Taming the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 3 ~ Kit

Every year I get this stupid invitation. Every year I RSVP no. This year, I had to say yes. Not because I wanted to, or because I had any desire to attend a ridiculous Christmas party, but because facing a few hours of horny she-wolves and idiotic Alphas was better than facing the wrath of my mother. If she hadn't threatened my very life, I would be at home like any other Saturday night with the only girl I want to be with.

Cassie was furious with me right now. Even more so because mother had forbid me from taking her with me. For the hundredth time, I glared across the seat of the limo at her. She simply rolled her eyes.

"Oh, knock it off Kit. You're acting like a child."

I growled and she glared. Her green eyes flashed, her pale skin flushing. Her silver hair, done in a stylish braid tonight, fell over her shoulder as she leaned forward.

"I've let it slide every year. Let you continue your. . . relationship with that girl. But enough is enough. You're Alpha now. You need a Luna, and Cassie-"

"Give me one good reason why she isn't fit to be Luna," I said lowly.

My mother gave me a look. "Aside from the obvious reason? She isn't the type of leader we need."

I scoffed. "She's strong, smart, and beautiful. And she's Rick's daughter. Gamma blood isn't high enough for you?"

"You know damn well I don't care about that! And yes, she is beautiful. She's also a bully, manipulative, vindictive-"

"You never did like her."

Her face turned a shade redder. "True strength is not made from beating others down. She doesn't have the packs best interests at heart. Only her own."

"So, that's what this is? The reason you're forcing me to go to this ludicrous party? You're hoping I'll choose someone else?"

"Well, no." She cast her gaze toward the window. When she didn't say anything more, I grew impatient. Then I gasped.

"Stop the car!"

"No!" Mother turned to the driver. "Don't listen to him." She turned back to me. "You're going to this party."

The growl I let out this time was harsh, but the one mother released in response had my wolf, Fen, retreating. Sometimes he was such a pup, still scared of his mom. I glowered out the window. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I haven't given up hope like you have."

"Do you know the rarity of finding a second chance mate? It doesn't just happen, Mother."

"I know that. But this is the biggest party Alpha Ryder has ever thrown, with packs from all over the country." She stretched her arm across the space between us and rested her hand on my arm. "If there is a chance that she is there tonight. . . I just want you to be happy again, Kit. Can you do this for me? Please?"

I wanted to yell and scream- like a child, as she'd pointed out. Instead, I took a deep breath. "Under one condition."

"What?"

"This is the last time. If she's not there tonight, you leave it alone, for good. No more looking, no more dragging me away from Fire Lake on wild goose chases."

Mother nodded. "Fine."

"And you accept that Cassie will become Luna."

"That's more than one."

"Or I can jump out of the car right now, shift and go home. You choose."

After several tense seconds, she gave in. "Fine! But no cheating. You talk to everyone, see everyone. No hiding in the corner."

"Deal."

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the name before accepting the call. "What's up, Blake?"

"I think I lost you. Some stupid SVU cut me off at the last exit."

"How many limos are on the road?"

"Tonight? Quite a few, actually."

"Then assume we're all going to the same place and follow one of them if you can't find us."

"What if I end up somewhere else?"

"You're my Beta-figure it out."

He groaned. "I hate this. Why couldn't I have just come with you?"

I glared at my mother again. She was on her own phone, looking completely innocent. I wasn't fooled. "I'll fill you in on that later," I told Blake.

"Tell him I sent him directions," Mother murmured.

"My Mother sent you the directions."

"Great. See you in a few."

I disconnected the call. Instead of arguing more, I leaned back and closed my eyes. Tonight was going to be horrible. If only Cassie were here with me. We could have sneaked off somewhere and had some fun. Thinking of Cassie only brought up the reason I was being forced into this, which of course made me think about her.

Emma.

Fen whined in my head, his usual reaction when I thought about our lost mate. The pain in my chest intensified, choking me. It never really went away- I just learned to live with it. Sometimes it got bad enough that I couldn't even have Cass around me. I knew it frustrated her that I hadn't moved on completely, but I was trying. Sometimes I wanted to tell her off; she'd never experienced losing a mate. She had no idea. But she was so kind. Maybe not like Emma had been- my angel- but Cass was a good person. She made me feel good again, even if it wasn't even a portion of the love I'd experienced. Being intimate with her was alright- nothing close to the lightning and fire of being with a mate. Still, the point is that she would make a good Luna for the pack, I was sure of that. Mother would see it too, in time.

"We're here."

I blinked my eyes open. The limo was pulling around to a huge building. It had to be the packhouse. The double doors were open, allowing light and music to pour out into the night. Mother opened the door eagerly. I handed the driver a handsome tip before following her. The air was cool, but no snow covered the ground. That wasn't surprising. It hardly ever snowed in Florida, especially in this area. As we approached the entrance, my mood grew more and more sour. Why was I wasting my time with this?

"Kit!"

I turned to see Blake jogging up the sidewalk while trying to wrestle his blonde hair into his signature low ponytail. His suit jacket was open, and I could see he was wearing mismatched socks. Beside me, Mother scowled.

"We can't take you anywhere," she said. "Come here."

Blake pouted as she straightened his tie, fixed his jacket and adjusted his pants. He smoothed his hair and gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks Henny."

She gave him a brisk nod. "Alright, enough dillydallying. Let's go."

Blake fell into step beside me. As soon as we entered the packhouse, the most incredible scent hit me. Peaches. . . and lavender? That was an odd choice for a Christmas party. Even so, I was inhaling it and liking it more and more each time. Beyond the massive amount of decorations was another open door; conversation and laughter joined the music. Mother rounded on me suddenly. She didn't say a word, but I knew that look. Blake glanced between us with confusion. I simply shook my head at him. With a flourish, mother entered the party with the two of us trailing behind.

"Me oh my, look at all these girls," Blake whispered.

I couldn't focus on what, or who, he was looking at. The peaches and lavender scent was much stronger here. It made my mouth water, made me want to find the source.

"You two stay here. I'm going to find Alpha Ryder," Mother said.

She walked off just as a she-wolf stopped with a smile. She held out a tray. "Would you gentlemen care for a drink?"

"Don't mind if I do," Blake said with a wink. The she-wolf giggled.

"And you?"

"Yeah, whatever." I grabbed a glass and downed it in one go. The girl moved on.

"Awe man, don't be a jerk all night. She was cute!" Blake complained.

"You know I don't want to be here," I replied. I sniffed the empty glass. It smelled like strawberries. Where was that smell coming from?

"Maybe tonight you can let go of the big bad Alpha attitude and cut loose. You know, have some fun."

I glared at him. "I don't want to 'cut loose.'"

He c****d an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you? Why are you breathing like you just ran a marathon?"

I shook my head. "You don't think that smell is just a little too strong?"

"Smell? What smell?"

An angry exclamation cut through the room, interrupting us.

"How dare you insult my mate?!"

A group of people weren't far from us, huddled in a circle. A flash of brown hair caught my attention.

"Sounds like drama," Blake said.

I frowned at the two people who were obviously the instigators. A blonde who had no business showing that much skin at an event like this and a man who I assumed was her mate. Three large men stood in front of three women, tensed and looking ready to fight. I could practically see the tension in the air.

The girl with brown hair pushed out of the bubble, heading our way. The closer she got, the more intense the smell became. The smell. . . her scent. She was the source.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I hadn't seen Blake move, but now he was standing in front of her. My heart thumped and danced in my chest.

Turn this way. I need to see. . .

And then she was gone, taking her otherworldly scent with her. I moved to follow her, but my Beta held me back.

"Whoa. We don't chase random girls."

"I'm not. . . she's not. . ."

He frowned, looking between me and the door. Something passed over his face too quickly for me to decipher it.

"Stay here. I'll go see if she's okay," he said. He was walking away before I could say no.

"Bring her back," I said. "And stay with her."

He nodded once and then he was gone too. I grabbed another drink from a passing tray and downed it like the first. I needed to see her. Needed her to look me in the eye. I needed to know.