He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M (Jake & Clair)
Chapter 72
**2 days before the Claiming**
ALPHA AEON
I was at the training area, sparring with one of the warriors, when my father, Alpha Argon, stormed in with his Beta and halted my training.
“I have some news for you, son.” He said in a loud, authoritative voice when he stopped in front of me.
I raised my brow as I accepted the towel handed by Krane, my future Beta, and wiped the sweat from my face. “Can it wait until a later time, father? I’m not done with my sessions today.”
He spoke while placing his hands behind his back. “No. It is of importance. I want an answer now. The Claiming is in two days and…”
I cut him off before he could even finish his sentence. My patience was already running out on this topic. “I said I’m not going. It’s final. I saw the list last week and I’m not interested.”
“Listen to me, Aeon!” His voice was raised, and a scowl was written on his face.
“No, Dad, you listen! I’ve told you, again and again, that I’m only interested in one female, and I haven’ t taken any steps yet to court her or at least inform her that I want her. But I promise you I will have her on the next Claiming.” I snapped at him, not minding that his eyes began to narrow at my disrespect.
The Alpha shook his head. I knew I was walking on a thin line with him now, but he seemed to be controlling his anger.
“Clair Montrell. She’s listed at the Claiming.” He said in a calm voice.
My head automatically snapped in his direction. The f*uc*k! Was this a joke?
“Who listed for her? Who will claim her?” I asked in one breath, eager to have an answer.
“I had no idea, and it doesn’t matter who listed for her because you’re going to intercept her.” He pointed a finger at my chest, and a smile tugged into his mouth. “But if nobody shows up, then she’ s yours.”
I chuckled sarcastically. “Who would put an Alpha Female on the list just to abandon her?”
Alpha Females were only listed if they agreed to be claimed by a certain Alpha or Beta. But sometimes, rarely than often, another Alpha or Beta offered a challenge for the female’s hand. If the challenger won, he would be the one to claim the Alpha female.
Father just shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows? The important thing is, she’s there at the Claiming. Claim her and take her as your Luna by Blue Moon. Challenge everyone who wants her. And make sure you win. That’s how the Claiming works.”
My forehead creased while I thought of all the possible ones who would want to claim her. It couldn’t be Alpha Jacob, he was surely flirting with Janet, one of our warriors, yesterday and he mentioned he wouldn’t be attending the Claiming.
Was it his Beta? I saw how he and Clair were so close to each other during my gala. And the Beta was not here last time when they tried to scent off females from our pack. It meant he wasn’t looking for his mate. He was probably the one who wanted to claim Clair.
A smug smirk tugged on my lips as I raised my gaze back to my father. This would be fun. I could definitely outpower a beta.
“I’ll attend the Claiming then. Call the organizer and list me under her name.”
A satisfied grin formed on my father’s mouth as he nodded his head, patting my shoulder before turning around.
“Then it’s settled. Continue with your training. Be prepared to challenge anyone for her. Once you claim her, this Alpha post is yours.” He said it in a calm manner before he left the training ground completely.
Jake
just dropped the call with Noah. He agreed to meet up with me, and I could bring along twelve of my unmated warriors to scent his territory. He agreed to meet me two days from now, at seven in the evening.
I had requested another time of the day or another day, but he refused. He also insisted that I take my Beta with me.
All of these are raising red flags.
Two days from now, on a Friday, is the Claiming.
Having me there and my Beta meant that we would not be able to attend the event since this was entirely for Alphas and Betas.
Aside from that, we have received new information from our trackers and spies that Argon had visited Noah’s pack four or five days before Clair was abducted and that the security around Noah’s territory had tightened up recently, with Argon sending his own warriors to the Night Howler’s Pack.
“When Alpha Thaddeus came here five years ago, Noah was with him. Beta Anthony was my Beta then, so he has not met you yet.” My eyes were directed to my Beta. “I will take someone else with me to pose as my Beta, and as originally planned, you will go to the Claiming Ball.”
“I suggest you take Matteo with you as your Beta then.” Beta Gavin suggested.
“No. Not Matteo, he’s mated. I’m sure they are aware that your Beta is unmated and Matteo is marked already. Damien maybe?” My Gamma explained, and I agreed with a nod.
“I’ll take Damien then. And you have to stay here, Aaron. I know you want to look for her, but we can’t leave the territory without one of us. Others might see it as an opening for an attack.”
Aaron let out a deep sigh. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, but he understood the gravity of the situation. “I’ll stay. Just find her.” He replied.
I nodded while meeting his eyes. “I will do everything to find her.”
“The Claiming ball starts at seven o’clock in the evening and will be on for three hours. After that, the rest will move to the arena for the actual
Claiming. Give or take, it will start around 10:15 to 1 030 in the evening.”
“Let’s say it starts at exactly 10, Noah’s territory is 2.5 hours away from the Crescent Moon’s Pack, where the Claiming will be held. So I will need information right away if Clair is at the Claiming so I can rush there.” I added, shifting my eyes away from David and directing them to my Beta. “Gavin, you only have a limited time to find Clair at the ball. Make sure to let me know right away. If I don’t respond, reach out to Damien or to others. They can link me and I will leave Noah’s immediately.”
I proceeded to give out full instructions and reminders. We couldn’t miss out on any details.
“What if she’s not there? And not at the Claiming as well?” Aaron asked in a low voice.
I leaned back against my chair and closed my eyes. “Then I have four days left before the Blue Moon to find her. But in case she’s not at the Claiming, I will stay longer in Noah’s pack and make sure to find her there.”
“I know this is a horrible idea, but maybe you need to kiss someone in there and maybe your wolf can sense Clair when she starts to feel agitated, and, knowing her, she’ll probably scream in anger and curse you. Like what happened at the quadrangle?” Aaron suggested.
I frowned at his idea. Was that a joke? “No. I’m not doing that.”
“It makes sense. If we don’t have many options left, what’s wrong with trying?” My Beta added.
“I know Clair.” I took a deep sigh before I continued. “The last thing she wants is for them to know she has found her mate and has not rejected him yet. She will just keep it to herself if she feels the pain. I will just hurt her. She might think I’m f*uc*king another female while she’s in danger. I will not let her think that and add more to her miseries.” “Sorry, I didn’t think of that,” Aaron replied, taking a sigh as well. “But I hope our plan works this time.
I hope so too. Time was ticking and we were still nowhere near to finding her.
I leaned my elbows on my desk and placed my hands over my face, rubbing my callous palms on it as I pleaded to Selene. “Goddess, please! Let this work. Let me find her.”