CHAPTER FOUR

Thingy Alpha Gilbert's pov Being the richest CEO and richest Alpha in America came with a lot of challenges. For two consecutive years, I've maintained my title and reputation in the business world as the richest American CEO. "Gold's Conglomerates" grew to be one of the most recognized businesses in the world, which dealt with networking, technology, publishing, real estate, and fashion. "Sir, Mr. Edward just landed in Japan," my secretary said. "Edward was the company's head of the legal team, the Vice president, and my best friend since college and of course, the Pack's beta. He Left for Tokyo to conclude a deal with "Akio Botan Hiroto", the richest CEO of Japan and owner of "Hiroto's conglomerate Tokyo". Of course, it was my duty to oversee deals but I had delegated some of my duties and authorities to him. His loyalty and efficiency have been proven beyond reasonable doubt "Okay" I replied, pulling out my phone to call him. "Hey Man" I greeted "What's up bro?' he replied "Heard you just arrived in Japan, how was your trip. I asked "Fine..., Just feeling a bit jet-lagged" he answered sounding tired " This is a huge one man, I trust you not to mess it up. My regards to Hiroto", I said in one Breath "I got you man" he replied "Alright got to go, Buddy, make sure you keep me updated" "Will do...Hey, what's up with Ruby and Rayne? I've been trying to get a hang of either of them but all my efforts have been without luck...You know the deals Gilbert, leaves those girls alone" "I didn't do what I wasn't supposed to do" "So help you if you touch a hair on my mate's hair" he replied warningly and cut the call. Gosh, this man! How long will he be manipulated in the fingers of these slimy bitches? I still remembered the first time I laid my eyes on Rayne Maddox. It was the opening ceremony for the pack's refugees, as the other pack leaders and myself, agreed to create an avenue for them to meet, mix and socialize with the rest of the pack members. I stood at the sidelines watching how Edward, my beta, best friend, and vice-chairman of my corporation flirted with this girl I was so sure was from the refugee's pack. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, so I made up my mind to not disturb or interrupt his conversation with her. He glanced at me, asking me silently if I needed help and I raised my glass at him to show him that I was okay. I wasn't going to cock-block him tonight. I stayed alone waiting for time to roll by. My eyes and mind were solely on him and his partner for a while until something else caught my attention. I took another sip of my drink and that is when I noticed her—walked in, she was effortlessly beautiful, with a little makeup and a modest dress, she looked way prettier than the rest of the girls in the event as she sashayed her way to the Beta and his companion who obviously was her friend. Who the hell is this girl? Where has she been all this while? These questions pound heavily on my mind, at the same time as I felt my wolf twitching within me. Her physic had so much effect on me at first glance, I felt it on my groin. Beautiful wouldn't do justice to describe her face or the shape of her body. Man, I knew I was fucked at first glance. She looked sexy and hot and cute. Make no mistake, there was no shortage of beautiful women at the party but the minute I set my eyes on her it felt like my blood was on fire....she was a fucking venus through and through. She was dressed in a little sleeveless sequined red dress that seemed to sparkle with every step she took. The red bodycon dress hugged her features perfectly well. I could trail the outline of her shape with my tongue and practice her curves and corners until they latched into my memory. her long legs seemed to run endlessly as it was framed in beautiful lace-up sandal heels that immediately put images in my mind. Her gorgeous wavy red hair was tied in a perfect chignon so that two single strands were allowed to fall down her face-framing her beautiful face that I couldn't help but feel the crazy urge to run my hair through it. Her face was...captivating. She has the type of beauty that commands you to look, notice, and respect it. I didn't know what it was; maybe it was the way the red of her lipstick highlighted her plump full lips or the way her hips popped out when she walked. It could be the way her chest popped graciously or the strange colors of her irises that seemingly pierced my soul every time she glanced my way. Whatever it was; it was mesmerizing. I found myself drawn to her immediately, it felt like my night was finally about to begin. As she approached her friend, I took a swig of my wine, finding that I may require the liquid courage boost to speak to her. I didn't want to be a creep and ruin her night when she was obviously trying to enjoy herself so I decided to wait for the opportunity to present itself. I watched her every move like a predatory hawk eyeing a chick. She stood close beside Beta and handed his female companion a glass of red wine between her fingers. Although the latter seemed deeply engrossed in her conversation with Edward, she still managed to smile up at her. Her face scrunched up in sheer disgust when Edward said something to the girl. I didn't blame her though. Even though Edward and my history about finding our mate were almost the same, the dude had no brain-to-mouth filter whatsoever even when it comes to women and as far as my mind-reading skill would go, the dude was in deep. He was as fucked as I was. Sooner than I hoped for, Edward led his newest friend out of the party zone. Leaving little miss gorgeous to herself. I knew it was time to strike and lay claim as the eyes of the other men in the room were hovering over her. Did I mention it was on the blood moon night? Perhaps the goddess finally took pity and granted me, my mate. At some point during the night, I felt the atmosphere in the room change. I saw her face light up as she smiled and excused herself to the human-free part of the party. I smiled and followed, I'd been waiting for an opportunity to present itself all night and it seemed I was finally in luck. As she walked, her body swayed in sync with every step she took. Her curves are framed beautifully in that dress and I find myself even more drawn to her. She and I had been catching each other's eye all night and so I knew she wouldn't be startled that I'm making a move now. The mystery girl continued to make turns until she came to a stop at my portrait. I quietly walk behind her and stop at the fireplace just a few steps away from her— I remain in my spot thinking of how to approach her. Just when I decided to go shoot my shot, I caught the figure of someone passing through me along with the shadows. From my rearview, I saw the girl from earlier walking toward the restroom and a manly figure in the shadows lingering behind her. I needed no soothsayer to tell me what was to come. I hid behind one of the pillars in the hallway to see for myself all that would happen. The creator helps whoever it was if the person was from my pack. I heard the girl scream and that was the clue I needed. In the lights of the night, I shifted to my wolf form and attacked. I made sure I didn't kill the person, because of course, I still had a lot to do with him. But first I had to make sure my girl was okay... My girl huh? " Are you okay?" I asked, staring at her curled-up form like she was the first female I saw. Mirroring the exact way Adam had looked at Eve the first time I was so sure. She stared up at me confused until she realized I was talking to her. "I'm fine, thanks for..." she stopped as she looked at the guy on the floor writhing in pain. "Thanks for helping out, Winky man," she said, trying to smile "Pleasure is all mine, Princess," I replied as I chuckled "Princess indeed, do you think this is a children's cartoon," she asked, pointing between us. A grunt brought us back to reality. And my reply was caught up in my throat as she hugged herself and looked at the man grunting on the ground. She was obviously shaken. I wasn't going to let her wallow in whatever shitty feeling was crawling up her throat. "Thanks again" she cooed, her voice sending chills down my body. " No sweat, princess. It's common courtesy to not leave a lady alone when she is uncomfortable. I did what I had to," " Thanks, Winky man; I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't interfered. I'm thankful...." "Trust me it is fine. However, Princess, you need to be careful, and where did Winky man come from," I said and stretched my hand to smoothen the knots that had formed in her hair, sending shivers down my spine, much to my dismay. " Same place Princess came from...plus you've sent exactly the right winks my way since I entered the event room," she said with a wink while I stared at her in shock. She had been counting? "And I usually am careful. I was just caught unawares," she breathed the last part trying to sound unaffected "Oh, I see," I replied, not sounding convinced at all, so she added. "I had the situation perfectly under control." "You did; I could see it," I added, laughing, and she joined me, finally releasing the breath I was holding. I like her. Unlike other ladies that faked things, she was easy to talk to and she seemed natural. Suddenly a very strong appealing smell of a female wolf covered my nostrils. A very tantalizing smell. Her eyes lit up in surprise but even in her shocked state, she still looked beautiful. She smelt it too and she felt the changes in the atmosphere as well. It was evident on my face. I stood back on her feet. And without knowing what to do, I stuck out a hand and gestured for her to walk and the next thing I knew, I was trailing behind her to go grab a glass of wine or not.... " Thank you again," she cooed. Her voice was the sweetest sound I've ever heard. It was soft and melodic just like her laugh. It was soothing. I couldn't believe the odds! I had finally found my mate after twenty-five years of waiting. A part of me thought it was a prank and the other part thought that Perhaps she was my answered prayers. The moon's goddess finally blessed me with a companion! I knew she was mine. She has got to be. "Come let me take you on a run-tour across my borders. I want to show you more of my pack" I whisper yell. Aiming to get my voice over the banging bits of the music. but instead of the positive answer, I'm expecting, she lounged into a full panic and her lips began to tremble, and her fingers too. I held her still to help her contain her fears, whatever it was that made her shake with so much fear. Was it a recollection of the past? Was it me? Was it something I said? "Who are you? What are you?" She wheezed "I'm the Alpha of the pack. Why?" Her expression only worsened. She shook more violently than before and for reasons I didn't know she didn't look up into my eyes.