Amira

I try to calm my breathing as I lean against the wall Jade and I had hidden behind while we watched Caine's changing. I place my hands on my diaphragm as I attempt to stop my hyperventilating. I can't believe I just talked to our new Alpha like that. He is probably going to have me thrown in prison or killed for that, knowing his temper.

He could've just killed me there, he had gotten much larger, and at first, I was intimidated. I felt defenseless with his hand grasping my hip. I didn't want to dance with him, but he used his stupid, unfair alpha power of submission on me. How low is that?

When a wolf becomes an Alpha, they obtain a power of submission. All you have to do is look them in the eye and you are forced to obey them when they want you to, to a limit of course, and he just used his to get me to dance with him. I'm kind of angry about it.

Taking a deep breath as I try to calm down, I turn the corner to return to the ball and run right into someone's chest. He looks at me with a puzzled face.

"Amira? What are you doing back here?" Brayden asks.

"I-I'm sorry, Beta. I just needed some air," I choke out. He nods at me.

"You should return to the party," he sticks his hands in his pockets, yet he still looks so powerful and official.

"Yes, Beta, I was just about to do that," I give him a small curtsy before moving to walk past him.

"No need to be so formal, Amira. Call me Brayden," he smiles and I blush as I make my way back to the party. "Hey," he interrupts me and I turn around, "Have you seen Caine?" He addresses him so casually, but I guess he's one of the few allowed to do so.

"The Alpha?" I shake my head, "Not recently, no."

"His scent is on you," he catches me.

"I-I danced with him about an hour ago," Brayden raises his eyebrows before thanking and, to my surprise, formally dismissing me. I walk to the tent that houses the food, deciding that food may help me calm down.

Just as I'm about to grab a plate, I feel a hand brush my hair away from my neck and I freeze with the instant sparks on my skin. The tingling sensation running through my whole body makes me shiver. Only one word runs through my mind: mate.

Unable to breathe, I try to turn and look at who it is, but he places a hand firmly on my hip while his other hand simultaneously gently wraps around my jaw to make sure my head stays still, holding me in place. I can feel his breath on my neck as he buries his nose in my hair and inhales my scent. I try to catch his, but the various foods on the table and the scents of everyone around me overwhelm my senses. He runs his hand on my jaw down my shoulder and I close my eyes as I feel the sparks.

Suddenly, they stop, and all contact is lost. I quickly turn, but no one is behind me, and I want to cry.

************************************

Caine

I run a hand through my hair as I mentally slap myself another time. It was stupid, I know that, but I lost control. I saw her standing there alone, and I just needed more. I still need more. It frustrates me how I cannot control my wolf. I'd never had a problem with it before, but now I can't do it. Now, when I need to for the sake of my pack, I can't do it. My pack that I just got, at that.

Many women had come onto me since I danced with her, but even touching them made me feel sick. Yay for mates, note my sarcasm. I just needed to touch her, I needed to know what it felt like, but now that I knew, I just want more. I need more. Maybe if I just have her once...

"Caine," I lift my head to see Brayden walking towards me, "your father asked me to send you to his office."

"My office," I correct him and he chuckles.

"Yeah, your office."

"This can't wait until tomorrow?" Brayden shook his head.

"Apparently not." I sigh and follow him into the mansion.

"Alph-" I clear my throat at Brayden to cut him off, "-Elijah, the Alpha is here." I hear my father chuckle.

"Already running your title right under everyone's nose, son?"

"Well, calling you Alpha would be flawed."

"I know, I know, I'm not the Alpha anymore, but I am still your father. As your father, I feel it important to tell you that there has recently been suspicious activity from the Malignity Pack. Alpha Daniel of the Whitefire Pack has been over there several times to see what he could find out, but I'm afraid everything points to Alpha Trenton having every intention to attack various packs. If I had to guess, I'd say he's going to start with this one."

"So we attack first," I say, my hands in my pockets.

"Attacking a pack as large and skilled in battle as the Malignity Pack could mean the loss of many soldiers," Brayden adds his part to the conversation.

"What about the soldiers we've been training?"

"Well, there are a few skilled enough who may be effective, but there aren't many. We need more," my father says.

"So what about recruitment?"

"Are you talking forced or on a volunteer basis?" Brayden raises an eyebrow at me. "Your pack isn't going to respect you if you immediately force them into war."

"Then start with volunteer and see how many we get," I shrug. "If it means protecting my pack, then we may need to be forceful with it. I'll take Trenton head-to-head if I have to."

"That's the other thing, Caine," my father crosses his arms, "Trenton has recently marked his mate."

"So?"

"So, he has more power now. You are powerful, more so than any newly changed alpha I have ever seen, but you are also unmated. Your power will only diminish as his grows."

"So you're saying I need to find my mate," I say in a frustrated tone.

"Yes. If you wish to put a stop to Trenton, then it is necessary." I audibly groan. I was hoping I got to reign alone for at least a little bit before I had to mark my mate. Since I already know who she is, it won't be hard to find her. It's the marking her....

"So I find her, mark her-"

"You can't mark her without consent," my father interrupts me.

"What?" Brayden asks.

"You can't mark a mate without her consent. Have they never taught you that in school?" my father furrows his brows.

"They probably did, we just didn't pay attention in that specific class..." Brayden fades off and my father sighs.

"Of course you didn't. It's a miracle there aren't little Braydens and Caines running around."

"So I can't mark her?" I ask with a frustrated tone.

"You can, she just needs to give you consent to do so."

"What happens if he does it without consent?" Brayden asks the question for me.

"Well, they'll both die. Her blood will essentially poison him and the mark won't heal over immediately like it's supposed to. In fact, it won't heal at all. She will lose too much blood and die as well," my father leans back in the desk chair and crosses his hands over his stomach. I run a hand through my hair.

"How long do I have?"

"If you want to be ready in case Trenton attacks, I'd say," he pauses, "one month, two at the most." I groan again.

"And you're sure I can't just do this alone?"

"Caine, you are Alpha now. Everybody knows that an Alpha grows weaker the longer he and his mate are apart. I know you've always wanted to rule alone, but that isn't an option. If you want to remain a powerful and strong Alpha to protect your pack, you need your mate. It's just a responsibility that comes with the title. Plus, you'll find yourself in love with your mate, whoever she may be. She'll make you happier than you think." I've gotten the same lecture from my father more times than I can count.

"I doubt it," I mumble.

"Why are we assuming his mate is a she?" Brayden speaks up from the corner and I glare at him.

"I think I'd know already if it wasn't a she." Brayden shrugs.

"I'm just saying. Elijah, am I going to need to find my mate, too?"

"It may help you grow slightly stronger, but it is not necessary. It's more of a concern with an Alpha. In worst case scenarios, an unmated Alpha could lose his mind or diminish to the point of death. A Luna is needed to run an efficient pack."

"I'd like to prove that wrong," I say.

"But you can't, son," my father says in a stern voice. He knows I never wanted my mate, but he continuously told me I would change my mind. I can tell he is growing frustrated with my stubborn ways, so I decide to drop it for the night. I guess I just don't want to accept the truth.

I have to mark my mate, and soon, too.