Alpha Jaxon POV
The omegas were rushing about, fastening decorations, others carrying refreshments on trays and more were carrying food as guests began to arrive and enter the fray, coming onto the grounds in their various costumes, masks covering their faces. I hadn't spoken to Callum or Cody since the incident, but we were drawn together for this occasion, and as a result, our voices were civil, our expressions guarded.
"Alpha Derek is here with his daughter Stephanie," Cody said, introducing them to me.
The girl was pretty, with brown hair and dark eyes, fluttering her eyelashes at me.
"Alpha Jaxon" her voice was high-pitched and caused me to wince "your reputation proceeds you" she giggled and I almost wanted to thump my head on the nearest tree trunk.
"Welcome," I mumbled "Please help yourselves to refreshments and food. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the party. You may even find your mate tonight" I said kindly and saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes.
Her voice alone had been enough to put me off but I hid it well and she nodded, her father quickly bowing his head respectfully and leading her away so that I could begin to greet the other guests.
"This is Alpha Malcolm and his Daughter Amber" Cody introduced.
Amber was a pretty redhead woman with long hair and ruby-red lips. She sashayed towards me, her hips moving seductively and I held out my hand for her to shake, a wry smile appearing on my face.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Amber" I purred.
She looked me directly in the eyes, her mask a lace concoction that didn't hide her facial features at all. She was a beauty. She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she placed her hand in mine, shaking it gently.
"It's so nice to meet you Alpha Jaxon" she breathed, her voice husky and smoky "I've heard you are handsome but the rumors don't do you justice" she added fluttering her lashes and looking at me from underneath them.
I fought back a grin. Her father was oblivious to our flirting or he was hopeful that we would make a match as he shook my hand. "Welcome to my party," I said sincerely and with a wink at Amber who giggled "Please enjoy the food and I hope to come and see you again very soon" I added meaningfully.
She was the only female I remotely had any interest in at the moment. Every other girl I had been introduced to was insipid, dull, annoying or plain. This girl was a bombshell and I could feel my cock beginning to harden as she walked away. Damn. She was hot.
Are you an idiot? She doesn't even remotely compare to our mate! Our mate is the most beautiful woman in the world. That woman that you have a hard-on for is nothing but a goddamn slut.
Do not speak of Amber in that tone mutt. You knew that we were going to be seeking out a chosen mate tonight. Amber is one of those choices. At least she's pretty and isn't hard on the eyes. I could have picked somebody far more annoying.
You could just choose our mate you stubborn jackass he roared, furious with me instead of this stupid game you're playing. You're going to lose her and it's going to be all you're fault. The best thing that's ever happened to us. How stupid can you be he thundered.
Shut up. I will not let you talk to me that way. I am an Alpha and you will obey me. If I want to take somebody else as my chosen mate, there is nothing you can do about it.
Is that right?
Suddenly my wolf's tone was almost mild and condescending. Instead of feeling relieved a sense of fear washed over me. What can you possibly do mutt? You can't stop me from marking another woman I scoffed, trying to hide my fear.
No, I can't his voice was mild But I can prevent you from being able to shift into your wolf form even though it may kill me in the end.
You wouldn't dare go that far!
Wouldn't I?
Suddenly I wasn't so sure. Now my own wolf was threatening me. I let out a low growl of frustration. My wolf chuckled Now you know what it feels like to be frustrated. Think carefully about what you do tonight he advised me coldly because the end result will be the consequences of your own actions.
Before I could open my mouth to continue the argument, my own wolf put a block up, preventing me from discussing it further. I tried without success to reach him and was forced to give up in exasperation. I was sure that he was only threatening it out of desperation though. Without shifting we could turn feral or worse. He wouldn't really risk that would he? I shook my head and began to stride through the crowd.
"Alpha Jaxon" I turned and saw Callum bowing his head respectfully, although there was a look of anger in his eyes "the party is going smoothly and there have been several matches or mates that have found each other already."
I nodded pleased although part of me was concerned that Amber had found hers. I searched the crowd for her vibrant red hair, quickly spotting her.
"Keep an eye out on security. The last thing I need is for rogues to attack" I muttered to Callum who eyed me intensely "patrol need to be on their guard and if anybody so much as takes a step away from their placement tonight, I'll whip the skin off their backs" I warned.
"I will be sure to notify them all of that fact."
I tried to detect if there had been a hint of sarcasm in his voice but couldn't discern any.
"Callum you should mingle after that. Who knows you might even find your mate" I said blithely.
He said nothing but I sensed angry eyes on me as I walked through the crowd and made my way towards Amber who turned and smiled at me, a glass of wine in her hand. There was no sign of her father anywhere.
"Alpha Jaxon" she purred, thrusting her chest forward and giving me a magnificent view of her cleavage "to what do I owe the honor?"
I licked my lips, my eyes on her breasts and the generous size of them. Christ, this woman had breasts begging to be held in my hands. My wolf let out a low snarl and then put the block back up, disconcerting me for a moment before I regained my composure.
"Well, Amber...." I trailed off uncertain of her name "Amber Reid" she supplied helpfully "Of the Red Moon Pack."
"Well Amber Reid," I said, undoing two buttons of my shirt to reveal part of my chest as she watched with interest "I was considering going for a walk and wondered if you might like to join me? It's a beautiful night" I added with a curl of my lower lip and glancing meaningfully up at the sky "and the moon is nice and full, lending light to the darkest parts of the forest in case you are afraid" I gently teased.
Her plump lips curved into a smile "I don't fear the dark Alpha Jaxon" she laughed softly, reaching out and taking hold of my hand, surprising me with her boldness "and I would love nothing more than to take a walk with you."
I glanced around "Do you need to inform your father on your whereabouts?"
She giggled "My father is not my keeper Alpha Jaxon. He cares nothing about where I go or" she paused and looked me directly in the eyes, not a hint of subterfuge in them "whom I go with. My choices are my own to make" she quipped without an inch of embarrassment.
I gave her a slow grin "Then this is my lucky day. Beautiful lady" I said causing her to giggle again "may I escort you into the forest for a walk?"
My voice was loaded with meaning.
She didn't pretend not to comprehend. She didn't protest. She didn't play games, which I was grateful for. She merely grinned "Of course."
I began to lead her away from the party, my eyes focussed on taking her to a clearing in the depths of it, that had lush soft grass that I might be able to lay her in and visions of what her beautiful hourglass body might look like naked danced around in my head as we began to make the trek, my cock growing harder at the images that entered my mind, while Amber held my hand, oblivious to what I was thinking or feeling. I felt anticipation flood through me. If I wanted to forget about my fated mate, this would be the perfect way to do it. Maybe now, my infatuation with the deadly siren girl would finally stop and I could take a chosen mate that was both beautiful and smart.