Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

THERON

I stagger back, eyeing Seren with a smirk. Her lilac scent is intoxicating. Titan’s going berserk in my head.

Seren’s plump lips part as she stares at me, nervously smoothing the pleats of her ill-fitting dress, the tag still stuck to the sleeve.

“You dressed up for me.”

Pink tints her cheeks, and I reach out, brushing my thumb over it.

Leaning in, I whisper, “Cute,” in her ear, and the color deepens, sending blood rushing straight to my cock.

I’m about to dive in and get a taste of those pouty lips when the horn blares outside, making me pull back. I glance at the gate, where Phil points to his watch, reminding me of our plan.

I turn back to her and murmur, “Well, I gotta go.”

Halfway down the stairs, I add, “Don’t wait up,” before sauntering out .

As I get into the passenger seat, one of the pack warriors in the back complains, “Why were you wasting time with the rug rat?”

“Watch it!” I hiss. Everyone freezes at the tone of my voice. “Remember that you’re talking to your future alpha, mutt.”

As they gape at me, I shake my head. A muscle twitches in my jaw. “Let’s move it,” I say, slamming the car door behind me. “We’re burning daylight, guys.”

I switch on the car radio and roll the windows down. The air up here carries a hint of lilacs and I close my eyes, imagining her fingers gently running through my hair, taking all the stress away.

God! It feels great to be back. All my senses are heightened. My wolf and I are in sync and in control.

“I can’t wait to snag a tourist tonight,” one of the gammas in the back announces. “I heard someone mention Russian women are here this season.”

“Who knew you could be so interested in a ski resort,” my best friend Luke guffaws next to me. He is the only one who’s been away from home just as long as I have. I’ve decided to take him as my beta when I become alpha. Not only is his father my father’s beta, but he comes from a long line of alphas.

“I can’t wait to let loose. That camp did not offer one opportunity,” Phil mutters.

I can smell the testosterone raging through this car. The need to get laid is high. And after the gruelling last six months, I’d say we deserve it. I’m happy to offer my ski resort for that very purpose. With the skiing season on its last leg, there are bound to be some exotic beauties hanging around the resort .

“Maybe we can create our own version of spring break right here in Mammoth?” the gamma pipes up.

With the increasingly frequent border skirmishes and attacks from the northern rogue pack, coming home early was the only option. And tonight, hell, even I wouldn’t mind getting some.

As the car takes the route up the hill, my gaze immediately flits to the estate. The massive French window in the easternmost room is lit up. A figure leans against the glass.

Titan recognizes her silhouette. Seren.

I close my eyes and picture her curled up with a book, glancing at the road every now and then, pushing the glasses back up her nose. A small smile plays on my lips. My muscles relax.

My little Seren-hen is cozied up inside my home, waiting for me. Just the way I like it.

There’s an odd satisfaction in knowing she’s waited for me this entire time. Maybe staying away for three years wasn’t a bad decision after all.

“I heard Grit managed to snag himself a real prize while we were gone. Apparently, some model he met during a holiday turned out to be his mate.”

Phil’s words pull me out of my thoughts. I roll my eyes and stare out the window.

“A mate,” Luke whispers, his voice barely audible, laced with a longing I can’t quite decipher. “Having a mate changes everything.”

Gamma Jake snorts. “Yeah, right, says the one who’s only ever been with his mate. If I had a girlfriend like Grit’s, I wouldn’t even bother looking for mine. ”

As they continue to discuss mates, my attention drifts off. Since my parents had me in their late thirties, I always knew I’d have to take the mantle of alpha earlier than most. Everything has always been fast-tracked for me. While I’ve trained as hard as I can, I know being an alpha won’t be a walk in the park.

A few minutes later, we drive through the gates of the Mammoth Peak Ski Resort. I’m ready to take a breather, so we hit the bar right away.

Since it’s the last leg of the ski season, the bar is bustling with energy. Tourists and a handful of locals—many still in snow gear—mill around the main bar area while staff weave through the crowd carrying trays of drinks.

“Shots for everyone at the table,” I announce as we take our seats. “Of the strongest liquor in your collection.”

The busty waitress arches an eyebrow, a smirk on her lips. “The strongest, huh? We’ll see if you boys can handle that.”

I smile as she walks away. Not many people know this property is part of the Blackwood business empire, and I’d prefer keeping it that way.

“We should make a toast,” Jake suggests when the waitress returns with our drinks.

“Absolutely,” I concur, and we all raise our glasses.

“To new beginnings, new challenges, and proving ourselves worthy. May we be as strong as the mountains that surround us!”

“To finding what makes life complete and holding on to it,” Luke adds wistfully.

Gamma Jake scoffs and raises his glass higher. “To strong drinks, stronger livers, and having each other’s backs at all times!”

Phil leans back, eyeing the bar before adding, “To finding what we want and reaching out to take it! Here’s to living it up! Cheers!”

We down the shots in one go, the potent liquor burning fiery paths down our throats. Almost as one, we slam the glasses on the table, the wood groaning at the impact.

“What the hell was that?” Luke sputters, his face turning a sickly shade of green as he grips the edge of the table for support. I chuckle as the familiar warmth settles in my gut. The others have to take deep breaths, their eyes wide and watering.

“That was the waitress taking me seriously,” I say, watching her approach as she studies our reactions, with a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

“Should I suggest something lighter now?” she asks as she clears our shot glasses.

While the others place their individual orders, I ask for a bottle of Everclear.

A redhead in a bold dress catches Phil’s eye from across the bar. He winks, but she simply rolls her eyes and turns away. We all crack up, remembering the time he made an ass of himself at a camp while trying to impress a different redhead—the poor man has no luck whatsoever.

My amusement is short-lived. Just as two gorgeous blonde women approach our table, I hear my father’s mind-link cutting through our laughter, summoning me to the VIP room. I groan internally. Why can’t I catch a break ?

Slipping my card to the bartender, I head for my father.

Pushing open the heavy door, I feel like I’ve stepped back in time. A crystal chandelier casts a warm glow over dark leather armchairs and a traditional fireplace. The soundproofing is so superb that the music outside is completely drowned out.

I sigh, spotting two glasses of beer on the table in front of my father, who lounges on one of the couches with a cigar in hand.

“It’s been a good year for skiing,” his gravelly voice rumbles as I sit on the couch opposite him.

“Yeah.” I avoid his gaze as I take a sip of the beer. I almost regurgitate it before quickly putting the glass back down.

A tense silence stretches between us, but I make no move to break it. He called me here, so I won’t waste my breath trying to direct this conversation. Finally, he speaks again.

“You have less than a month, Theron.” He looks at me, holding my gaze. The smoke from his cigar blows straight into my face.

“I’m aware, Father.”

“You can’t say I haven’t given you time. You’ve always had whatever you desired. I’ve never once questioned your decisions. But now people need to see you as their alpha.” He waits a beat before adding, “You need to make them respect you.”

My jaw clenches. I grit my teeth to hold back my frustration. “I’m having a drink with my friends. How would that make anyone disrespect me?”

His gaze flicks to the barely visible forest through the window. “It’s about optics, son. You’re not just Theron, a rich man’s son in a big city. At Mammoth—and everywhere else from here on out—you represent the pack and the Blackwood brand.”

I bristle. “I’m well aware, Father. I’ve prepared for this for the past decade. No one can say I haven’t worked hard.”

A hint of a smile tugs at his lips. “I’m not questioning your preparedness or work ethic. But being a leader isn’t just about fighting enemies or increasing profits. The pack needs to believe that you can guide them through tough times.”

My fist clenches under the table and I swallow the retort forming on my tongue. There’s no point giving in to the frustration of being lectured so soon after returning home. “What are you suggesting?”

He remains silent for a moment, then places a surprisingly gentle hand on my knee. “Starting tomorrow, I’ve scheduled meetings for you with all the alphas within our alliance. I’m also setting up engagements with alphas we are on good terms with, but who haven’t signed treaties or work contracts with us.”

I exhale slowly. “Is there anything else?”

He takes his hand away, but I know he’s not done. “I haven’t questioned your choice of beta, even though I don’t agree with you choosing someone with alpha blood, even if that blood comes from his mother’s side. You’ve made your decision, and I hope your instincts are right.”

“Well, thank you for your approval.” I grab the armrests, ready to get up and leave.

“However,” he adds, and I force a smile, placing my hands back on my thighs. “Since you still haven’t found your mate, I hope you remember what we discussed before you left. ”

My smile vanishes.

“And I hope you aren’t keeping any secrets from me, son, because secrets have a way of coming out.”