Chapter 2

Damon's POV

I stood at the balcony, resting both hands on the rail, my eyes closed, basking in the glow of the moon. I could feel the energy coursing through my body, filling me with strength and power. Tonight was a special night, not just for my pack but for several other packs as well.

Every year, as the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack, I hosted a lavish ceremony where members of other packs could come to our estate to celebrate a successful business year, mingle with new people, and broker new deals with potential business allies and clients.

Caleb, my Beta and best friend since childhood, stood beside me, observing a few of the guests on the compound, who were having drinks and were engaged in seemingly interesting conversations.

I finally opened my eyes and smiled at him. "See something you like out there?" I teased him.

He grinned and shook his head. "No. I was just thinking of that Los Angeles contract we scored last year. That family will never want to move or sell their home."

I let out a light-hearted laugh, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Our team did a hell of a job, didn't we?"

"Absolutely! It's why I love functions like this."

Despite the fact that Caleb was a large, imposing werewolf with a thick, muscular build and a gruff, no-nonsense attitude, I knew that he was fiercely loyal to me and our pack. His tough exterior was mostly meant for the public and the rest of the pack. With me, he was more laid-back and good humoured. His soft side was exhibited only sparingly among the members of our pack.

I, on the other hand, knew that I had a fierce, imposing presence and could easily make people feel intimidated just by being close to them. I was also aware of how my voice boomed and evoked tremors when I was threatening or addressing a pack member in a deep, commanding tone. It was very deliberate.

"Are you sure that's the only reason?" I asked him amusedly with a raised eyebrow.

He scoffed. "What other reason would there be?"

I shrugged, still smiling. "I don't know. Maybe a mate?"

Caleb chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah. I haven't yet experienced any of those things they say you'll experience when you're in love." He shrugged. "Hopefully it'll happen eventually, but I don't worry too much about it."

I nodded, understanding.

"I'm going down to the banquet hall to have some drinks and check out a few broads just so you don't give me crap about it tomorrow."

I laughed, while he gave me a friendly slap on the back and left.

Our home was built on a very vast amount of land, comprising of a few mansions for myself, my parents, my Beta and some elders. The rest of the buildings were no less prestigious and tastefully furnished apartments for the rest of the pack, and they were more than enough to accommodate the several dozen werewolves in my pack.

Each of the mansions had a pool, a banquet hall, extensive gardens, walking paths, water fountains, and a couple of garages. The banquet hall of the mansion which I lived in had a capacity of a little over two thousand guests, which was more than the banquet halls of the other mansions could accommodate.

Being the mansion of the Alpha, it was built with better amenities because the Alpha was the ultimate authority in the pack, and for ceremonial purposes as well. My parents and I had been the previous occupants of this mansion, as my father had been the Alpha, until I became the Alpha.

I went into the banquet hall to join my girlfriend, Maya.

As soon as I touched her shoulder, she turned around to look at me, first with surprise and then a look of annoyance with a hint of concern.

"Where were you? I was already starting to get worried."

I scoffed. "Worried?" I cupped her chin between my index finger and thumb and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm the Alpha, honey, not a young pup. But since you were so worried about my whereabouts, I was on the balcony receiving some fresh air. I just wanted to be away from the crowd for a while."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and seemed to relax. "Okay."

Just then, I saw Caleb approaching us. He looked like he was bearing some serious news. I excused myself from Maya's presence and followed him upstairs to the hallway.

"What is it, Caleb?"

"Your father would like to speak with you in his mansion."

"Tonight?"

Caleb nodded. "Right now."

"What could he possibly want to talk to me about that can't wait until tomorrow?" I muttered.

Caleb just shrugged.

I decided to head over to my parents' mansion and as I made my way down the stairs, I caught a whiff of a scent that threw me off guard. It was a strange and unusual smell around here.

I moved through the crowd in the banquet hall, curiously searching for who owned this scent.

"Where are you off to again?" Maya asked me, catching my arm.

I had forgotten that I was supposed to rejoin her and let her know that I was going to see my father in his mansion. I had also failed to notice her as I was passing. My mind was preoccupied with finding the owner of the new scent.

"Uh, I have to go see my father about something," I replied her absent-mindedly.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it is."

I gently released my arm from her grip and strode forward in the direction of the scent, brushing past the guests that were waltzing on the dancefloor.

"Oh my goddess!" My wolf, Darren whispered to me. "That's her."

I could sense my pupils dilating and a new surge of energy coursing through my veins. My wolf hummed excitedly as we edged towards the brunette in a red dress, with dazzling emerald eyes, whose scent had assailed my senses. She was engaged in a conversation with a caretaker from my pack. They were standing near a pillar.

Not now, Darren, I thought.

"That's our mate," he retorted nonetheless.

Not now, I warned again, but it was a struggle trying to contain his overexcitement.

"That's our -"

" - mate!" I blurted out before I could've stopped myself.

A hush fell over the hall, which was quickly followed by murmurs of surprise and curious stares in our direction from everyone around.

I just stood there staring at her in bewilderment, while the look on her face registered shock.