As Max pulled his tie tighter, he commented on how pointless these minor events were. "What is the purpose of being dressed up to the nines when we are all going to strip down?"
Together with Dean, the Alpha of the Blood River Park, he had made his way to the massive gathering that had been arranged by the council.
"Are you talking about when we shift or about some random female you're going to screw after?" Dean inquired casually.
"Either. Who is coming over tonight, and how many people will be there?
"Some pack from California, but I can't remember the name of the Alpha."
"Mating parties are the worst. When was the last time you came to this dump place?"
Dean said, "There's no reason for me either. I have found my mate."
"It's no surprise that Cayden doesn't take part in events like this," Max murmured.
"Did he also discover his mate? To put it another way, why isn't he here?" Dean asked.
Max came to the realisation that he had been foolish; he had almost disclosed the fact that Cayden had a mate, but the situation was complicated.
"He is attending the mating ritual of Hawk's son."
Dean's eyes darkened.
"Along with Selena, he was invited."
"Would it be safe for him to go?"
"In a fit of rage, he can wipe out Hawk's entire army. However, that's not the point at all. To appeal the decision to the council, he needs proof, and we should also see if we can get Hawk's son on our side."
"I have heard that he is an asshole."
"Me too," Max answered. "Have you seen Ruben around here anywhere?"
"Umm, no, but I see the other three leaders of the council. They won't consider what you have to say. Hawk has them in his pockets."
Max heaved a sigh and then walked away.
"Where are you going?" Dean called out.
"Trying to pick up ladies with the help of my dreamboat. Good looks." Max smiled and turned his head.
Dean let out a chuckle.
"Have a good time. Who knows, maybe you may meet the love of your life."
Max let out a snort.
"Don't speak ill of me. I'd be pleased if I never had a mate. Settle down with one woman? Sounds miserable."
Dean shrugged.
"How do I look?" Max asked.
"Like a fucking ken doll," Dean answered. "You need to get yourself a Barbie to bang."
Max chuckled to himself as he made his way down to the party.
Alpha Keith extended a warm welcome to Max. "Thank you for joining us. You're late as usual."
He had known Cayden's and Max's dad for a long time and considered them friends.
"Alpha Keith, it's great to see you."
Max took a glance at all the young people around. A soundtrack was playing in the background while the guests socialised with the other members of the pack. Before the key speeches and the run, this would go on for an entire hour.
Seven people made up the council in total. They were former senior alphas who had retired from their respective packs and were now serving on the council. After a significant amount of bloodshed in the civil war, the council was established two centuries ago. Initially, the council exerted a higher control over the packs. However, as time went on, their primary concern became concealing the fact that werewolves existed. As long as their actions did not affect the humans, the packs were free to do whatever they wished. Over the years, it had also grown corrupt. The influential Alphas lobbied to get their minions to be elected as the council head. Regarding the pack's behaviour, there were neither norms nor regulations in place. Because the council didn't care, the tyrant, Alpha, would escape punishment. It was the primary factor that led to Cayden's misfortune.
To approach Ruben, Max had to navigate the crowded area with caution.
"Councilman Ruben," he said as he made a small bow. "Would you mind if I spoke with you for a moment?" Max stated.
*********************
Selena had the impression that her dad's home was rather large, but after visiting Cayden's property, she realized it was much smaller. Although it was not as large as Cayden's, he, too, had a fountain in the driveway of his home. As soon as Cayden and Selena walked through the front door, all the guests' gazes were drawn to them. The conversation came to a halt, only to resume a second later, but this time it was done so with their hands in front of their faces and with sidelong looks in her way. Everyone was discussing her everywhere they went. Even though she wanted to run away, she made herself stand straight and seem calm despite the rising heat that was creeping into her cheeks. Cayden attempted to calm her down by placing his hand on the small of her back, and for a little while, it was successful.
Cayden pushed her farther into the room as she drew a quick breath and waited for him to release her. In the wide space that served as the reception and dining hall, there were many little tables set up with appetisers. Her gaze scanned the room and saw her brother standing at the far end of it. His mate was decked out in a brand-new golden gown that reached the floor and gave the impression that she was a princess. Memories of growing up there and with her mother flooded Selena, realizing that she needed to drink something, something strong. A second later, Cayden placed a glass of red wine in front of her face. She was taken aback by his selection of red.
"Red is said to have a calming effect. Maybe you need it too."
As they made their way toward the platform, she was quickly jolted out of her momentary state of calm. Hawk made grand movements with his arms and laughed the loudest. While the folks who had gathered around him tried to look interested and give the impression that he was saying something hilarious.
Cayden drank a significant amount of wine, hoping it would swiftly calm him down. There would be a time for retribution in the future, but that moment was not right now. As he brought Selena closer to Hawk, he maintained a firm hold on her.
"Pleasant party, Mr. Hawk," he remarked.
Hawk displayed a dazzling grin. "Ah, lovely to see you Cayden." At long last, his ice-cold gaze focused entirely on Selena.
She exerted more pressure on the glass, but she kept a composed expression on her face. She questioned whether she was successful. The fire of wrath raged through practically every part of her body.
"I hope my daughter is keeping you happy," he said falsely.
'Daughter?' Selena thought. Say something. Say something. But all she could think about was how she had suffered because of this man.
"I'm happy," Cayden said quietly.
"I find it hard to believe that you could drag yourself out of bed. But even you have to take a break every once in a while, right?" Hawk extended his hand and tapped Cayden on the shoulder in a kind manner. "I hope that the present you received continues to meet all of your expectations. Otherwise, I can provide more for you to try if you grow tired of this one."
The expression of hatred on Selena's face was clear. Her wolf howled in. Once more, Cayden put her hand on her side to warn her, but it was already too late. She bit her lips together and struggled to hold back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Hawk was an even more terrifying villain than Cayden.
"I wouldn't get sick of her."
"That's good, is she? Happy to see that you like her. You know if I knew she was that useful, I would have given her to you instead of Gerald."
Cayden didn't say anything. His features were as hard as stone, and the tight hold he had on Selena's waist was excruciating. You will die. He thought.
"Let's pay a visit to the joyous couple right away." He needed to get away to regain his composure.
Hawk nodded and agreed, but he never took his gaze off Selena as he spoke.
"But before you go, I'd like to have a word with you. I would want to make a business suggestion to you that would be mutually helpful to both of our packs."
"Of course, I will look forward to that," Cayden answered.
When they could finally get some distance from Hawk, Selena let out a shaky breath.
Cayden whispered in her ear, "You need to be careful. You should try to find out how your half-brother feels."