Chapter 2 CHAPTER TWO
CAIUS
I know the disgust I feel is etched on my face because people are avoiding me more than usual. This is a circus, we're in danger and these Alpha's are laughing and planning on having parties before they return to their packs. I knew asking the fools at the high council to take this seriously was a huge mistake.
"You're showing your inside face again," Clayton, my Beta says through the mind link.
I turn my head slowly and find him standing at the far end of the hall. He's talking to three Beta's.
"Something that hasn't happened since creation is happening and these fools are having a party first before discussing it."
"You promised you'd use this chance to discuss with Alpha Wilson about those tractors."
I sigh and shake my head. I did promise to talk to Alpha Wilson about tractors. Clayton decided three months ago that the pack should take agriculture more seriously and now I'm tasked with finding a subsidized price for tractors because Alpha Wilson only meets with Alpha's concerning these things.
"How the fuck am I supposed to find him in this madness?"
"He went out through the second exit door three minutes ago."
Great, now I have to hunt him down. I take the second exit and fortunately see the Alpha speaking to a Beta at the end of the hall. I walk towards them with purpose, trying hard to look like I enjoy coming to meet him for conversation.
He smiles when he sees me approaching and then waves. The Beta looks relieved to see me and quickly excuses himself when I reach them. Something about him smells familiar and safe even though I have never met him before.
"There he goes," Alpha Wilson starts. "The luckiest Beta in the world. He's the Beta to that female Alpha. I'll tell you, if a woman is to ever be Alpha over me, she has to look like she does."
I grunt in response and open my mouth to tell him about the tractors but he starts talking again. I'm not surprised, most of these Alpha's are obsessed and love to talk about the woman who was born an Alpha. She's not the first but she's the only one here in America.
"Could you imagine taking orders from someone that beautiful? I was just asking him if they've ever fucked..."
Okay, that's enough. I heard the end of their conversation but I didn't think he'd be dumb enough to repeat it to me. I don't have time for pointless gossip.
"My pack wants to buy tractors."
"Tractors?" He asks, looking surprised.
"Yes, tractors. You sell them."
"Right, I know that. We can discuss business tomorrow after the meeting, I'm trying to have fun tonight."
He meets my eyes and shifts uncomfortably. I know I intimidate fellow Alpha's and I use that to my advantage every time.
"Since I have you here, why don't we do it now."
"How many do you want?" He asks.
"I want two and I want discounts."
"Of course, I'll inform my people tonight and they'll contact your people."
"Good, it was nice doing business with you."
I put my hand out and he shakes it. I pat his back and walk away. It's disgusting to know that this is the most powerful person his pack has. I return to the hall and Clayton is back in my mind.
"That was too quick. You didn't find him?"
"I found him. We talked and his people will make contact."
I hear him laughing in my mind and I look for him in the crowd. He's talking to more people but his face is blank.
"You intimidated him. Do you think he's scared enough to agree to a 70% discount?"
"That's up to you to discuss. I'm leaving."
I find the exit that leads out of the hall and out of this hotel. Clayton leaves the people he's talking with and follows behind me.
"The high council booked the best room in this place for you. They booked you a suite and you're going to the forest to sleep?"
"You don't have to come, you can take the room." I tell him.
He sighs heavily and keeps following me.
"You know that's not possible."
I nod and we walk out of the hotel together.
"The reception smells better than it did when we arrived." I say when we get into the car.
"Did any other thing happen while you were talking with Alpha Wilson? It smells the same." He says.
I don't say anything because Clayton lives to argue and I don't like to talk. There was a different smell in the reception and I know it. We drive towards the edge of town and drive into the forest there. We make a fire and set up for the night.
"I don't know if I'll be able to sleep." Clayton says.
I look at him and he continues. "Rogues are going out of order and we're sleeping in the forest outside the packs reach."
"Don't let that bother you. We'll be safe tonight."
"How do you know that? We don't know anything about these new rogues except that they're nothing like the rogues we're used to."
"I just know it. But if you don't believe that, believe that I'd never let anything happen to you."
Clayton laughs then. "These little bursts of emotion make me remember that you have blood in your veins."
My jaw locks at his response. "Let's stop talking now."
Very early the next morning, we arrive at the High council and wait for the council members and all the Alpha's and Beta's to arrive. Two hours later the doors are opened and we enter into the great hall.
As more people enter the great hall, the same scent from the hotel last night wafts through my nose. A delicious mix of spring leaves and flowers. It's stronger this time and that's when I realise it's a werewolf. With that realisation comes another realisation that the only reason why this scent keeps drawing me in is that it belongs to my mate.
I breathe in the scent and follow it. My wolf's excitement grows the closer I get. I follow the scent outside to the back of the council building. I see the Beta from last night hugging someone. He's not my mate because I would have recognized his scent last night but the person he's hugging intimately is. I growls and they both turn, startled.
My eyes locks on the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. My eyes move from her to the dirt of the earth who dares to touch her.
"Mine," I growl.