Chapter 3 A Chosen Mate

Alex POV

"Fuck, Alex! Deeper please!" Hailey whines, while I pound into her from behind. I let off one of her hips, and I reach around to rub her clit with precision, as I continue ramming my dick in and out of her!

Hailey and I have been seeing each other for a little over a year now. When I turned 18 and shifted into my wolf, Knight, for the first, I could feel his anxiety and excitement on our first run, as he sniffed the air. However, after we completed our first run with the pack, we were both disappointed to discover that my mate was not within my pack.

That was five years ago. I tried to stay patient and wait for my mate, but patience turned into loneliness. That loneliness turned into depression; before that depression turned me into man-whore. I was smart though; I knew not to sleep around my pack, the Sapphire Stone pack. We are the number one ranked pack in the country. My best friend and Alpha, Ben, talked some sense into me. He convinced me that the Moon Goddess wouldn't abandon me.

I stopped sleeping around with different she-wolves and focused on my duties as Beta. Then I met Hailey. Hailey integrated into our pack after choosing to live as a lone wolf for a year, before settling into a new pack. After a few months of working with our Omegas, she was offered a permanent home and job. She rose to the Head Omega of our hospitality team.

Though I had seen her around the pack house, I was not interested due to my strict rules, but after hanging out as friends, our feelings developed into something more. Though we have not marked one another, we are deeply committed to one another.

Hailey begins whimpering, and I know that her release won't be far behind. I let go of her remaining hip and wrapped my hand in her auburn locks. I begin delivering thrusts at an inhumane pace.

I can feel her juices coat my dick as she rides out her final orgasm. And with her gushing around my dick, I let my load out into the condom.

"Fucccccck!" I groan lightly, as I don't want anyone walking past the utility closet to hear our indiscretion.

We have both been so busy with preparations for this year's annual Mate Ball, which we are hosting. So, when the opportunity presented itself, we couldn't pass it up. No matter where it was. Even though Hailey should be smiling from ear to ear, I sensed her uneasiness.

I kissed the side of her head, "What's wrong doll?" She looked up at me with her hazel eyes and tried to pacify me with a soft smile.

"Nothing; I am just overwhelmed with the workload for the ball," Hailey answers. Though she may be telling the truth, I know that is not the true reason for her anxiety.

"Fair, but what is going through that beautiful mind?" I ask her, as I tuck her hair behind her ear. She sighs heavily as she looks at me.

"Fine, I am terrified that this will be the year that you find your mate. While everyone is here on our packlands, I will be humiliated. I can't imagine what that is going to feel like. I know we have never discussed the possibility that it will happen this year, but I don't want to lose you."

Fuck. The conversation that I was dreading. There was a reason I chose to stay single. There was a reason I never claimed her as a chosen mate. That reason was, that Knight would not allow it.

"Damn straight! And I still won't," Knight chimes in.

"Fuck! Not right now, Knight!" I chastise him.

"Don't get mad at me. I told you that I would not take a chosen mate. We are meant for great things, and those great things are with our mate!" Knight responds proudly.

Tired of having this conversation with my wolf, I quickly respond "Our mate that we haven't found in 5 years! When are you going to let this go? Hailey is amazing and would make a fantastic mate!"

Knight grumbles, "Yes, she will! To her damn mate!" Knight shuts me out and curls up with his back turned to me in the recesses of my mind.

I turn my attention back to Hailey, who is patiently waiting for me to finish my conversation with my wolf.

"I know that it is scary and unpredictable not knowing what meeting our mates could do to us, but we have been together for a year. Neither one of us found our mates at the last ball. We have been through this before; I know it doesn't make it easier, but we both agreed that we wouldn't make any decisions without talking to one another first. I still stand by that, do you?" I ask her, as I look into her eyes.

I couldn't promise to choose my mate, but we both made the promise to each other when we became exclusive that we would talk to one another before making any decisions.

Hailey nods her head. "I know. I remember our promise." She says, while tears begin to brim her eyes.

"But this past year has been amazing. I don't need my mate; I just need you," Hailey whispers.

I don't know what to tell her, other than the truth. "Hailey, I love you. I am very happy with you, but you and I both know the power of the mate bond. I would claim you, but my wolf feels strongly about the chance of meeting his fated mate. I have been trying to convince Knight that we would be happy with a chosen mate, but he won't hear it." Hailey snatches her hand from mine, "Then what are we doing here Alex? I won't let you hold onto me only to break my heart," she says as she stomps off.

Well shit, how did we end up from sexual bliss to this?

Walking back to my office, I get a mind link from my best friend and Alpha, Ben. "Are you around, I need you in my office promptly." I move away from my office door and head a few doors down to Ben's office; "On my way!" I respond.

After the professional tone he used in our mind link, I decided to knock instead of walking in, the way I would usually enter his office.

"Come in," Ben responds from behind the door. I am glad I went with the professional approach because, sure enough, there were 3 members from the werewolf council present. The werewolf council is composed of previous Alphas who were elected into their positions.

The purpose of the council is the same as any other government. They make our laws, enforce our laws, and can be a pain in the ass. I wonder what umbrella they will fall under today. With a slight bow of my head, as a sign of respect for the council members, I greet everyone in the room.

"Good afternoon, council members; Alpha, you requested me?" I ask, as I walk to the couch and take a seat. The tension in the air seems thick, not negative or forbearing, but thick.

"What's going on?" I ask, as I take in the expressions on each gentleman's face.

Councilman Harrison speaks up first, Harrison is one of the most popular council members. He is fair and truly wants the best for our community. He and Ben's father were Alphas around the same time, and Ben's father has nothing but respect for him.

"Though we haven't confirmed it, it would seem like witches have begun working with rogue werewolves." Councilman Harrison explains further, "I know that you are both aware of the rogue attacks that smaller packs in the country have been facing recently."

Over the past few months, we have been hearing about rogue attacks that have been happening all over the country. Though rogue attacks are not unheard of, the difference was these rogues were completely obliterating each pack they attacked. Most of the packs that were attacked were no larger than 200 members, but it still was unclear what started these brutal attacks in the first place.

"I don't understand, why would witches be working with rogues?" I ask, trying to fully understand what could be happening.

"We aren't entirely sure ourselves, but we came to ask for help," Councilman Harrison explains. "We want to deploy a team to start investigating any signs or rumors pertaining to witches and rogues. You are the largest and most powerful pack in the country, we feel like your pack would be invaluable."

"Of course, I wanted to brief you, but I called you in here because I want you to select what warriors you believe are more than capable of assisting the council in this investigation," Ben states. I nod my head as I start formulating a plan.

"Of course, Alpha. I will speak with Miles and get his input as well. When do you want the team ready to deploy?" The councilmen look at each with their eyes glazed over, having a private conversation through their link.

"If they could be ready to leave 2 weeks after that Mate Ball, that would be sufficient. In case anyone meets their mate, we want to give them time to bond with their mate," says the smaller of the councilmen.

"Understood," I reply, as I rise to my feet. "Alpha, anything else?" I ask before leaving the office.

"Yes, once the council members leave, please come back for our end-of-day brief," Ben answers.

"Sure thing," I respond as I pay my formal respect and regards to the councilmen.

My mind is racing with a thousand thoughts, and I barely noticed Hailey standing by my door. I flash her a small smile. "Hey, I am happy to see your face," I say to her.

Without acknowledging my greeting, Hailey responds, "I need to go over the VIP list with you for the different Alphas and Lunas who will be attending the Mate Ball and staying in the pack house. I need to make sure that everyone's requests are met."

I walk into my office and Hailey follows behind me. She stops at one of the chairs in front of my desk and takes a seat. I know she is still pissed, because she would normally sit perched on the edge of my desk. Not wanting to further piss her off, I don't push the issue.

With the Mate Ball in less than two weeks, preparations have been in full swing. Though the Mate Ball is an opportunity for all unmated wolves to come together and find their fated mates, it is also one hell of a party. Many Alphas and Lunas often travel with their pack members for support and party. Since we are hosting, it is our responsibility to make sure that the visiting Alphas and Lunas have a place to stay on pack grounds.

Hailey has her head down buried in all her notes, but I suspect she is avoiding talking to me.

"Hailey, please…" I try again.

Hailey takes a deep breath before lifting her face to look me in the eyes, "Right now, I want to focus on preparations and nothing else."