Chapter 8

I slept horribly last night. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see were her big blue ones looking back at me. The look on her face after I kissed her forehead will forever be imprinted in my brain. Her big eyes grew even larger and the blush that coated her cheeks was beautiful. She looked so innocent at that moment.

I desperately hoped she would be working in the dining room for breakfast this morning so I could see her. Storm and I came up with a plan last night about what we were going to do to get her and hoped it went off without a hitch.

Alpha David was so desperate for my help I knew he wouldn’t refuse me.

Being Head Alpha, not many refused me anything.

I got my wish when I was making my way to the kitchen to get Luna Christina another glass after she found a chip in hers. I was obviously using that as an excuse to go and see Ray, when the very girl I’d been thinking about all night and all morning ran right into me.

She was so tiny it felt like a child bouncing off me. I quickly steadied her before she fell and lost the carafes of coffee and juice she had in her arms.

“Well good morning to you too,” I said, trying to hide my laughter at the shocked look on her face. She clearly hadn’t anticipated someone being on the other side of the door.

She quickly lowered her head to me in greeting. “Good morning Alpha Xander.”

I was so happy to see her, I almost missed the dark circles and redness in her eyes. While it didn't look like she had been crying, something was clearly the matter.

“Are you okay?” When she cocked her head questioningly, I continued. “Your eyes are all bloodshot. Did something happen?”

The idea of something happening to her made us want to tear the world apart.

I wasn’t sure what it was about her that made Storm and I react this way but I wasn’t going to put too much thought into it. We couldn’t help the way we felt this intense draw to her. It was like my soul recognized her.

“Yes Alpha Xander everything's alright. Just a bad night of sleep is all. If you’d like to take your seat, breakfast will be served shortly.”

That blush was back on her cheeks and all I wanted to do was run my finger over it. Now that we weren’t outside in the rain, I could actually smell her now. She smelled amazing - floral with a hint of something sweet. I wonder if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

I better stop those thoughts before my cock decides to stand at attention.

While I didn’t believe her excuse, I wasn’t going to push the issue in front of all the ranked families. It also didn’t help that I could feel daggers glaring into my back. Fucking Gretchen needed to learn her place before I showed her just where she stood with me. I definitely didn’t appreciate her showing up to my door this morning in nothing but a robe to inform me of what time breakfast was.

I gave her a slight nod and with one last look, turned and headed to my chair that unfortunately was next to Gretchen’s. Not by my choice of course. If it were up to me she’d be eating on the floor.

I felt a hand on my forearm and looked to my right to see Gretchen's face leaning way too close to mine. “Did you happen to get mothers glass?”

I’d completely forgotten my excuse to enter the kitchens and see Ray.

“I forgot it. I’m sure one of the servers can grab her one.” I said before peeling her hand off my arm. I didn’t like being touched without my permission and wouldn't tolerate it a second time.

I heard her huff before rolling her eyes. “I saw Ray, the wolf less omega, bothering you over there. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she doesn’t trouble you again.”

The way she emphasized ‘wolf less omega’ just sparked even more anger towards her. This little girl didn’t want to see what happened when I got angry.

I fixed her with a glare that had her squirming in her seat and eyes filled with fear. “You will do no such thing. You also will not touch me again.”

“Yes, Head Alpha.”

She managed to keep her hands to herself through the rest of breakfast.

Once everyone finished eating, I followed Alpha David to his office. A few of my warriors stood outside the door while David, Beta Silas, and myself went inside to begin discussions.

I took a seat across from his desk and placed my foot on my knee. “So Alpha David, what can I do to help you with your situation?”

He looked tired. I knew he was itching to retire but was holding on due to his eldest daughter's mate. I couldn’t blame him for being nervous about handing the pack over to Stephen.

I’d met Stephen and Olive yesterday afternoon for a brief meeting and could understand why he was reluctant to retire. Olive seemed like a decent girl but you could tell she’d been pampered and spoiled without ever having to work a day in her life. The only thing that mattered to her was the title of Luna.

Stephen, on the other hand, was a real piece of work. He was incredibly immature and had no idea how to run a pack. Not only did he take everything as a joke but also gave off some very creepy vibes. I’d bet my life that he had a wandering eye. If it weren’t for the fact that mates could feel infidelity, I knew he’d be out whoring around. Disgusting.

While I was no saint myself and have had my fair share of sexual partners, the thought of cheating on one's mate made me sick.

“As you know, Olive and Stephen are pushing for me to hand over the pack to them. While I am more than ready to retire and spend some much needed time with my mate, I just don’t feel like they are ready.”

I nodded. “I agree.”

“It’s not so much Olive I’m worried about but Stephen. I’ve been trying to show him the ropes and give him an idea about what running a pack is like but he just isn’t taking it as seriously as I’d like.”

David ran his hands through his strawberry blonde hair that was slowly becoming gray along his temples. You could feel and see how much this was taking a toll on him.

“I might have a solution. I say give Olive and Stephen three months to really get their act together and take their future positions seriously. They need to go through training and lessons every single day. Luna Christina will teach Olive the ropes of Luna and you will focus on Stephen learning what it takes to really be an Alpha.

“If you’d like, I can send a couple of my elders from my pack to come and help you with Stephen's training. Not only does he need to learn everything it takes to run a pack but he also needs to be physically ready for it too. I’m not sure where he is with combat training but he needs to be top tier. Being Alpha is more than giving orders - he needs to be the strongest wolf here in order to defend his pack against anything.”

I could tell Alpha David was agreeing with everything I was saying. I didn’t become Head Alpha for nothing. I went through rigorous training day and night to become the Alpha I am today.

“I’d also recommend having some of my best warriors come and oversee training for those three months. Not only will they work with Stephen but also make sure your warriors are in the best shape. You handing over power to your daughter’s mate instead of you having a son is going to put a target on your back. Rogues and other packs might think your pack is weak and try to take it over.”

Alpha David’s eyes went wide. I could tell he hadn’t thought of that.

“Alpha, I think we really need to consider what Alpha Xander is offering us. My son is more than ready to take over being Beta but as you know, he wants to wait until Stephen and Olive are ready before taking those vows.”

I had to give it to Beta Silas. He was a smart man and knew taking my offerings was the best chance their pack had. Having elders and warriors from the Head Alphas pack to help theirs was an offer no one could refuse. They should be thankful I’m even willing to help as much as I am.

Little do they know I had ulterior motives.

“I agree with Beta Silas. We would be more than happy to accept your generous offer Alpha Xander. I’m hoping giving Stephen and Olive the three month time frame will light a fire under their asses. What do I do if they are not ready in those three months though?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Either wait until Gretchen finds her mate and hope he's a decent person or give your warriors the option to challenge for the title.”

I could tell neither of those options sat well with him. There was no telling when Gretchen would find her mate, whom I already felt sorry for, or if he would even be fit enough for the position of Alpha. I also knew he didn’t want to leave his pack in the hands of someone that wasn’t family.

“With the help of my elders and warriors, there is no reason Stephen shouldn’t be ready in three months. My warriors are second best in the country, after the Royal Guard, and should be more than capable of whipping Stephen into a fighter worthy of your pack. I should warn you though, my warriors and elders are no nonsense and won’t take to Stephen's antics should he continue to act like an insolent child.”

Alpha David and Beta Silas both nodded, seemingly pleased with this.

“I think that is just what he needs. Before I call Stephen in here to go over everything we just discussed, I just wanted to thank you for your generosity. If there is anything I can do for you please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Now is my chance.

I leaned back in my chair and placed both feet on the ground. “Actually there is something I would like from you.”

That had Alpha David’s eyes lighting up. Guarantee he was hoping I was going to ask for Gretchen to become my chosen mate.

“Not a chance in hell,” Storm growled.

“Not even if she was the last woman on earth.” I agreed.

“I’d be happy to give you whatever you want, Alpha Xander.”

I was hoping he’d say that. “The omega Ray. That is what I want.”