Tristan
Well, she was definitely beautiful, which would make matters easier, the marking of one’s mate was easy enough to complete with just about anyone, hell you don’t even need to look at them in order to sink your teeth into their necks. The strengthening of the bond however was an entirely physical thing, and I’m not entirely sure if I would have been able to get it up for someone that didn’t capture my interest.
‘No fear of that with this one.’ My thoughts were certainly clear on that, the problem however was that she was just about the opposite of what I had hoped for, she was easily a head shorter than me and tiny in comparison to my bulky frame, she had curves in all the right places, but I doubted there was enough of her to be able to handle me should the need arise, and I expected it would.
Aside from her physical limitations though, the girl looked absolutely terrified, I actually worried for a moment that she was going to pass out when I told her my name. And I couldn’t help but notice the quick side glances she kept giving me as I kept my gaze towards the line of women, feigning interest in the proceedings.
The whole time though I stood contemplating the enigma beside me. Most she-wolves would jump at the chance to mate with an Alpha, hell I had spent the last four years batting off advances of all kinds, some decent some decidedly not, so what made this one different. Not only was she not jumping for joy, but she was also scared.
There was of course a possibility that my reputation preceded me, a reputation that I had carefully cultivated over years of battles and leadership at Blackrock. I was fully aware that I was known as a brute, a hard but fair man who did not give second chances, one to be warry of and avoid battle with at all costs, my enemies did not walk away from our fights, I made sure of that, but my reputation was not better or worse than that of any other Alpha, although maybe that reputation had grown somewhat out of hand without me knowing it. I frowned at that thought, maybe I would have Roman make a few enquiries.
Then of course there was the usual level of trepidation I would expect from someone who was expected to start a new job and move homes and get married all at the same time without knowing what their job would be, who they would be living with and who they would be marrying.
Okay when it was laid out like that it sounded worse than I had originally thought, maybe this was why she seemed so scared, oh who was I kidding, I had no idea what went through the mind of a teenage she-wolf.
“Yo Roman.” I called mind-linking with my Beta.
“I’m still awake, promise.” Came the sarcastic reply and I huffed a mental chuckle at him.
“I would hope so, but since you are so well versed in the female gender, I have a question.” I stated diplomatically. Truth be known Roman was a slut of the highest degree, I actually don’t think I have ever known him to say no, ever.
“Shoot.” He directed seriously and I tried to focus on the matter at hand rather than giving into my urge to berate the man.
“Any idea why my newfound mate looks terrified, likes she’s gonna bolt at any moment?” I asked deciding not to beat the bush.
“Huh, she kinda does. Pretty though, she looks like a Luna, elegant and all that.”
“Yes, but that’s not helpful.”
“She’s young, she’s just met a man twice her size for the very first time and found out she’s going to be leaving her parents and living with you for the rest of her life, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be terrified too. Give her some time, show her a bit of the Blackrock charm. She’ll settle in, I’m sure. Alternatively you could just ask her…” He closed off the mind link with that ridiculous suggestion and I forced myself to hold in my own sigh of resignation, I had after all made the decision to take a mate today. Now I needed to learn to live with it, no matter how difficult or time consuming, no matter the consequences.
I glanced at the timid girl beside me, her eyes glazed over and a funny look on her face, seemingly in a mind link of her own and I watched with determination. My pack needed a Luna as much as Nox did, I would do what I needed to, to make this work. Time to put on my thoughtful head.
Cali.
I couldn’t stand still, nor could I wipe the look of horror off my face, no matter how much I tried, and I tried for the entire hour that it took for the procession of men to walk the line. The Alpha, Tristan, hadn’t said a word to me since our initial introduction, his eyes were firmly forward, focussed on the mating day that was going on around us, but then what else did I expect, he was the hosting Alpha, the most powerful leader from the alliance, not that the other Alpha’s would admit to that, I’m sure.
Oh no, the alliance. What would happen to the alliance if Tristan was shunned the same way I had been? Would his pack hate him, hate me? Would the other packs in the alliance listen to him, follow him, even if his own pack members wouldn’t?
I was physically shaking with fear over what could happen, but what could I do about it? Nobody refused to mate with their true match, like, it had only ever happened once in our entire history.
A she-wolf named Amari had refused her mate because he had killed her family in a blood feud of some sort about three hundred years ago. It was that rare that they still taught about it in school, and for once I wished I had paid more attention in history because I vaguely remembered reading that denying the bond had turned the she-wolf mad.
The tingle of a mind link formed in my mind, and I gladly focused on it, anything to stop the swirling thoughts. My Mothers signature was so obvious that I barely paused to recognise it.
“Cali sweetheart you need to relax, you look like you are going to pass out.”
“How am I supposed to relax Mom? He’s an Alpha. No he’s not just an Alpha, he is Alpha Leroux of Blackrock, the man that created the alliance, that changed our lives for the better, all of our lives. What am I supposed to do?”
“I… I don’t know.” My mother’s timid voice sounded across the link, and I turned my head to see her looking worried across the courtyard.
“What do you mean, you don’t know? Mum you were the one that has pushed me to mate for the last three years, telling me how wonderful it would be, that my mate wouldn’t care that I am different.”
“Yes, but… well I never expected that your mate would be Alpha Leroux”.
“Very helpful Mom.”
“I’m sorry sweetheart, I am truly sorry. I should have listened to you and requested a stay from the mating day for you.”
“Well, it’s too late for that now. So, what do I do?”
“Try to hide it?” She asked more than answered, as though she wasn’t sure that was an option and honestly, neither was I.
“I don’t think that will be possible forever Mom. Should I refuse the mating?”
“No! Absolutely not.” The link fell silent for a moment before I heard her mental sigh. “Just get to know him, you are a Luna now Cali, you will have responsibilities and duties beyond anything I can help with, focus on that, focus on being a good Luna for Blackrock, and maybe the Alpha will come to love you in his own right and see how good you are for the pack. Maybe, maybe he will overlook this, maybe he will help you to hide it.”
Her words sounded less than confident, but it was better than any idea I had managed to come up with on my own.
I sighed aloud and nodded my head before disconnecting from the mind link, back in the present my cheeks instantly flamed as I noticed Tristan’s gaze on me.
“Everything okay?” He asked with a raised brow, obviously having noticed the glaze in my eye that was a tell-tale sign of the mind link and who knows what faces I was pulling, I had never quite managed the art of masking my expressions while mind-linking.
“Of course, sorry. My Mum.” I answered with a slight shrug of my shoulders, hoping that he wouldn’t enquire further.
“Are your parents here?”
“Yes, over by Alpha De’Maine.” I indicated with a nod in the direction of the two middle aged wolves stood staring at us.
“You’re from Oak Creek?” He asked and I nodded “I forget how difficult it must be for you. To move away from not only your pack, but your family. Although I guess they are one in the same.” He stated with a slightly faraway look on his face. And I held back the mocking smile that threatened to take over my expression.
Moving away from my pack wouldn’t be an issue at all, they had done nothing but make me feel like an outsider my entire life. No, I wouldn’t miss them. But the sentiment was nice.
I had been under the impression that this man was a brute, as were most Alphas, maybe he was just playing nice since it was the first time, we were meeting, but somehow, I didn’t think so. I had a feeling that he was genuinely a good guy. Which just made this whole situation a lot worse. Not only would I be starting out my relationship on a lie, but I would be ruining the life and reputation of a nice man, and a great Alpha.
I gritted my teeth as anger flowed through me, anger and injustice for the man before me. No, I would not let this life be his fate. I would do whatever I could to distance myself from him, to protect him from myself, to keep him safe. After all, he’s my Alpha now, surely that was my job.
“Look, I have to attend the choosing ceremony. Why don’t you spend some time with your family, there is no point in us both being bored out of our minds.” He stated, mock whispering the last to me with a smile, and I forced a smile in return. Some time away from him would at least help me to fortify a plan of action.
“As the new Luna of Blackrock, you of course have full access to the pack house, however I would ask that you do not take any visiting guests, even your parents, beyond the ground floor. If you would like to explore the grounds or the house, you are welcome to, or of course you can join in the festivities. I guess what I’m trying to get at is, make yourself at home. Mating day is typically quite a long day, I will arrange a full tour of the pack house and grounds for you tomorrow.” He smiled and I watched as his eyes brightened, shining in the afternoon sunlight, the man was ridiculously handsome, like panty melting handsome, it was just a shame that it would never work out.
“And my duties?” I questioned, keeping my mothers advice in mind just in case.
“We will work that out together, but I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.” He stated seeming surprised. “I should head inside.” He indicated the movement of the other three Alphas, and I nodded, not wanting to cause a scene or distraction, I was trying not to draw attention to myself after all.
“Of course. Will I see you later?” I asked with no idea why, and waited with baited breath for his answer not sure what I was hoping for.
The shock of seeing his head move towards mine, of feeling his soft lips touching my own however took my breath away and I promptly forgot what I asked him.
All I could focus on was the warm breath on my mouth and the smell of skin so close, tingles radiated through my body and a shiver raced down my spine as he pulled away from what was essentially a peck on the lips. The kiss had lasted a second and had been nothing special and yet my entire world had shifted with that one movement. Despite my earlier thoughts I was ready to beg him for more.
I tried to shake off the feeling, but it was hard when he stood staring at me, bewildered, and I had the feeling he was experiencing the same as me.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
Cali “Oh, my goddess Cali!” My Mums voice pulled me out of my daze, still stood staring at the door through which my mate had just disappeared. How was it even possible to be so affected by such a small thing. “Tanya. Please remember that Cali is a Luna now.” My father’s voice cautioned behind me, closer than my Mum had been but quiet enough that I could barely hear him. Confused by the words however I turned with a frown to see my parents stood directly behind me and beyond them, dozens upon dozens of unfamiliar faces, all of whom were staring at me with a mixture of expressions, although I was pleased to see that for the most part, they appeared happy or just curious. “Luna.” A tall dark-haired man greeted with a bow of his head and a wide smile fixed on his face. “I am Beta Roman Kundo, second in command to Alpha Leroux and at your service.” He greeted overly formally, and I worried for a moment that he was taking the piss b
Alpha Tristan LerouxMating day had never seemed longer. Every inch of my body ached, burned with a desire to get out of here, to be next to my mate, to mark her and make her mine. I had literally been apart from her for ten minutes and it was already driving me to distraction.Leaving her to spend time with her family had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, considerate and accommodating, but now, sat at the front of the ball room surrounded on both sides by Alphas engaged in conversation with their mates while we waited for the first couples to request approval from their respective Alpha’s, all I could do was worry.I had left my unmarked mate to fend for herself in a place she didn’t know surrounded by horny wolves looking for a mate of his own.This was without a doubt the most stupid idea I had ever had.Lost in thought I ignored the chatter around me, normally I would take the tim
Alpha Tristan LerouxWe stood in silence for the next hour, and I worried that I had discouraged her from asking her questions, which was worse than her asking. A Luna that did not know what she needed to know, was a dangerous thing. I mentally took note to address this later on when we had more privacy. For now though, the day was coming to a close and more and more couples were approaching the row of Alphas.A sudden squeeze of my shoulder had my attention pulling from the couple walking away to my mate behind me, I ignored the desire to pull her on my lap and followed her gaze to the couple stood before Alpha De ‘Maine. The Girl was a member of my pack, a sweet innocent young teacher. I frowned at the worried look on Cali’s face.“What is it?” I asked on a whisper.Her gaze strayed from the couple to me and back again as she quietly contemplated something for a moment.“D
Calista FaiAmber was such a sweet girl, the stinging gash on my arm was well worth the effort to save her from a life of goddess only knows what. She led me along the main corridor in the West wind and through the heavy double doors into a foyer that could comfortably fit my parents’ house inside it twice.A small seating area was set up to the right of the front doors, the floor to ceiling windows on either side of the door let in an abundance of light. There were several doors off the room as well as a huge staircase that led up to the first floor. I followed amber up the stairs, noticing for the first time the middle-aged man following silently behind us, dressed all in black, and mentally noted that he must be the warrior Tristan said he would assign to the floor.We walked along the open plan landing that looked down on the foyer below then along the corridor to the right and up a second set of stairs to a
Calista FaiAmber turned out to be a wealth of knowledge about the pack, although I expected I forgot half of the information as fast as she told me it. I heard all about the leadership and how the hierarchy worked here, as well as a small amount of information about the last Alpha and his Luna.By the end of the hour that we spent together her tears had dried up, she was smiling and laughing and I could honestly say that I felt we could be good friends.She left around 3pm saying she was expected to attend the meal this evening and that she needed time to get ready I let her out of the room and immediately retreated to the on-suite bathroom for a quick soak in the huge tub to get ready myself.I was completely lost in my own thought’s half an hour later as I climbed out of the tub and wrapped one of the huge towels around myself, feeling completely relaxed I had almost forgotten all about the day’s events. For t
TristanLeaving that bedroom was just about the hardest thing I had ever had to do, and that was saying something. I fought my own desire and my wolf every step I took towards my own room.‘Go back’ Nox demanded as I strained to keep myself heading away from my mate. The desire to mark her, to mate with her was stronger than anything I had ever experienced.This is crazy. How the hell is it possible to want someone so fucking badly that literally every part of me aches with need.I immediately stripped off my clothes and stepped under the cold spray of the shower, head bent against the tiles I let the water run over my tattooed back while trying to get control over myself, but five minutes later I was still as hard as a fucking rock, and I knew it wasn’t going away on its own. With a shudder I wrapped my fist tightly around my now painful erection and pumped my cock enthusiastically as visions
CaliThe minutes ticket by as I paced the elegant wooden floor of the perfectly decorated ballroom. Eventually, just as I thought I was going to throw up with nerves, Amber rounded the doorway with her father in tow.“Is there anything else I can help with Luna?” Trent asked and I smiled.“No, thank you for your help. Are you attending this evening?” I asked and he shook his head.“No Luna, the meal and reception are designed for unmated and newly mated wolves. I will be at home with my mate this evening.”“Okay, well thank you again. And enjoy your evening with your mate.” I smiled, I watched as he gave one last nervous glance at his daughter who stood before me looking nervous herself as she played with her own fingers, before he left.“Amber, thank you for rushing down, I am so sorry to interrupt you. You look beautiful by the way.”
Cali“Good evening all.” I greeted once all eyes were on me, my voice breaking with nerves, and I swallowed and cleared my throat offering the gathered wolves a smile.You know that dream you have where you’re naked in high school. Yeah, I’m not embarrassed to admit that I did look down to check I was still wearing clothes.“Alpha Leroux has been held up on Pack business, I am sure he will join us as soon as he is able to. In the meantime, however, I would like to welcome all guests to Blackrock and thank you all for attending this year’s Autumn mating day.”“As a new member of Blackrock myself, I would also like to thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I am honoured to be here, honoured to now call this my home, and I will do my upmost to be a worthy Luna for you all.” I swallowed hard again, looking at the faces who were all smiling back at me. Not