Chapter 4 - The Bracelet

ALPHA XANDER P.O.V

"Greetings, Alpha Xander Roland. Happy birthday to you," Wise One Jeffrey said. He wore a red top, black trousers, and a pair of black shoes. He was a tall, slender brown-skinned man with long black hair.

"What brings you here, Wise One?" I asked him, irritated to see him, and he smiled.

"Alpha Xander, I am here to give you the same warning I gave your father twenty-four years ago. Do not make the same mistake and crown the wrong woman as your Luna. Find your real mate and do what's right," he said, then turned and left the banquet hall.

After hearing what Wise One Jeffrey said, hushed mutterings echoed through the hall. Quincy hastily pulled her right hand from mine and ran out. I chased after her.

"Wait, Quincy!" I called, but she kept running. I caught her arms and pulled her into a warm hug.

"Why didn't you stop when I asked you to?" I said, holding her arms firmly.

Quincy sobbed as she made me leave everyone to pursue her.

"Let's break up, Alpha Xander. I am not your real mate. I can't stand the thought of you with another woman. I love you," Quincy cried, hugging my waist and resting her head against my chest.

"It's okay. You don't have to cry. I love you too, Quincy. Come on, let's finish my birthday celebration first. I have a lovely present for you," I said, my tone soft as I took her hand and led her back inside.

"I don't want the pack members to look down on me as their Luna. They already know I'm not the real one," Quincy sobbed again, walking beside me. I draped my arm over her shoulder, calming her with my alpha pheromones.

"It's fine. We will get married no matter what," I assured her, turning her to face me. I kissed her forehead and said, "Trust me."

"What if you find your real mate?" she asked, her blue eyes holding mine.

"No way. I don't have a mate, and I don't believe Wise One Jeffrey. He wants me to stay single just because he wants me to choose my real mate as the new Luna," I said, but my wolf Johnny growled in my head.

"Damn you, Xander! We have a mate! Just be patient and we'll find her soon. I have a feeling our mate just came of age and turned eighteen," Johnny said, clinging to the hope that I had a real mate.

"Shut up, Johnny! Then where is she? No other woman is as beautiful as Quincy in the entire Autumn Pack! I would rather choose Quincy than any woman beneath her level," I growled back through our link. Johnny growled louder, "Lies! Quincy has a beautiful face but a heart as dark as coal. I do not approve of her as your chosen mate. She is worse than the devil."

"Shut up!" I snarled at my wolf and warned him, "Don't you dare speak of my chosen mate like that again."

"Or what? What will you do? Block me? Ugh! You will regret this! Argh..." Johnny growled and shut me out.

Carefully, I placed my arm around Quincy's shoulder and led her back into the banquet hall. She wore a lovely green dress and black shoes. The jade earrings made her stand out like a true queen.

Walking back inside, no one dared to protest against Quincy. They stood silently watching me as soft music played. It was my twenty-seventh birthday after all.

My father rose to his feet, dressed in a black shirt and trousers. He warned me, "Xander, I will not approve of Quincy as your Luna. Only your real mate is allowed in my presence from today onward. Find her and bring her to me to help cure your mother, or keep your relationship with Quincy out of the palace. You are making your mother's mental condition worse."

Dad walked away angrily, not waiting for me to cut my cake.

I held Quincy's right hand firmly, assuring her, "Don't worry. I've got you."

The pack members stood tensely after my father left. Beta Adrian and his son, my best friend Kaleb, looked worried. But they smiled when they saw me hold Quincy's hand, no matter the situation.

Quincy and I sliced my birthday cake, and the pack members applauded and cheered.

"May I have this dance, my love?" I asked Quincy, extending my hand.

Quincy smiled and accepted. I pulled her gently toward me and twirled her around to face me.

Looking up at me, Quincy smiled. She was tall and elegant, and the black stilettos she wore brought her height nearly to mine.

"Yes, my Alpha. I will dance with you," she replied happily. I held her hands and guided her steps as we moved to the rhythm of the soft music.

After the music stopped, I leaned close and placed a warm kiss on her forehead. Night had fallen. The moon glowed and cast diamond sparkles around the Alpha's mansion.

Turning to the crowd, I thanked them once more. "Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. You may return to your homes."

One by one, the distinguished pack members came forward to present their gifts before leaving.

As the hall emptied, my sister Bailey walked up to me. She wore a dazzling purple dress and brown shoes. She was tall and slender, a mirror image of our mother when she was younger.

"Happy birthday, brother. I brought you this gift," Bailey said, extending a package.

"What's in it?" I asked, and she laughed.

"When you open it, you'll see. But a hint: it's a fortified bracelet to help you find your real mate," she said. My scowl deepened, and so did Quincy's.

Bailey didn't like Quincy, but it wasn't her place to choose a girlfriend for me. I had dated a few beautiful women before Quincy.

"Bailey, I don't need this," I said, pushing the gift back.

"Brother, I traveled to the Rock Valley Pack to get this for you. Mom needs you, so please wear it," Bailey insisted, refusing to take it back. She still hoped we could find my real mate, even after I had lost that hope.

"Fine," I grunted. Quincy wasn't happy, even as Bailey smiled and said, "I have to go. Joy and Jaxon need me," speaking of her twin pups. I smiled and wished her, "Good night. My regards to them. I'll visit tomorrow."

Steven Edmond, my Gamma and brother-in-law, stepped forward and said, "Enjoy your birthday night, Xander." He placed a hand on my sister's shoulder, hugged her warmly, and led her away.

After they left and all the guests were gone, Quincy turned to me and asked, "Are you really going to wear that bracelet and find your real mate? Do you forget your promise just now?"

I closed my eyes, thinking of my mother—feral, unable to recognize us, locked in a cell because she might kill anyone near her.

"Quincy, trust me, I don't think I have a real mate. If I don't accept this, Bailey will be sad, and I don't want that," I said, trying to comfort her.

Quincy shook her head. "What if the bracelet is real? What if it helps you find her? What will happen to me?" She pointed at her chest, tears in her eyes.

I shut my eyes and declared, "You are my love, and no other woman will take your place in my heart—not even my real mate. If I find her, I will accept her only to cure my mother, but she cannot replace you."

Quincy smiled and drew me into a kiss, her lips locking with mine even as her family waited to escort her home.

"I love you, Xander," she whispered after we parted.

"I love you more," I told her, my eyes locking with hers.

Then Quincy turned and walked out with her parents and older brother.

Alone in the hall, with guards surrounding the mansion, I opened the package Bailey had given me. An emerald bracelet lay inside. I picked it up and wore it around my right wrist. "If this helps me find my real mate, so be it. I only need her for Mom." I turned and walked toward the prison house to find my mother.