Chapter 4 Dual - And now we bonded

  Ryker’s POV - And then I saw her. 

While getting ready to come down, I felt a bit giddy about this. Not sure what’s going on, but I feel excited about The Mate Ball. I wish I could say I wanted something simple, but Nora made me wear it. It is a 3-piece suit, black with pants, a vest, and a jacket with a white dress shirt underneath. To say that I feel a bit constricted, yes. I see myself in the mirror, and even my ass looks tight. The shirt and the vest are a bit snug. Thank the goddess Nora for letting me have a clip-on bowtie. 

Yes, I know, but I am no nerd, and to be honest, it looks good on me, even with all the bulging muscles that feel like my shirt will rip to shreds. I heard a knock on my door and walked towards it to open it. I haven’t ordered room service, so I assume it is Leno.

To my surprise, Nora clasped her hands, covering her mouth, and with a shine in her eyes, she told me, “Too bad I am already mated and happy with Leno. I might even start looking your way,” I chuckled. Right then, Leno comes in thru the door asking, “What are you guys laughing at,” I shake my head and turn to tell him, “Ask your mate,” Nora shrugs and tells him, “I was telling Ryker that, too bad I am happily mated to you, or I might try to be his Luna,” Leno’s face is ashen.

His wolf is showing in his irises. I rapidly reply, “Not at the chance, brother. She’s all yours, and she’s like the annoying sister I never got” She chuckles and approaches me, fixing my bowtie. 

I thank her and excuse myself to go to the room to pick up my jacket. I go to the bathroom, go through my toiletry bag, grab my cologne, and spray some on me. I can hear Nora saying, “I can smell you out here,” I laugh, walking out and meeting them again before heading out. 

As we go down the elevator and step into the dais, we take in the rustling of employees and servers moving around and guests showing up. But something else catches my attention, or better yet, someone does. I am looking around, somewhat startled. I was surprised to meet her up here. I take a deep breath, filling myself with her sweet aroma, a weird combination of sea breeze, lavender, and mango. Smells like home. It takes me back to my mother’s embrace of how she would wear lavender perfume, which always seems to soothe me. The ocean breeze coming through from the seaside is clean and crisp. 

I can’t find her. I am now looking around frantically, trying to find her. Her aroma is faint, so it must be a minute since she arrived. I’ve been here for several days and haven’t seen her. I haven’t scent her. She is not a guest or an employee, so that she may be one of the pack members. 

Some other guests may have come in for the ball for the day. I look at Leno and Nora, noticing something is off with me, and I quietly tell them, “I have scented my mate. She is here.” Nora gasps, surprised, and I can tell by how her eyes shine that she is happy for me.

Leno pats my back, grabs my shoulder, and shakes it, saying, “Now we know why you were so anxious looking at that invitation. Are you glad now that you accepted?” He asked me with an air of mischief to him.

 We started walking towards the dining hall, where the ball would take place. As we walked towards it, her scent became more potent and closer. I think she is here, and I need to find her before all the fanfare of the Federation inauguration ceremony, and Highplains join in on the celebration. 

As we are greeted, the double doors open, and I glance around, surveying the area. As an Alpha, I am always ready to jump on the offense or defense. In this case, I will be defending what’s mine. And that’s when I see her. She slowly turns around, her back stiff, and I see her nose flare scenting me. 

Her eyes were like chocolate, melting me softly, her luscious hair with soft curls covering her back and reaching just above her ass. Her curves are so sinfully delicious how that dress hugs her curves. I see her sleeveless arm and how toned her body is. She must be a warrior. I need to claim her, and I need to know her. I need to savor her, and She needs to be MINE!!!!

Dira’s POV - And then I met him.

The moment I stepped inside the hotel, I smelled something delicious. It must be the food they will be serving. I follow the rest of the guests towards the dining hall. The doors open, and we are welcome in. Everything is majestically decorated, not ostentatious. The drapes adorning the entrance are cream, contrasting with the rest of the decoration. Calla Lily decorates the tables while blue hydrangeas, hyacinths, sweet peas, and hibiscus form and adorn the arc around the stage lifted for the occasion.

 As I walked further into the Dining Hall, I noticed the scent I smelled when I arrived was not there. It makes me wonder what it was. I approach Gamma Theo, who is talking to Alpha Franco. I vow my head as a sign of respect and greet them warmly. I was just about to tell the Alpha that Luna Rosa did a great job with the arrangements and decoration of the Hall when I was hit strongly by that same delicious smell, now a hundred times stronger. I close my eyes and savor citrus, deep evergreens, and sunlight on wet skin. It is an odd combination, one I find soothing and so delicious.

 I slowly turn around when the realization hits me, and I realize what it is and why it is so addicting. My nose flared, trying to find the source of it. I turn around at the same time his dark brown eyes that match my color find me, and I see him. His eyes ran all over my body,  appraising me and noting my full figure. I see his nose flaring, his eyes showing dominance. My mate is an ALPHA, and my eyes widen at this realization. I size him up, appreciative of the three-piece suit, clearly custom-made for him.

 Nothing store-bought could fit those muscles. He looks so delectable. I suddenly feel like my lips dry out, the moisture is nonexistent, and I lick my lips.  Somebody touched my arm, breaking eye contact with this Adonis.

I noticed that it was Gamma Theo asking me something about the Tryouts. I excuse myself, “ Apologies Gamma Theo,” and ask him to repeat the question, “What did you just ask me?”. My mind is all jumbled, unable to comprehend why this happened and why now. 

Gamma Theo asked me, “ What’s your opinion on the last drill exercise?” I smiled, a bit nervous, and replied, “It was great, especially because one of the essential things is the ability to work well with others and in high-tension situations where keeping calm is key.” Still, I am not calm now; I am nervous and hold my hands in front of me, trying to control the shaking.

I feel him stare; his scent is getting stronger, and I don’t know what to do. He saw me. He knows of me. Losing my train of thought, I finally feel his presence behind me, and I hear him clear his throat. “Excuse me, may I have this dance,” he asked, extending his hand. I am a bit startled since there’s no music playing. 

I hear Alpha Franco and Gamma Theo chuckling next to me, and I feel my heart racing and my face flushed with the attention I am receiving. “The music will be playing shortly. They are still setting up,” says Alpha Franco, and Gamma Theo agrees, nodding.

“Nevertheless, I think I will find the music in my mate's voice if you excuse me,” he said, leaving Alpha Franco and Gamma Theo speechless.

 He grabbed my arm and slowly touched my lower back, guiding me towards the dance floor. My face is as red as my lipstick. The sparks and the electricity my body is feeling leave him breathless and unable to utter a word. 

He pulls me closer, I am tall, but he is taller, and I look up, afraid of losing myself in those eyes, and he smirks this motherfucker smirks, and I am a goner. Please tell my mother I died, cause of death my mate smile. Now I know what my mom lost, and I fear it too. 

His scent, adding the fragrance he is wearing, makes my senses go high wire. He smiles once again at me. His smile is for me, and I have no words. He closes the distance of his face and leans towards my ears, his raspy and deep voice.

He tells me his name” I am Ryker, my sweet mate, I am the Alpha of Highplains pack, and you are my Luna, was your sweet name my love? 

My throat just dried up, and I think my panties are soaking wet. I asked myself how his voice could make me wet with just a few words.

Clearing my throat, licking my lips once again, I told him my name, “I am Dira. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ryker” I said his name with a heady need I didn’t know I had. “The pleasure is all mine, my sweet mate” It took everything in me not to faint and fall at his feet.

After all this time, my mom skimmed some details regarding the Mate bond. It is scary in every single delicious way possible.