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HUNTER POV

"Alpha, these are the papers for the new transfers here that were provided to me from the deltas of the various sectors; is it okay if I file this right now?" my beta said as he entered the office, full of papers in his hands.

I formed a fist that cracked my knuckles as a result of my tiredness and frustrations. My wolf was whining and wished he could go for a run. He has been like this since yesterday, but it has become worse today.

"Just do it!" I snapped. I sighed and rubbed the base of my nose. My Beta was surprised by my outburst reaction. I needed a break, badly, since this paperwork made me look to have aged fifty years. A lot of reports about rogues' attacks and a lot of casualties. We have already lost some blood, yet we still don't have the answer.

The door suddenly slammed open as my Gamma strode in, as if he owned the place, with a smug on his face. I snarled at him, but he merely rolled his eyes at me before leaping onto the sofa.

"So, I heard we're heading to the South Pack?" Levi said, rubbing the arms of the sofa and relaxing his body into the comfortable cushion. He's my gamma and my annoying friend.

Cromwel threw me a glance as he started filing the papers that were in his hands into the cabinet next to my desk. We were both aware that our gamma was more interested in maybe finding his mate than in addressing the rogues' attacks in recent weeks.

"We are," I said softly, trying to straighten myself in the chair,"Excited much?"

"I heard that Alpha's daughter there has a beauty that cannot be compared even to a Goddess," he said with a big grin."I'm just curious, and yes, a little excited."

My inner wolf snarled at the thought of comparing a she-wolf to a Goddess beauty. No one sees our Goddess, yet comparing her to another is impolite. I simply ignored him and got on with my life. He was getting on my nerves with all of his snarling and complaining these days.

"I'm not interested in her or her looks; we're simply there for business," I stated firmly, emphasizing the term 'business.' "I repeat, for-business-only."

"Hey, don't snarl at me. Carter's getting pumped downstairs about hooking up with her," Levi said innocently. I rolled my eyes mentally as I tried to recall some epic moments with Carter, my Delta. He always thinks that he can hook up with every woman, he just met.

My wolf snarled harder, and I sighed, "It's not me, it's my wolf, he's upset. Look, the last thing we need now is their Alpha to break off our agreement because of some dummy who can't keep it in his trousers."

They bowed their heads in defeat, and as they know by now that my temperament has become high.

"I know how you feel, Hunter, except for Carter. We are all virgins here, and we all want our mates, you know that," Cromwel said.

Levi agreed with a nod of his head,"Yes, like a newborn infant, virgin," he slowly stated the last word.

My wolf snarled more ferociously, adding to my annoyance. As I struggled to suppress my rage, I shot them a death gaze,"and you'll be a bloody infant who just came out of a vxgina if you don't leave my office!" I yelled. Instead of fleeing, they merely shook their heads and giggled at me.

Levi said, "You need to get laid."

I hurled the pen I was carrying at him, and he ducked to hide himself, but it merely fell with a quiet thud near the door. "Chill dude!" he said, a smile on his face.

My wolf grumbled at him, but he merely rolled his eyes at me and said, "Chill now buddy, maybe you'll be in a better mood tomorrow, once you see her beauty," he stated, emphasizing the term 'beauty' and gesturing his hands to his face, mimicking a cute girl face.

My annoyance was growing, so I rose up from my chair and growled at him for his rudeness. I expect respect from all wolves, best friend or not, making him jump out of the room with little chuckles.

I sighed as I touched the base of my nose once more after Levi had left together with my Beta, Cromwel. I could almost hear their chuckles as they tried to tell Carter about my outburst.

Urgh! I let out some small grunts trying not to break the table. Before I could murder innocent individuals, I needed to finish and tidy these papers.

"Son?" as I heard my father's soothing voice, a warm grin appeared on my face. "Hello, Dad."

He entered his former workplace, inspected the space, and was astounded by its new appearance. He grinned at me before approaching where I was sitting.

"Well, at least you didn't murder that poor Levi, so that's an improvement," he said as I sighed. Then I stepped up to say hello, and he stroked my back.

"Are you okay, son?" he said as we parted ways, noticing my tensed body.

"Yes, but my wolf is bothering me! He's restless, and I'm annoyed!" I sighed, and he simply raised a brow at me.

"Really?" he murmured as he approached his desk and sat in his old chair,"Perhaps he's restless because you're going to find your mate soon."

"I hope not," I rolled my eyes and inhaled deeply, my heart hammering fiercely. Following the passing of the title, I worked tirelessly to improve this pack. A mate is only a distraction or a weakness."There are still a lot of things I need to do, a mate can only slow the process," I ranted out.

"We're old now, Hunter. Your mom and I wanted grandkids, and you'll need them in the near future as well," he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "You need a Luna,"he stated as he stood from his chair and walked up to my side.

"I don't need one, dad. I'm alright," I said hastily as I walked back to my seat and grabbed the papers to resume working,"I did fine before without one, so I'll be okay in the future."

It's true—I'm doing terrific on my own. I don't need a Luna who will only be my weakness and just look nice. I had a lot to accomplish in this pack, and having a relationship would merely add to my problems.

"You need a Luna because you need help, son. There are a lot of things you can't handle on your own. Sure, you made this pack great, but it will be much better and better if you have your mate beside you. That is what your mom and I did to raise this pack well." I bit my lower lip while my wolf agreed with his words.

"Fine," I grumbled,"but I'm not going to fall for her so easily; she has to match my standards and pass several tests before I accept her and the pack."

"Oh, what type of standards?" he asked.

"Well, she needs to be strong and able to think for herself. I can't afford to protect her all the time when I have a pack to protect her with. She needs to be smart and tactical. I'll give her some challenges that will test her heart. If she gives up, that's it. I don't want a beautiful mate, I want a strong and determined one."

"You can't pass judgment on someone you haven't met yet, son."

"You know what I mean, dad; I don't want any foolish mates."

"Your judgment is silly. You're meant to accept your partner for who she is. You both aren't flawless, so get off your high pride before someone gets hurt," he said, giving me a blank stare.

'He's correct," my wolf agreed.

I merely groaned and rolled my eyes at Fury. 'Really?Can't you shut your mouth even for a second?' He shook his head and that pissed me off, then he let out some laughs while holding his tummy. I rolled my eyes mentally. Geesh, this wolf.

"I know. You're right, dad." I shrugged, not wanting any more 'mate' talk. I don't want to dispute with him either since I know I'll lose.

"Good," he remarked cheerfully," Now, get some rest since you're going to have a lengthy travel to the South, after your journey there, you are going to search for your mate."

I nodded in agreement before he went outside, and I returned to my job. I rummaged through the pile of documents and came upon one that had been misplaced by my mother who had prepared for me the previous time. A list of packs with the highest proportion of unmated females.

When I thought of having puppies, a smile came on my face. I do want children. So, maybe having a mate isn't that bad.

'I enjoy puppies, particularly the process of making them,"I facepalmed myself as I heard my annoying wolf once again.