Boris pulls up behind another car, stopped at the gate entrance. Jaxon is in the passenger seat, while Destan is catching some shut-eye in the back. “Yo, Destan,” Jaxon calls out.
“We’re here,” Destan grumbles, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He yawns, and Jaxon makes a face. “Ewww, dude, you need mouthwash.” He waves his hand in front of his face, as if to clear the air.
Boris hits the button to roll down all the windows, letting in some fresh air.
“Fuck you... both,” Destan chuckles, scratching his bearded chin.
Boris slowly drives up to the guarded gate. “Hey,” is all he says to the guard who stops them.
“Which one of you gentlemen is here for the tournament?” the first guard asks.
“That would be the smelly one in the back,” Boris says, thumbing towards Destan, who just salutes the guard without saying a word.
“Name, please,” the first guard asks.
“Destan, son of Alpha James and Luna Jenna of the Moon Creek Pack,” he answers, leaning back with his arms crossed over his massive chest. The first guard checks the list and nods.
He then nods at the second guard, who makes a call and waves Boris to drive on in.
They’re met by Luna Cassie of the Silver Lake Pack, who’s accompanied by a very beautiful woman. She extends her hand with a huge smile on her face. “Alpha Destan.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“I’m not the Alpha... yet.” He shakes her hand, then smiles at the beautiful woman by her side.
Her shoulder-length gold hair flows loosely, complimenting her golden skin, and her light blue eyes are clear like water. “And you are?” He gives her his million-dollar smile.
“Hello, my name is Ingrid and I am Luna Cassie’s Beta.” At the mention of Beta, Jaxon pushes his way in to move Destan over as he takes Ingrid’s hand in his.
“Hello, I’m Beta Jaxon and it is my pleasure to meet you.” He lightly kisses the top of her hand, making her blush.
Jaxon then turns to look at Destan and winks, knowing fully well he’s bagged this beauty.
“Beta, please show these gentlemen to their quarters and let them know the process,” Luna Cassie smiles at the trio. “Again, welcome. I hope that you enjoy your stay. Sorry that I can’t stay and chat.
“I have yet to greet the other Alphas that have arrived.”
“No worries, Luna, and thank you,” Destan says from a distance, feeling self-conscious of his breath.
“This way, please.” Beta Ingrid motions them to follow her down a path to a cabin away from the pack house. Once they enter, Ingrid starts talking.
“There are four bedrooms and three full baths, a full kitchen that’s full of food that has been pre-cooked so whenever you get hungry in between hours when we eat.” She takes out a paper from her back pocket and hands it to Destan.
“That paper consists of the tournament dates, times, and what kind of battle it would be. There are three. A fourth one has been left blank for you to choose.” She looks at her watch. “It’s three o’clock.
“You have time to freshen up before dinner, which is at six in the main pack house.” Ingrid walks towards the door, but before leaving, she turns to look at the men. “Do you have any questions?”
“Umm, what are you doing later tonight?” Jaxon asks, smirking. Ingrid rolls her eyes at him playfully.
“Tonight after dinner, we’re having a bonfire so that everyone can get to know each other.”
“Wait,” Boris stops her in her tracks. “What if one of the other Alphas that is part of the tournament finds someone else and wants to be mated to that person?”
“That’s fine. He will forfeit and we will congratulate the new couple.” She smiles then leaves before any more questions can be asked.
“That sounds promising,” Boris shrugs as he grabs his bag in search of a room.
Both Destan and Jaxon also grab their bags and pick a room to freshen up in. Destan heads straight to the shower and brushes his teeth.
Once all freshened up, he comes out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his lower torso, exposing his deep V lines. He has another towel to dry his hair, then lets it hang over his shoulders.
He unzips his bag and removes his clothes that are still neat and wrinkle-free. He puts on a pair of boxer briefs and just lies on the king-size bed, stretching out his muscles.
He hates sleeping in cars. He’s too big to be scrunched up with next to no space. He closes his eyes for what feels like five minutes when he hears a knock on his door.
Without opening his eyes, he calls for the intruder to come in.
“Hey Destan,” Boris walks in. He’s wearing dark blue jeans, a white T-shirt with a blue and white flannel shirt over. Boris has showered and shaved.
Destan guesses that Boris wants to make a good impression. Maybe he’ll be lucky and find a mate of his own. “Dude, are you gonna get ready?”
“What the fuck, Boris? It’s still early.” Destan places his left arm over his eyes.
“Bruh, it’s fifteen minutes to six.” Destan removes his arm and looks at Boris in confusion. He only closed his eyes for five minutes, right?
Destan looks at his watch lying on the side table and notices how late it is. He quickly jumps up and puts on his black jeans, black T-shirt, and his black and red flannel shirt, which he leaves open.
He then puts on his black boots, runs his fingers through his hair, and puts on his watch. Boris laughs as he follows Destan out to the living room. Jaxon also wears black jeans with a navy blue T-shirt.
“My, my, don’t you look sexy,” Jaxon teases, winking at Destan. “If you don’t win, I’ll totally make you my mate.” He gives Destan a once-over, appreciating the view. “Mmm mmm mmm.”
“Only for you, babycakes.” Destan winks back, playing along. “I know you can’t resist staring at my beautiful ass.” He turns and slaps his ass, making Jaxon squeal like a girl.
Boris rolls his eyes, shaking his head. “I hope you boys don’t talk to each other like that or we’ll be driving home tonight.”
“You’re no fun, Boris,” Jaxon pouts. “I think he’s jealous that I prefer your ass over his.” Boris grabs a pillow and smacks Jaxon over the head. “Hey, watch the hair.” He smooths it out.
They arrive at the pack house, which is already packed, and people are seated. They notice a man in his fifties walking towards them. He’s well-built, strong, and his aura screams Alpha.
“Hello, gentlemen, and welcome. I’m Alpha Blake.” Alpha Blake is momentarily lost for words when he sees how big Destan is.
“Hello, Alpha Blake. I’m Destan, and this is my Beta Jaxon and my Delta Boris.”
“Wow, Destan, I didn’t expect such a…” He’s cut off by Jaxon.
“A huge beast, right?” Jaxon chuckles. “Yeah, he’s gonna create babies that will be eight feet tall.” He claps Destan on the back, making him bite the inside of his cheeks to stop from laughing.
However, Alpha Blake bursts out laughing.
“Well, if you win my daughter,” he smiles. “I kinda feel sorry for her.” Destan laughs along with Alpha Blake.
“Come, sit with me and my Luna Cassie and, of course, our children.” Destan and the guys follow Alpha Blake towards a large dining table that’s occupied with Alpha Blake’s family and the other three Alphas that have arrived.
Destan feels all eyes on him. He sticks out like a sore thumb. But there’s one particular pair of eyes on him, and those are the same honey-colored eyes he saw in the picture Beta Dalton showed him.
His green eyes meet hers as he nears the table, finally sitting across from her. He doesn’t remove his eyes from the beauty in front of him even as her father speaks.
“Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to the upcoming Alpha Destan from the Moon Creek Pack,” Blake proudly announces. He then introduces the other Alphas at the table.
“This is Alpha Brian Daytees of the Black Claw Pack, Norman Hamil of the Red River Pack, and Ken Judd of the Woodlands Pack.
Each man sizes him up, but Destan only smirks as he shakes their hands with a very strong grip.
“This is Jaxon, his Beta, and Boris, his Delta.” Jaxon and Boris remain in their spots, glaring at the other Betas and Deltas within the room. Alpha Blake then introduces his family.
“As you already know, this is my mate Luna Cassie, my son Benz, his twin sister Lady Jaime, and of course the one every young man came here to challenge, my daughter Waverly.”
“Lady Waverly,” Destan smiles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He sits across from her, his green eyes never leaving her honey-colored ones.
Waverly only smirks as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Charmed,” she deadpans.
