8 | Mate

Elena POV

As we pull up to the venue, I'm overwhelmed with how many people are here. Most of those in attendance are alphas and their betas or families. Usually when a new alpha is initiated, many alphas will come from all over the country to show their support and sign treaties or trade agreements.  Once the ceremony is done, all the alphas will meet over the period of a week to discuss the terms of the agreements, peace treaties, and other contracts. It also gives them a reason to have more parties- the more extravagant the better since it shows other packs how well an alpha can provide for their own people.  

Alpha Caleb has earned a bit of a reputation for being arrogant and prideful. He isn't considerate of other packs and he is only interested in taking for himself. There are rumors that a lot of the alphas are hesitant to sign a treaty or trade agreement with him.

I do feel bad for the pack since a lot of their businesses rely on the continuation of these agreements. Without it, the incoming money that usually supports pack life will stop. 

As I walk around the great room, it's obvious that certain packs in particular are missing- the Rogue packs.

Instead of having different alphas for every pack, they are all run by a king who calls himself "King of the Rogues." I can't help but roll my eyes, anybody who chooses to go by that name probably has a bigger ego than Caleb. Nobody knows what he looks like since few have ever lived after encountering him, his reputation violent and messy. He never shows up to these events despite receiving the invitations. Most alphas would prefer him as a business partner rather than an enemy. 

As we walk further into the large, extravagantly decorated room, I look around to see if I can find my brother or father among the crowd. I know they will be livid if I don't make it onto the stage in time, even though the idea of standing in front of all these people has my stomach in knots.

I finally see my brother's brown hair peaking out in the crowd and start to make my way towards him when I feel a pressure in my head again.

I lurch forward and grab my head between my hands, vision growing blurry. "What is going on Cleo?"

"I am not sure," she responds. I don't know what has her so anxious but I can feel her pacing in my head.

I'm almost to Tobias, when all of a sudden I am hit with the most intoxicating scent. It smells like the earth after it rains with something almost spicy underneath it. The smell is bold and heady. I clench my thighs together as this unwanted tingling sensation tightens my muscles underneath my stomach. I have to shake my head in order to regain my senses. I look around but can't seem to place the smell. 

I make my way to the bathroom hoping to calm down and get away from the stuffy crowd and I'm happy to see it empty. I go to the sink and splash cold water on the back of my neck, avoiding messing up my makeup. As I bend over the sink to reapply my lipstick and fix my hair, the scent hits me again. It's stronger this time, almost suffocating and when my spine stiffens and I look in the mirror in front of me I am met with Amber eyes that look almost black with how blown out the pupils are.

At the same time I make eye contact with the man in the mirror, Cleo begins to howl loudly in my head making me cringe. Mate, she growls as my eyes grow wide with horror.

Mate.

Alpha Caleb is my mate.