A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 18

(Jackson)

We're driving to another "mating frenzy" masked as something else so that Alpha's could pair off their daughters to other Alphas. Thankfully this time I had my Beta, Lucas, and Gamma, Cameron with me. Both of which were more excited to come than I was. I've pretty much given up hope of replaceing a mate. When I turned 18, almost a decade ago at this point, I would attend all the ceremonies held by other packs once I realized that my mate wasn't part of my pack.

Each year, when I didn't replace her, I attended fewer and fewer events until now I only attend meetings about the official pack business.

Would the Moon Goddess be so cruel as to give me a mate from a pack across the country? Or not give me one at all. I try to shake that helpless feeling away that I've grown accustomed to these past few years.

"We're 15 minutes away, gentleman." My driver states solemnly.

"All I'm saying is the food better be good. Do we have a training schedule while we're here?" Cameron asks. It takes me a second to realize he's directing the question at me

"What? No. It's a weekend away, enjoy it and please let loose for once."

"Come on man, try to have a little fun," Lucas says and claps him on the back

My Gamma is our head trainer, I've never seen anything like him. Since we were kids he took to fighting naturally and loved it. He is strict with our warriors and rarely lets himself go. Not to say we don't have fun, but his first focus is always on protection and the pack, which I have to commemorate.

My Beta Lucas however, is a bit more of a party animal of sorts and when he has time off he makes sure to use it to his full extent. When he is working his complete focus and commitment is to his duties as this packs Beta with an attention to detail and can get something done like no other.

They balance me out. We all balance each other out.

We've been close since we were kids, so no matter how many times they get into small fights or mess with each other I know it's all a joke. Them being so different natured works in my favor and we all get along due to a mutual sense of duty, putting our pack above us as individuals. That and twenty-plus years of friendship.

We were supposed to be on the road hours ago but there have been more and more rogue sightings near our pack borders. This was something I wanted to talk to Alpha Benjamin about as Silver Moon is our neighboring pack so he is in charge of securing that area, as well.

I know this weekend was supposed to be all about fun and celebrating his daughter's birthday? Wedding? Something about her that seemed insignificant to me, but a rogue issue isn't something that can wait.

I ended up doubling patrols while we were gone. Cam's second in command, Bryce, assured us that he had security and patrols under control this weekend.

I left the pack in the more than capable hands of my father for the weekend as he was practically ushering me out of the door. I think he liked being Alpha again, and we sent a note along saying we would be arriving late and to not make any special preparations for

us.

We arrive at Silver Lake's pack lands and watched as the forest got progressively thicker past the gates, making the last of grayish dusk skies seem like midnight for a few minutes until the trees start to disperse and get thinner and thinner until we arrive at the roundabout in front of the packhouse.

I always loved how commanding this packhouse was and the lands they had were unlike others I've seen. We have expansive land, as well but there's was tucked away so well it's hard to replace unless you know where you're going and what you're looking for, making it the ideal place to hide a large number of werewolves.

It's actually an old werewolf legend that this land was given to the first Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack by the Moon Goddess herself. Since we're a neighboring pack I've been here at least once a year for meetings but it always blows me away.

A massive dark wood house with floor-to-ceiling windows on one side where I can see omegas setting up what must be the ballroom. It's a huge space that I've never been in before. We usually conduct meetings over formal dinners in the dining room, which is no less impressive.

We pull up to the front double doors that are two stories high and look like something that came out of a medieval castle with their massive bolts and hinges. Thankfully, someone comes out to meet us right when we pull up. A peppy blonde girl that looks like a Barbie doll and has too much makeup on opens one of the doors.

"We're sorry for pulling you from the party, we sent a note that we would be a bit behind," I say as I step out of the car and stretch my legs.

"Ah yes, Alpha Jackson from the Moonstone Pack. It is a pleasure to have you." She says sweetly

"The pleasure is all ours, this is my Beta Lucas and my Gamma Cam." They both nod at her and smile. "If you don't mind showing us where we are staying, we can freshen up and meet everyone for the second half of the festivities."

"Of course, it would be my honor to show you to your rooms." She says batting her eyelashes, " Let me get a few omegas to help with your bags."

"That's not necessary, we can handle them ourselves."

"I can have dinner sent up if you'd like?"

I almost say no but Lucas' eyes are pleading with me, "That sounds lovely, thank you." I say instead.

We follow her inside and the front doors open up to a circular foyer with white marble floors and a massive spiral staircase that is decorated in twinkling lights and some kind of hanging plant. I have to admit it makes the huge front room seem cozy, and less intimidating. We can already hear noise from the dining room to the right, thankfully the doors are closed so no one notices us.

She shows us up the first flight of stairs to our rooms. I have a room to myself and then Lucas and Cam are sharing a room next door.

"I hope everything is to your liking, let me know if there is anything I can get for you." She pauses, "At any time of the day or night." She winks and heads back downstairs swaying her nonexistent hips as she goes.

Once she is out of view Cam and Lucas start

"Any time of the day or night." Lucas winks at me and bats his eyelashes

"Ohhh our Alpha still has it apparently." Cam jokes.

"I'm not interested," I say going to open my room door

"If you won't I might," Lucas says

"She is all yours, I'm not intending on that kind of fun this weekend."

"Come on man, even Cam is starting to seem more fun than you." Cam smacks him upside the head and they both laugh.

"See you guys in 30 and then we can get this evening over with."

(Jackson)

I leave my door cracked, and thankfully were near the top of the stairs on the first floor so I could hear when people were starting to move to the ballroom. Once I heard some voices I went over to Cam and Lucas' room and knocked. "Come along, lover boys."

They open the door wide and are all smiles and I see Lucas holding up a bottle of whiskey. So it's going to be that kind of night. "Come on in Alpha." Lucas bows.

"We would be humbled to be your escorts to this ball." Cam bows beside him so low that he almost falls. They both laugh and stand up.

"Give me a drink and then let's head down, I don't want to call attention to us."

"On the contrary, we do." Lucas says putting his arm around Cam, "Well, Cam not so much, but I'm here to cause a scene."

I roll my eyes, "As long as your scene isn't sloppy, I'm okay with it." I grab the bottle of whiskey from his hand and take a swig, not bothering to use a glass, and then set it down on the table putting the lid back on signaling we were done with it. "Shall we gentleman?" I ask.

"Indubitably," Lucas says,

"Do you even know what that means, i***t?" Cam jokes.

"It's like saying yes if you were a prince, I think." He retorts but looks confused.

"Your best behavior gentleman." Lucas groans, "Fine, well just not your worst." That gets a cheer and they clap me on the back and lead me out of the room.

Heading down the stairs some we see most of the guests congregating in the front hall, with the ballroom doors still closed. Great, they're going for a shock-value moment when opening up the ballroom.

As we descend the stairs I notice some of the unmated she-wolfs eyes on us, appraising the three new additions to the party, I'm sure. I don't care if they liked what they saw, I wasn't in the mood for anything casual. Behind me, I hear Lucas saying hello to some of them and I fight the urge to smack him.

At the bottom of the steps, there is one girl who came up by herself and has not stopped making eye contact with me.

That's when I smell it.