Chapter 7
The day he’d been dreading was here at last–the day that his guests would begin to arrive. Kaden took a deep breath, relishing the crisp fall air as he walked to the meeting house where he’d arranged to check in with the Omega warriors who would be patrolling the borders of the pack lands during the Goddess Moon Ball. While many of the Alphas and other important players in their territory were invited guests, there was always a possibility that someone would pick an event like this to cause trouble, and Alpha Kaden wanted to be ready.
A name and face came to his mind when he thought of troublemakers: Zane Night. Alpha of the Black Moon Pack
Kaden knew that his grandmother had invited Zane and his family to the Goddess Moon Ball, but they had declined, saying it wasn’t necessary since Zane already had a mate, and they didn’t have children who had reached the age of twenty–one yet, the age one had to be in order to find his or her fated mate. While other pack leaders had no official reason to attend the Goddess Moon Ball, most of them had replied that they would attend. More than just an event to find one’s match, the ball was an opportunity for pack leaders to come together and make alliances. Apparently. Zane had no interest in that.
Walking into the meeting room, Kaden surveyed who was in attendance. His Bera, Alec, was telling a story to a group of younger Omegas while the older ones leaned against the wall, chatting amongst themselves. Alec certainly knew how to draw in a crowd. When he realized that the Alpha was there, he wrapped up his story with, “Anyway, don’t try to take on a rattlesnake unless you’re willing to take the pain!” which got a laugh out everyone, even those who hadn’t actually been listening but wanted to be polite,
Kaden had heard that story enough times that he didn’t need to hear the first part to know what Alec was talking about. It was the time they’d been running through the woods and Alec had accidentally stepped on a snake. Kaden was pretty sure it wasn’t actually a rattlesnake since he had never heard of that particular breed hanging out in their pack lands, but Alec had a way of telling stories that made them seem believable.
“Hi, everyone.” Kaden said, once he had their attention. “I just wanted to check in with all of you since we will be having a lot of guests arriving soon. I spoke to John recently about the patrols, but I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.”
John, the man who’d helped so much with preparing the guest houses, stood unassuming in the middle of the crowd. The way the rest of the Omegas were looking at him spoke to Kaden Clearly, he was a natural–born leader. The others looked up to him and would do whatever he asked them to do, the same way they would their Alpha.
“We have assigned routes and schedules,” John said. “Everyone understands the importance of making sure our guests are safe, and we are ready to do whatever we need to in order to protect them.”“
“Perfect,” Kaden said, glad to see everyone nodding along in agreement. “Does anyone have any questions”
A few people asked for clarification on routes, but for the most part, everyone was clear on their duties and satisfied that they would ensure nothing bad would happen while so many important guests were in Light Sky territory.
Kaden let them go and headed to the ballroom where he wanted to check on the final touches for the dance. He had avoided this location as much as possible, not only because he trusted his grandmother to do a better job with the decorations than he could ever do but also because every time he walked in there, Sylvia, and several of the other girls, looked at him like he was a piece of meat. He knew they would all want their chance to dance with him during the Goddess Moon Ball, along with many of the women visiting from other packs. He’d be super busy that night, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. While he did love to date and spend time with women, a setting like this was completely unappealing, and he was never a fan of entertaining more than one lady at a time.
Karen Waters was barking orders again, telling some poor sap that he’d have to take everything down on one section of the wall and start over. He looked like he was about to cry. Kaden saw Sylvia and her friends across the room, looking like they were talking more than they were working. Excited laughter filled the air as the group of women chatted. Kaden hoped they’d be so distracted that they wouldn’t notice him.
He didn’t see his grandmother anywhere and was about to walk out and check somewhere else when he heard a female voice behind him say, “Alpha Kaden!”
He turned to see Angelica Rose standing there. She was a bit older than him and had a reputation as a girl who got around, so he’d never spoken to her much. Still, he didn’t see any reason to be impolite. “Hello, Angelica.”
“Hi, there. Your grandmother headed home for a bit, about ten minutes ago, if that’s who you’re looking for.” She smiled at him. It was a cross between a sultry smirk and a friendly grin. He wasn’t sure what to make of it
“Thank you.” Kaden nodded and headed around her, keeping his thoughts to himself. He was hoping that his grandmother was feeling okay. He’d been worried about her overdoing things in preparation for the event. She wasn’t getting any younger, and something like this took a lot more effort than she may have realized.
“Sure,” Angelica said. He could feel her eyes trailing down his body as he walked away. “Take care, Alpha Kaden.”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her, but there was something about her that made him uneasy in a way he couldn’t quite put his finger
PR
Kaden rushed home and found his grandmother sining in the kitchen with a cup of tea, her head down, looking a bit piqued “Grandma? Are you okay?”
At the sound of his voice, she lifted her face and smiled. “Hello, dear. How are you!”
“Tin fine, Karten said, sitting down on a barotul areas from her. “How are
Wanderful” th
your
said, ararling argous the island to pa
bet rTammy, so he wa
Jand “Just needed a linte break”
be completely believed her, bet he knew he couldn’t argue with her either. He’d try a different way to get her toccalin down. “Our guests should begin arriving soon. You should probably take a lande leak and refresh yourself so you can greet them?
“That’s not a bad idea, honey, the said, which surprised him do believe Karen has everything under control in the ballroom. I’m sure John has
urity hartie He’s such a good person”
“Yes, I just touched base with the security team, and they’re good to go He looked at the clock on the far wall. “I expert we’ll have guests arriving within a few hours, and I know that some of the Alphas that are staying in the house with us will be here this afternoon”
I’m so cited, Raden Grandma Hannal continued to get his hand “Just think, you could find your fated mate at last
put
Kaden did his best not to pull his hand away “Don’t get your hopes up on that, Grandma, he said. “That’s not my purpose in holding this ball, and you know that.”
the gear him a hard book “Kaden, I know you’re running from the idea that the Moon Goddess has someone special for you, but you need to open your mind to the ponsibility Open your heart
“Grandma. I know that bring the acting Loma is tiring and you want me to find someone to take that responsibility, but…I’m just not ready to
to get
Her eyebrows furrowed as a stern look took over her face. “Kaden! That is not at all why I am hoping you’ll find the woman of your dreams! Sure, I’d love to retire one day, leut I want you to be happy
I don’t need a woman to make me happy, Grandma He could feel himself getting worked up. “Even if the Moon Goddess dropped a woman in trry lap.. I’m noe sure I’d take her?
Hannah’s mouth dropped open for a moment before the exclaimed, “Bite your tongue, boyt How dare you threaten to reject a gift from the
Kaden death and walked around the island, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Grandma. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m joue waying don’t get your hopes up, okay?
Hannah turned and looked at him “Trs too late for that, Kaden. My hopes have been up for you since before you were born. Since you were a tiny July in preur menkei webs, I have been hoping that the Moon Goddess would find someone special for you, and I know that she has. If you
the worst. Not only for you but also our entire park.”
vetra Hannah got up from the barstool she’d been sitting on and headed toward her room, leaving Kaden to ponder what was more important what he felt the park needed or the superstitions held by so many of his park members, including his grandmother, apparently. He didn’t know,
The beged he didn’t have to de
