I spent the next hour mingling with everyone, meeting the Alphas and the Betas personally. I still hadn't met our neighbours and I was starting to think they were avoiding me. The Alpha's all acted nice to my face, but I could see the storms behind their masks. They didn't want to have an alliance with a female Alpha, it would make them seem weak. I was getting tired of plastering a fake smile on my face and acting like a diplomatic Alpha.

It didn't help that Julius and Alexis left not long ago, they wanted to get Rosie home, they hadn't spent much time around her today for fear of running into Marty and having a repeat of this morning.

I finally decided to sit down and have something to eat, I found a spare table and fell into the seat. My feet are killing me in these heels, I quickly slipped my feet out and sighed in relief. I hope Lauren doesn't see me like this. I quickly stuffed food in my mouth and almost moaned at how good it tasted.

It reminded me of the man that I got all hot over earlier, it was embarrassing. I shouldn't get like that over a man who is not my mate, those feelings should be only for my mate.

I noticed Tristan, a sixteen year old pack member making his way over to me. He had just recently moved into the pack house and away from his parents.

"Alpha Alyssa" Tristan bowed his head

"Tristan, how can I help?"

Tristan beckoned a girl forward who I hadn't noticed before. She was cute, the same age as Tristan, with black hair that was cut into a pixie cut and striking blue eyes, she was quite thin.

"Alpha, this is Rose, my mate. She's from the Silver Thunder Pack"

"Hello Rose, it's very nice to meet you. Have you decided what you are going to do?" I asked Tristan

"Rose would like to join us here, she doesn't have any family in her current pack" I noticed Rose look down in sadness and Tristan quickly pulled her into his side.

"Well, have you talked to your Alpha yet Rose?"

"No Alpha Alyssa. I can't seem to find him"

"That's fine, if I find him I will talk to him for you okay?"

"Thank you Alpha" They both bowed their heads and wandered back to the party

I sat there for a while longer and just watched everyone. My pack were happy, laughing, dancing and talking to the other packs. The visiting Alpha's had bought some of their unmated wolves with them in hopes that their mates would be here. From what I could see, some new mated couples had emerged tonight. I had a feeling that I would be welcoming quite a few wolves tomorrow. I loved welcoming ceremonies, they brought everyone together and we had a large bonfire at the end to celebrate our new pack mates, a pack run ended the celebrations to bring everyone together for the first time.

I stood and walked into the kitchen, hoping I would bump into the elusive Alpha or his Beta. Plus I wanted some quiet time. I left my shoes on the ground and walked barefoot through the back door. I heard some murmuring coming from the living room but I ignored it figuring it was a mated couple having some privacy. I poured myself a drop of whiskey and sat at the counter, alcohol doesn't affect us much, I just like the taste and warmth that it provides. I never drink more than one though, I like to have all my senses with me.

The voices grew louder, then they were shouting. I quickly stood up, ready to head in to break up whatever fight was going on but one voice stopped me. It sent shivers down my spine, desire swirling in my gut. The voice was rough and deep, I really wanted to find out who it belonged to. I shuffled my way out and into the living room, stopping at the doorway. Two large figures were arguing, one had his back to me, it was the man from earlier, his hair and broad back were imprinted on my brain. The other man was tall, with short blonde hair and green eyes that looked gentle but held anger at the moment.

I leant against the doorframe and waited for them to notice me, they were so deep in their argument that they didn't notice my scent. I could hear them clearly now and the beautiful voice was coming from the man with his back to me. I heard my name and refocused my hearing.

"-ave to meet with her Damien!. They are our neighbours, we have to be nice. Plus, your mate could be here. You can't hide out in here all night"

Ah, so this is the elusive Alpha Damien of the Silver Thunder Pack. He has been hiding all night? What does he think I am going to do to him?

Eat him? Because I am not opposed to that. I slapped my head mentally at those thoughts.

Damien growled loudly "I do not have a mate Jack. I was overlooked by the Moon Goddess in that department"

I could hear the underlying sadness his words held, I felt my heart go out to him. No one deserves to think that they have no soul mate out there, he must think he isn't worthy of having a mate.

Jack, who I'm guessing is his Beta, looked up and over Damien's shoulder. His eyes widened when he spotted me, he took a step back. I gave him a small smile and a wave. He grimaced, said something under his breath and walked out the front door.

Damien stood there, hardly breathing. For some reason, I really wanted him to turn around so I could finally see his face. I started talking, hoping he would turn around.

"You know" I pushed off the doorway "It's not nice to hide away and argue in someone else's house, especially when there is a party going on outside"

I stopped about five feet from him and noticed he seemed completely frozen, not even breathing. Something niggled at my nose and I took a deep breath. The same smell from before assaulted my senses, making me lightheaded and like all my problems didn't exist. It was coming from Damien. I took another lungful, I felt like I was getting drunk off his smell, I almost moaned out loud at how good he smelt.

"Turn around" He ignored me, it seemed he was still frozen.

"Damien, turn around" I was firmer that time and he slowly turned around, he was taking deep breaths, his eyes were closed. He was finally facing me and his eyes opened.

I didn't want to hear anymore out of Jack's mouth, I didn't want to even be here tonight. Who cares about this new Alpha, and a woman at that. I scoffed when I heard the King introduce her, there has never been a female Alpha, and for good reason. They can't lead and train as well as a male can.

Jack suddenly stiffened and stepped back. My ears pricked up and I noticed another person in the room with us. From Jack's reaction, I'm guessing it is the new Alpha, great, now I am going to have to meet her.

"Be nice Damien" Jack muttered to me before he strutted out the front door.

"You know, it's not nice to hide away and argue in someone else's house, especially when there is a party going on outside"

Her voice, it was beautiful, velvety and with a hint of huskiness. I felt my groin tighten in response and it made me angry, I have never felt any sort of desire for another female and I won't start now. I may not have a mate but I will act like I do and never take another. I heard her take a deep breath and heard a soft gasp. My eyebrows furrowed, she shouldn't be able to smell my arousal. I took a deep breath myself and instantly froze, my brain was working a mile a second, it couldn't comprehend what it just smelt.

The smell of spring, my favourite season of all, assaulted my nose. I took another deep breath, trying to imprint it forever into my brain. I knew what that smell was and I couldn't believe it, my wolf was pushing against my mind, trying to take control, but I didn't have a mate, I have gone over 300 years without her, and now she just falls into my lap. I get angry with myself, she has lived next to my territory for the past few years and I never once ventured to meet her. She had tried multiple times to meet with me, to gain alliances, but I was selfish. I could have had her years before if I just swallowed my pride and let them come for a meeting.

So many emotions ran through my body in a few seconds. Anger at myself, disbelief that she is also an Alpha, relief that I actually have a mate, sadness that I have had to wait for so long, then anger again, at the Moon Goddess for playing with me for so long.

"Turn around" Her voice sounded out again, I couldn't move. My limbs felt like lead.

"Damien, turn around" Her voice was firmer, I detected a small amount of the Alpha tone which surprised me. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath, trying to get her scent to calm my nerves. I'm not sure I am ready to see my mate up close.

I slowly turned on my heels with my eyes still closed, when I was fully facing her I opened my eyes and wasn't ready for the sight that greeted me.

Breathtaking is the only word I can use because she took all the breath right out of my lungs.