Chapter 3: Jace

My hand gently stroked the skin of her shoulder, sending shivers of excitement through her fine figure. She smiled then hauled herself onto my waist as I allowed her hands to explore the ripples of my chest, her grin widening cheekily with every motion. "Anything else for you, Alpha?" She asked with a seductive voice, her teeth gently pinching the bridge of her lower lip. I grabbed her shoulders before I swiftly switched places, placing myself on top of her. "Just keep talking," I replied smoothly, eyeing her body from head to waist as she squirmed slowly beneath me, feigning a struggle. She was a pearl, that's for sure. Slick blond hair, incredible blue eyes, a hot body with curves in all the right places. And yet it wasn't enough... A violent knock at my door interrupted our little session and pulled me back into reality. The hinges screamed out a squeak as the door swung open, my father's scowling face glaring at me through the frame. Fuck. I pulled myself away, allowing Blondieto put her jeans back over her midnight black lingerie. With a wink, she grabbed the remainder of her clothing from the floor and skidded to the door, giggling beneath the pale blouse she covered her mouth with. When she passed by my father, she gave the respective greeting bow and left the room, leaving behind my father's icy stare to replace the warmth that had settled in the room. His black eyes pierced a glare at me while I lay on the bed, nothing more than my black boxers to cover me. "You're seriously playing with my patience, Jace." He growled, brows knitted into a frown. "The entire pack has gathered outside for you, and yet here you are hooking up with some girl!? Have I not warned You already know about such behavior?! - What, I can't have a little fun? - Your mating ceremony is in fifteen minutes!" I rolled my eyes at his comment, bracing myself for his usual scolding words as I slid off the bouncy mattress. The mating ceremony. It's such a big deal for every male Wolf, and despite its perverted name, it's much simpler than it sounds. Every mature female Wolf will line up for me— some may gift me an offering since I'm the Alpha's son— then I'll gaze into her eyes. That's it. No mating, no touching, nothing. Just a stare in the eye and hope for the best. And there isn't any way I can describe what the bond is. It just... happens. From what my father told me, I'll just know it. Afterwards, both mates can either accept or reject each other. No, we don't instantly fall in love like most Werewolf fanfics depict, and we don't have to fight an urge to mate on the spot. The bond is simply the Goddess' way of letting wolves know they have found their other half. The one wolf who, in simpler terms, is their perfect match; their equal. It's like a holy matchmaker that only works once in your life. I zipped my fly and grabbed my shirt from the floor, my father still eyeing me like I was some grounded child. I knew he was pissed off and he had all the right reasons to be, but I knew well this was most likely my last taste of freedom before the responsibilities of the Alpha title came to claim me. "You got nothing to worry about, Pops. See? I'm already dressed. Would you look at that! Still got thirteen minutes." I said, exasperatingly pointing at my watch in the process. He pinched the bridge of his brow in disappointment, breathing out a long sigh. "Just get down there already. And please, try to take this seriously, you know you won't be able to screw around with other Girls once—" I was already gone when he finished his phrase. I didn't have time for his patronizing crap. I could once again try oh so desperately to explain it, try and make him see my point of view; Selene knows it is a waste of time. I walked down the swirling stairs and onto the first floor, buttoning up my black tuxedo with care. I took the first left and walked into the kitchen, then took another left to gaze at myself in the large mirror by the fridge, examining every inch of my suit with care. Jet black hair, tan skin, black vest with a white blouse beneath, and black pants. Not a lot of color, but it did its job well. "Admiring yourself?" A familiar voice snickered from behind, abruptly pausing my grooming session with an internal groan from my part. I gazed above my shoulder as a tall, muscled man walked in."How's the Star boy doing this morning?" He smirked, splitting his lips into a smile that revealed his pearl white teeth. A groan escaped my throat, mirroring my Wolf's exasperated growl. 6'5, blond, blue-eyed, and a body rippled with muscles, as the son of the pack's Beta, Cade here was my designated bodyguard since I could remember. Although he took his job incredibly seriously, he was nothing more than a glorified babysitter and my father's very own lap dog... I was pulled away from my reflection as Cade's trunk size of an arm locked around my neck, nearly squeezing my throat closed; if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was trying to kill me. Nonetheless, I allowed myself to be dragged from the kitchen to the living room, almost tripping over the deer skin covering the oak floor. Perks of being born in a rich family: every deer skin rug tries to get its revenge by nearly tripping you into the corner of a table. At last, I was released from Cade's iron grasp as he turned his attention elsewhere. I, for once, turned my focus onto my suit, swiping my hands over the fabric to smooth out any new wrinkles I could find. The sweet sound of laughter rose to my ear and pulled me out of my grooming as I noticed the presence of a red-haired woman in the room, only now noticing how she cuddled up to Cade. I would be lying if I weren't taken aback by her looks at first, holding myself back from whistling at the sight; this woman was drop-dead gorgeous. Curly red hair, cherry red lips, pale skin, and a chiseled jaw highlighted by dark green glasses. Adding the skin-tight silk dress she wore, her looks were enough to make any wolf go crazy. Her smile seemed even more heavenly, mirroring that of an Angel. I awkwardly shifted my weight from one leg to the other, clearing my throat when it seemed the two lovebirds wouldn't let each other go. They pulled their lips apart, yet their eyes trailed into each other's for Many more seconds before they finally turned their focus to me as if they had suddenly remembered I existed. Cade's smile somehow managed to grow even wider as he spoke, a hint of guile coloring his every word. "Jace, I'd like you to meet— - Alexandra!" I swallowed the venom that laced my tongue as I spoke her name, suddenly recognizing her features from a distant memory. She and I had crossed paths quite a few times before; daughter of the Western pack's Beta, Alexandra was a University transfer student, the first transfer our pack had accepted in decades. Her grades were enough to impress the old man, so he'd make an exception and allow her to study alongside our pack mates. May I add that, although she was smart, Alexandra never saw eye to eye. Something about her always... Urked. Call it instincts, as we Wolves do tend to be incredibly territorial towards outsiders, but I'd never expect her to become officially part of the pack, judging how close Cade was holding her. And her... Oh Selene no, is she? "... Your father agreed it would be best I lay off my duties for a while. Alex and I will be taking some time together to raise how family." I blinked, snapping back to reality as their words came back to me. Father? Agreement? Family? Why wasn't I told before!? A sigh escaped the back of my throat, shoving down my thoughts and emotions onto plaster a fake smile onto my lips. My t, one, however, told a whole other story. "That's wonderful! Sure would've loved to know amongst everyone else about your little miracle, but I suppose learning about my bodyguard's sudden hiatus isn't that important." Their faces went from joy to what seemed to be a disappointed confusion as they exchanged a glance at each other. I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose before I turned heels and headed for the courtyard, deciding I was already fed up with today. "Excuse me, I have a mate to meet." A heavy silence fell into the room as I walked out, my fists hidden inside the pockets of my pants. I only needed a few steps to reach the entrance door of the mansion, and the tall doors suddenly seemed like a giant ready to eradicate me as I gazed up at the golden engravings, staring intently at the words honos, superbia, a nd proposition. Honor. Pride. Purpose. Words that had been hammered into every young Selene Wolf's skull from the day they were born. I breathed in the fresh morning breeze, relishing the distinct taste of dew and perfume coating my tongue as the large doors cracked open, revealing the line of females patiently waiting to greet me. I opened my eyes and stared intently at the females as they all fell quiet as I took my first step down the marbled stairs. Today, I will find my purpose.