Chapter 2

The boys in the packhouse have been throwing parties nearly every weekend. Now that they are all old enough to find their mate, they think inviting every girl in town will make it easier for them. At first, I thought that was the stupidest thing I have ever heard, that is until I turned eighteen. I have been eighteen for a few months now, and I still haven't found her. I have been going to every party hoping she is there, waiting for me, like I have been waiting for her.

After the first few dozen parties and outings looking for her, I got a bit overwhelmed with frustration because I haven't found her yet. I ended up hooking up with the first girl that came on to me last night. I'm not going to lie; I felt pretty disgusting afterwards. I know it can take time, but I also know some wolves that never found their mates. And I can't help but jump to the worst-case scenario, thinking that I will never find her. Sometimes your mate can die before you find one another. But that is pretty rare.

Ever since my eighteenth birthday all I can think about is how my father found my mother almost instantly, same with my grandfather. Which is why I was expecting the same thing to happen for me. After all they were both amazing Alphas, Alpha's I hope to follow in their footsteps soon. But in order to do that I need my mate by my side, my dad has always said 'what makes a great leader is the love and support he gets from his people. And ever since then it feels like my father has been testing both me and my abilities.

I have been put in charge of the pack from time to time when my parents have been away. Off on retreats with neighbouring pack leaders to help maintain the peace treaty we have with them. It will come in handy down the track if anyone ever gets thirsty for more power. That's why my father wants to make it official when I have found my mate and complete the mating bond, it's a tradition in our pack that once you have found the one then you can take over as leader. That said, I have been so busy with pack stuff I haven't been at school the last few weeks. Haven't had the time, it's like my dad is trying to give me a crash course on taking over because he feels any day now, I will find her.

I told my father I wanted to take a step back from some duties for a bit, to try and help me regain my focus and finish off this semester with a bang. After all this is my last year before everything really changes, and as excited as I am to be Alpha I know I'm not one hundred percent ready yet. I feel like a little more time with my friends will help me get there. He understood, and as of this week, I am back to school full time.

"Jason! About time! What have you forgotten what time school starts or something? The day is basically over, the last bell is about to ring."

"Yea sorry, had some last-minute things to take care of."

"I thought that you weren't on Alpha duties anymore?"

"I'm not as of today. I had some last-minute things to take care for dad before I returned to school full time. But hey, can't you just be glad to see me?"

Claire began to roll her eyes as she elbowed Hayden straight in the stomach. He leaned over in pain holing the side she just punched with pretty much all her strength.

"What was that for?"

"Aren't you going to say something?"

"Like what? He is our future Alpha, I'm pretty sure whatever he says goes. But anyways why are here? I mean school is pretty much over."

They both kind of have a point, I have absolutely no idea why I am here. After all I knew that I wasn't going to be finished in time for school, but it's like something was calling out to me. Like I had to be here or else.

"What? You don't believe that it is to see your smiling faces?"

"Yea whatever. Am I meeting you at the packhouse after school? Is there a meeting?"

I have known Hayden and Claire my entire life, good old childhood friends. That's why I feel it made total sense that she and Hayden turned out to be mates, and honestly, I feel like they knew it long before their eighteenth birthday. That's why it also made sense that I made Hayden my beta, my right-hand man. I can't think of anyone I would rather have by my side when shit hits the fan, luckily, we haven't had to experience anything like that yet. But I know once we do, he will be good under pressure.

"Na. I confirmed it with my dad, and he decided no meeting tonight. He said everyone deserves a bit of a break."

"Oh, please like you two have really been working that hard. I know you two have been going to all of the parties the boys have been throwing lately. And on that subject have you heard that the boys are having another party tonight? I think this is number 8 in the span of the last three weeks. I really don't know where they find the time and energy to have all of these parties."

"It's not like I am really going there to party, I was hoping I would find my mate at one of the parties, so Hayden being a good friend tagged along so I wasn't completely bombarded with a bunch of chicks trying to convince me I am their mate."

"Right. So, you're saying all of those parties were so horrible and that you didn't have fun at all?"

"Well, no I'm not saying that, wait a minute why are you two sitting in the middle of the hallway and not in class?"

"Free period?"

"Right."