Rising From The Ashes, The Vengeful Luna

Refusal: Alpha Liam POV

The club was bustling with big crowds of people. I sat at the table with my Beta, absently sipping at my bourbon, a look of boredom on my face. I could feel the stares of several girls as they openly gaped at me, but none of them interested me in the slightest. Toby gave a dramatic sigh, leaning back against the chair and eyeing me with annoyance.

As per usual, I ignored him, knowing instinctively what he was going to say. Did he ever stop whinging? I doubted it.

“Damnit Liam, when are you going to loosen up a little?” he complained, motioning to the crowd around us as the music continued to play loudly in the background. “I mean, look at these girls, they are gorgeous. Stop being such a killjoy and ask one of them for their number. How long are you going to insist on waiting until you find your mate,” he demanded.

I exhaled and regarded him steadily. “You know how I feel about casual relationships Toby. The last one I had ended in failure. I want nothing more now than to wait until I find my mate. Is that so unreasonable” I added icily. “Look at some of the relationships you ended up with.”

He snorted. “Delia was nothing more than a gold digger. Of course, you two didn’t last. You had nothing in common. But these girls” he looked appreciatively at several of them, licking his lips in anticipation. “They are all shifters so it’s not as though you would be taking a human to bed tonight” he added lowly.

Did he think that made the prospect more appealing to me? It did not. I wanted more. I wanted the real thing and I had been waiting for the right woman for years now.

“One night is just pointless to me. I want the real deal” I shrugged, putting my glass down as Toby whined in disappointment. “It’s not as though I’m stopping you going after what you want.”

He sighed, finishing off his drink. I glanced over at him, but he was busy watching one of the men in the club, the man's hand caressing a woman, his head bent down low as he sucked on the nape of her neck. The man looked oddly familiar, and I was certain I had seen him before. He was younger than I was, but I could sense his Alpha aura from over here. He was from a different pack and I wracked my brain trying to remember which one.

“That’s Alpha Kone Richardson of the Nightingale Pack” Toby supplied, following my eye of sight. “Didn’t he try and request an audience with us not too long ago? Something about wanting to discuss a treaty or something and also wanting us to meet his Luna? What was her name” he murmured, looking at me with interest. “Ah,” he said out of the blue, “The girl’s name was Tiffany,” he said smugly “but from what I recall, I was certain he was taking her as a chosen Luna. So he’s not waiting until he finds his fated mate” he pointed out, a cunning expression on his face, “and he wouldn’t be the first Alpha to do so either.”

“He’s nothing more than a pup,” I countered back with a glower and a shake of my head, “and no doubt sowing his seeds while he still can. I doubt he knows what commitment is, let alone what the mate bond can feel like when it’s found. How many of those who take a chosen mate are disappointed by them or worse?” I paused and looked at my Beta with a grimace, “They finally find their fated mates and abandon their chosen ones in exchange for them? It’s not fair to either party.”

“There are those who reject their chosen mate for the one they have taken as their chosen, remaining loyal to their so-called commitment.”

“Those are few and far between. I will wait for my fated mate” I growled.

Toby opened his mouth to protest and then stopped, his mouth shutting abruptly. “Don’t look now but I think he’s approaching.”

Great. The last thing I felt like doing was having a casual conversation with another annoying Alpha who wanted to take advantage of my power and the fact my pack, The Blood Lust Pack, was one of the strongest in the country.

A cough alerted me to his presence. I turned around and stared at the boy who had dared to interrupt my evening. He smiled, bowing his head politely, his arm still around the waist of the girl beside him. The girl was pretty, with long black raven hair and piercing green eyes. She was pale, her complexion a porcelain tone. He on the other hand was tall and heavily built, with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes, as well as freckles across his nose. I fought to keep my temper.

“Alpha Liam Salvadore,” the kid's voice was filled with awe. “I didn’t expect to run into you here of all places. I was hoping” he paused while my Beta grinned knowingly at me, not budging from his position. “I was wondering if we might discuss the treaty I once suggested to you. I am Alpha…” he trailed off as I sighed again.

“You are Alpha Kobe Richardson of the Nightingale Pack” I supplied dryly “I know. However, I am not in the mood for pleasantries” My tone was gruff, “and I don’t discuss pack business on my time off.”

That should have been enough to warn him to leave before I was forced to spell it out for him.

“My apologies Alpha Liam.” The boy was quick to apologize. “I was hasty in approaching you. I will leave you to your evening,” he added while the girl glared at me, further increasing my dislike of her.

What the hell was her problem? Was she always this rude when she met new guests? It did not show her in a good light.

“Your pack, it’s to the east of mine, correct?” I asked before he turned around.

Damnit. I had blurted out the words before I could think it through. My Beta smirked, enjoying my discomfort. Why hadn't I just let the pup go?

He looked surprised by the question and then slowly nodded, glancing at his girlfriend. I was surprised she was able to walk with how tight her dress clung to her body and how high her heels were. I did not comment however and merely told him before I could change my mind. “If you are amenable to accommodating me and some of my men, I would not be opposed to visiting your pack and discussing this treaty in person.”

He immediately brightened. “Of course, Alpha Liam. Would you be amenable to visiting the pack in a weeks’ time? I can ensure that I have rooms ready for you and your men and of course anything you might need” he added, glancing at his girlfriend for reassurance.

“Yes, Alpha Liam, I would be honored to have you as our guest” the girl chirped, flipping her hair over her shoulder and smiling widely at me with her pearl-colored teeth.

Her voice was irritating me. Too high and slightly shrill. I tried not to wince from the god-awful sound of it. Alpha Kobe seemed oblivious to it.

“Very well. One week” I said dismissively.

It was a sacrifice but perhaps I could get something out of this as well. Maybe his pack had resources I could take use of.

He got the hint and quickly left, taking his girlfriend with him. My Beta was amused. I avoided his gaze.

“What was that about? You were remarkably civil” he added dryly "instead of your usual grumpy ass self."

“I am interested in seeing his pack in person. From all accounts, Nightingale Pack is meant to be impressive, and I want to see for myself if it can compare to the likes of ours. It wouldn’t hurt to establish communications and a bond with this pack if it has the manpower and resources that prove useful to us. Besides” I shrugged “I might even find my mate in this pack, who knows. Isn’t that worth a trip at least?”

If I found my mate then any trip to another pack was worth the sacrifice. I had yet to visit this one and I felt slightly optimistic even as I tried not to get my hopes up. My hopes sadly, had been crushed before.