Chapter 17

"It's late to be outside wandering by yourself. Don't you have a combat challenge tomorrow to prepare for?" 

I jumped at the sound of his voice and whipped my head around towards the source. The Alpha was getting up from where he sat under a tree and was closing a book. 

"I'm sorry, yes I do Alpha, I couldn't sleep." I said bowing my head to my superior. He lifted my chin with his large hand.

"Relax, I can't sleep sometimes either. No need to apologize, I should be apologizing to you for the incident at dinner last week. He should have known better than to touch you," he said. I really didn't want to talk about the incident, it was too embarrassing even if it wasn't all my fault.

"What is keeping you up?" I asked. 

"I was just thinking about the games. Mating is an important time in any wolves life and I want to be sure it all...goes well. I shouldn't worry though, I suppose, the wolf games are a tried and true method."

I wondered if he knew about the witch and the prophecy or if he really thought the vampires were just here to celebrate an important time of his life with him. Surely he had to know. 

"It is a rather unusual wolf games," I said agreeing with his concern. He raised an eyebrow.

"How so?" He asked. His frown and the concern in his eyes tore at my heart. If I told him that I knew it might put everything in jeopardy.

"Well," I said choosing my words carefully, "There are some strange guests present." His hand just barely brushed my waist.

"Somethings are even out of my control," the Alpha gave me a comforting smile. I definitely wasn't one of those things out of his control. If he asked I would call into his arms and help him get to sleep right here, right now. But he won't ask.

"What happened to your cousin...after. I haven't seen him around." I asked.

"He has been adequately punished and he won't be bothering you from now on."

I felt a twinge of guilt upon hearing this. I had to remind myself that I was better off now and that winning the title of Luna so I could save my family was more important than the feelings of an overly flirtatious wolf. I nodded solemnly. 

"Its an important decision you have to make, got anyone you're leaning towards making Luna?" A simple appeared in his cheek.

"Well I've been fortunate enough that the challenges have been doing a lot of the choosing for me, it feels. I expect to end up with three or four potential Luna's in the end for me to make my final choice from. And then of course we have some other respected packs with lower level Alphas and Betas interested in the worthy suitors I don't choose." I frowned at the idea that we were given off like prize cattle but then the Alpha delicately brushed a lock of hair out of my face and behind my ear. The only thing on my mind was the warm musky smell of his skin by the time he had walked me back to my cabin. 

"Good luck tomorrow." he said encouragingly and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on my forehead. The blood rushed to my face and the thrill felt like electricity travelling through my veins. I couldn't even find the words to respond because I was to intoxicated by the power of his touch. I still felt like I was in a dream when I entered my cabin for the last time of the night. 

I was relieved to see that the wolf Dani had abducted was gone though I was a little worried about where he had gone and who he might tell. That was before the smell of sweat and sex reached my sensitive nose. Nevermind. Dani was passed out in her bed looking more pleased than I had ever seen her. I shook my head and sighed as I changed into my own night clothes. Hopefully tonights events have lifted her mood enough that she puts up a decent fight in the challenge tomorrow. I placed my hand on my forehead where the Alpha's lips had been only minutes ago. I know it has for me.