Page 8 of Alpha's Choice
His eyes filled with amusement. “Trust the process. Just keep working as hard as you did today.”
Apparently, Elliot’s kick ended the last sparring match, and everyone gathered around when Beta Matthew motioned them in. “Good work today, everyone. I’ll be here once a week throughout the summer to monitor your progress. Dismissed.”
I walked over to Kylie and the others, who whispered amongst themselves. Kylie waved me in closer. “We’re waiting for Lisa to leave before we go in the change room.”
“Why?”
“I kicked her butt in sparring, and she’s pissed. She’ll want to take it out on someone.” Kylie wrapped her arm around mine. “Do you have any plans this evening? We were thinking about a movie night at Elliot’s. He has the biggest TV.”
“Sounds like fun. I planned to unpack more, but it can wait.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven and we’ll head over.”
* * *
Tobias
I slid into the car after saying goodbye to my host, Alpha Thomas of Red Moon. The week was a success, as we negotiated a mutually beneficial treaty. However, it didn’t involve as close a tie as Alpha Thomas had hoped. The man made sure his eighteen-year-old daughter was front and center when I arrived, hoping she would be my mate.
I wondered if I would ever find my mate. I was already twenty-five and had taken part in the circuit, a month-long party for unmated wolves from all packs, twice before I took over as Alpha of Gray Rock. And I attended any nearby gatherings in subsequent circuits, suspecting my mate was younger than me.
Soon, the age gap might be too large. After leading my pack for over two years, I couldn’t imagine having much in common with eighteen-year-olds.
I wondered if maybe my mate had died, and I’d need to take a chosen mate. A few Alphas had already started reaching out to me about their older unmated daughters, all of whom would apparently make excellent Lunas.
My phone rang through the car speakers, and I hit the button to accept the call when I saw who it was. “Hey, Matthew. Just leaving Red Moon now. Should be home in a few hours.”
“How did the trip go?”
I knew Matthew would have already received a faxed copy of the new treaty, so he wasn’t speaking about business. “Still mateless, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“You should swing by the school on your way. The Summer Wolf Program is about a week in, and I’m sure the students would appreciate a visit from their Alpha.”
“If I recall, several wolves there turned eighteen over the last week.” My tone was dry. My Beta was not subtle about trying to help me find my Luna. Matthew found his mate, Brenda, at the first party of his first circuit, and both worried about my lack of a mate.
“Kylie Winters for one.” Matthew was direct.
Lately, I’d had several people drop hints about Kylie’s birthday. I could admit the girl had the potential to handle the job of Luna, but neither I nor my wolf had ever felt drawn to her. She may have been too young, though.
There was no point in avoiding it. But if my mate wasn’t at the school, I would have to consider taking a chosen mate. My wolf stirred in protest at the thought.
“Any other pack news?”
“Legal hired Greg’s mate, but no surprise there. She was already a trained legal secretary.”
“She has a daughter in the summer program, right?”
“Emma. She seems to fit in well. Lora says she’s very curious, and a hard worker. Her fight training is coming along well, too.”
“What are your thoughts about allowing her to join the pack?”
“I know it’s unusual to accept an unmated adult human, but I think she’ll make a worthy addition. And we may lose Greg if she doesn’t join. He and his wolf have already accepted her as his daughter.”
“Monitor her progress, but I don’t see a reason to deny her if she’s able to integrate into pack life.”
My wolf grew more restless as we drove home. The drive felt like it took forever, and my wolf paced in my mind the closer we got. He started projecting images of us finding our mate there. In my mind, our mate was faceless, but I could almost smell her. It felt so real.
By the time I pulled into the school parking lot, my emotions were high. I was ready to find my mate and throw her over my shoulder to take her to be marked and mated. I opened the door, and the most amazing scent flooded my senses. It was faint but smelled like baked apples. I zeroed in on the scent and followed it to the cafeteria.
