Chapter 2 Chapter Two

When Tiberius and Leilani stopped about three steps from the bottom of the staircase the entire crowd yelled “Congratulations and Happy Birthday Leilani” in unison. She blushed. Leilani has always hated being the center of attention even when she was little. As a future alpha she will have to get used to being front and center for everything. Our entire pack will revolve around her and her decisions.

Alpha Tiberius waves his hand in the air to silence the crowd. “First, I want to thank everyone for coming out to celebrate my precious Leilani. As you all know, tonight is her first shift, and she will be one step closer to being the next alpha.  It was eighteen years ago today when my beautiful wife and mate gave birth to this miracle. We had tried for years to conceive with no luck. One summer day my mate Liliana puked in her purse in the middle of an alpha meeting. I rushed her to the pack doctor thinking something was seriously wrong, only to find out Liliana was carrying my most prized possession. Four excruciatingly long months and several scares later Liliana gives birth to my Leilani.” The crowd whoops and hollers as they clap for Leilani, causing her to blush again. I couldn’t help but smile watching her. Deep down she is enjoying the attention, she will never admit it though.

“Liliana, and I were able to enjoy our precious bundle of joy for six short years, before Liliana was murdered in cold blood by another pack’s alpha.” The pack whimpers in pain. Losing a Luna is painful for everyone not just their mate. “From that day on I vowed to make sure nothing bad ever happened to my sweet Leilani again. With the support of my amazing pack members, we have raised Leilani to be the amazing woman and soon to be wolf she is today. She will one day lead this pack as the first ever female alpha, and I know each and every one of you will continue to support her on her journey.” Every pack member in attendance cheers once more.

Tiberius smiles, “Enjoy the party and wish my Leilani luck.” With that Leilani and her father descend the last few stairs.

Leilani is immediately surrounded by pack members rushing to wish her luck, Happy Birthday and give her advice for her first shift. I will wait until the crowd calms around her before wishing her a happy birthday.

Tiberius finds me once more. “Malakai can you believe our precious Leilani is already eighteen years old?”

I shake my head in disbelief, “It’s crazy. Feels like just yesterday she was a little girl. Now she is a beautiful young woman and she’s fixing to be a she-wolf.”

Tiberius sighs loudly. “I need a drink.”

Chuckling I say, “Already on it.”

We laugh as we head into the kitchen for the good stuff. After drinking half a bottle of scotch, we head back into the ballroom to mingle with the pack members. Everyone loves talking to Alpha Tiberius, almost as if he’s famous.

I lean against the wall watching as the party goers talk and dance. There are plates of food being passed around. I am still too anxious to eat, I hate knowing my mate is here but not knowing who she is. With the way my luck goes I will never figure out who she is.

Leilani buzzes around the room like a bee searching for the perfect flower, greeting pack members, accepting Congratulations, and gifts. Something is different tonight. I can’t keep my eyes off of her. Maybe it’s the dress, and makeup. She is normally a tomboy, wearing jeans and loose shirts.

Her dress fits tightly around her curves showing off her breasts. I never noticed how mature her body was before tonight. Shaking my head, I push those thoughts aside. What the hell is wrong with me? She is eighteen and I practically helped raise her. I set my cup of scotch down on the table nearby. That’s enough alcohol for me.

I scan the room again searching for my mate, everywhere I look I see beautiful women wearing their best dresses and jewelry. Several available women ask me to dance but I politely turn them down. No matter how hard I try I can’t stop looking at Leilani. What is it about tonight that makes things so different?

Some of the lawyers in our pack start a conversation with me, but I am only halfway listening. I can’t stop watching the way Leilani tilts her head back slightly when she laughs, or the way her whole body tenses as someone leans in for a hug. She has never been a hugger, not since her mother died anyway.

A group of elderly she-wolves surround Leilani. I listen closely from across the room. They are telling her all about how her first shift will go. Something her father and I have already explained numerous times so she will be prepared. 

Leilani glances around the room, almost as if she’s searching for something or someone. Her eyes lock with mine and my heart skips a beat. A smile spreads across my face as I watch Leilani, she is pleading with her eyes. Pleading for me to rescue her from the elderly she-wolves.

I excuse myself from the group of lawyers, not having a clue what we were talking about anyway and make my way over to where Leilani is standing. My heart begins beating faster and harder. I place my hand around Leilani’s waist, tingles shoot up my arm. What on earth is happening to me?

“Ladies if you will excuse us, I would like to dance with the birthday girl.” I flash my flirty smile at the elderly she-wolves and they all swoon. Leilani giggles. I have heard her giggle thousands of times, but this time feels different. I want to hear her giggle constantly. It is like music to my ears.

“Thank you for rescuing me Malakai. I don’t think those women were ever going to stop talking.” Leilani whispers to me.

I glanced down at her, for a second I swear her beautiful gray eyes were glowing. My inner wolf growls in excitement. I pull my arm away from Leilani’s waist. Leilani looks at me with disappointment. “What’s wrong, did I say something?”

I force a smile. “No you’re fine, I just um..”

“We don’t have to dance; I know you just said that to get me away from those women.” Leilani stops and stands in front of me with disappointment spreading across her face. Before seeing her disappointed face, I was trying to find a reason to leave. I can’t now, something is drawing me towards her.

I shake my head. “I asked you to dance, and we are going to dance.” Leilani’s eyes light up with excitement. Holding out my hand I bow before linking hands with Leilani. She giggles.