Chapter 2

"I can't believe you've talked me into this one. This is just plain crazy." Olivia glared at her best friend. "Crashing parties. We can get into a lot of trouble for this. And where did you manage to get scent blockers ?"

"Get off it already, girl. I promise you'll enjoy yourself. It's not actually crashing a party. Anyone can come as long as they are with someone else who's been invited. Marcus got us in ! Now let's find a hot guy." Juliette winked.

"Is that all you can think about? Hooking up? Look at this place. We don't belong here at all." Olivia looked at the imposing front of the mansion, with all its lights ablaze. She couldn't help but cringe at the possibility of things going bad. If the alpha found them, they would be punished. Marcus was a beta; nothing would happen to him, but Olivia knew that she was barely tolerated by the alpha.

She tugged down the hem of the miniscule red dress. Juliette had convinced her to dress sexily; she said if they couldn't find their mates, at least they could still have a good time.

"Stop fidgeting, Olivia ! You look great. The dress looks decent, just a little bit on the sexy side. This is the first time in years since I've seen you in something resembling a dress."

Olivia cast a dubious glance down at herself and glared at Juliette. "You're kidding, right?"

Juliette just grinned and shrugged. "Trust me, you'll thank me later," she said with a wink. Olivia sighed and decided to trust her friend's judgement for the night.

Nickey grabbed Olivia's arm and pulled her towards the bar.

"All we have to do is stay away from that bitch, Thelia."

***

"You'd better make sure everybody knows that this is the last time I'm going to put up with these endless parties," Asher Blackwood exclaimed. "I have had enough of the constant parade of available bitches for my consideration. I'm telling you, as I have told my mother countless times, that I don't need a mate to rule! " He continued to restlessly pace across his bedroom and glowered at Carlisle, the other man in the room.

Asher knew that it was not Carlisle's fault, but he was damn tired of everyone throwing available bitches in his face. And he did mean 'bitches,' literally. His mother had forced him to attend the mating ball being held at Cresent Moon Pack. She was hoping to get married to Thelia because she would be the perfect mate for him. But Asher's wolf had rejected her. She was not their mate. But if he couldn't find his mate for long, he would be forced to take his chosen mate.

Carlisle watched his friend warily. Being his beta

, he knew better than anybody else that Asher was angry. The topic of finding a mate aggravated Asher. He could understand his friend's strong disgust at being forced to consider the idea. Ever since they were pups running wild together, Asher has always been popular with girls. They sought Asher out all the time, not just because of his status but also because of his sex appeal.

Every woman in attendance was hopeful that she would be considered for the exalted position of Luna.

"I don't need help finding my mate," Asher muttered.

"I am capable of doing it myself without the interference of my mother."

Finding a mate was instinctual for wolves, but some just settled for companionship. As the future alpha, he needed a strong Luna. Thus, Asher continued to endure the endless parties and parades of every available wolf on the continent.

"You have to give them credit for the effort they've put in. I believe they have invited the whole werewolf world. The party is spectacular. And Thelia has been handing you around since you arrived. If not a mate, she can be a good fuck." Carlisle smirked

Asher glared at him and started walking towards the door.

"The problem with being surrounded by available, horny bitches is that I'm so hard on them all the time, and I can't do anything about it without them thinking they'll be mated to me after sex." He paused with his hands on the doorknob and turned to Carlisle. "Let's just get this thing over with. See to it that no one sets foot inside my bedroom unless I expressly approve. I don't want any overzealous bitch finding her way in here. Is that clear?"

"Yes, my alpha."

Asher opened the door and purposefully walked out of the room. After this night was over, he would enjoy relative peace without the endless bustle of activities and people demanding his constant attention.

***

Asher stood at the edge of the ballroom, nursing his third drink of the night. Despite the lively atmosphere, Asher felt a deep sense of boredom.

He was surrounded by a gaggle of overexcited girls, each vying for his attention. They giggled at his every word, fluttered their eyelashes, and seemed determined to impress him. It was exhausting.

Thelia had been particularly persistent. She had just handed him his third drink, her eyes shining with a smug sense of satisfaction. No matter what he did, he couldn't seem to shake her off. She was like a shadow, always there, always talking.

"Asher, you simply have to try the hors d'oeuvres," Thelia said, her voice overly sweet.

"They're absolutely divine."

Asher forced a smile, taking a large gulp of his drink. He didn't notice Thelia's smug smile. He was too busy trying to think of a way to escape. The attention was suffocating.

"Thanks, Thelia. I'll have to check them out," he said, not really listening. He took a bite of the shrimp rolls and sighed in satisfaction. The food was really good. That was the only saving grace in the miserable party.

Thelia continued to chatter away, her voice blending into the background noise of the party.

Asher rubbed his temple, his head hurt. Probably due to the noise.

"Are you feeling unwell Asher ?" Thelia asked with concern.

He stopped rubbing his forehead and looked at her.

"I am fine."

"Are you sure? You do look a bit pale? Shall we go out for some fresh air?" Thelia sked while fluttering her lashes.

Asher did feel a bit wobbly. Maybe because he had too much drink. Why was he feeling so restless?

"Excuse me, but I need to use the men's room."

Thelia nodded, giving Asher a knowing smile. Asher quickly made his way through the crowd towards the restroom, grateful for the temporary reprieve. As he navigated the dimly lit corridors, a strange sensation began to settle over him. His vision blurred slightly, and his head felt heavy. It was as if a thick haze had descended upon his senses, clouding his mind. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to cling to him.

Unbeknownst to Asher, the aphrodisiac that Thelia had slipped into his drink was beginning to take effect. His skin felt warm, a flush creeping up his neck, and his breathing became shallow and ragged. He stumbled slightly, catching himself on the wall as the most delicious of aromas wafted over him. The scent instantly sent him into a state of raging lust as his body hardened. His wolf growled to be let out as it clawed at him to claim the source of the enticing smell, threatening to send him to his knees.

The French doors leading outside were thrown open to let in the slight breeze from the expansive garden where other guests wandered and where the buffet spread was being served.

Asher's feral half was prowling agitatedly as it urged his human half to find the source of the delicious aroma.

"She's ours! She's our mate. We must find and mate her!" the wolf demanded. "We cannot let her get away!"

Asher silently concurred with his wolf. There was no way that he was going to let this woman slip by him. Whether she was his mate was debatable, but the inevitability of her belonging to him for that night was not.