Chapter 3- Maddox

The day passes by, and before I know it, Nadia is leaving to fetch us dinner. As Nadia leaves my office, my mom and uncle step in. They both glare at Nadia. I internally roll my eyes at them. They won’t be looking at her like that for long, or maybe her being my mate will change nothing for them. No doubt they won’t be happy that I’m fated mates with a rogue slave. 

Nadia shuts the door behind her as my mom and uncle approach my rather large oak desk. I can already tell they want something, and I’m not going to like it. I swear if it’s another mateship proposal, I might just lose my mind. My wolf growls in my head, not happy with the thought of them trying to pair us with anyone but our mate. 

We can’t talk to our wolves, and they don’t have names. However, we can feel them and communicate in our own way, but it’s not with words. It’s with feelings. It’s not easy to explain to someone who isn’t a werewolf as we understand how our kind works. 

“What was that filthy slave doing in her, and why does she stink?” My mom holds her nose as if Nadia is the worst thing she has ever smelled. 

I will admit she doesn't smell great, but it’s not that bad. She will shower tonight, and it will take care of everything. I swear when the others find out that Nadia is my mate, they will reget bullying her. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they realize she is their Luna. 

“Nadia is helping me digitize dads files. It’s too much for me to do on my own, so I have her helping me.” I reply. 

“This is why you need a Luna, son.” Fuck me, here we go. 

“I’m working on it.” It’s not a lie. I am working on telling my mate she is more than just my slave. It’s not an easy thing to bring up like I thought it would be. 

“Well, work faster. Look, you need a Luna, and it’s clear you aren’t finding your fated mate anytime soon. You are twenty-three, and you should have found her by now with the ability to sniff her out before twenty-one. It’s time you start to consider a chosen mate.” My uncle states in his official tone. 

“We have found the perfect chosen mate. Caroline, the daughter of the Half Moon Pack, is more than willing to be your chosen mate. She is pretty, well spoken, versed in politics, and she is a wonderful person.” 

I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “I’m sorry, mother, but anyone you consider a wonderful person most likely isn’t. You have a poor judge of character. There is no need for a chosen mate. I assure you I will find my fated mate. Perhaps worry less about my mateship status and focus on helping Olga run the staff.” I suggest. 

My mother's face twists into an insulted one. I don’t care if I insulted her. That was the damn point. My mother really does have a poor judge of character. Even my father said so when he was alive. My mom isn’t a nice person. She treats the slaves and servants like trash. She is a vain person concerned with material things and keeping the old traditions alive. My mother and I do not see eye to eye on anything. 

“This is serious, Maddox. You need a damn mate. You can’t wait forever to find your fated mate. You need an heir. You need to make sure this pack is secure, and you can’t do that without a mate. At the Silver Moon Ball in a week, you will announce Caroline as your chosen mate.” My uncle demands. 

The Silver Moon Ball is held annually in the main capital, where the royals used to live before they died out. Lycans used to be the royals, but they died out as they could not reproduce like werewolves. Werewolves are a lesser version of Lycans, and only a few of us even have lycan blood left in our veins. I’m one of the last ones to have royal lycan blood. 

Once the royals died out, the packs went into temporary chaos till they formed the alliance. They kept many of the old traditions, traditions that many of us modern and younger Alpha’s want gone. Rogue slaves are on the top of the list. I want that tradition gone for more than one reason, but mainly because my mate has suffered from it. 

“I will make you both a deal. I will announce my mate at the ball, but I make no promises it will Caroline, so don’t promise her or her father anything. If you do, I will make sure they know you did it without my permission. You do not have the authority to make promises without my approval. I could punish you for such an offense, and don’t think that I won’t. I have one week to decide who I want as my mate.” 

“It better not be that filthy slave. She is nothing but a distraction. Use her as a breeder if you want, but she is not to be your chosen mate.” My mother states. If only she knew Nadia is my fated mate. 

“Did you ever think I know who my fated mate is, and I’m waiting for her to come of age? Did you ever think that I plan to announce my mate at the ball already? I have my own damn plans, plans that I don’t need to have approved by you two. I’m an adult capable of making my own decisions. I will announce my mate at the ball.” I state firmly. 

“Wait, do you know who your mate is?” My mom asks in a giddy tone.

“Maybe. That’s for to know and for you to find out. Trust in me as your son and Alpha. Now, if you two are done annoying me about finding my mate or picking a chosen one, I have a lot of work to get done.” 

“Fine, we will leave you be. If you don’t have a fated mate by the Ball, you will pick Caroline.” My uncle says as he and my mom walk out my door. 

My wolf growls at his words. My wolf is angry at them, as am I. I’m tired of their antics. I wasn’t even planning on going to the stupid ball as I find big social events like that torture. Now, I have to go, and I have to bring Nadia with me. I need to tell her the truth soon because in a week I need her announced as my mate. Damn, I didn’t want to have to pressure her, but now I have to, thanks to my mom and uncle. 

I refuse to take a chosen mate when I have my fated mate. I’m not sure I’d ever pick a chosen mate of a fated mate. That doesn’t seem wise, and I’ve seen that backfire before. Either way, I have my fated mate. I just need to tell her she is my mate. 

Ideally, I’d wait for Nadia to be twenty-one, but I can’t wait three more years for that. I wish I could, but as an Alpha with the need of a Luna and heir, I don't have that privilege. Maybe tonight I can tell her. She will be in my room to take a shower, although thinking about her showering means she is naked. I need to control my horny self. I’ve wanted nothing more than to fuck Nadia for years now, but I’ve been respectful of her. I’ve also never been alone with her with the opportunity to see her naked. 

My wolf howls at the thought of our mate naked, under us as we claim her. Soon, I promise him and myself. Soon she will be ours. Tonight. Tonight I will tell her as I’m out of time. This can’t wait any longer.