Chapter Six

Sebastian's P.O.V.

"I'm getting really tired of these damn Mateship Balls," Jared growled as he gazed in the mirror, styling his hair. "All these ridiculous traditions and rules our pack follows are unnecessary."

With a bemused smirk, Sebastian continued adjusting his tie and asked, "How do you think I feel? Are you finally understanding why I think the Leadership Council positions shouldn't be lifetime appointments anymore? Bunch of 80 and 90 something-year-olds demanding things be accomplished their way every time? I appreciate their knowledge and experience, but not the outdated social norms."

"Plus, they all die around the same age, and then you're stuck with inexperienced pups making life-altering decisions until they get older and wise up!" Grant shouted from the bathroom.

"Another good point," Sebastian called back, tugging down the back of his ill-fitting suit jacket.

"Hey, little brother, we might actually have a chance tonight with some girls now that Sebastian's been uglified," Jared teased, grasping his best friend's shoulders and giving them a shake.

Grant emerged from the bathroom and tried to stifle his laughter at the pair of men before him, failing miserably. "Sorry, Sebastian," he wheezed, "but this is too hilarious! Just let me get it out of my system now before we leave. You are so tiny!"

"No, no, it's ok. I look as ridiculous as I feel. Our pack has partnered with magic users for centuries, and now that others are beginning to do so, the Leadership Council is convinced rival packs will try to infiltrate us by any means necessary. I have to admit, they did a pretty great job with these concealment spells and potions."

Sebastian had shrunk a foot, now standing at 5 foot, 7 inches. His muscles had melted away from the potion, leaving him awkward and gangly. The large ears and nose gave him a distinctly homely appearance, and Sebastian was grateful at least his eyes had remained the same. It gave him some semblance of normalcy when gazing at himself in the mirror.

"What's the point of all these changes?" Grant asked, poking one of Sebastian's small arms.

"No one will suspect me to be the Blood Lake Alpha since I look like the runt of the litter. They figure the only person who would waste time getting to know me would be my soulmate if they are even here. I don't mind the physical changes so much; it's having my Alpha energy suppressed that's bothering me."

Eyes widening, Grant asked, "Does this mean you'd have to obey Jared if he gave you a command?"

"Yes, though tempting as it may be, Jared wouldn't be stupid enough to try it except in an emergency," Sebastian frowned as his Beta's face broke into a large grin.

"Come on, can't I do one little command? Just this once?" Jared begged. He rubbed his hands together gleefully before exclaiming, "I promise it will be something small and not insulting."

"Ugh, only because you're my best friend and just this once," Sebastian acquiesced, grimacing in anticipation.

"I'll go extra easy on you since you're such a puny little fellow now," Jared laughed. "Go hold the door open for Grant and me."

Sebastian stood his ground for a few moments to see if the potion really did mute his Alpha capabilities. To his surprise, for every second he didn't obey the Beta's demand, the more his body began to shake and ache. He crossed the room quickly and held the door to the hotel room open for the others. As the brothers walked past him, Sebastian complained, "This is going to be a long night."

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Sebastian sat under the gazebo, watching two she-wolves throw themselves at Jared while they completely ignored his presence. While being disregarded was a new feeling for him, Sebastian found he immensely enjoyed it. There was no pressure to perform as the Alpha, no stress of being the perfect representative of his pack. While Jared had always relished the pawing and flirting that seemed to accompany any powerful pack position, Sebastian was delighted for a break. No one stroking his biceps or placing their hand on his thigh as they asked him question after question was refreshing.

Two high-pitched screams followed by the pair of women running away as fast as their high heels would allow brought Sebastian's attention back to the present. The look of disgust on Jared's face told him everything he needed to know. "Finally got around to telling them you're part of the Blood Lake pack?"

"Yes. Things were going really well with the blonde, and I figured she might be up for a little fun later if she didn't have a negative reaction," Jared growled. "Clearly she's not."

"Sorry -" Sebastian began before he heard the familiar loud laughter of Grant and a she-wolf echoing through the garden. Jared's face grew crimson before bellowing out, "Shut the fuck up, Grant! I'm coming for your ass and whatever whore you're fucking around with!"

Lurching towards his brother, Jared's eyes zeroed in on the girl and Grant sitting on a bench together. The pair stood up as Jared lumbered closer, Grant stepping in front of the she-wolf, his arms crossed as he called out, "Jared, you need to apologize to my friend. Right now."

A look of terror crossed Grant's face as his new friend raced past him to face the Beta head-on.

With a cocky smirk, Jared remarked, "Aren't you a feisty little slut."

"Call me a derogatory name one more time and see what happens," the she-wolf responded pleasantly.

"Only a worthless cunt would be interested in hanging out with my little brother," Jared shot back hotly.

Sebastian had not anticipated Grant's friend to talk back to his intimidating Beta. She was relatively short-statured and had bucked Mateship Ball tradition by wearing a sexy fitted suit instead of a formal ballgown. Her stance appeared casual as she stared up at Jared, but Sebastian could tell from her positioning that she had fighter training. His curiosity was piqued, and he wanted to learn more about this she-wolf. As Sebastian walked towards his Beta with the intention of defusing the situation, the woman took a swipe at Jared's face, her hand moving incredibly swiftly.

Fingers transforming into claws, Jared screamed, "How dare you touch me, you little bitch!" He lashed out a finger and drug a deep gash into one of the woman's cheeks. Sebastian hurried closer, watching as she retaliated with a kick to Jared's knee.

Just as Sebastian was readying himself to intervene, he froze for a moment. His nostrils filled with the scent of sun-warmed soil, lilacs, and impending rain. His feet felt rooted in place and his breathing quickened. He had finally found her. This petite, courageous woman was his mate.

Jared's deafening yell shook Sebastian out of his trance. After stumbling backward from the force of the kick, Jared attempted to seize his opponent's arm only to be yanked back by his Alpha.

"What the fuck, Sebastian?" Jared seethed. "She insulted our pack and me!"

Sebastian ignored his friend and looked over at Grant, who had wisely pulled the she-wolf further away from Jared, focused on stopping the blood streaming from her cheek. Seeing her nose rapidly twitch several times as Grant spoke to her, Sebastian knew she had scented him, too. Her head turned in his direction, and for a brief, delicious minute, he was able to stare into her chestnut brown eyes before her eyes closed, and her knees buckled.