Chapter 3

Ayden's Pov

"I told you that I didn't want to come" I huffed.

"And I told you that this party will help you get that stick out of your ass" He laughed and I growled.

I can't believe I let my Beta Caden and Gamma Lance convince me to come to this stupid party.

"You are so uptight you need to relax" Lance commented.

"and maybe get a haircut?" Caden added and they laughed.

"Shut up" I looked out the window and saw that we were getting closer to their pack grounds. As soon as this is over I am never coming back here again.

"Agreed" Milo snickered. "I doubt we will ever find our mate here"

"We are not here to look for a mate we don't need one"

"If we don't find her they will force us to mate someone else. We need a Luna" He argued and I growled.

"You good?" Cade questioned.

"Yes, it's just Milo reminding me about needing a Luna" I ran my hand through my hair out of frustration. I do need a haircut soon.

"He is right you know? Every pack needs their Alpha and Luna" Lance said.

"Enough!" My alpha voice came out and they looked down. I sighed and leaned my head back against the seat. "I don't need or want a Luna. We are going to get through this party and go home as soon as it's over. End of discussion"

The rest of the ride to the packhouse was quiet. Once we arrived we stepped out of the car and looked at our surroundings. There were other Alphas getting there and getting greeted at the door.

"See not that bad" Caden patted my back and I growled at him.

"I just want to sleep" I grunted. We grabbed our bags and headed up the stairs to the front door.

"Maybe we can ask for some drinks tonight" Caden's voice was in my head.

"Can't you just wait for tomorrow's party?" Lance joined the mindlink.

"Can you both get out of my head? You're giving me a headache" I cut the mindlink connection and they laughed.

"Alpha Ayden! So glad you can make it" Alpha Roy smiled as we got to the door. I knew he was a stuck-up son of a bitch and this was all an act.

"Alpha Roy, thank you for the invitation" I shook his hand and he looked back at the girls lined up at the door.

I took a deep breath in and the most astonishing smell filled my nostrils. It was a mix of lavender and vanilla. I looked around and spotted the most beautiful girl I'd ever laid eyes on. Her eyes landed on mine and I admired her beauty. She had the most beautiful purple eyes. She walked away with Alpha Alex and I felt upset when she left my sight. I sensed Milo stir inside and whimper when she left.

"Alpha Ayden?" Alpha Roy's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I questioned and he sighed.

"Distracted?" Caden's irritating voice rang through my head.

"This is Ruby she will be guiding you to your room. Please don't be afraid to ask her for anything." A young girl stepped in front of us and bowed.

"Alpha Ayden," Her delicate voice said. She looks malnourished and small. I wonder how old she was? She motioned for us to follow her and we did.

"I want to go with the other one" Milo complained.

"We can't right now, but we will look for her later" He laid back down and relaxed.

"Take interest in the girl?" Lance opened mind link.

"I don't want to talk about it" I replied.

"So you don't mind if I go look for her?" Caden asked and I growled. Ruby shrieked and turned to look back at us.

"Sorry" We continued walking. I can hear her shaky breaths and loud beating heart from her chest.

"You're going to scare her" Caden snickered.

"If you two fucking idiots don't shut up I will kill you myself" they laughed it off and closed the link.

I swear these two imbeciles were going to be the death of me. Every day they make me want to strangle them. Always with their snarky remarks, stupid responses, and bugging me about looking for my mate. As much as they frustrate me all the time I wouldn't trust anyone else to be my Beta and Gamma. These two fuckers have been my friends since we were kids. Almost like brothers.

"Don't get all sentimental on me" Milo chuckled. He stood up and his tail started wagging. "She's near!"

I sniffed the air as the lavender/vanilla scent got stronger. I stopped and turned around, but was disappointed when I didn't see anyone, and the scent soon faded. I caught up with the rest and finally got to our room. Lance shut the door behind us and I groaned when I only saw two beds.

"It looks like you are going to have the honor of staying with our beloved Alpha tonight" Caden laid on one of the beds and sprawled himself out.

"In your fucking dreams" I threw my bag on the other bed. Lance shoved his leg off and sat down next to him.

"So the girl.." Lance trailed off.

"Don't talk about her" I growled

"You're getting defensive about her. In love with her already?" I looked at Caden who was smiling at me.

"Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to come?" Lance added and they laughed.

"I am going to fucking kill you both" I rubbed my temples and laid down.

"And I already told you to stop talking about her" I growled. They held up their hands in defense and stayed quiet.

I was mad at myself for getting all worked about a girl. It makes me want to leave now instead of in two days. I always told myself I didn't need a mate. I didn't need a Luna. I can lead my pack by myself just like I have been for years.

"You know you need her" Milo argued

"I don't"

"You know she can help"

"With what?"

"Our people need a luna. The pack feels incomplete."

"Drop it"

"But-"

"I said drop it"

He grunted and went to the back of my head to cool off.

"So Ayden. What do you want to do for now?" Lance asked.

"Did you guys notice those girls at the front door?" Caden questioned before I could answer.

"What about them?" I looked at him and he shrugged.

"They're young. Probably underage and he has them working. Ordering them around like slaves" He continued

"They could be volunteers that wanted to help their Alpha take care of their guests" Lance suggested.

"I don't think so. Caden is right. All of them looked young and malnourished." I said and they agreed.

"Let's just see what else we can find out during dinner alright?" They nodded.

I took a nap before we headed down to the dining room. Now I just had to survive all the small talks the Alphas tried to do with me through dinner.