Chapter 5: Who was here?

Ambrose POV

I made my way to the production company. Parker wanted my input on some of the obstacles for the upcoming reality show. ‘Claim the Worthy Luna ’ is an awful name for a show, but the focus groups loved the name and concept.

Parker wanted me to approve his list of obstacles since I am one of the main investors. I may not like the name or concept myself, but the public wants it, and I stand to make money with my investment.

‘You should join. You don’t have a mate, Ames,’ Kral said.

My wolf wants his mate. I know he does because I do, too. I prefer to let things happen naturally, though. I don’t want to push the Moon Goddess’s will. Everything in its due time. Besides, my folks were fated. It was a beautiful kind of love.

I reached the studio, and Ina, the receptionist, stood. “Prince Ambrose, welcome,” she said with a flirty smile.

I smiled, but I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “Ina, I’m here to see Parker,” I said politely but seriously.

“Yes, he is expecting you, your highness. Please follow me.”

She led me to Parker's office. The entire time, she was swinging her hips like a pendulum. She is letting her arms swing gently, and her back is straight. She is trying to walk like she is a model instead of a receptionist.

As we get closer to the office though, Kral starts moving around. ‘Our mate is here, Ames!’

I sucked in a breath at his words. I stopped and inhaled. I smelled a beautiful scent of moon flowers and rain. Unique and beautiful- is that my mate’s scent?

‘Yes! Our mate smells amazing! Where is she?’

I focused, and Ina was looking at me again. “Prince Ambrose, are you okay?”

“Yes. My apologies. I was distracted.”

She smiled, and I think there is excitement in her eyes. If she thinks I stopped to look at her ass, she is wrong. She isn’t impressive either way.

She continues down the hall, and the scent of my mate is stronger. We stopped in front of Parker’s office, and Ina did her normal routine of knocking twice before entering and announcing me.

The moment I walked in, my mate’s strong scent hit me. She was in Parker’s office. From the potency of her scent, she must have been here recently. I don’t see anyone else in here, though.

“Leave us, Ina,” I vaguely hear Parker say.

Ina left the room, but my senses are consumed by the scent of my mate. When I hear the door click close, Parker calls my name, snapping me back into reality.

“Ames?”

“Who was here recently?” I asked immediately.

“I’m sorry? A lot of people see me, Alpha.”

“A woman. Who was the last woman in here meeting with you?” I demanded.

“Uh, let’s see,” he began, “Oh, yeah! A contestant for the show came and said she wanted to withdraw from the competition. She didn’t have the penalty f*e, though, so she is going to continue with the show.”

“What is her name?” I asked.

Parker looked at me funny, but I stared him down until he went through his files. He finally pulls one out and smiles. “This is her. Neriah Russell. She seems feisty.”

He hands me the file, and I see her headshot. Brown hair, golden skin, and hazel brown eyes. Full lips and a small mole just under the corner of her left eye. She is stunning in a unique way. She is my mate. She’s in this competition. Not just no, but hell fucking no.

“Withdraw her,” I said.

“Why?” Parker looked at me, panicked.

“She’s my mate,” I said.

His eyes widened. “Ames, you can’t do this to me. We are about to start production. We need eight partners for this show to work. I don’t have time to find a suitable replacement.”

“Make it work with seven,” I said.

“Ames, you don’t understand. The focus groups love the concepts and the show breakdown. If we enter with seven pairs, then the breakdown no longer works. All the investors are going to pull out on me, and you lose your investment too!”

Just then his phone rings. He answers it immediately, then his eyes widen. “No! This cannot be happening right now! Yes, yes, I understand. Tell him to get well.”

He hung up and put his head in his hands. The vein on the side of his head looked like it might burst. I took pity on him.

“What happened?” I asked.

“What happened? One of the alphas for the show was in a terrible accident and is in a coma. Now I’m down a contestant. I need eight pairs.”

“Looks like you are working with seven regardless, then,” I smirked.

Parker's eyes locked on mine, and then they shone with excitement. “That’s it! You can help me!”

I raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“You want your mate; I need an extra alpha now, and no time to get a suitable replacement.”

“What’s your point, Parker?”

“Join the show! Be the eighth alpha! Then you will be with your mate, and our show can continue!” he said, half excited and half pleading.

“Have you lost your mind? I’m going to be the next king of the realm, and you want me to strip myself of my dignity to ‘Claim The Worthy Luna’?”

“Why not? You get to know your Luna and protect her. You both have to work together. Plus, you see how she will interact with other people. Plus, you save my ass. Come on, old friend, help your friend out!”

‘Do it! I want to be with our mate!’ Kral said excitedly. ‘Plus, we will rip out the throats of any alpha trying to take what’s ours!’

Admittedly, Kral is right. It’s easier to withdraw her, but then I lose on my investment, and it may damage my friendship with Parker. We have been friends since we were kids. He’s never let me down when I needed help. I can’t let him down now.

Here I was saying that I wanted to let things happen naturally, according to the Moon Goddess’s will, and now I’m in this position. It’s ironic.

‘It’s still Moon Goddess’s will, Ames! We found our mate. Everything else is just noise. Say yes, and we get to spend time with our mate!’

I sighed. Parker is looking at me expectantly and with hope. Kral is jumping around in my head excitedly. It seems like this is the only option to maintain balance. I think this is going to be a bad idea, though.

“Fine. I will join,” I said, and before he started jumping for joy, “I’m not signing any damn contract though. Also, she doesn’t get booted from the show. I want to know her well before I bring her back to the palace.”

“Done! Here is the list of obstacles for each round. If there are no objections, then I will start preparing everything. Also, I want to bring you in as a surprise contestant. We need to get headshots for you. Come on! Let’s go now!”

Yeah, this is going to be an awful idea.