Chapter 82 - The Beta's Fate

The ballroom was lively with the many guests that showed up for the future king's 18th birthday. Alpha Prince Eli stood next to his mother, Queen Lia, and his father, King Maxon, welcoming the Alpha’s and Luna’s of the fifty packs that were invited. These Alpha’s and Luna’s came with their daughter’s hoping that one of them would be the future Queen. So far, none showed to be. Eli was a little disheartened, but he knew it would happen one day. His father didn’t find his mother until he was thirty. But he really did not want to wait that long.

When they had greeted the twentieth Alpha family, he side-eyed his father.

“Go, have fun. Dance with some of the she-wolves. Your mother and I will welcome the rest.”

Eli smiled and bowed to his mother and father and entered the ballroom. He was instantly surrounded by his friends and some of the she-wolves he had met.

Wes watched his nephew mingle with his friends and grinned. He remembered his 18th birthday. It was not nearly this lively. He was at Alpha training school. His parents came to visit, but all he really wanted was his girls. His comrades had taken him out after his parents had left with the permission of King Bousse. He tried to have a good time at one of the dance clubs they had taken him to, but all he ended up doing was watching his friends hook up while he turned down every she-wolf that approached him. It was a relief when they got back to their dorms, and he was able to sleep.

“Wes, take Farrah onto the dance floor. She’s dying to dance,” Dawn said.

Wes looked at his mate. He lifted her hand and kissed it, then turned to his other mate and swept her into his arms and onto the dance floor.

He loved his girls, but he was still trying to navigate how to spend time with both of them without slighting the other.

“Farrah, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, my love. Ask anything.”

“Do you and Dawn ever feel slighted if I pay attention to one of you first and then the other? Like if Dawn didn’t tell me to dance with you and I asked her first, would you have been upset?”

“Are you asking me if one of us feels like you love the other more?”

“Something like that.”

“The answer is no. If you had asked Dawn to dance, I would have been happy that my sister was dancing with our mate, and she would feel the same. I would know that I would be getting a turn next. And so would have Dawn. Wes, Dawn and I may be two separate women, but as a mate to you, we are one. We know we must take turns for your attention sometimes. There is no jealousy between us. If there is a time you want to spend a couple of days with just Dawn, I am fine with that. Dawn feels the same way. Neither of us would feel slighted. All we ask is you don’t ignore us. Just let us know if you want some alone time with yourself, with your friends, your family, one on one time with one of us, or a date with both of us.”

“You two are the best mates.”

“We think you are pretty awesome too,” she said.

He grinned at her, then leaned down and kissed her. All of a sudden, he heard a squeal, and he looked up to see Dawn in another man’s arms. His back was to him, and he was wrapped around her. Farrah gasped, but before she could say anything, Wes let out a mighty roar. Other dancers stopped, the music halted, as Wes rushed over to Dawn.

He ripped the man off of Dawn. He was about to throw him across the room, but the man laughed with joy and wrapped his arms around Wes.

“Wes, it’s so good to see you,” he said.

Wes stood frozen. Who in the f*ck is this guy?

“Jaxon,” Farrah squealed. Then she jumped into his arms.

Jaxon caught her and twirled her around. The musicians, seeing nothing was happening, started up the music and the dancing resumed.

Wes observed Jaxon as he put Farrah down. The girls were chatting animatedly with him. He was a charismatic guy with a wide smile that Wes saw had dimples that he knew girls probably went gah gah for. He had dark auburn hair like his mother. Although, Aunt Stella’s hair was a brighter red, Wes suspected the reason why Jaxon’s was so dark was because of his father’s black hair. His eyes were green, his face was clean-shaven and chiseled. He was an inch shorter than his own six-foot six, but he was pretty muscular. Not as muscular as him, h*ll no one was, but he was big. He looked around and saw many she-wolves admiring him, not that he noticed. He only had eyes for Dawn and Farrah right now. It was a little irritating. He cleared his throat.

“Jaxon, it's been a while, I’m glad you could make it.”

“It sure has. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, not when Farrah and Dawn are here to keep me company. I haven’t seen you since the girls' fourteenth birthday party.

“Yes, well as you know, I was away,” Wes said, with irritation.

“I know, and I was here entertaining our girls, keeping them happy while you were off saving the world.”

Wes felt his blood start to boil.

“My girls,” he growled out.

“Now, now, let’s not start that old argument. We’re all family.”

“You are n…”

“Wes, is it my turn to dance?” Dawn asked.

He looked at her and he melted. He gave her a small smile and nodded. He looked at Jaxon again and with a glare towards him, he whisked Dawn to the dance floor.

“Why do you let him get to you? You know he is just pushing your buttons,” Dawn said, as she played with the back of his hair.

Shivers from the tingles went down his spine and he felt himself relaxing in her arms.

“He’s been claiming you as his since we were 2.”

“So have you,” she smiled.

“Yes, but I knew you were mine. I have always known. He did it because he'd always been a mischievous brat. Even Aunt Stella and Uncle Kane say so. The story of me getting my wolf so young is legendary.”

“And it’s all thanks to him,” she said.

“Yes, well. I needed to protect what was mine.”

“You are so serious sometimes. He is just joking. He wouldn’t do it so much if you didn’t let it get to you.”

“Dawn, another man claiming you are his, drives Con and me insane. Whether he is joking or not, I can not handle it. I have waited ages to be able to claim you two, so to hear another man do it, even if it is in jest, makes me see red.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t want another woman claiming you are hers. Look how I reacted at training the other day.”

“It was extremely hot. I wanted to take you right then and there,” he said with a grin. She bloomed red and he adored it.

“Don’t look now, but Jaxon and Farrah are dancing.”

He heard Con growl in his head.

“It’s fine, I trust Farrah and, in a way, I know I can trust Jaxon. I just don’t like his flirting and claiming you as his.”

“You’re such a good Alpha,” Dawn teased.

He leaned down and growled at her, nuzzling her neck. She giggled with pleasure.

The meal started. Jaxon sat across from the girls and Wes. Conversation flowed and Jaxon’s flirting was becoming outrageous. He would whisper something, making one of them blush, and Wes rolled his eyes. He would crack inappropriate jokes and then wink at the girls, making them giggle uncontrollably. Wes’ final straw was when he lifted Dawn’s hand and acted like he was going to kiss it, and then his eyes darted to Wes, and he smirked at the dagger like stare Wes gave him.

“You know I am just teasing you, Wes. You are looking at me like you want to kill me.”

“Jaxon, we are friends, close ones, whether I like it or not. But there are even some lines one should not cross. Try to kiss the hand of one of my mates again, and I will rip your throat out,” he growled.

Farrah exchanged a glance with Dawn, a spark of concern passing silently between them. The playful mood of the night shifted, the tension thick enough to taste.

Jaxon laughed, unafraid. “Don’t worry yourself too much, Wes. I enjoy pushing your buttons. You make it so easy.”

“It’s one thing to tease, another to disrespect,” Wes replied, his gaze unwavering.

Jaxon sighed and held up his hands, “Alright, alright. I’ll relent for the rest of the night. Besides, there’s a little redhead over there that’s been eyeing me all night. After dinner, I am going to go introduce myself,” he said, staring intently at the red head down way on the other side of the table. She blushed and looked away, making Jaxon chuckle.

“You are shameless Jaxon Silver,” Farrah said, giggling. Dawn just shook her head and rubbed Wes’ thigh under the table. Her touch calmed him.

He looked at her and leaned towards her to kiss her cheek. The celebration continued and the jovial atmosphere returned. Wes relaxed and danced more with his mates.

King Maxon let out a command for silence.

“I have just gotten word that King Bousse from Canada has arrived. This is quite an honor. Let’s show him and his entourage welcome when they enter the ballroom.”

He and his Queen left the ballroom. Wes smiled at the excited look on Eli’s face. King Bousse was a legend in his own right. It was definitely an honor for him to show up on Eli’s 18th birthday.

The King and his brother, followed by Queen Lia and Queen Magdalena and their entourage, came through the ballroom doors. Everyone bowed deeply. King Bousse gave out a booming laugh. He said there was no need for any of this, that it was the future Alpha Kings night. Just think of him and his family as any other guests.

That’s what Wes liked about him. He was a down-to-earth King. Suddenly, a loud roar went through the air.

“MINE!”

Wes watched as Eli rushed towards someone behind King Bousse. Everyone moved out of Eli’s way, and he hauled a petite blonde into his arms. She looked like a pixie, she was so little. She barely came up to Eli’s chest. He picked her up and buried his face in her neck. Wes smiled wide as everyone cheered.

“Who is she, Wes?” Farrah asked.

“That’s Bettina, one of King Bousse’s daughters. She’s the nice one.”

“Is there a mean one?” Dawn asked.

“Wes! Hello lover.”