Chapter 2 Meeting Destiny

 My father looks from me to my mom; the valet and other members from the SilverFang pack are attending to our belongings and car. “Why don’t we all go in together?” He finally asked, worry evident in his voice. He is right, I shouldn’t meet my mate as nervous as I am. I’m sure she is just as anxious to see me and at least one of us should be as sane as possible.  Heck, she might realize I’m here and jump me right on the dance floor. I can feel my face start to heat up at that scenario before my mom pulls me from my thoughts. “Get those ideas out of your head Ben, you should at least know her name before you start trying for pups.”

“Mom!” I started, a little too loudly, “what if she was close by!” I look around nervously. Good, no one is even paying attention over here.

My dad laughs “come on kid, let’s go inside” he offers his arm to my mom and pulls me along a few steps. I follow behind them, a task I have done all of my life and would probably continue to do once my brother takes over. The alpha and luna always in the lead, followed by the beta, gamma, and then the families. It doesn’t bother me really, just tradition.

We pass others, and I look at each one and try not to look like a lost little puppy in the process. As we get to the big double doors I notice there is a small line and a young woman standing at the entrance welcoming everyone in. She stood about 5’4 with brown hair in curls down her back, she held a small tablet in her hands. ‘She must be the Luna here’ I think while still looking around me. The smell of my mate was a little stronger here, but I still couldn’t find who it came from. I was barely paying attention when my father and mother greeted the young lady. But was brought back suddenly when my father called my name.

“Benjamin” Oh crap my legal name; I’m in trouble. I looked over to the young woman with the tablet and she was looking at me and smiling slightly. My father looked at me slightly concerned. “Ben this is Beta Violet from the SilverFang pack.” He turns back to Violet. “Beta this is my son, Benjamin.”

She held out her hand “Nice to meet you, Benjamin.”

I grasped it, no this was defiantly not her. “Just Ben, please.” I chuckled slightly “when people call me Benjamin I get nervous, usually means I’ve done something wrong.”

She nods and smiled warmly. “Yes, I see.” She motioned to all of us. “I’m very sorry the Alpha isn’t here to greet you all, but you see our Delta just found his mate and the Alpha went to go and congratulate them. “Let me show you to your table.” She led the three of us inside, taking us to a long table where we can see the entire dance floor. Some people have already coupled up, taking some smaller tables. I sighed, I still couldn’t catch a stronger whiff of my mate. Where could she be? Couldn’t she smell me yet? Maybe she left to go outside to find me? I tapped his fingers on the table absentmindedly. My logical mind told me to be calm, there was no way she wouldn’t find me, or me her. But my illogical mind....it was going crazy.

“Son if she is half as stir crazy as you are right now she might be up a tree,” my dad chuckled, “go look around, find her. We aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.” He glanced towards the food table. “Check the food table first to be sure she isn’t over there, then eat something.”

I wandered over towards the table where there was a good spread, most of these dances only offered the basics, like finger foods and light snacks but this had a real buffet style feel to it. If I had the time I could fix a plate and enjoy myself....once I find my mate I’m defiantly coming back. Her scent was here, faint but lingering, I grab a piece of fried chicken to eat on the way and started to make it out of the dance hall. Maybe she worked here as a cook?

I started to walk towards the side door when I walked past a couple of younger wolves complaining of the lack of alcoholic drinks at the refreshment station. A third one joined them, with a drink in his hand. “They have them, you just need to go to the other building,” he motioned, “I asked their Gamma, the Alpha here thought it best that the bar be separate, something about drunks at a dance or something.” He pointed to the side door. “It’s that way, down the path.”

I nearly jumped for joy, there was another party! I walk outside with a bigger spring in my step, walking down the path I become lost in thought again about what she would be like, would she be the shy type? A damsel in distress? I was nearly purring at the thought, though I kinda doubted it. I’m more turned on by stronger females. Maybe she was a guard that worked here? A strong silent killer who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.

I looked up and noticed I was at the bar, it was a tiki style bar with limited seating and lights hanging down creating a romantic atmosphere. Many couples were here, slow dancing under the stars with drinks in their hands.

I looked around desperately; maybe she was here hiding under the tree? Her scent was stronger here, it lingered around almost embracing me: taunting me. It was driving me utterly insane. I went to the bar, maybe the bartender could help. I went to the bar and ordered a simple drink.

The bartender, a man in his late twenties gave me my drink. As I took it I willed my courage forward. “Hey. Have you seen anyone around here that maybe....I don’t know how to explain it...but kinda...”

“Anxious, looking for someone, panicky like they know their mate is here but can’t find them?” The bartender smirked, as he began making another order.

“Yes! That’s exactly right!” I said a little too happily. “Have you seen them?”

“Yea, you.” The bartender smirked. “Calm down my dude, you look like a mess. You don’t want her first impression of you to be a hopeless fool, do you?” He placed another cocktail on the counter in front of me. “My advice? Have another drink, walk around, cool off. But don’t walk around too much, if she is following your scent you don’t want it lingering all over the pack.”

I nodded, “That makes sense.”

“Hey let me get another scotch,” a man walking up beside me said. “Better make it two, Jess will throw a fit if I don’t bring her one too. I left her in the dance hall by herself.”

“Of course, Gamma.” The bartender chuckled, “I’m sure your two are both glad this is nearly over. Been a rough few months, right?”

“Yeah, that is an understatement. You have no idea the amount of planning that goes into something like this. And being mated to a perfectionist is not fun at all at times like this. If I had to restring one more tree with lights I would probably bash my head into said tree.”

I don’t know why but I started to become irate, I grabbed the second drink and turned and walked away.

“What’s up with that guy?” I heard the gamma ask.

“Oh, he can’t find his mate. Seems like he can smell her, just can’t find her.”

“Huh,” was all the gamma said in response. I quickened my pace, didn’t want their pity. What if she really does know I am here but wants nothing to do with me? I walked back to the dance hall, defeated and returned to the table where I found my sister sitting beside our parents. A tall man with his hair tied back in a ponytail sat with them. The four of them chatting away happily.

“Hey Ben!” Lily called, finally noticing him. “This is Daren, he is the Delta here.....and my mate!” She grinned happily. “He is in charge of the pack guards and the defense training here!”

Daren stood, almost as tall as I was and shook my hand. “So, you’re her older brother I hear?”

Nodding I answer “Yeah, one of three. So you better do right by her or we will all kick your ass.” I chuckle, breaking the tension but I’m as serious as ever. As much as I tease my sister I would also kill for her.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll try.” Daren replied,  “I can assure you and your other two brothers your sister is in the best hands. SilverFang is strong and she will be safe here.”

“Ben!” Lily started again, her eyes really lighting up. “Even the Alpha came by and congratulated us! Alpha Sam even gave Daren the rest of the night off so we could get to know each other! The Alpha here is so cool and guess what!”

“What?”

“The Alpha is....” Lily trailed off as she noticed Beta Violet walking towards their table. Violet smiled sweetly as she looked over the entire table. “Daren, I just wanted to congratulate you. And met our newest member.”

Lily giggled, “Thanks Beta! I hope to be a great help!”

Violet nodded, “I’m sure you will be.” She turned to me next, “Benjamin, would you come with me please? The Alpha wants to speak with you. Privately.”

My eyes went wide and I looked to my dad, who also had a look of shock on his face. What did I do wrong? Why would an alpha of another pack want to see me? I have no say in our pack’s matters. My father nodded to me, a small smile on his face. <Remember what I said. If you need me, I’ll come.> His mindlink came through. Oh crap, now I’m really nervous. Violet is looking at me and I can tell she is getting slightly annoyed.

“If you would follow me please.” She repeated, a little more annoyed than before. I jumped to my feet quickly and started walking with her. She led me out of the dance hall and towards the pack house.

‘Oh crap what did I do? Did the bartender say something? Was I disrespectful to the gamma by not acknowledging him?’ I wring my hands together as we walk into the pack house. Her smell is here and its strong. ‘Did she figure out who I was and think I’m a crazy stalker??? Did she run to the alpha because I did something???’ “Um....d-did the Alpha say what he needs me for?”

Violet looks over her shoulder towards me, her smile gone. She looked at me up and down clearly not very impressed. I would be insulted if I wasn’t so scared. “No.” She was very to the point. “Tuck in your shirt and stand up straight. You are meeting the alpha for Goddess’ sake.”

I quickly comply as we start up the stairs, now I’m sure my mate went running to the alpha...her scent just getting stronger the further up we go. We finally get to the top floor and her smell is everywhere, its only making me more nervous. ‘Oh hell, what if she rejects me?! Is that why she went to the alpha, is she going to reject me and wants an audience?!’ We stop in front of a large door.

Violet places her hand on the door and I can tell she is sending a mind link, one I’m not privy too. She turns to me with a cold look. “You may go in. The alpha is waiting for you.” She goes back down the hall and down the stairs.

I look to this door, I have never before been so intimated by a door. My hand shaking, I slowly open it and slip inside, “Uh.....Y-you wa-wa-wanted to see me, Alpha???” I studder out before all the air leaves my body as I look inside.

Sitting behind the desk is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen, I can’t pull my eyes away. She slowly stands, she stands almost as tall as me, only a couple inches shorter. Her long brown hair pulled up on her head in an updo, a green ribbon running through it. She is dressed in a form fitting lavender gown that shows off her hourglass figure with a slit going up the side. She walks around the desk towards me, studying me, her large green eyes watching me curiously. She brings up a gloved hand to her chin, giving me a thoughtful look. After a minute of awkward silence she backs up and leans against the desk behind her, still facing me. I just now notice she has taken her shoes off before I arrived, I wonder what she would look like with them on, making her legs longer and boosting her other....features...….I’m quickly snapped out of my thoughts.

“I hope you don’t mind, high heels can be torture and I haven’t properly broken them in.” She gave me another quick once over. I can’t tell what she is thinking, she smiles slightly. “It's nice to meet you. My name is Samantha Serene Silver and I am the Alpha of the SilverFang pack.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “And you are?”

I’m still gawking, my brain has left my body. This is it, this is her!!! I found her! Wait, she asked me something, what was it? My name? What's a name? Uh.......I go to speak, but my mouth is dry. What? Damn, her eyes. What was the question again? “M-my name......uh.....my na-me.....uh, um, MATE!” My eyes go wide, WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST SAY???????