CHAPTER 2- A Womanizer's Encounter

MAGNUS 

I suddenly woke up when I realized that a woman was lying next to me, covering her naked body with a quilt. I couldn't see her face clearly because it was obscured by strands of her hair. Everything flashed back in my head as I heaved a deep sigh. I drank too much alcohol last night and ended up here in a suite with a woman. I was used to it anyway, so it wasn't a big deal for me. I looked at my watch and it was almost three in the afternoon. 

As I was about to stand up and get dressed, I was surprised when the woman brushed aside the strands of her hair and opened her eyes.

"You?" I snapped out as soon as I recognized her. "Why are you here?"

"Magnus?" Lara's eyes widened in shock.

"You mean, I was with you the whole night and slept with you in bed?" I asked as I put on my dress. "This must be a joke."

"Don't ask me Alpha because I don't know either, do you hear me?" Lara scoffed and stood up in great haste. The quilt fell on the floor, revealing her nakedness. 

Looking at her nudity, I felt like something deep within me had come to life. I took a deep gulp. It wasn't a new thing to me for I slept with plenty of women in the past, but—

Oh no! I had to suppress this feeling. No way that I would get attracted to a certified playgirl. After putting on my dress I hurriedly left the suite and went back to the villa.

While on my way, my cellphone rang and it was my best friend Alex, a Beta of my pack. I pressed the call accept button and turned on the loudspeaker.

"Hey dude, where are you now? Your father has now returned from his business trip and he was asking for you," Alex said from the other line.

"Hmm. Alright, I'm on my way now," I responded as I hit the car accelerator to increase the speed. 

After a few minutes, I reached the villa but no one was there in the living room so I headed straight to my room to take a cold shower. As the water was dripping into my skin, I remembered about Lara. Damn! She was so sexy and alluring that I almost lost my control. But I was thinking if I slept with her last night then why do I still have sexual desire for her? I had this attitude that once I had sex with a woman, I immediately lost interest in her. I shook my head because the last thing that I remembered was that, I had been with another woman, not Lara. So why did I end up being with her in a suite? Did we really have sex last night? 

Lara...Lara... 

I kept on repeating her name until I was done taking a bath. Suddenly, my heart was thudding inside my chest. Glancing at my watch, I remembered that tonight would be the month's first emergence of the full moon—the time when I would have a keen sense of smell. And as a customary tradition, the villa would host a banquet to celebrate. 

As soon as I got dressed, I went out of the room. My father was already in the living room, seated on the couch, resting against the headrest while his feet were propped up on a figure-four leg clamp. Alex was also there and seated on a separate couch.

"Hi, Dad. Welcome back home!" I greeted him and opened my arms for a slight hug. Then I sat opposite to him.

"Yes, Dad?"

"Magnus, son, I guess it's now time for you to settle down. You're not getting any younger anymore. You're now twenty-eight. Besides—" Dad cleared his throat. "I would like to pass on the leadership to you. As the Alpha of an elite class, no one else deserves to be the next leader of the entire town but you. I am old and gradually losing my strength."

"But Dad, I am not yet ready to take the responsibility," I protested. "And also, Dad I haven't yet found my Luna, so how could I possibly get married?"

"So you have to find your mate, Magnus. You know that I could not pass on the leadership to you unless you get married." My father explained. "That is stated in the Wolf Code."

"Dad, even if I found my mate, I will never be able to love her. The concept of love does not exist in my vocabulary," I insisted.

"It's okay dude, who knows, Lara is your destined mate. And with her irresistible charm, you would surely fall for her," Alex butted in, teasing me as usual. Aware of my strong aversion to Lara, he was obviously trying to piss me off.

"Shut up!" I glared at him. While he simply chuckled seemingly relishing my response.

"You mean, Lara Jade, of the Yellow Stone Pack?" Dad asked, his eyes fixed on Alex.

"Yes, Uncle," Alex responded.

Dad let out a sigh and said, "Well, whoever is destined to be your mate Magnus, I will wholeheartedly accept her."

My father stood up and tapped my shoulder. "I'll need to take a rest. Please supervise our servants in the preparation for this evening's celebration. The Yellow Stone Pack and the Shadow Pack will be coming here tonight."

When Alex and I were left alone, he suddenly spoke, "Did you hear that, dude? You need to settle down, so you have to find your mate tonight. We all know, that your power as an Alpha, will only be strengthened as soon as you are wedded to your Luna."

"Okay fine. I can wed any other woman, but not Lara Jade." I said intently.

Alex just shrugged his shoulder, showing a wry smile. Despite his approval of my personality as a womanizer, he continued to respect my preferences because he was more of a brother to me. I was thirteen while he was ten years old at that time when both his parents died in a battle with the vampires. Since then Dad adopted him and raised him as his own son.

Time passed quickly, and it was already 7:30 in the evening. As expected, the Yellow Stone Pack and the Shadow Pack had arrived. 

My gaze fixated on Lara, who looked stunningly beautiful in her red maxi dress. Walking with her as her escort was Alpha Callum from the Yellow Stone Pack whom I believed her casual fling. 

While waiting for the emergence of the full moon, everyone indulged in eating, drinking, and dancing. 

"Hey, why are you sitting here all alone?" Savana grinned at me as she held onto my arm. She was the Beta of the Shadow Pack with whom I shared in bed once. She looked at me amorously while biting her lower lip.  Suddenly, she swiftly leaned in for a passionate kiss.  A strong desire stirred within me, prompting me to respond to her kiss. 

However, in just a few seconds, everyone let out their own howl, as the moon peaked. I joined with them in unison and Savana did the same. In no time, my heart was beating so fast as my sense of smell sharpened. 

"Magnus? Are you okay?" Savana asked.

"I'm fine. Excuse me for a while," I said and immediately left. 

I felt that my mate was just nearby. I strolled down the hallways, tracing a scent that led me to a ladies' restroom. I stopped and waited for someone to come out. My heart raced even faster as the door swung open, revealing a familiar face that stunned me.

"Magnus?" the woman gasped.

"Lara?" I spoke in surprise. "You're my mate?"