Chapter 6

GAVIN

The party at the Pavillion was already in full blast. Everyone was ready for the Union and Luna Ceremony tonight. Everyone but me. My eyes were searching for something or someone. 

But I couldn´t find her.

I took one last look at the ballroom and checked if everything were in place before I had to go and pick up Alpha Jake.

It was then when my eyes caught her.

She entered the ballroom in her brother´s arm and I felt my whole world suddenly become smaller. Everyone disappeared and all I saw was her.

She wore an old rose cocktail dress just cut a little shorter below her knees. She had her blonde hair down, letting it flow naturally. She was an epitome of beauty and I found myself following her every movement until Gamma Aaron nudged my arm, putting me back to reality.

"Look at that female! Smitten, aren´t we? Not bad! Look at those hips?" He licked his lips as his eyes followed Alia as she swayed seductively across the room.

A low growl vibrated from my chest, earning a chuckle from Aaron. He raised his palms in defense as my eyes shifted into full black. "Hey man! Relax! I was just kidding! I saw the way you ogled at her so I thought I´ll make fun of you! She´s not my type!" He said, shrugging his shoulder but a teasing grin plastered on his mouth.

I took full control of my emotions, throwing one last look at my mate before shifting them to Aaron again. "She´s mine," I told him with my teeth gritting.

To which he nodded, the same smile playing on his lips. "All yours, man! All yours!"

I took a deep sigh before adding. "Can you watch her for me? Make sure no fucking wolves touch her. I´ll pick up the Alpha. He should be here already." 

I turned on my heel and walked away, hearing the Gamma calling out after me. "Whoa! I didn´t know it was that serious. But copy that!"

*****

I drove back to the packhouse to pick up Alpha Jake. He was supposed to be at the Pavillion 30 minutes before the ceremony to meet and greet the guest and here I was, running late at picking him up.

All because of her.

Alia.

I was outside her room after I left Alpha Jake and Alpha Caspian this afternoon. I wanted to talk to her but I suddenly lose the courage to do it when I was already standing by her door.

What would I tell her? How would I explain myself?

Hi! My name is Gavin. I´m your mate and I´m sorry I went to challenge another Alpha for a female while you stand there and watch. And I hope we could get past that. Because I really wanted to claim you.

Fuck this!

In the end, I went away without seeing her.

But I couldn´t get her out of my thoughts.

Today was a full moon, a Blue moon and from what I remembered last week, Elder Rose said the blue moon could intensify the heat for an Alpha Female. She might be able to resist a regular wolf but might give in to an Alpha, and the place was swarming with unmated Alphas. I needed to make my move and make sure they stay away from my mate.

But I needed to do something first.

I knocked at the Alpha and Luna´s room.

The door opened and revealed Alpha Jake, but before he could step out, I pushed him back into their room.

I wanted to ask permission in connection with their ceremony.

"Today is a full moon," I said calmly.

"I know. Blue Moon as well. That´s why I have this union today." He chuckled, he found my statement amusing and confusing at the same time.

I could understand him. I wasn´t clear with my intentions. Guessed I have to man up and admit that I needed help.

"Man, I fucking don´t know how to talk things like this with you, but I had no one who knows," I told him, pursing my lips.

"Alia?" He asked.

"Yes. I assumed she would go on heat later. And the place was full of unmated males, I had to take her away before it hit. Like you needed to mark Clair before it takes over her."

"I know. But I´m not marking her in public. I will take Clair off the party earlier." He explained.

"Like we planned. That´s why I´m here. Because I have to tell you that I can´t be there during your ceremony. I know it´s fucking important but I don´t want any wolf to smell her before I can lock her up somewhere." I couldn´t look him in the eyes.

I was his Beta and I never missed an important day in his life since I took over this post.

Jake and I grew up in the territory. One would say we were attached to the hips, him, me, and Aaron. It used to be the six of us, including Matteo, Damien, and Dylan.

Dylan was Damien´s older brother. Everyone thought that he would be the next Beta, given that he was the same age as Jake compared to me, who was 2 years younger. But it all came down to who Jake trusted the most.

Much to everyone´s surprise, he chose me.

And I spent every fucking day since that day to prove to everyone that I was the right Beta for the Alpha. And the only time I failed him was when I let someone abduct his Luna. 

To which I made amends already, which caused me the only woman I wanted.

But today, I had to miss his Union Ceremony. I had to do this. For my sanity.

I lifted my eyes on him after seconds of silence just in time to see him nod his head.

I could see understanding from his eyes, he knew where I was coming from.

People might be scared of his tough facade, but I knew Jake. Behind his face void of emotions, he was a good man with a good heart. That was the reason I did not hesitate to push Clair his way. The Alpha only deserved to be with the woman he wanted.

"Take care of your female then. I had Aaron there, you won´t be missed." He chuckled before continuing. "Just make sure she´s not anywhere at the party at all, it´s the peak of the full moon."

"I'll take her away somewhere before your Union ceremony is over."

"Okay, then it's settled." He nodded again and moved towards the door.

"Thank you," I said in a low voice.

He tilted his back to my direction, stopping by the door. "You know you don´t have to say that. Clair and I owed you our union, so do your thing. It´s time to fix yours."

"One more thing," I added.

"Hmmm." His forehead creasing.

"Ah, shit man! I never thought I would have this conversation with you.

Fuck this!

"Talk! We´re late already." His voice slightly raised. He was rushing to get out of here but I wasn´t done yet.

"How do I handle her heat?" I asked with my eyes fixed on the floor, hands on my pocket.

He let out a hearty laugh, before patting my shoulder. "Fuck, man. Fuck!"

"No. I can´t. She hated me. She´ll hate me more if I took advantage of that." I would if I could. I wanted nothing but to make her body surrender to my touch. But not now. Not yet.

"You came to the wrong guy because I had no idea how to, I couldn´t resist Clair so we end up doing it." He snickered while shaking his head.

"Do you think touching her would suffice?" I could feel my face burning.

This was humiliating already. I never thought I would talk to another guy about private matters like this.

We talked about girls. No filter but never this specific. Although we played around, we never compared notes, and definitely, we never asked each other how to handle our women.

We fuck and then we shut our mouth.

"I don´t know." The Alpha said and shook his head again. "Man, who would have thought we will come this? Where is the fuck boy who knows how to handle his women?"

"I know. But she´s different." I let out a sigh.

"I know. They´re different. You will know what to do. It´s all on you now but just to help, Jenny placed Clair on the bathtub with iced water, maybe can help for a moment just to drop her temperature."

"I need ice," I mumbled under my breath. I needed to have someone prepare ice for tonight. I don´t know how it would help but I was willing to try all options here.

"Yup. And we need to go." He tapped my shoulder once more and opened the door.

Time to head off to the ceremony. Time to look after my female.

I don´t have a concrete plan for tonight. All I knew was, she needed to stay the fuck away from all the unmated Alphas or I might end up in a rage tonight.

"Don´t think about my ceremony tonight. As soon as you´re able to find a chance to take her away, you´re free to go." Jake told me as I pumped the car´s engine to life.