Chapter 35 Keep Your Friends Close
1700words
The coronation held vast significance as 5,000 more wolves joined Midnight Moon Pack that day. I could still hear the echoes of my father's voice in the back of my head. From a young age, he had embedded into the fibers of my being that a good Alpha recognizes there is no strength without unity. It was vital that the wolves embraced me as their Alpha, but more importantly, embraced each other with respect and trust. A pack heavily relied on one another, and there was always strength in numbers.
After the ceremony, the highest-ranked wolves were first seated in the auditorium. I used that time to converse with my fellow Alphas who had traveled to attend the coronation. Truth be told, if any of them had declined to attend, it would have been seen as a sign of disrespect, and I was sure none of them wanted conflict with the biggest pack in the United States. Events like these were also optimal times to discuss business among the packs. Alpha politics was a strange and twisted world.
Beverly sat next to me on the stage in the auditorium as the wolves slowly piled in for the reception. She clung to me for dear life, whispering in my ear how she had planned the coronation specifically to my liking, how handsome I was, and how far we had come together. I scoffed and ignored her jabbering as I desperately searched for my mate. I kept surveying the room for any sign of Adeline, until I watched the most perfect woman walk in. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my wolf settle now that we finally had her in our view.
She had been ushered to her table, but I noticed a troubled look on her face. Her gentle features were clearly stressed about something. I continued to watch as her family sat down one by one, seeing her pull out her chair and then push it back in. I raised my eyebrow, confused about what was bothering her. She glanced over at me and locked eyes. Her gaze burned with so much intensity. She shot back a glass of champagne and mouthed, "fuck off," which was surely directed at me.
I felt a warning growl erupt through me. Beverly pulled back, her eyes wide as she shook her head in disgust. "And that's who you see fit as Luna? She can't even control her jealousy. Seriously, forget managing an entire pack," she said. Her words pissed my wolf off to no end. I was done with the image I was forced to portray with Beverly, but urgency rushed through me to get to my mate. It felt like the only thing that mattered.
My fists clenched hard as I rushed through the door she had exited through, her scent still fresh in the air. My Alpha side filled with rage that she had insulted me like that, publicly no less. I was sure none of the other wolves had seen. An act like that was punishable to the highest degree. The mate side of me, however, was amused by her defiance, growling to shove my cock into that filthy mouth of hers, itching to treat her like the bad girl she was.
I approached just in time to hear my sister, Sophia, ask her if she was going to reject me, and I felt the concrete wall in my body shatter all around me. I felt my eyes darken as I grabbed her from behind and slung her onto a tree, holding her firmly. I panicked at whatever she had said to Sophia—clearly it was serious enough that Sophia was refusing to leave us alone. I hated commanding my baby sister in such a harsh tone, but the thought of Adeline rejecting the bonding mate made me pulse with anger, clouding my better judgment.
I was certain that Adeline was struggling with Beverly's presence so close to mine. I could even admit she was overdoing it, but when I told her about my conversation with Beverly, I had expected her to relax. Instead, she accused me of lying to her and informed me of her family's placement at the reception. I gritted my teeth as a tidal wave of anger spooled through me. There were only a handful of people who had access to those documents, and I had a fairly good idea who was conniving enough to hurt my mate in such a disgraceful way.
When I taunted her, she shot back and surprised me by admitting that she wanted my cock deep inside her. It caused me to shiver as tiny pinpricks ran all over my body. She had pushed me too far this time with her disobedience and needed to be taught a lesson. Maybe next time she'd think twice before mouthing off to her Alpha. I took my time and pulled my hand up between her legs, nearly losing my mind when my fingers brushed against her bare pussy. Jealousy pangs hit my chest; that was only my little pussy to see, touch, lick, or fuck, and I was one hell of a possessive wolf.
For this, I was certain to remind her who her Alpha was. I unzipped my pants and pulled out my cock, carefully pressing it into her tender folds. The feeling of my cock pressed against her wetness made me feel like a volcano was about to erupt. When she begged for more, I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back any longer from taking my meek little mate right against this tree. I pulled back, satisfied, hoping she had learned her lesson.
When I returned to the auditorium, I was thankful my presence went unnoticed as I relished the fact that I had sent Adeline over the edge. Wolves were dancing and mingling while others enjoyed their dinner from what I could see. I was pleased with the outcome of the coronation. Sophia had been standing at the bar, a gloomy look on her face. I knew she must still have been worried about Adeline. I tilted my head and shot her a consoling look as I approached. I wrapped my arms around my baby sister and whispered, "Everything is alright, Soph, just a misunderstanding." She gave me a smug look and pursed her lips. "They better be," she said and turned on her heels toward the dance floor.
I gave the bartender a nod, and he quickly returned with a glass of scotch. As I lifted the glass filled with dark amber whiskey, my gaze locked on Adeline, who had her arm looped with Beta Don's. I felt my chest breathe in and out sharply. I knew they were just friends, but any male near my mate drove my wolf into a frenzy.
"Easy, tiger," said Adeline, with an accomplished smile on her face. My Beta Don shook his head in amusement and called out to the bartender for two shots of tequila. He turned and threw an arm around Adeline's shoulders. "This little slugger already belongs to someone," they both laughed.
"My, my, Alpha Jaxon. How do you control yourself with so many beautiful she-wolves in your pack?" Alpha Christian said, approaching with Beverly in tow. His gaze was fixed on Adeline as the words tumbled out of his mouth. He smirked and adjusted the all-black watch on his wrist.
I considered Alpha Christian a good friend of mine, particularly before I announced I would take Beverly as my chosen mate. He wasn't fond of the idea. I wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to keep his wingman or if he truly disagreed with the choice. He was a playboy of sorts. Women flocked to us when we were together. We had gone through plenty of women over the years, and he would consistently remind me of a set of blonde twins we took turns on one drunken night. It made Beverly scowl every time she heard the story. I knew he brought it up in front of her because he enjoyed her reaction. I wasn't sure there was a single she-wolf in the world who could turn Alpha Christian's ways.
I noticed Adeline pick up a shot of tequila and toss it down. She reached for a napkin and dabbed her plush red lips. As if she felt out of her comfort zone, she kept her gaze on the floor in submission. Beta Don whispered something to her, clearly trying to calm her, and she nodded while keeping her eyes fixed on the wooden floor. It was evident she felt out of place amongst the highest-ranking wolves in the room. Would she always feel this way? Beta Don then called out for another round of tequila shots to the bartender. I raised my eyebrow as I watched their interaction unfold. Was my little mate upset again? Watching Beverly and me pretend to be a couple surely couldn't have been easy on her or her wolf either.
Beverly knew how to play Alpha Christian's game and rushed to my side, interlacing our fingers as she held my hand. "Oh, Alpha Christian, why would he need to when he has the best one right here?" She brushed her other hand lightly over her breast in a seductive motion and twirled a strand of hair around her finger. It was clear she was baiting him into a fight.
When he plastered a sarcastic smile on his face and cocked his head in amusement, I knew this was going to be good. "Uh huh, Luna... if my memory serves me right, I think Alpha Jaxon prefers the two-for-one combo."
I couldn't help but chuckle, knowing how resentful Beverly must be. "Now, now, Alpha Christian... I'm sure once you find your perfect she-wolf, she'll be enough for you too," I said, attempting to defuse the situation.
"Speaking of which, I do believe our wonderful Luna Beverly here promised to introduce me to a few single she-wolves if I remained on my very best behavior," he said, lust filling his eyes. I'd see that look plenty of times before. He was hungry for someone—or should I say, something.
