?”

“Um. No. I think I need some fresh air.” I stood up, quickly mind linking to Callie to meet us outside. I pulled my phone from my purse looking at the time, it was just after midnight, I was exhausted, but I’d been up since before 5 am. Reaching the outside, the air was cooler. I walked around to the side of the building, leaning against it as I took in the fresh air.

Ryan stood next to me, “do you want to head back to Tasha’s? Probably should get some rest this weekend too.”

 “Just trying to soak up all my time with my long-lost friends,” I laughed. “But yeah, can you have valet get the car?” He nodded and left to go have them pull around the big SUV he had driven here. Arabella, Callie, and Caleb all came out, spotting us waiting for the SUV.

“I bet you’re tired as hell after training with the alpha this morning,” Caleb said, clearly trying to stifle a yawn himself.

“Wait.” Arabella looked at me shocked, “You’re training with hottie alpha? Why?”

I shrugged, “I beat his Beta during my eval, so he wanted me to go train with him.”

“Too good to be wasted potential,” Callie said. “She took on Beta Zaine like it was nothing.”

Ryan walked back over, “yeah, I can believe it. She used to train with me and her big brother. We didn’t take it easy on her. They’ve got the car ready.”

We all climbed into the black Tahoe, letting the quietness settle as Ryan drove toward Callie and Caleb’s road to drop them off. I felt like I could doze off at any moment if I kept my eyes shut. Ryan reached over, setting his hand on my thigh, and giving me a reassuring smile that I returned.

We stopped in front of Callie’s house; Caleb got out as well saying he would walk to his house since it was just a couple houses down. Ryan turned the Tahoe around, heading toward Tasha’s for the three of us to crash, Ryan had his own room and Arabella would be sleeping with me in my room.

I was startled by the sudden deep voice in my head, Come to the pack house with your old pack mates.