Chapter 42 42

Chapter 42 42
Chapter 3 – Ceremony

“Fifteen minutes,” my mother’s voice rang through the mind link. The Alpha ceremony was starting in fifteen minutes.
The guests had already arrived, and the grounds were buzzing with the sound of hundreds of shifters who had gathered for the ceremony. My brother and Anya had been mated for years, but tonight they would become Alpha and Luna of the Olympus Blood Moon pack.
I checked my reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh. I looked more like Alice and less like me when I dressed this way. My mother had insisted I wear the dark blue, strapless dress that complemented the blue in my eyes. I looked nearly six feet tall thanks to the silver heels she had found that gave me an extra four inches. My makeup turned out great considering I hardly wore makeup, and my jet-black hair was curled in loose rings.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. To my surprise, I found my brother Lukas entangled in a deep kiss with his date, Beky. I cleared my throat and they both pulled away, giving me a sheepish grin. Her dress was cut low in the back, and I couldn’t help noticing the fresh tattoo on Beky’s shoulder blade. A black Alpha wolf with blue eyes. I hope for her sake she doesn’t end up heartbroken someday over my brother.
“Mom’s waiting,” I hissed, and we moved quickly down the remainder of the stairs.

“Are you walking in alone?” Lukas asked.
“No, I’m escorting her,” I met the confident dark eyes of an Alpha I didn’t know. His eyes burned right through me, and my mouth went dry.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I managed to ask. If this was my mother’s idea, I’d need to speak to my father about it.
“Alpha Russo, it’s good to see you again,” Lukas greeted the Alpha and continued his stride with Beky on his arm.
“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure yet. I’m Santino Russo,” he held his arm out for me to take.
He could pass for Greek, but the accent and name told me he was Italian. Santino Russo… what a fine specimen of Alpha hotness he was. He had chiseled facial features and a strong masculine look. His Italian-cut suit was perfectly tailored to his muscular physique.
“Breathe,” Azura reminded me, and I did. The scent of sandalwood, vanilla, and a hint of coffee filled my nose. It was him. He was in the olive grove earlier today.
“Did you enjoy the hunt today?” I asked as I took his arm. “Indeed. Though my wolf was distracted by the most
delicious scent.”
“You don’t say. Anything in particular?” We began walking toward the exit to join the others for the ceremony outside. He walked with an air of confidence some might mistake as arrogance. This Alpha was sure of himself.
“It was the finest Greek honey I have ever scented, with a hint of orange blossom.” He kept his cool eyes focused

ahead as we neared the waiting guests. My heart hammered in my chest realizing he was describing my scent.
I tried to look calm and relaxed, but all eyes turned to us. Alpha Russo was a handsome sight to behold, but I had a feeling they were staring at me. The dress, hair, and makeup caused more than a few jaws to drop. We reached the front rows where my family was seated. Alpha Russo escorted me to the open seat between my brothers before he took his seat somewhere behind us.
I sat in stunned silence trying to process what had just happened. I don’t recall ever meeting him and yet he seemed to know exactly who I was. He hadn’t confused me for Alice.
“Do we know Alpha Russo?” I whispered to Damien.
“He may have been at Thea’s mating ceremony. Her mate is his cousin. He’s the only son of Alpha Salvatore Russo and took over the pack in northern Tuscany two years ago.”
Thea was my cousin from the Moon Warriors pack. She had been adopted by Uncle Hades’ sister, Giota and her mate Ninos. Thea met her mate, Alpha Dante Mancuso, while on vacation in Sicily when she was twenty-four. I was only fifteen at the time and can’t remember if Santino was there. Though I’m sure he had to be, his cousin had the only pack on the island of Sicily. I’d have to ask Thea to fill me in after the ceremony.
My father waited at the altar as he prepared to officiate the ceremony. Kyros and Anya made their way down the aisle, and everyone stood as pack members bowed their heads in respect. I caught sight of Aleksei who was seated with his family on the other side of the aisle. Aleksei’s uncle

and namesake from Russia was also in attendance and seated beside him. I had heard whispers his uncle was involved in Russian organized crime, but no one really talked about it.
We took our seats and listened as my brother and Anya pledged their loyalty and life to the pack as Alpha and Luna. Anya was dressed in a beautiful white gown, and her long golden hair was woven with fresh flowers. She looked like an angel or apparition. My brother stood tall and proud, looking like a clone of my father with his olive skin and honey-colored eyes. I tried to focus, but my thoughts drifted back to the mystery Alpha. Twenty minutes later, applause and howls rang out as my father introduced the new Alpha and Luna.
Everyone moved to the large elegant outdoor tents that had been set up to host the celebration event. The caterers moved quickly with appetizers and drinks as everyone found their seats. My sister and her mate joined the table with my parents and grandparents. I quickly seated myself at a different table with Thea and her mate. Alpha Dante was busy scolding their son, while Thea was rocking their sleeping daughter in her arms.
In my haste to speak with Thea, I had forgotten what Damien had told me. Alpha Dante and Santino were cousins. So, it shouldn’t have surprised me when Santino sauntered over to the same round table I was now seated at.
Santino and Dante shook hands and exchanged a few words in Italian. He reached for Thea’s hand and kissed the top of it before he leaned down and kissed the sleeping baby’s forehead. From the corner of my eye, I could see Aleksei watching us, and he didn’t look so happy.

“Anabeth,” that smooth Italian accent greeted me, and I smiled up at him. Santino gave me a confident smile and moved closer. He pulled the chair next to me out and sat down. I could feel his thigh lightly grazing mine.
Without skipping a beat, Santino reached for a platter of appetizers and set a few down on my plate. Then he forked some onto his plate and passed the platter to Dante, who did the same. Thea gave me a questioning look and misconceived hope filled her eyes. I quickly grabbed my fork and started eating, hoping others wouldn’t notice.
“Good luck with that,” Azura snickered as we caught the obvious glances my family was sending our way. My mother looked like she was ready to rush over with glee in her eyes. She was probably envisioning the mating ceremony and grandpups already. Thankfully, my father had a firm arm around her to spare me the humiliation.
Ninos and Giota joined our table along with Lukas and Beky. Santino seemed completely unaffected and continued with dinner as if we were all one big happy family. The conversation flowed, Ninos made us laugh on several occasions, Beky recommended some books to Thea, and Dante invited everyone for a Sicilian vacation. Santino paused twice to refill my wineglass and even asked if there was anything else I wanted.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you two were an item,” Lukas said through the mind link.
Unsure of what to say, I smiled and lifted my glass of wine to my lips. The attraction I felt to the Alpha seated beside me was stunning. I wasn’t sure what was happening. For a moment, I considered if he could be a second chance mate. But it wasn’t possible… I had rejected my first mate.

When he escorted me to the ceremony, he had touched my hand. I didn’t feel the sparks everyone always talks about when they touch their mate. Hell, I didn’t even get a chance to feel it with Aleksei. What I did feel when Santino touched me was goosebumps and my heart accelerate. His masculine energy did something to me.
“His wolf is strong,” Azura hummed. She was a fierce and proud Alpha wolf. She knew our only hope of ever finding a mate would be with a strong Alpha who wasn’t intimidated by her. The only problem was most Alphas needed their fated mates to ensure offspring because chosen mates didn’t reproduce easily.
Dessert was being served as the music started. Kyros and Anya took to the dance floor and were soon joined by several other couples.
“Dance with me,” Santino said and reached for my hand.
It wasn’t a question, but more of a command. I hesitated.
“I won’t bite unless you want me to,” he flashed me a smile and I stood to follow him to the dance floor. The first few songs would be traditional slow dances for the couples, but this was Greece and Greek dancing would dominate the dance floor soon.
Santino wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him as we started dancing. My eyes were level with his chin, and I had the perfect view of his immaculately groomed short facial hair. In this lighting, his dark brown hair looked as raven black as mine. The heat of his chest pressed up against me and it roused unexpected desires within me.
“People are staring,” I murmured and tried to pull back a little, but he held me closer. He leaned his head down and I

felt the warmth of his lips brush my ear.
“Of course, they’re staring, you’re beautiful,” his velvety voice whispered.
“Alpha—”
“Santino. Please, call me Santino,” he corrected. “Santino, my family will assume—”
“That we could be mates?” He finished.
“Yes, and I don’t want to get their hopes up,” I could see my Grammy Lucy watching us from her table.
“You’d make an excellent mate for me, Anabeth.” He continued dancing without missing a step.
“Excuse me?”
“Not many people know this about me, but my first mate was killed in a terrible accident. I’m twenty-six and still mateless.” His dark eyes held mine with such intensity.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Just as I’m sorry to hear your mate wanted your sister.” He twirled us around and my heart skipped a beat.
“You overheard my conversation in the olive grove today…” I accused.
“That sorry excuse of a Beta didn’t deserve you,” Santino scoffed. Aleksei had Alpha blood, but Santino would have sensed a lower rank because of his strong wolf. Santino was obviously the product of two Alpha wolves, just as I was.

“And you do?” I asked.
“I would treat you the way you deserved to be treated, Anabeth. Say the word and I will proclaim you my mate right here, right now,” his lips neared mine and stopped. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me.
“I just met you. It’s a bit soon, isn’t it?” I nervously chuckled.
“If you plan to convince anyone we’re mates, it will need to be quick. Even second chance mates would know quickly. But if you’d prefer to go slow, we could become chosen mates,” he gave me a knowing smile.
There was no way I could tell my family the truth now. I had kept it hidden for two years already. I was never going to find an Alpha mate in Greece because the five packs were ruled by my LaRue, Kappas, and Theodorus family members. Italy was practically next door, just across the Ionian Sea.
But… do I really want a mate?
“We can go back to Italy and take it slow. Get to know each other. If you decide I’m not the one, you can tell your family anything you want to justify leaving me.”
“There’s something you should know about me. Well… about my wolf.”
“I’ve heard about the size of the Theodorus wolves. It doesn’t bother my wolf in the least bit.”
The song ended and everyone started clapping. I pulled away from Santino but couldn’t pull my eyes away from his dark eyes. He reached for me again and his lips came

crashing down to mine in an instant. I wasn’t sure if I should push him away or kiss him back. Then his lips moved, and his masculine scent filled my nose. It felt good and I let out a soft moan. He smiled against my lips and continued kissing me. Alpha Santino stood in the center of the dance floor claiming my lips for all to see.
A growl rumbled behind us, and we turned to find Aleksei’s face contorted with anger. He had no right to be angry. The next song started playing and everyone returned to dancing. A moment later, Aleksei was standing beside us.
“May I have the next dance?” He tried to force a smile on his face.
“You may not,” Santino answered firmly. “I wasn’t asking you!” Aleksei seethed.
“Anabeth is my second chance mate,” Santino said in a low, but deadly tone. “Your ship has sailed. You’re welcome to challenge me, but that would require telling everyone the truth. Now might not be a good time to let Alpha Cortez know you were fucking his mate while refusing yours.”