6. The big day

HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW

  All day long, Hendrix continues to get on my nerves. He’s mad we’re not taking the lead in the Cadet Program this year. He’s mad I’m “wasting my time” studying biochemistry instead of leading our people. He’s mad I’m not Alpha yet. He’s mad I’m not mated yet. He’s mad I’m not there welcoming the Cadets on their arrival. He’s mad I’m thinking in a human way. He’s mad I’m thinking too loudly. He might as well be mad I’m breathing.

 In previous years, while I was in college, I was able to take a more prominent role in the Program. Hendrix was very happy with that. Both of us are really passionate about improving the quality of life in Ghost Pack, and the Cadet Program is one way to do that. But, as a grad student, I’ll be less involved in the next few years.

 Within our territory, unbeknownst to most humans, we have a thriving town. We host a couple family-run markets, restaurants showcasing the cultural diversity in our pack, a small movie theater, apparel stores, bakeries, a dance studio, cafés, bookstores, accounting offices, a law firm run by Mom… whatever you’re looking for, you’ll likely find it there. And whoever is running those places, they are likely a former Cadet putting their college degree to use. Using their college degree in the pack’s benefit.

 Whatever you can’t find within the pack, you will 100% be able to find in Waterloo, the closest human city. Our pack is great. Or maybe I’m biased because it’s MY pack…

 “Nope, we’ve traveled elsewhere, our pack really is a very good one,” Hendrix says.

 He’s not the rational one in our duo, but I love using him as validation for my own not-so-rational thoughts. Ah, the perks of being Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!

 “The perks of being a werewolf!” He corrects me.

 In addition to those places, we have institutions run by the pack itself. Gym, training center, schools, pool, daycare, library, hospital, you name it – and they’re all very good.

 I had a great experience at Ghost Pack Elementary and Ghost Pack Middle School, but they’re small community schools. My horizons really started to broaden when I went to boarding school in Toronto for high school, instead of attending Ghost Pack High.

 Building a college within our territory was one of Father’s dreams. My time in Toronto got me hyped up about it, too. So Sandy Hills College was a collective effort of myself, Father, Grandfather, and Olivier. Its name honors the ones who gave their lives to protect our pack in the war.

 Before SHC, pack members would attend college in the nearby human cities. SHC also helped improve the Cadet Program. Logistically, long commutes, clashing class schedules, and paying tuition to several schools wasn’t too great. So, in the seven years since SHC was established, the Program has improved tremendously.

 Hendrix is so proud of it, preening like a damn peacock, pointing out how he’s a great Alpha looking after his pack. He forgets it’s mostly MY brainchild, but whatever.

 “We are one.” He rolls his eyes.

 Of course, as a wolf, Hendrix is really into the training part. That’s what he cares about the most, that we’re training warriors to defend our pack.

 I keep telling him we’re at peace and surrounded by allies. The three closest packs to us are even ruled by other people in the Temple family, we’re all second cousins, for crying out loud!

****

 After my lab hours and a brief chat with Dr. Tremblay, I drive back to the territory.

 Everyone at the Pack House is very excited about the welcoming dinner, especially the kids.

 The Small Hall is, despite its name, a large dining room where we hold events and host people. We use it when we have visiting Alphas or business partners. But, growing up, my favorite thing about it was when Father would invite people over.

 He has the habit of inviting random pack members for dinner at least twice a week. This way, I got to meet construction workers, teachers, business owners, cops, welders… It was part of my training, because I got to learn about how different parts of the pack are run, and it was also a character-forming experience. An Alpha needs to know and respect his people.

 He still does that, because my siblings and some of the Beta’s, Gamma’s, and Delta’s children are still young. For the last two years, Rhys and Olivier have been attending.

 Anyway, having dinner at the Small Hall is a great event and a huge honor for pack members. Every year since the Cadet Program started, they have been welcomed by all the ranked wolves with this event.

 As the Luna, Daphne was the one who planned the décor and the menu and all the small details that make the usually dull Small Hall look like a fancy gala venue today.

 There are five tables, which will soon be filled by the five members of each cohort, and their generals. Except for Savannah, who is a general this year but, as the Alpha’s daughter’s mate – woosh, that was a mouthful – will be sitting with all the ranked wolves at the table on the dais.

 I’m wearing a grey suit, a white shirt, and black shoes. No tie for me.

 Everyone else is in suits and gowns, while Sav is wearing a jumpsuit. Our table is huge, as it has to accommodate a total of 26 people, including all ranked members, their mates, their children, plus Rhys and Olivier. Delta Linda’s oldest son, Isaac, is a new Cadet this year, so he’ll be at the regular tables with his peers.

 Right now, in the dressing room right behind the Small Hall, I can hear the Cadets’ excited giggles and “aws”. I smile. I’m happy they’re having a good time. I can only hope their entire Cadet Program will be a good experience for them.

 Once we get the mind link saying all Cadets and generals are seated, we enter the hall. Hendrix is hopping around in my head. I’m standing by Father’s side, as the Cadets clap.

 I feel something in my chest. My breathing goes ragged.

 My nose is filled with an enchanting, seducing, drool-worthy scent of barbecue and grass. Like a hangout at the park with friends and family. Like a warm, fuzzy embrace. Like heaven.

 My mind goes hazy, and my knees go weak.

 Get a grip, Holden.

 I look through the tables below me, searching for the source of this enticing smell.

 And I see her.

 The most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

 She has long, dark brown hair curled to perfection, and she’s wearing a blue, tight-fitting gown. She turns her head and looks at me.

 I see a hazel storm in her eyes.

 Her mouth opens in an O shape, and I can hear her heartbeat spiking up.

 We lock eyes.

 Get a grip, Holden.

 “Mate!” Hendrix and I say, in unison. I mentally pat myself on the back for saying it only to her in the mind link. Her connection is weak.

 “Mate!” She says back.

 Then I see the lankiest blonde surfer wannabe in the world lean in to whisper in her ear.

 Father is already giving his welcome speech and I don’t want to make a scene.

 Okay, I want to make a scene. I want to cross the hall in long strides, to yank the kid away from my mate, and to kiss her in front of everybody. I want to pick her up and carry her to the dais so she can be in her rightful place, by my side, as my Luna.

 “Do it!” Hendrix says.

 Instead, I growl at her in the mind link. Father seems to feel it, though, as he side-eyes me.

 “Mine!” I snarl, to her ears only.

 She stiffens and visibly distances herself from the kid. Good.

 The guy looks up at me and back at her. He seems to understand what’s going on, as he gives me a huge, irritating grin. I want to punch that grin off his face. He raises his palms up, in surrender.

 “Who’s this kid? Let’s kill him!” Hendrix growls.

 I look around. Everything seems to be going normally, no one else seems to have noticed our interaction. Except for Father, who shoots me a glance every now and then, as he continues his speech.

 To my right, Nick raises a questioning brow.

 “Later,” I tell him in the mind link.

 Now, what? I have to wait until dinner is over to get to her. I have to play my role as the future Alpha.

 “Fuck the dinner, let’s have a snack!” Hendrix says.

 “Couldn’t agree more,” I mumble.

 My eyes run quickly through the hall. Then I see it. The washroom

 “Excuse yourself to the ladies’ room after the speech,” I tell her. I try to sound calm. I don’t. I sound like my heart is exploding. And it just might be.

 She gives me the briefest of nods.

 And now, I wait.