KADE’S POV
“Kade! Obsidian Howl needs a strong Luna! We don’t have time to waste on your so-called destined mate!”
“Tonight, you either find one yourself, or I’ll arrange one for you!”
My grandfather Easton Nightshade roared at me, his voice sharp and commanding.
I leaned against the railing of the cruise ship, a glass of wine in hand, and scoffed at his tired old argument.
Another annual Hunting Festival and countless prominent packs were in attendance tonight - for making a union or finding a destined mate.
But I just felt bored.
It had been too long—seven years. I still hadn’t found her. My mate.
I almost gave up on the plan of finding her but my wolf Jaxon, stubborn as always, refused to claim anyone but our mate.
Tonight was the last try I promised him. If the Moon Goddess still had no plans for us, I'd choose a she-wolf and mark her to finally shut my grandfather up.
"Are you listening to me, Kade? Don't think you can ignore me just because you became an Alpha! I''m still your grandfather!"
I dusted non-existent dust from my ears and turned to face my dear grandfather. Despite his age, he was still strong. He should have been enjoying his retirement long ago, yet couldn't stop meddling in my life. Annoyingly.
The last bit of my conscience held me back from arguing with him. My parents died when I was young and my sister was still swaddled then. So, our grandfather became our sole guardian.
He was an impeccable Alpha wolf and the toughest mentor of my life. He had never let up on my training because of my age or the severe weather. Even my bedtime story was reciting the principles of our Pack Management.
The interests of the wolf pack are above all else, and even the mate bond.
'Bullshit.' My wolf Jaxon rolled his eyes inside my head. He's the devotee of the mate bond.
'Hey,' I warned Jaxon.
My grandfather had refused his fated mate who was said to be an omega, and the entire pack benefited as a result. I knew when that occurred again, he would ask me to do the same.
'And we'll say NO!' Jaxon hissed, trying to get to the surface, and I saw my grandfather take a step back under Jaxon's sudden aura.
'Sit back,' I snapped at Jaxon. 'He's still my grandfather and I won't let anyone harm him!'
'I just need to show him how much stronger we are than he is. We don't need to give up our partner!'
'I said SIT BACK!' I forced him to retract and locked him tighter.
"Jaxon was protesting again?" Grandfather asked and I could see the concerns in his eyes.
Leading the most powerful pack wasn't an easy job. And a non-mating Alpha for too long would easily lose the grip on his wolf. Many enemies were looking over my shoulder, waiting for me to fall. And my pack also longed for an heir as I grew older.
"Choosing a Luna from a powerful pack could solve everything," Grandfather stressed again.
"It's the last time, grandfather," I said as I took a careless drink. "I have promised Jaxon."
“What’s the point?” Grandfather disapproved. "You have waited so long and she never shows up. Maybe she doesn’t even exist."
I heard a low growl from Jaxon inside my head and Grandfather heard it too. He waved his hand dismissively, “Then until midnight. After that, I don't want to hear any excuses."
"Right tomorrow, you have to give Obsidian Howl a qualified Luna!"
He left in fury with these words, while I leaned back to enjoy more drink. The clean moonlight spread over me, but couldn't ease my mood.
I finally figured out that alcohol didn't work so I decided to get myself some entertainment. I threw my empty glass into the sea and walked into the crowd.
As the festival host, almost every she-wolf recognized me and wanted to hook up. Finally, a pretty blonde sitting at the bar caught my eye.
She wore a little black dress that rode up her long legs as she crossed them, her plump ass was under it. When she saw me looking, she winked, biting her lip invitingly. A good choice for a simple one-night stand.
'What are you doing, Kade?!' Jackson grumbled discontented.
'I just promised not to mark others.' I didn't hide the annoyance, 'I don't promise to lock my dick tonight.'
'Don't worry, I won't mark her.' I told Jaxon as I walked toward my goal.
'You'll regret this!' Jaxon gritted and I just ignored him.
The she-wolf came over, squeezing my arms with her full breasts. "What are you doing here alone on such a beautiful night?"
Her eyes made no secret of her desire for me as her ass deliberately rubbed my crotch. I placed my hand on her waist and leaned down to whisper by her ears, "You are here now, how could I be alone?"
She giggled out at once. "I know a place." She breathed into my ear, holding my hand under her dress. Damn, she didn't wear anything. She moaned immediately when I pressed her dripping pussy maliciously.
"Lead the way," I ordered, my voice turned deep. I'd suppressed myself long enough.
'She isn’t our mate!' Jaxon protested, anxiously pacing around in my head.
'Shut up! Remember I'm the Alpha, Jaxon! Even our mate standing here can't challenge my decision!'
Jaxon bristled. 'You idiot. You'll regret it one day.'
'Then we'll see about it.' I ignored his protests and locked him up.
As soon as we walked off the deck, the woman hopped on my waist. And I didn't waste to kiss her violently. We were almost naked when we passed the greenhouse. A cool breeze blew across the garden, and a sweet scent came to me. It was a hint of wildflowers, unfamiliar but pure. I couldn’t move as it rooted me to the spot.
“Why did you stop?” the woman in my arms crooned, nuzzling my neck. “Let’s continue.” She erotically rubbed her wet pussy against my erection.
But I could feel nothing but that scent.
I followed it and turned my head and that's when I found her.
Her lavender dress hugged her curves in all the right places, dipping low enough to expose the toned, tan expanse of her back. Her dark hair was curled into an intricate bun adorned with pearl clips. And even though it was tight with anger, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
She had a stunning radiance about her that outshone everything else around me. My heart had never beat so crazily.
Finally, she turned around—our eyes met, and it was like lightning struck the space between us.
Every nerve, every cell in my body was pulled taut, and my wolf was stirring, howling.
"Mate!"
But why was she crying?!
