"Hey, Bren, do we have any news?" Aaron asked as he entered the Gamma's hospital suite.
The Gamma's Personal Assistant rubbed his eyes as he sat up from the couch where he was sleeping. "Not really. He's been dreaming, and it's probably the weirdest of dreams. His blanket tented at some point, and then he started mumbling, almost yelling, then he threw a punch or two. After that, he seemed to just collapse into another deep sleep. The doctor came and checked on him and assured me that M's health is ok, at least."
"Damn it, Ma'Heron, you need to be ok for this one. Your mate will need you," whispered the Beta.
"Have you guys found out anything about her status, Beta A?"
"V called the office and asked why her absence wasn't reported to him. Security said they usually didn't report things like that to him. He yelled at them, telling them that the Gamma's wife wasn't just any employee, and her work record showed that her behavior was not usual. So, since she didn't show up for work or called in sick, they should have reported it immediately."
"So, it's true then? That she was kidnapped?"
"It seems so. V ordered all security recordings in the Silvercrest building checked and whatever video shows her be sent to him. We know who has her and why, but we want to know when and where was she taken, for how long has she been missing, and other details. As we speak, Myron and Raquel are going to Crescent Moon Packhouse with warriors to attempt a rescue mission. Hopefully, they will find a way to bring her home and we can reject the challenge request."
"But, why was the Gamma Female taken? Why not any other? If they wanted Alpha to react, they could have taken the Luna, right?"
Aaron took a seat beside Bren before replying, "The intention is not only to try to get the pack. This story comes from three years back, and this is an old enemy of theirs. One that we know well enough."
The former rogue wolf looked at the Beta, "Would you mind telling me the story? I mean, I know too little of the pack and what has happened before M helped me to get into Silvercrest. I might be able to help somehow."
"Yeah, I don't see why not? I can tell you everything while we wait for him to wake up. My bro has told me their story so many times I practically know all of it by heart…" * * *
I keep telling you, Lyon, I don't know what she wants, where she is, or where to find her, and the only one desperate to see her is you!
How is it so easy for you to lie to yourself?
I'm not lying, I'm just… wait, what's that?
Uh… a package? Is your vision failing too, Ma'He?
I've told you a thousand times, don't call me like that.
Why not? Because of that old superstition of yours?
Shut up, Lyon!
M bent and took the package that was in front of his apartment's front door. He distractedly walked back in, leaving the door open.
I've known you as a genius since I became part of your life, but seriously, you believing in that weird superstition about your childhood nickname, then not believing in mates is the most absurd thing I've heard.
It's really none of your business, Lyon.
Well, you can say whatever, but she is MY MATE TOO! I think you keep forgetting that part, and I've been trying to be nice, but you being an ass with everything about her is not making me happy at all! What will you do? Leave?
I can do much worse, M. Don't tempt me…
Ma'Heron stopped the conversation in his head, which definitely was not going anywhere at this rate. He focused on the package in his hands, and checked inside, "Anselmo Bastardo," M read on the envelope inside the package.
She knows you better than you imagined, I see, Lyon said, in between hard and long laughter. "I thought you were supposed to be on my side, wolf!" Not with this one, no.
"The invitation had to have a fake name, but she had to play a joke on me, of course," M whispered to himself, as he forced himself to hide the small smile that was forming on his lips. "Very clever, 'mate'… very clever."
Not even you can deny that she's clever… and oh so funny.
"Funny huh, Lyon? I don't think it's acceptable that she plays such childish and disrespectful pranks on someone that she asked help from."
"What are you two fighting about now?" M looked up and saw his Alpha.
V was on his way to his apartment and heard the argument between M and his wolf. Of course, this meant that V walked by Ma'Heron's open door and heard M yell, then silence, then yell, and then silence again. One could easily conclude that was an ongoing convo between the Gamma and his wolf, Lyon.
"Oh, not much, V. Apparently I have found my mate…"
"WHAT!? And you told me nothing about this?! When? How?"
"Uh… it might have escaped the details of my report… on both my visits to the Dark Forest, and the Ragdoll club."
"The she-wolf who kicked your ass?! You gave a report for both of them and didn't say that she was your mate!? Oh, don't tell me that your ego was hurt that bad?" V laughed in front of his friend, and was accompanied by his wolf Roth and even Lyon.
Your Alpha's right, M. This is about your ego all hurt, isn't it?
Shut up, Lyon!
What, is that your new catchphrase? You need something more original. And I would have thought that you'd have noticed by now, but it doesn't work! Hahaha!
Meanwhile, V saw the Gamma getting red in anger. Most likely it was because of his own wolf. He clapped a hand on top of M's shoulder…
"Anyway, whatever has you so pissed; I believe it's worth congratulating you for. It's great news, even if she whooped you so easily," V said, trying to stay serious despite the smile trying to escape from his lips. "I hope you're not gonna tell me that you think the Moon Goddess made a mistake… right?"
"I just think that a decision that affects the rest of my life should not be made without thinking about it. Well, I don't believe she's… I don't believe she and I… that we match. I'm actually thinking… about rejecting her." Silence.
V broke the long pause, "I respect your choices, and understand your position, M. I've known you my whole life, but there are times when you're too hard-headed about your own beliefs!"
"I'm not happy with her, V! Also, I believe that she's not happy with me…"
"You believe? How many times have you seen each other?"
"Twice."
"And you decide to reject her after meeting her two times? So, what happened the last time you met that made you decide this?"
"It's not just what I saw… well, she just… she enrages me, V! She's so full of herself, keeps ordering me around, when she's a nobody in her pack. She's possibly even using her friendship with the Alpha's daughter to push her weight around. And yeah… I found her working at The Ragdoll. She didn't just choose the seediest of places to meet me, but she was… working there. She's a stripper…"
If M was expecting V to take his side after a full minute of silence, he was sadly mistaken.
"The first thing I see in your story is that you're being an ass. Since when does her position in the pack matter? You expected your mate to be a princess? A queen? If she was the Alpha's daughter, would you even say all that you're saying now?"
Ma'Heron took a deep breath. He knew V's tone right now, and he knew better to interrupt his Alpha. It was obvious that Vince had more to say, and he knew from experience that he better listen.
"Second, I can't believe you. I know you too well. If you really didn't care, you wouldn't lose it just by talking about her. You're too collected for that, M! Think about it first, twice and even three times. Just don't reject her at once, bro. You might regret it. Get to know her first."
"I told you, V, it's not just me. She doesn't feel good with me either."
"Let's suppose that you reject her. Are you going to stay single for the rest of your life? Because you're not Aaron, aka. The Charmer, who can take whoever stands in front of him with no regrets. And you're evidently not me… Had I already found my mate, I wouldn't let her go."
"But that's Aaron. V. And that's you…"
"Ok, so let's say you reject her. You'll get weak and you might get sick too. You might get better with time, but you won't get over it. And the fact that there will be no other mate waiting for you, but her? Do you realize that? Come on, make an effort, bro."
"I'm sorry, I know I sound ungrateful and stubborn right now, especially to you. You haven't found your mate and I have and yet… I can only tell you I'll think about it, V. For now, as I told you before, when I gave the report. I'll help her friend not to get married. I was actually checking the invitation, where she expressed very openly what she feels about me."
V checked the envelope and invitation, and couldn't help but chuckle as he saw the "Bastardo" on both papers.
"Yeah, I remember you told me about the engagement party. Just be careful, and don't do anything stupid by putting yourself at risk, or risk her. Tonight, use your heart along with your mind. And trust your wolf. She's his mate too, after all."
You see? Finally, some common sense. Damn, why didn't I get to be his wolf instead of yours?
"Shut up, Lyon!"
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Dark Forest Packhouse, the garden was sumptuously adorned. Garlands with white flowers delicately perfumed and decorated the venue. Small lights adorned the chairs for the guests and signaled the way to the altar where a large arch would frame the bride and groom as they said their vows.
These decorative touches seemed to announce that once the woman accepts the man's proposal, they will be immediately married.
The bride-to-be was also being prepared with this idea in mind. Half a dozen omegas walked around and helped her arrange all she would need, from bringing her shoes, preparing her jewelry, arranging her hairstyle, choosing the colors of her makeup, even with putting on her dress.
Speaking of the gown, it was a gorgeous white creation of lace, gauze and silk. Backless, sleeveless, with a long slit behind, and in a mermaid style that accentuated her sinfully beautiful body exactly in the right places.
"I think I don't need to add even one stitch, Miss Alexia," said the designer, very pleased with how the exquisite fabrics hugged her customer's body.
Alex looked at the mirror and sighed. The dress was indeed beautiful, but it reflected all the things that were wrong in her life at the moment.
"Oh, I see that my choice fitted her perfectly. Amazing job, designer, the groom will be extremely pleased," praised a man with average height and black hair with a hint of gray.
"And you feel absolutely nothing while you give your only daughter away to a man like him, father?"
"What do you want me to do? You shouldn't have been female, Alexia. Had you been born a boy; this wouldn't be happening."
"That's definitely something out of my control, father, as well as mother dying when I was a child. But, even if you don't believe it, I believe I am capable of leading the pack. And for the record., I would make sure that all of our people would be safe and well provided for."
"Alexia, you're too… passionate. Too… womanly to know what is best for a pack. You can't lead with emotions. You need to… well, you wouldn't understand it, that's why I made the choice for you. Besides, I found a great candidate for you, daughter. The best, I dare to say!"
"Because he's careless, cold, and cares only for money and power?"
"Because he can lead the pack! And he can guide you! Remind you how to serve your pack!"
"And that would be to keep silent and let the men make the choices?"
"Finally! You see? Not married yet and you're starting to make sense."
"I don't think I can agree with you, father. Not with the way you think, not with the way you act, and definitely, not with the way you lead the pack. You don't seem to know who you're bringing into our family. Don't you know how his own people don't want him and have even challenged him for his title repeatedly in the past?"
"You don't know what you're saying, Alexia. Remember, I know better than you, so stop worrying and complaining. After all, we're already at the point of no return. Your engagement will be today and once you agree to his proposal, you are to marry him right after. There's nothing that can change that."
"Good evening, Father," a hard and husky voice said from behind the older Alpha.
"Abner! Good to see you, son."
Alexia tried to hide the grimace on her face as her soon-to-be husband also entered her room without even knocking. He didn't even try to hide the lascivious look with which he burned Alex's partially dressed body. To her disgust, her father seemed to approve of Abner's lustful actions, even acting thoroughly pleased.
"Oh, yes! You came just in time. I can see that you're very happy with what you see in your future wife!"
The Alpha's daughter turned around, realizing too late that she's giving the lewd Alpha a view of her silky-smooth back, "It's bad luck for the husband to see his future wife in her wedding gown before the ceremony. Now if we had just followed the normal tradition of having an engagement party a week, a month, or even a year BEFORE the wedding…"
"No tradition or superstition is going to stop me from making you mine, dear Alexia," whispered Abner as he got uncomfortably close, his warm breath producing the wrong kind of chills for her.
Damn it Ma'Heron, I just hope you can act like my mate even if it's just for this one time. At least for once, follow the instructions I left you and break the engagement tonight. Do that and I will do whatever you want. Even accept your rejection…