Chapter One

Michael POV

I open my eyes slowly, and my head pounds. My best friend Grayson and I had a few too many drinks last night. I always drown my sorrows at pack gatherings, the way the women stand around in groups chattering with excitement as they hope to find their mate is sickening. A few of my unmated warriors fell into the moon goddess trap last night, the poor bastards.

Stretching my muscles, I go to climb out of bed when I notice Louise is still there.

I snarl, “What the fuck are you still doing here?”

She whimpers as she tries to untangle the sheets wrapped around her body.

“I am sorry, Michael, I overslept,”  she stammers, panicked by my reaction. 

I laugh as I shove her off my bed. She lands hard on the floorboards and looks at me, holding back tears as she whines.

``Why would you do that?”

“You know the rules, Louise. I fuck you, and then you leave before sunrise.” 

“But I thought you enjoyed last night, Michael.”

I growl, getting more pissed off every time Louise opens her mouth; she starts crying in earnest, 

“I won't tell you again, Louise; shut the fuck up and get out.” 

She reaches for her clothes so she can get dressed. I growl again, making her jump,

“ You don't have time to get dressed, Louise; you've overstayed your welcome.”

She shakes as I clench my fist. She knows I will hurt her. The scent of her fear makes my cock harden. Her eyes widen with fear when she sees my erection. She scrambles to the door knowing if I fuck her in my current frame of mind, it will be more pain than pleasure for her. I am a little pissed off. Why would she fuck this up, the stupid bitch. It’s lucky for her that there's never a shortage of women wanting to climb in my bed; being the next Alpha certainly has its perks. I will have a new bed partner by the end of the day.

My father's voice enters my mind.

“Get your arse up and meet me in my office,” 

I groan. What does that old bastard want this time?

“On my way now, dad.” 

Like fuck I am. I need a shower and coffee before looking at his ugly face.

My father was one of the strongest Alphas of all the surrounding packs. Now I can barely stand to look at him; he has become an embarrassment to every wolf in our territory.  

I enter my father's office; he sits behind his desk, his back straight and chest puffed out. I know he is trying to intimidate me as he used to when I was a pup. I try not to laugh; the stupid bastard is too proud to see I could kill him with one hand tied behind my back. I can't help noticing how old he looks. He has become too comfortable as our Alpha. He is growing soft with age. There’s a weakness in him that he can no longer hide from me.

I smile. “What’s up” he growls as he looks at me.

“It's time you had a mate, Michael” I raise my eyebrows.

“I am 25 years old, dad. I have plenty of time to settle down.” 

I watch as he runs his hand through his hair.

“I have set up a meeting with the Sunset Pack; their Beta has a daughter who just turned 20. You will take her as your chosen mate,”

I snarl. “Like fuck I will.'' 

The vein near his temple is pumping like crazy, and I can only hope I make the old bastard have a stroke. It is rare in werewolves, but he is getting fat; he no longer attends the pack runs, preferring to sit on his ass, lording it over everyone.

“If you don't take a mate in the next three months, Michael, I won't step down and hand the pack over to you.”  

Glaring at him, I say, “you are a fool; you would risk the strength of our pack so that you get your way.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose with two fingers saying nothing else as he watches me leave. Glass shatters as I slam the front door of the packhouse. I smile, the need to destroy something makes me feel a little better, or I will go back into his office and rip his throat out. My best friend and soon-to-be beta is waiting out the front for me.

“What are you doing here, Grayson?” 

“I just saw Loiuse running stark naked down the main street.”

He was laughing uncontrollably by the time he finished what he was saying. I laugh with him.

“Yeah, she thought she could stay the night.” 

Grayson frowns before asking, “Are you done with her?”

I looked at him

“sure am. Why?” 

“Was she any good?” I laugh; 

“Not bad, Grayson; if you want my seconds, you're welcome to have them” his smile broadens. 

“Let's go; I need to sweat some of this alcohol out of my system.”

We walk to the training arena in silence, leaning against the fence as Marian, one of our older female wolves, knocks a  warrior on his arse. I laugh.

“Another one eats dirt.” 

Grayson’s shoulders shake with laughter. “she’s a tough old wolf.” 

The young warriors all underestimate her strength because of her age. Marian was a Delta when my father first took over our pack, and she stepped down recently as she doesn't agree with a lot of his decisions. I think she is probably the only person other than Grayson in the pack that I have any respect for, which is incredible since she is also a woman.

I step into the arena motioning for Grayson to join me. He is the only pack member I train with. I have never managed to kick his ass, and he is the best training partner I have ever had. Besides me, Grayson is the most vital member of our pack. We trade punches for over an hour. Neither one of us came out on top. We are pretty evenly matched. I was wiping the blood from my eyebrow where Grayson's ring cut me when I laughed, noticing the blood running from his nose.

“You went a bit hard this morning, Michael.” 

“I needed to clear my head after my father's discussion with me,” Grayson growls;

“What did he want from you this time Michael.”

I motion for him to follow me. Once we are out of hearing range from the arena, I say,

“The old man threatened he wouldn't hand the pack to me if I don't find a mate.” 

“You could challenge him.” 

“I know, but I have big plans for this pack.”

“I don't understand why you are waiting, Michael; all the younger warriors will follow you.”

I don't go into the details with Grayson, but  I have a lot of ideas on how we can become the most feared pack in our region. 

“I intend to, but not until I am ready.” 

He raises his eyebrows, stunned at my reply.

“ You could beat him easily.”

I smile, changing the subject. Grayson doesn't push it anymore. He knows I don't like to be questioned, and I will tell him when I am ready.

“you forgot to take your ring off again,” he laughs.

“I left it on for Rose, and she opens her legs quicker when she sees I’m wearing it.”  

I laugh. “That's why you will be my Beta, Grayson. We think alike”. 

“I better head back. I need to think about what the old man said this morning,” 

“I am off to see Rose. My dick needs sucking,” 

I scowl at him, wishing I had the time to go with him as he walks away.