1. A Prince Amongst Men.

Eoin.

I punched the punch bag harder as my Beta James held it in place. He stood back slightly with each impact of the bag. The material of the bag gave away at the seams, and the stuffing spilt out over our feet.

"Another one bites the dust." James laughed just as his Father, the current Royal Beta Adam, walked in with my own Father, the werewolf King.

"Shit Eoin you and your father are two very destructive men" Adam whistled "between the bill for your destroyed gym equipment and your father's bill for your mother's destroyed underwear the crown will be bank rupt." he laughed. Adam was always a man whore as my father often put it and his mind is never far from the gutter. I shuddered at the realisation of his words. I really didn't need to know anything about my parents intimate lives.

"I prefer my way of blowing off steam." My father smirked folding his arms and whilst I was not happy he was taking a rare playful moment to part take in this banter I didn't correct him. They chuckled like three immature teenagers as I grabbed my towel. James sighed almost sadly as he took in my serious demeanor.

"Is he still training around the clock?" My father asked James as I walked away from the group.

"I am right here you know?" I snapped turning back to face them and a small smirk crossed my father's face, he knew I could hear him with our sensative wolf hearing.

"He speaks." Dad laughed play acting he was shocked. He moved to follow me then a look of concern now on his facial features softening them greatly "Eoin." he spoke gently.

"Yes father." I sighed.

""You have been really impressive lately Son. Training the warriors and helping with the academy, but you need to find a better balance." he added.

"Really says the workaholic King." I laughed sarcasim dripping from my tone.

"My balance is your mother and my children." he said softly.

"Yea well on that note then I am off to see Amira." I replied voicing my intention to go see my long term girlfriend. "My balance." I added calling back to him as I left the gym.

I stood under the warm water of my massive shower and slammed my hand against the tiles. Things were harder then usual lately and alot of it had to do with the damn mate bond, not finding their fated mate was very frustrating for an Alpha like me. I know at twenty one I wasn't old but in werewolf society I was too old and too powerful to be mateless. The urge to find it, the need for it grew rapidly. My father would soothe me with his story of being in his early twenties when he found my mother but their story was not in any way normal. My mother's wolf had been hidden and dormant by magic and she was the moon Goddesses bloody daughter on earth. They were true love mates and growing up I wanted what they had. Even now they could not keep their hands off each other, it was clear they needed each other, lived for each other and were one soul together. I had walked in on their mate antics numerous times over the years and whilst it was not what a person wanted to see or think about their parents on some level I wanted to be like that with my mate. The insatiable insanity to have to have her near always. The strenght of the bond that ment your mate could change your emotion and knew you as your other half completely. I had hoped Amira was my mate, I had been dating her for a couple of years thinking we could be mates my wolf Jagger liked her whilst being also a little indifferent to her but she was a siren or more commonly called a mermaid. She and her twin Arthur were the Prince and Princess to the largest Siren pod based in the carribean and she was the prefect Princess. She was ladylike and calm. She was submissive which my wolf Jagger liked in her and she was eager to please. She was kind and caring all the great qualities of a Luna she would make the perfect Luna in theory. Sirens found their mate on the first full moon after they turn twenty one because ironically the sea and tides are ruled by the lunar cycle just like wolves. Amira had turned twenty one and it was very clear we weren't mates. I had felt heart broken but I wasn't surprised on some level I had always known we weren't but i had hoped. We however had agreed that we would stay together and if in one year neither had found their fated mate we would mate with each other but our relationship was no longer the same and we were drifting apart, being together now was a convenient comfort in which we were both fulfilling a promise we made each other. I mean Amira was a close friend of mine and I loved her what more would a fated mate offer me in reality. My father knew my intentions and disagreed completly sighting the fact a fated Goddess gifted mate made an Alpha much stronger but I told him I didn't need a mates strength. So I threw myself into brutal training and was the strongest, fastest and toughest warrior alone. I also had the power of the elements a gift I shared with my sister. I had the power of fire and earth whilst Rori had the power of water and air. As twins we were two halves of one complete whole. Rori was mated early her mate knew before her and our parents knew since Ben was a toddler. Their bond was strong and had been blessed with a pup and whilst I was delighted for my twin and one of my best friends Ben I was jealous. I dried my bulking frame which was now adorned in tribal style tattoos but on my back was a howling wolf.

Once dressed I picked up Amira from her little apartment she had rented in the city I had wanted her to stay in a suite in the Palace but my mother didn't feel it was required but I knew she was meddling hoping one of us would be thrown by fate into the arms of our mate. I knocked and waited for her. Amira opened the door and instead of being dressed to go out she wore a black lace bodice and a tiny silk black g string showing off her tall long legs, olive sallow skin and small perky breasts. Her long black hair was curled loosely in waves down her back. Her plump lips painted red. Amira knew how to please me and it was all a very appealing package.

"Hello Alpha." She purred. "I know we were going for dinner but I was hungry for something else." she smirked. When she was like this whilst I was turned on its cliche often bothered me but I didn't have long for my brain to mull it over as all the blood had rushed south. I followed her into the apartment kicking the door shut behind me. I grabbed Amira and pinned her against the wall.

"Don't tease me." I growled my wolf flashing in my eyes giving her the order.

"Sorry Alpha." Amira submitted instantly dropping to her knees she unbuckled my jeans and took out my member as she took me in her mouth. Amira sucked and licked me to my release just as I liked it as perfect and efficient as always so why was it suddenly not enough. Amira stood and straightened her bodice before leaning in to kiss me I kissed her back and after a moment pulled away.

"Get dressed Sweetheart I'm starving." I smiled.

"You don't want to stay in?" She asked annoyance flashing in her eyes.

"No I really am starving I skipped lunch." I lied.

"Okay sure." she seemed disappointed but ever the perfect girlfriend she put a forced smile on her face and returned minutes later in a blue silk dress, heels and her clutch bag.

"Ready." she smiled as we left arm in arm.

We had finished eating at the fancy upscale french restaurant and were walking back to my car when I spotted Kayda the Gamma Danny's daughter. She was just inside the entrance to a side alley in the shadow of the dusky twilight. If it wasn't for her scent hanging in the night air, I wouldn't have looked around for her. She was making out with some boy from the academy, and it instantly pissed me off that she was doing this in full view of the street. She was pressing him up against the brick wall of the building despite her tiny size she was clearly in full control. I moved to approach them, but Amira reached for my hand.

"Leave her." she chuckled.

"No." I replied. "Her father will go mad." I added. Kayda was best friends with my younger brother Ash, and she was like an annoying little sister to me at times. I always felt the need to look out for Kayda due to her wild nature. I suppressed a growl as I walked closer to them. Once in view, I let my aura out enough to make them spring apart and look up. The boy bowed his head instantly in submission.

"Sorry, Alpha." he chimmed, but Kayda lifted her chin defiantly. My aura washed over her stubborn stance.

"What are you sorry for?" She asked her male companion annoyance, lacing her voice. She then looked at me and folded her arms as she glared at me.

"I am not doing anything wrong." she said in a challenging tone. "Right, Alpha?"

Kadya always pushed my buttons.

"I am taking you home." I simply responded.

"No thanks, dad." She laughed brazenly. "I am still inside my curfew." she added dismissively and turned back to the boy who was accompanying her.

"The irrational anger now swirled inside me Kayda had grown up in the Palace and we had always looked out for her but in the past six months Kayda had found her voice and in small ways defied me like no one else dared.

"Come on, babe." Amira purred. "She is fine. You're heading home soon, Kayda, right?" Amira said, attempting to redirect the situation as she turned her attention to the petite girl.

"Yes, Amira." She nodded warmly. Amira was friends with Sage Kayda's sister, so they had a good relationship, but even this was not enough for me.

"I am the Alpha here, and I say home now." I growled, putting as much Alpha command behind it as I could muster. I felt Amira shake under the command and stretch my aura to exclude her feeling a little bad. Kayda's little boyfriend scampered off at speed blindly obeying me, but Kayda fought it and stood firm.

"Bloody coward." she muttered as she watched her lover vanish into the distance. I saw Kayda was not going to move, so I grabbed her and hoisted her over my shoulder.

"Hey." She screamed.

"Time to get you home to Danny." I replied. "Where are your royal gaurds?" I asked, suddenly clocking she was alone.

"Please, I've been ditching them since I was sixteen." she retorted the smugness oozing from her voice was annoying.

"Put me down, Eoin." she hit my back.

"That's Alpha Eoin or Prince Eoin to you." I growled.

"I'm going to get my own Gaurd to take me home, Eoin." Amira spoke a slight irritant in her voice. I sighed, feeling guilty. I had almost forgotten she was there.

"Sure sorry Sweetheart." I replied, pulling her close and placing a kiss on her lips whilst still holding kayda on my shoulder.

"If it's not too late when I get her to Danny, I will come back over for the night." I added.

"No worries, you have your hands full protecting the royal Gammas daughter. Night Alpha." She smiled as she left.

"I do not need protecting." Kayda said, resuming her struggling. "Put me down now." she yelled as I opened my car passenger door and dumped her into the seat. She tossed herself back into the chair as I got in my side and turned on the ignition.

"I am bringing you safely home to your parents." I growled.

"I am eighteen now. I am not a child." she snapped. "What exactly do you think my father is going to do?" She asked sarcastically. "Spank my arse?" She sneered in what almost seemed like a dare. I pushed a strange feeling back down into the pit of my stomach.

"Or do you want to spank my ass?" She suddenly asked, and I nearly crashed the car off the forest road. "Is that your problem, Alpha?" She continued to push.

"Holy Goddess, where did the sweet little Kayda go?" I gulped in my head to my wolf Jagger.

"She seems all grown up now." he smirked, thinking about pushing forward and spanking her as she asked.

"Stop that." I growled at him as the thought invaded our mind, and I shamefully felt something shift in my jeans. "I need to get away from this girl. This mate stuff has my brain fried."

"What's wrong, Alpha? Does your wolf want to spank me?" She asked as I pulled the car over. I roughly grabbed her by her neck

"Do not play with fire, little girl." I snarled, warning her. Most people would shrink under my fury, but Kayda didn't, in fact, a scent of her arousal tickled my nose.

"I might be little, but I am not a girl." she gasped in a husky manner as my fingers tightened slightly on her neck. Her voice sounded sexy and breathless.

"Don't over estimate yourself. You are nothing more than a childish spoilt brat." I sneered.

"That's your opinion, Eoin." she retorted. Her wolf flashed now in her eyes.

"Alpha or Prince Eoin to you." I roared.

"Sure thing, Prince Eoin." she said in a mocking tone that sent a shiver down my spine. "Now, are you going to let go of me, or are you going to explain to my father why my neck is marked and your scent is all over me, Prince Eoin." she was smug now. I let go of her neck and turned the car back on, driving in silence to the Palace.

When we pulled up and entered the Palace, we headed for the private lifts only to find my mother and Danny there.

"Kayda, you're home early." Danny smiled.

"Sure am." she said, her perky, innocent voice returning. "Prince Eoin was so kind to drive me back." she added as my mother looked surprised but suppressed it.

"And you were right, Daddy." she mused. "He is more than happy to teach me to use my fire power, seeing as he is the only one I wouldn't burn in a duel if I lose control." she added.

"Really." My mother raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Sure he grabbed at the chance, didn't you, Prince Eoin?" She smirked knowingly at me, tilting her head so I could see the faint red marks of my rough hold on her neck still visible.

"Sure. Be my pleasure." I forced out putting on a cheery demeanour.

"That's kind of you, Eoin." My mother smiled, and I could tell she had decided to let this strange turn of events go to see how it would play out. "Well, Danny and I were just heading to the pack kitchen for a late dinner. Do you want to join us?" She asked.

"No thanks. i ate out with Amira." I answered as my mother and Danny walked away. I got on the private lift to our private floors, and Kayda stepped on behind me.

"You are definitely playing with fire, Kayda." I growled as the doors shut.

"That's the thing, Prince Eoin. I am a fire dragon werewolf hybrid. I like to play with fire, and it doesn't burn me." she retorted as she had the nerve to step closer to me, so now my back was against the lift. I had never yielded for anyone, and here I was yielding for the little dragon. She looked up through her eye lashes at me and dangerously barely ran her finger over the exposed tattoo on my fore arm. I held my breath as the doors opened on the Gamma apartment level, and Kayda moved back slightly towards the door.

"What's wrong, Alpha?" She asked, moving back. "Dragon, got your tongue." she smirked. "See you bright and early for training." She laughed as she stood off the lift.

"Six am." I growled as the doors shut. I lean against the lift wall. What the fuck was wrong with me, was not having a fated mate really having this effect on me.