Chapter 4: Meeting the Alpha

Alpha Antonio's P.O.V.

~2 Hours before~

"Another," I ordered the bartender, who looked at me with wide eyes, shaking his head. He never questioned me. Every evening at this time, I stopped by the restaurant after work and got dinner and drinks. There was no one for me to rush home to. There was no place for me to be.

I was the Alpha of Chicago's most prominent pack. Taking care of business was something I did on a regular basis. Most werewolf fans will tell you that werewolves live in mansions and do not work out in the ordinary world. They portray pictures of us just merely not existing with humans.

It was all completely wrong.

The world has always been full of otherworldly creatures.

Werewolves, elves, vampires, and other weird figures.

We don't hide like most would assume. We have just learned that it is not anyone's business, but ours. If we decided to share our existence with the world, we would, but it is not like we go out of our way.

Humans were daft creatures anyway. Incapable of being able to believe anything outside of what they considered 'normal'. It was what made other instances in history cause the supernatural world to be wary of being so forward with our existence.

The segregation of species came naturally, as it does with all communities. Most preferred to live near their own kind. It wasn't anything to do with race, but more so who we got along with.

The same goes for a lot of businesses. All species coexist together, but because humans are a lot more naïve-minded. We choose not to do anything that would cause mass hysteria.

We respect the natural process of things, and the government stays at peace with us.

Humans maintaining their political figures, and us keeping ours.

Taking a long sip of my Jameson, I checked my phone. It was a quarter past five, and I knew that if I did not make it for the meeting with the Alpha from New York, he would complain to the others.

He was quite the extraordinary character. A prima ballerina, if you will.

Not a blue collar kind of guy like I am.

Removing a fifty from my wallet, I placed it on the bar. "See you later, Paul," I called out to the bartender, who saluted two fingers towards me in acknowledgment. As I turned and made my way back out into the real world.

Taking a deep breath, I breathed in the fresh Chicago air. I always loved this time of year. The temperature was perfect even and allowed for more outside relaxing after the long, harsh winters.

Jumping into my pathfinder, I groaned as I headed off towards the pack house.

There was nothing more that I wanted to do other than to push past the problems of being an Alpha, and move towards living my life how I deemed fit.

My life was a never ending mission of commands.

Commands that I didn't particularly like to give half the time, but it came with the title so I had no choice.

Turning on the radio, I flipped through my phone to play my favorite song. It took me back to my younger days when I was more carefree and able to do as I pleased.

Being an Alpha was not simple. It was rather stressful making sure that the lives of so many people were protected.

But knowing they are safe was always worth it in the end.

*******

Pulling into the long-paved driveway, I realized the hell that awaited me beyond those doors. I thanked God that I did not have to live here, at least not until I found my mate or wife to be.

That was a task that I was not planning on doing any time soon. I had too many things going on in my life that prevented me from taking things seriously with a woman.

One being the moonflower drug that was currently sweeping the Chicago streets.

The Pack house was for all the pack meetings and for when visitors came. It was also where single warriors lived free of rent in the modern world until they found their mate. The only difference between a human partner and the supernatural is that the connection is more alive.

Many people have questioned my breaks from pack house tradition, but I found that breaking the rule was sometimes for the best. When you are growing a family, you need your own place.

The single warriors should not have to worry about spending money on a place of their own for right now. Instead, I encouraged them to save up and plan for their future when they find their mate.

Eventually, I knew that would change, but it was why I was building a separate common house to continue with old traditions.

Once I found my mate, the core of my circle would live in the house. Unless, of course, they lived in their own home.

Who was I to tell them what they may want to do with their own family?

Yes, I was the Alpha, but it was the 21st century.

There was nothing enjoyable about where I was going, and most knew that I did not want to be there by my actions. It was not like an Alpha to hate the burden of being one, but then again, I had nothing joyous to look forward to.

I was the only Alpha without a mate, and I was in no hurry. Stepping from my car, I could smell the other Alpha waiting inside and wasted no time going to see him. The faster the meeting started the faster he could leave.

The 10-bedroom manor was a beautiful sight to see on the outside. Still, once I stepped through the door, I realized it drastically needed some updating. The young male wolves' raging hormones encircled the manor, and I could not help but make a mental note of work I wanted to get done.

"Alpha Serrano!" A husky voice called to me from the formal sitting room.

Pausing, I sighed before looking in its direction.

"Hello, Brantley. What brings you to Chicago?"

The tall red-haired man stood walking towards me. He was well-manicured and gave off the impression that he had never done a hard day's manual labor in his life. Gripping my hand, he shook it with a smile.

"Well, I was actually in town on business, and I thought I would stop in to see you and the territory. How are things for you?"

"Things are fine as always," I said, giving him a skeptical look. I knew this man well, and he never did anything out of the kindness of his heart. He always had an ulterior motive.

"That's great." He replied casually looking around.

"What do you want, Brantley? You never come to visit." I grimaced, leaning against the wall.

"You know me. I have a firm here in Chicago that I usually maintain from afar. Unfortunately, interests have required me to remain here for a short while so I figured I would let you know. Not to worry, I won't get in your way." Brantley said with a relaxed tone.

Rolling my eyes I sighed, "again, why are you here, Brantley?"

A grin crossed his look as he shrugged his shoulders as if unsure of what I meant.

"You were always good at reading people, Toni." He hesitated for a moment considering his following words, "the council convened last week, and there were inquiries why you had not settled down yet. I mean, you are 36 now and still mateless. The only woman you have been with was temporary and not your soul's fulfillment. They are concerned and believe your territory needs a powerful ruling couple."

Anger surged through me as well as annoyance with what he was saying.

I knew this was why he was here.

The council of elders was like the Congress to the President. They were a bunch of former leaders, mainly betas. Wise men that helped advise the Alphas and have been after me for years to find my mate.

Annoying pricks always pestering me.

"Seriously?!" I snapped at him. His eyes widening as he threw his hands up in defense.

"Hey, man. Do not shoot the messenger. I just told them I would let you know. Plus… I figured you could use a drinking partner after the news."

Giving a low growl, I observed him. I could not decide if I wanted to rip his throat out or drink with him. Then again, killing this man could start a war I really was not interested in. Turning towards the door, I opened it and began walking out.

"Toni. Come out tomorrow night with me. It will be fun. It has been years since we did anything together, and we used to be close. For old-time sake?"

"Fine." I sighed, turning towards him. "I will meet you tomorrow for a few drinks, but no more talk of marriage, please. There is more important shit to worry about."

I watched as he nodded in approval before heading for my car.

I had a pest to deal with this evening.

*******

Driving my car through the downtown streets, I kept my eyes open for the man who had been doing more damage than I liked to admit. He had been dealing drugs with some of the younger kids in my territory, and that was not something I was going to allow.

No, this man was going to meet his end rather quickly.

Parking in the public parking garage, I set out on foot in search of my prize.

I saw him before he saw me, and the anger in me sprung to life. Stalking up behind him, my claws lengthened as I dug them quickly against his throat. The man's body dropped to the ground at my feet.

The satisfying feeling of taking care of this criminal made me smile. That was until a soft gasp drew my attention to the woman at the end of the alleyway.

She was beyond beautiful, and her crystal bright sapphire eyes drew me in.

I wanted her, and I had never wanted anyone so badly before. It took a minute for me to realize the sight she was witnessing as I watched her quickly sprinted off in the darkness.

"Shit," I wanted to go after her, but I couldn't just leave the body here in the open.

Grabbing the man, I quickly tossed him into the dumpster and turned to sprint down the road after her. The alluring smell of her drawing me closer with every step..

Beautiful or not, she had just witnessed me in a partial wolf form with a dead man at my feet. I could not have her screaming and telling everyone what she had seen. The issues I would have to deal with at that point were enormous.

Taking the metal steps two at a time, I ran onto the platform just in time to see her train pull away. "Damn it."

A sudden realization crept through me as I stood there weighing in on the situation. "I have a mate."

I could not believe that of all times for fate to suddenly intervene, it would be now. I did not have time for a clingy mate, and with the way my wolf was howling inside of me, I could tell he would not give up easily.

Without my beautiful mate, I was weak. Ignoring the mate bond would make me vulnerable. With her by my side, I would be unstoppable. The conflict weighed heavily on my mind.

"Shit, I don't have time for this!" I yelled in frustration, drawing in the unwanted attention of a few people passing by. Groaning, I turned on my feet, leaving the platform. The only thing circling my mind was who the mysterious woman was.