Selfish Requests

{Alpha Harvey}

I released a heavy sigh as my goddaughter trudged out of the dining room with the pathetic wolf trailing behind her.  I didn't trust him at all.  It was the predatory gaze he gave her.  I didn't fall for that charming smile and good manners.  That boy was up to no good.  I would be keeping my eyes peeled. 

"What do you two think about Mark?" I asked cautiously, testing the waters.

"He's a decent wolf. He respects authority, he's ambitious, and he hasn't caused any trouble," Alexander answered.

"I don't like him, and I definitely don't like him for Alexus."

"That doesn't make any sense.  If you truly felt that way, then why would you tell her to go on a run with him?"

"Because he's not a threat as of yet."

"And when do you believe he'll become a threat?" Alexander questioned. 

"When he discovers they aren't mates.  Keep your eye on that boy.  You both know I'm never wrong."

Alexander and Amari threw furtive glances at each other, probably realizing that I was onto something. 

"Now that Alexus is gone, what is your true reason for visiting?" Amari questioned.  I chuckled in response.  She was always the curious one.  I rose from my chair and strolled to the large floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a perfect view of the surrounding forest.  My eyes narrowed as I watched Alexus and Mark below.  I couldn't tell what was being said, but it was clear that my goddaughter was very angry.  I gritted my teeth when he reached out to touch her.  I grinned when she slapped his hand away.  The young man should give up now to save himself the embarrassment. 

"Why can't I just spend time with family, huh?  Why do you always accuse me of having some ulterior motive?"

"Because nine times out of ten, you do," Alexander snapped.  I rolled my eyes.  He always had his guard up around me, but then again, I made him that way by constantly teasing about taking his wife from him.  That would never happen.  I would snap his precious wife's neck after a week.  I loved her like a sister, but damn, she could push my buttons sometimes. Truthfully, I was a little upset with her for besting me in combat during my last visit.  I told her not to hold back and ended up visiting the infirmary for an overnight stay when she stabbed me with one of her silver daggers. 

I let out a loud exhale before addressing Alexander and Amari, two people I considered my closest family and confidants. 

"As you both know, I never met my mate."

"Right, and as long as I've known you, you've wanted to remain mateless," Amari answered.

"I know, but that's changed."

Alexander and Amari shared another glance.

"What do you mean?" Alexander questioned.

"I've been feeling lonely lately, which leads to this feeling of incompleteness.  I'm getting older, and I'm ready to share my life with someone."

"So...you're ready to find your mate?" Amari asked slowly.

"That's right," I confirmed.  "I'm activating The Luna Games."

"Are you serious?!" Amari shrilled, jumping up to her feet.  I rolled my eyes and prepared myself for the tongue-lashing. 

"Yes."

"You can't do this!  Not this year!"

"Amari, calm down," Alexander warned.

"I will not calm down!  This is bullshit, and you're so fucking selfish!" she yelled before storming out of the dining room. 

"She can be such a drama queen.  How do you deal with her?" I chuckled, trying to ease the tension in the air and distract myself from Amari's truthful words.

"Can you stop joking for one minute and be serious?!" Alexander yelled, slamming a fist onto the dining room table.  He hit the table with so much force that the table cracked under the weight.  Boy, he was angry. 

"I'm sorry," I apologized swiftly.

"Tell me why you would activate The Luna Games this year, KNOWING it is my pack's year to host The Luna Games if activated?  You know how my mate feels about The Luna Games, and you waited long enough until it was our year to throw your hat in the fucking ring!  If it were anyone else, I could accept it, but it feels like you stabbed us in the fucking back!  I don't even want to imagine the number of lives that will be lost because of you.  You're a big-ticket item, Noah.  Women will travel from all across the world for the chance to fight to the death for you. Fuck!  The least you could've done was wait a year."

"You know what they say, tomorrow's not always promised to you," I rebutted.  Alexander angrily scrubbed his face with his hands. 

"When do you plan on doing this?"

"Midnight...August 4th."

Alexander shot me a blank expression.  "You know?  I'm not even surprised you would do this on my only daughter's 18th birthday.  You're a sick son of a bitch, you know that?"

"I've heard that once or twice before. How long do you think Amari will hate me?"

"You know my wife.  She can hold a grudge like no other."

"So, forever, huh?"

"Sounds about right, but whatever, what's done is done.  We have a little less than a week to make arrangements.  We need to send out the announcement today.  Shit, there's so much that needs to be done.  We need to figure out staffing and guards.  We need to hunt and make sure there are rooms available for the spectators and family members.  We needed to start digging graves yesterday.  You know we'll most likely have to cancel Alexus's birthday party, right?"

"From the way she reacted, it looks like she might not mind."

"You only turn 18 once, but since you're so fucking confident, then you can break the news to her."

"I don't know why we can't do both."

"I don't know why you just couldn't pick a different weekend.  Seriously, what's the urgency?"

"I don't know.  I'm just listening to whatever my wolf tells me, and he's never wrong."