25

Slowly I've been losing hope on finding my mate and not just any mate. My true mate. Yes as an alpha I'm granted many mates, but none have been my true mate. Not yet. You see a true mate is special to their mates, the reason to fight and die for them. The true mate, makes my wolf cry at night since we have yet to find her. A true mate is the most beautiful wolf we'll see. Only see beauty in her, only be attracted to her. When we touch sparks will emit from it. True mates are rare this day in age.

Many find their true mate, but they reject them since they are their weakness. This mate is the one chosen by the goddess, hand picked specifically for them. We can hand pick our own, but they'd never match the moon goddesses doing. She knows what she's doing, she knows who is good for us. Fate as she calls it.

I want her by my side as luna, alpha female. I want her to bare me children. I want her to be the one I hold tightly at night when I fall asleep. I want her to be the last person I see at night and the first in the morning.

Sitting on the werewolf council I have the power to take her or challenge whoever put a claim on her. Yes, other wolves can do this, but I have more authority and right to do it on their land. I have the right to walk on their land and challenge for her.

Hell, when I find her I'm going to sink my canines into her sweet neck and pronounce her as my Luna. My equal, my mate, my love, my partner, and most importantly the true Luna.

I've waited for her ever since I was a little boy. My true mate. True mates are hard to find. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.

"Alpha, sir. Your mother is here," a maid pokes her head in.

"Thank you, please tell her to come up," I ask.

"Yup."

My mother walks in, she really doesn't look fifty three. She looks thirty. She flattens her dress as she sits and smiles at me.

"My son, you have grown handsomely. You got your looks from me and your authority from your father," she smiles.

"Mama, I'm sorry for the lack of visiting. With Uncle Albert threatening to take my spot as Alpha if I don't find my true mate and the new hotel opening-"

"I know, I understand. I just came to check on you. Also I brought you lunch. Being Alpha is hard. You probably forget to eat."

I look down at my muscular frame. Right. I am getting hungry though. I love when she brings lunch with her.

"What you got this week?"

Her eyes glitter in excitement as she grabs seven plastic containers from her bag. "I brought enough for the both of us. I miss going out with you."

"I know, Mom. Once everything dies down, we'll go out more. I promise."

"Good."

She pulls out two BLT's, salads, pasta, burritos, some snacks, and my favorite growing up corn on the cob with mash potatoes. Also she pulls out two tiramisu with lemonade.

"How is the mate hunting going? I want grand pups!"

"Working on it. I know she is out there. I can promise you pups in the future."

She giggles, "pups to spoil!"

"How's dad?"

"Annoying."

"Always good to hear."

"I'm surprised I haven't killed your father. I been with him for twenty nine."

I smirk, "I hope I have a lasting relationship like that."

She laughs, "so do I. So do I."

After our meal and conversation wrapped up, I had someone show her to a guest room for the night. She wanted to come to the hotel opening tomorrow and I didn't want her traveling again. She loves sleepovers as she calls them.

I have many things to tend to, but I wasn't in the mood. With my uncle threatening to take my place as alpha if I don't get my true mate is always on my mind. I think he did this to set me up for failure. He doesn't think I'll be able to find her. He knows how how hard it is to find a true mate, hence the deal he made. I know I'm going to find her. Dad found mom after all.

For now I had everything cleared up. I decided to take my mom to dinner, there is a really nice restaurant down the street from here. Of course it's still in my pack. I have the biggest pack in the wolf community. My pack alone makes up almost half of the wolf population. I know I promised her breakfast, but tomorrow was the hotel opening. We'd have no time to get to the hotel and have breakfast. I was asked to be there for the new hotel opening.

Father said he'd meet us there. Easier for me since they live two hours away, maybe he was in town and just didn't tell me.

A little waitress walks to our table. Her curly chocolate syrup color hair up in a ponytail. Her green eyes beamed at us.

"My name is Natalie, I'll be taking care of you this evening. What can I get you to drink," she asks.

"Actually, we are waiting for someone. I'll take a Ice tea with a lemon, please," I tell.

"I'll take a tea, please," mom smiles.

"I'll have those right out," She smiles.

"Thank you."

We sat waiting for dad to arrive. Eventually he comes, looking rushed and aged as ever. He talks to me about his time as alpha and gives me a little more pointers. I have been Alpha for a year and a half now. Still learning. It's easier than I thought though.

Natalie walks back over and sets the drinks on the table. Her arm grazed mine ever so slightly. She lets out a yelp at the sparks. My true mate.

"I'm so sorry, Alpha," She mumbles embarrassed at the little ice tea spilled.

"It's alright," I tell her.

"I hope everything else is okay. Are you ready to order..." she avoids all eye contact, sticking her nose in her order book.

"We need a little more time," dad tells her.

She nods, fleeing the scene.

"What was that all about," mom asks, looking up from her menu.

"My mate," I feel my wolf threatening to surface.

His need to mark our mate was almost too much to keep him down. He growls out and lashes at me for pushing him down. We have waited so long for our mate, he can wait a little longer. Just a little longer. Even I was having a hard time keeping myself put.

"Calm down," mom chuckles.

"I'm trying, I can't keep him down," I murmur.

"Just a little longer," dad chuckles.

My wolf howls out as her scent nears. My eyes land on her and watch her like prey. Once again he is threatening to break free, my beast wanting to take our mate right now. I've had a hard time taming since I was young. Now that our mate is here I really can't keep him down. I just need him to stay in the back of my mind for the rest of my night. I need to find that strength just for a little longer.

"Are- are you ready to order," Natalie returns to our table, a little more anxious than before.

"I think we are," I confirmed to her.

"Okay, what will you have, sir," She once again avoids my gaze.

"I'll have the bacon cheddar stuffed burger. Everything on it, please," I tell.

The rest of them ordered and once again it seemed as if she ran from the awkward and tense situation.

"Poor girl. What a horrible first impression," mom sighs.

I have to admit though, I feel bad for her too. What a horrible way to meet your mate and his family. Working as the waitress and having to keep serving them. Spilling the drink a little is the worst.

"Max, I want you to talk to her before we leave. Invite her to the hotel opening tomorrow. She can be one of your guests," mom suggests.

"Actually, it's his Luna," dad says in a duh tone.

"I will, Mom," I sigh.

"Hopefully she makes you stop working so hard and staying up late," mom chuckles.

I pout like a child, "it's my job, mother."

"I know. I just love teasing you."

I roll my eyes.

"Hey! Don't roll your eyes at me!"

"Sorry, Mom."

The smell of our food and my intoxicating mate lingered in the air as she neared us with our food. I was licking my lips more over the smell of my mate than the food. She quickly handed out the food, hiding her face once again.

"Anything else," She asks quickly.

"Yeah, your number," I lean on the table, showing off my muscles.

"I'm on duty right now, Alpha."

"I don't see that as an excuse."

She goes to say something, her mouth quickly shutting. "After."

That seemed to please me and my wolf, since now he calms down and sits in my mind, patiently waiting.

Later, we finish our dinners and I sit patiently waiting for her to come get the check. Mom and dad are waiting in the car.

"Thank you, Alpha," Natalie whispers as she grabs the check trying to escape the scene.

"Natalie, sit," I motion to the booth in front of me.

"Alpha, I'm working. My boss won't be happy."

"Sit. Who cares? I am his boss. I'm his alpha. Besides, you probably won't be working here for much longer."

She rolls her eyes, "I'm going to give you my number. Alright?"

"Why are you pushing me away? I'm your mate. Your true mate."

"I know. I just don't know if I'm ready for another relationship. You see I had a mate. He hurt me, he didn't love me and ousted me in front of the entire pack. It was embarrassing and I don't know if I am mentally ready for another relationship."

"He shoulds like a piece of shit, how long were you two togther?"

She taps her lip thinking for a moment. "Three, maybe four years."

I shake my head. "It is his own loss then, but it is my gain and yours. Your old mate was an Alpha, no?"

She nods causing me to grin. "Well, I am one as well and I protect you from him. He wouldn't dare try and come for you once he hears you are mate."

She chuckles. "And why is that?"

Oh, Natalie you have a lot to learn in this short time I am being given.

"Because no one fucks with me, I am a no nonsense Alpha you see. All the Alphas' no not to mess with me."

"And if he challenges you for me?"

"He'll be a fool to do so. He can not come on to my land just to declare a challenge. There are certain rules and it doesn't matter who he is."

"Even if he is really important?"

Who was her past mate anyways?