Chapter 5

Alpha Tristan Leroux

Mating day had never seemed longer. Every inch of my body ached, burned with a desire to get out of here, to be next to my mate, to mark her and make her mine. I had literally been apart from her for ten minutes and it was already driving me to distraction.

Leaving her to spend time with her family had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, considerate and accommodating, but now, sat at the front of the ball room surrounded on both sides by Alphas engaged in conversation with their mates while we waited for the first couples to request approval from their respective Alpha’s, all I could do was worry.

I had left my unmarked mate to fend for herself in a place she didn’t know surrounded by horny wolves looking for a mate of his own.

This was without a doubt the most stupid idea I had ever had.

Lost in thought I ignored the chatter around me, normally I would take the time to gain political advantage. Use the relaxed atmosphere to talk with my alliance Alphas and see what was going on in their packs, but I just couldn’t pull my thoughts away from the brunette that was so wrong for me but right at the same time.

‘I’m sure she will ed up surprising you. Have you ever met a true matched pair there were anything but perfect for each other? The goddess knows what she is doing’. Nox’s grumble sounded in my head, the deep voice drowning out the sound around me.

‘Easy for you to say, you don’t have to be careful not to burn the poor girl if you loose control. I can barely keep my train of thought, the idea of being alone with her…’ the thought trailed off as a different set of images took up my focus, dark brown wavy hair splayed across my pillow, plum soft lips parting in a gasp, perfectly pert breasts with little nipples begging for attention. I shook off the thought, it would not do to be sporting wood at an event when there was no way I could escape for at least a couple of hours.

A couple of hours, goddess I had to endure this for way to long, letting her stay with her family had definitely been a stupid idea.

Thoughts of taking her to bed drifted back to the forefront of my mind as my wolf literally salivated at the thought of truly making her ours, I caught her scent in the room on a slight breeze, the smell captivating me as though there weren’t hundreds of other people in the room with us, and my eyes snapped in the direction of the scent to see her stood through the crowd beside her parents.

Her expression, as had been the norm throughout the day so far, was one of trepidation and I squashed the thoughts of taking her to bed, as fear of my own set in. I would kill her. There was no way she could handle it if I lost control and there was no way I could lay her in my bed without truly letting go.

I watched in fascination as her expression changed for the first time from fear to determination and I wondered not for the first time what was going through her mind. It would be easier once she was marked, I would get an impression through the bond of her feelings so at least I wouldn’t have to guess quite so much what she was thinking but it would be at least a week before I could pull everything together to hold the Luna bond ceremony. Until then I was just going to have to keep guessing.

The familiar tingle of a mind link distracted me for a moment as I searched the crowd for Roman, finding him stood talking to the Beta from Dark Forest “How’s it going?” he asked once I let him in.

“Shit. How the fuck did I think this was a good idea.”

“What? Walking the line, or leaving her with her parents?”

“Both!” I stated after a moments hesitation to Romans obvious amusement. “What’s Grey after?” I asked referring to the Beta he had been talking with.

“He wants to discuss the peace treaty with the east coast pack again. Dude is doing my fucking head in, hence the mind link, I needed to get out of that conversation. He’s as bad as Catoil, pompous ass suck up prick.” I chuckled lightly

“Welcome to my world.” I muttered there were days in a row when I wondered if the alliance was worth the fucking hassle.

“Had a chat with your mate. Saved her from the mob outside.” Roman stated and I could clearly see the smirk on his face from here.

“What mob?” I asked, my thoughts once again back on my mate and a growl rising in my chest at the thought of any kind of danger surrounding her.

“The pack were laying in wait once you headed in, they were all lined up for a fucking meet and greet. The girl looked terrified as it was, without being forced to meet our crazy lot. Figured it was safer to get her in here where we can both keep an eye out.”

I nodded. “Thanks Ro.”

“No worries. She’s a quiet one, didn’t say an awful lot, although that could be the fear. Gave her a little bit of a tour, essentially just pointed out the west wing and the central block. She went white as a sheet when I mentioned the fact that she would be living in the main block with us. Maybe she’s worried about ‘expectations’, if you know what I mean. She seems awfully shy and timid, I doubt she’s had many run ins with men.” He informed and for the first time I stopped to think about what this must really be like for her.

I was well aware that De ‘Maine forced all women over the age of eighteen to attend mating day, maybe she hadn’t wanted to find a mate yet. She could have hopes, college and career, And all of those dreams could have just been ripped away from her, because let’s face it. No Luna I’ve ever met manged to find the time to attend college, leading a pack isn’t an easy job, that’s for damn sure.

‘We could give her light duties, carry on carrying the load so she can still follow her dreams.’ Nox suggested and I agreed without a second thought, there was nothing in this world I wanted right now but to make that girl happy.

“You might wanna wipe that sappy look off your face, your about to have company.” Roman’s voice informed before he closed the link. I was gonna have to have words with him about this, twice today he had pushed me out without explanation. With a slight frown of frustration at the liberties taken by my Beta I focused on the room and glanced around to see which couple was heading over. The frown deepened when I didn’t see anyone approaching before my eyes widened in shock at the sight of my mate, Cali, heading towards me, that look of determination still firmly fixed on her face.

“Hey.” She greeted timidly stood before me and I smiled at her sudden shyness as the determination disappeared.

“Hi.” I returned with a hand gesture for her to come closer, to stand beside me the ay my fellow Alphas ha arranged themselves with their own mates. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” She nodded looking around the room and visibly swallowing.

“I’m assuming you weren’t expecting to match at all today, let alone to an Alpha.” I stated with raised brows.

“I’m sorry, I know I’m not handling this very well. It’s all been a bit of a shock. But I will do better.” She stated seeming afraid again and I wondered what kind of life she had led to be so fucking timid that she couldn’t even see to fully speak her mind.

“You’re handling things fine. It will get easier with time.” I stated taking her and in mine on instinct and brushing my fingers across her oft skin. I couldn’t help but wonder if all of her body was as soft as the tingles from her touch raced through my body and my mind was once again filled with indecent images.

I shook off the thoughts with great effort, and as much as I didn’t want to I pulled my thoughts to a different matter. “You don’t have to be here you know, it’s not particularly thrilling waiting for couples to ask for our blessing.”

“It’s my job to be here though…” She stated trailing off for a minute in thought before continuing. “I thought it might not look very good if you are sat here alone when everyone here knows that you found your true match today. I know that I wont really be of any help, I don’t even really know what you have to do but at least I could stand here and keep you company while you are waiting.” She stated and a genuine smile broke out on my face before I could stop it.

That was the longest she had spoken since we met, her voice filled with determination and for a minute I considered that I may have been wrong about her, maybe she was stronger than she appeared. Of course, that thought led right back to images of her splayed out on my bed. I cleared my throat before I actually started drooling and addressed her again.

“Well, I am certainly glad of the company. And we don’t do an awful lot to be honest, couples will approach once they agree a match and ask for our blessing, our permission, to be mated. The she-wolf will typically also ask her Alpha for permission to leave the pack.”

“Oh.” Her eyes lifted slightly to De ‘Mane sat next to me before she lowered her voice. “Should I be asking Alpha De ‘Maine?” She questioned timid once more and I almost chuckled. This woman’s emotions were going to give me whiplash.

“No, it’s different with an Alpha. When Omegas decide on a mating or even if they have a true match, either could leave their pack to join the other as they typically only have small obligations to their pack. I can’t leave Blackrock to join Oak creek, so no, you don’t need permission.”

She nodded at my explanation. “That makes sense. Does permission get denied very often?” She queried and I took a deep breath. I never expected to have to explain this to anyone and for the first time I wondered what her family’s position was within Oak Creek, and what kind of education she had been given.

“Where you never told any of this?” I asked before I could stop myself and watched in fascination as she winced.

“Honestly.” She swallowed seeming nervous all of a sudden and I waited with bated breath for the answer. “I refused to listen to anything to do with mating day on principle. I was most like told I just never listened.”

“Why not?” I asked trying not to jump to conclusions.

“I never wanted a mate. I had no intention of arranging a mating and I didn’t’ expect I would ever find a true match, it’s so rare now.” She stated turning her gaze away from me and I got the distinct impression that that wasn’t the whole story, but I didn’t press. There would be plenty of time to get to know one another. I was curios why she didn’t want a mate though, although I guess I had no room to talk, I put it off myself for years.

Our conversation was interrupted shortly after as we were approached by an elder couple looking for permission for the she-wolf to join Blackrock from Dark Forest.

I took my duty seriously, asked the she-wolf what she would bring to the pack before granting my permission. Four more couples approached before there was a lull again and I turned to see Cali watching the other Alpha and Luna pairings.

If nothing else she seemed eager to learn now. Maybe I could get one of the pack scholars to giver her lessons or something. I had no idea how I was supposed to find the time to teach her, her duties along with running the pack alone if she was going to be off galivanting and doing goddess only knows what. Although she had come here on her own, said that it was her job. Maybe I wouldn’t have to handle everything.

“What happens this evening?” She asked and I started out my thoughts.

“Is this your first Mating Day?”  asked instead of answering and she nodded.

“Yes. I only turned Eighteen three months ago, I wasn’t old enough to attend the spring day.” She stated.

“We wrap up in here around 3 pm. Then anyone heading home will say their goodbyes, anyone staying will retire to their rooms to change, Evening meal is served at 5 followed by the evening celebrations. It’s a long day I’m afraid.” I answered as patiently as I could manage. If she had never attended a mating date before I couldn’t rightly expect her to know the schedule. “Do you have a dress for this evening?” I asked and watched as he face paled a little.

“Yes, but it’s not really befitting a... um… well a Luna.” She answered her cheeks-tinged pink. Again, I couldn’t be upset, how was she possibly to know that she would end up mated to an Alpha. The day was always casual, although she looked out of place in her jeans and blouse next to my shirt and trousers, but she had fit in perfectly standing in the line. However, this evening she would need to shine.

I pushed a mind link with Roman. “I need you to arrange getting a dress for Cali for this evening.” I stated as soon as he opened the link.

“Didn’t she bring one?” My best friend asked.

“Yes but apparently its not befitting her new station.”

“That’s fair I guess. I’ll sort it. any preference on… I don’t know, style of colour?”

“I’m sending out for a new dress for you, any preference on style or colour? I asked her as Roman waited patiently with the link open for my response.

“What, you don’t…. I guess you do. No. no preference.” She muttered seeming down hearted all of a sudden and I relayed it to Roman, watching him leave the room shortly after. “I’m sorry.” Cali stated grabbing my attention again. “I’m supposed to ae your life easier and all I have done so far is turn up looking like no one owns me and cause you more work.” She stated and I instantly felt bed from feeling frustrated.

“Its no trouble honestly. You weren’t looking for a mate, why would you have planned for a true match with an Alpha?” Maybe I needed to learn a little patience. I could certainly work on my compassion that was for sure.

“Would you like me to go? To leave you alone?” She asked and I frowned at the question.

“No. I honestly don’t mind answering your questions or having someone fetch you a new dress. Its not a big deal. I’m only going to be at here anyway. I am concerned about how much you may need to learn, I may not have the time always to hold your hand and answer your questions, but we will address that later.”

“I promise, I am not a clueless as I seem right now.” She muttered and I squeezed her hand as the next couple approached.

It was going to be a really, really long day.