Mate rejection!

David POV

I sat at my desk, listening to Evander, my personal assistant, report on his adventures. Because of his extreme efficiency, the reports were always longer than was strictly necessary. He could explain everything in less time, but who knew what the additional information would ultimately reveal?

He reported on the autonomous, restless wolves that lived in the adjacent city. He told me that there was some discussion of an attempt to overthrow me and steal my people and land, and that the pack whose territory bordered ours, albeit they had far less acreage than us, was making quite a fuss. There were rumours about a renegade coven of warlocks and witches that used magic and had settled in our region. The elders and the record books say we haven't seen the likes of them in almost twenty years.

Since Evander's grandfather had been my father's beta, I had thought about appointing him as my own because he was so meticulous and skilled at his work. However, his family was followed by all that was disagreeable. Not that they could get away from it, either, with the girl remaining there to serve as a continual reminder of what had transpired. I really felt awful for the guy. I only wish he wouldn't ramble on for so long because he was incredibly intelligent and the finest wolf I could have for an assistant. Oh no!

Evander stood straight as a pin and recited the information from memory, "...and lastly, all of the unmated females have been assigned to their groups. You will spend your time at each of the Full Moon Gatherings looking for your mate among the women assigned to the group number for that gathering." With his sharp features, dark hair, and eyes, all he seemed to be missing was the penguin suit that would have given him the appearance of an upscale butler. I was almost laughing at the concept, which infuriated me. I don't want to attend these awful events; I should be furious and incensed right now.

"I will not need an entire night just for that. I will know within five seconds if anyone in the group is my mate." I sighed.

"The Elders seemed to think you should spend some time alone with each one of them if possible, but as much time with the group as a whole if not."

"If they're not my mate, then spending more time with them won't make a difference. These glorified speed dating traps they've set up for me won't change anything at all." I screamed.

"Hey, don't snap at me, okay? I'm not the one who set all this up." Evander said, briefly removing his professional façade to smile at my annoyance. He was my friend, and this wasn't his fault, I had to keep in mind.

I was losing control of my anger. I'd been on edge for weeks now, and with what was coming, things were probably going to grow a lot worse. I would go headfirst into a fight with another pack if you told me I might not survive. I'll take down a peg or two if you tell me that a rogue is vying with me for the title of Alpha and that he has to be put in check. Inform me that a warlock has abducted a child from humanity and that I will be the first to arrive on the site to deal with the situation stealthily and precisely.

Tell me, though, that I must be forced to mingle with a group of giggling she-wolves who believe they have a chance to either become the next Luna or the person who warms my bed for a night. that they believe they have a chance to get my money or the prestige I may bestow. It would always be the same, regardless of the cause. They would not change over time. Women were worthless, superficial beings who exploited you for their own gain and then simply abandoned you without saying anything.

Hence, I have no desire for a partner. Women are just concerned about themselves. His mother was one of the possible exceptions. She was without a doubt the greatest woman in the world prior to the occurrence. She was only a shadow of the person she had once been. She was like a vegetable, just sitting there all day long in a catatonic state. She sat drooling on herself while gazing out the window. She had not talked, moved, or otherwise displayed life. Not since the betrayal that killed my father seven years prior. The disloyalty of a lady who prioritised her own needs over those of others. I really wouldn't allow someone like them to damage my pack once more.