Chapter 53

ALEXIS

The car ride was tense. I could tell that the two of us were trying to control our carnal desires. I was sure that if the Ball wasn't important, Hudson would have pulled over and let us go at it.

When we finally reached the hotel the ball was being hosted at, Hudson rushed around the car and opened my door before I had a chance to move. He took my hand and helped me out of the car, making sure my dress didn't catch on anything.

When I was safely out of the car, he placed an arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest as he shut the door behind me. He locked the car and smiled down at me as I gave him a confused look. Was there a reason why he was just holding me? Weren't we going inside?

Hudson kissed my forehead, causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

You would think we were meeting for the first time.

"I don't know if I told you clearly or not, but you look breathtaking, like a Goddess. My Goddess."

I blushed and kissed his lips, "Thank you. You clean up nicely. I'm digging the tie."

He chuckled, "We can use it later. If you know what I mean, Miss He-Is-Beating-Up-His-Meat.

I gasped and slapped his chest, "It's not my fault all of you have a dirty mind. What person in the right mind would think someone is m asturbating in the middle of the woods?"

A throat cleared loudly, interrupting our conversation. Our heads flipped to the man standing at the top of the stairs.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked a little, "Alpha Hudson. Luna Alexis. I hate to interrupt your fascinating conversation, but you are blocking the road for the other Alphas that are on the way. So if you could give the keys to one of the valets..."

Hudson tossed the keys to a young man and held my waist as we climbed the stairs. When we got to the top, the man bowed his head respectfully, "Luna Alexis. You look beautiful, ma'am."

The grip on my waist tightened, and I nudged Hudson inconspicuously, "Thank you..."

"Christopher," he finished, giving me a small smile. I returned it kindly and waited for Hudson to shake his hand before we entered the hotel.

An employee led us to the ball room where there several Alphas and their Lunas roaming and conversing cheerfully.

"Alexis!" My mom ran up to me, yanking me into a hug. She squeezed me tightly before pulling Hudson in for a hug.

My dad followed behind her slowly, sipping his champagne and nodding at other Alphas as he approached us.

"Hello Princess. You look....mature," he said, giving me a side hug. I could tell he didn't exactly approve of the deep neckline and highs slit, but he knew better than to say anything in front of my mom - the conversation would lead to a month on the couch for my poor dad.

Before I could reply, my mom grabbed my arm excitedly, "Come with me, dear. Let me introduce you to the other Luna's."

I looked back at Hudson desperately as my mom dragged me away.

So much for sticking together.

HUDSON

I ended up in the middle of a group of Alphas, who had several questions about griffins and Alexis's blessing. After I had explained everything for the millionth time, the conversation finally turned in the direction of transfers and rogues.

I kept an eye on Alexis, making sure she was comfortable especially since this was her first ball, but she seemed to be doing wonderful. I could hear her laughing with some of the Lunas and talking respectably with the older women.

And much to my satisfaction, no other males had approached her.

Especially that bastard, Daren and his posse.

I had noticed him eyeing her a couple of times as she walked by, but he didn't say anything.

My wolf was on guard though, he was pacing nervously and aching to go be with his mate. I tried to calm him down, but he was just jittery with PME - my abbreviation for post-mating emotions.

As I was talking to Alpha Horris, Breydon came up behind me and patted my back, "Don't look now, but Darren and his posse are moving in on Alexis."

Rage cooled inside me, and I whipped around in time to see Darren kissing Alexis's hand. My wolf growled angrily and shook his fur out.

Mate. My mate. He's a pig. Toss him to the squirrels. Go.

I was with him till the squirrels comment, but nonetheless, I put my glass down and went over to the little group.

I made it there just in time to hear Darren say, "–so beautiful. Where have you been all my life?"

Alexis blinked and gently pulled her hand away from his grip, "Um, living mine. With my mate."

A smile grew on my face at her words.

That's my mate.

My wolf huffed proudly and moved closer so he could stare at her.

"Gentlemen," I cleared my throat, walking around them to get to Alexis. She smiled warmly, but I could read the look in her eyes clearly. She had the save-me-from-these-horny-Alphas-who-have-no-respect-for-mates look.

I tugged her into my side and buried my nose in her hair so my wolf would stop huffing and puffing, and kissed her temple, "Hello darling."

Daren glared daggers into my head as my arm tightened around Alexis, who seemed slightly annoyed by this exchange and loosened my hold.

"Darren, I see you've met my Luna," I said, smirking as his eyes narrowed on my hand gripped her hips.

He shook his head, "I had no idea she was mated. I thought she was just a date. Her mark was too small for me to notice. Perhaps you should have made it bigger."

His posse snickered quietly, and I rolled my eyes at his immaturity.

"He had already marked me in other areas so there was no need for this mark to be big," Alexis chimed in sweetly, "Besides, everyone already knows we belong with each other."

Darren seemed surprised by her input, "Uh, yes. Of course, silly me. Well, if you'll excuse me, I see some people I need to talk to."

We watched him walk away as if his ass was on fire, and I took this chance to talk to Alexis before someone else interrupted us.

"Sorry about that," I muttered sheepishly, "I know you don't like me being possessive."

"It's alright. I realized that you were PMEing still so I tried not to let it bother me," she said, cupping my cheeks and getting on her tiptoes to give me a kiss.

We heard someone 'aw' and pulled apart to see we had an audience of older Lunas. They smiled sheepishly and turned away quickly as if they hadn't watched us kiss.

I chuckled and took her hand, "How about we stick together tonight? My wolf is not beyond tossing some of these Alphas to the squirrels, chipmunks, or whatever creatures eat acorns."

"I thought the saying was tossing to the wolves."

"Well, that doesn't exactly work in our case now, does it?"

She pursed her lips, "Good point. But can you imagine it?"

We looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Now, that was an image I would pay to see.