Led By Fate

Leo

Cupcakes. So many fucking cupcakes. Seriously, who in their right mind needs this many varieties of cupcakes?

Staring at the desert table just made my anger grow. I don't know why I need to be here. Well, actually I do know. I am an Alpha and these ego jerking events are part of the job description. Settling into my role as Alpha of the Blood Moon pack hasn't been easy but I find myself enjoying the challenge for the most part. Its difficult and can quickly become overwhelming if you don't exert just the right amount of control. Too much and you stifle your pack but too little will invite chaos in your front door. But this shit, no thank you. I would rather be doing any of my other Alpha duties than hob-nobbing with old ass Alphas at the Moon Ball.

Each year packs rotate holding the annual Moon Ball in an effort to provide an opportunity to develop alliances and for young wolves to find their mates. Mates. Count me out. One lay for life, I don't think so. Variety is the spice of life and I myself like a little heat.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder I turn meeting my Beta, Aaron. At 6'3 he is tall although not nearly as tall as me at 6"6. Alphas just run bigger if you catch my drift. Aaron can hold his own though and for that I am grateful. My ability to attract female admirers has landed me in hot water more times than I can count. But remember my thing about control? Well, what better way to gain control than through taming chaos. I am an expert predator. The thrill of the chase is a high like no other and you could say I’m addicted.

"Looks like you need this," Aaron hands over a strawberry moonshine. He runs his hand through his chestnut brown hair giving him a tousled bed head vibe. "Think you will find your mate tonight?" He swirls his glass smirking. He catches eyes with a short curvy blonde passing by winking before turning his attention back to me.

Ignoring the idiotic question I sniff the moonshine hesitantly, "Even the liquor has strawberries... come on..." I grimace at the thought of fruit being in my damn alcohol. Isn’t anything sacred anymore?

"Hey, it's not bad. Don't knock it until you try it." Aaron takes a big swig eyeing me carefully.

Giving him a side eye I down my glass, "Shit. That is smooth." I have to admit I am surprised. It was mellow with a light fruity undertone, deliciously understated.

Laughing, "I told you, man." Aaron grabbed a pink cupcake with chocolate icing and pink sugar crystals dusted across. Taking a bite, “Ohhhhmygoddesss..." Aaron moaned with a mouth full of cupcake.

"How old are you?" I smirk as he drags his hand across his mouth wiping icing from his upper lip.

"Old enough to know a good cupcake when I taste one." Aaron licked his lips with delight. "Oh, Moon Goddess above give me the fine ass woman who made that cupcake. I promise to go to temple every week, I will dance naked under the full moon, whatever you want."

"Watch her be a gargoyle with a buck tooth." I retort.

Aaron scoffs, "No way the woman who made that doesn't have a nice fine ass. You know she taste tests her own goods." He winks at the innuendo.

This guy has the sense of humor fitting of a highschool locker room. “Sick. Besides who says its a woman. Maybe its a nice old gentlemanly omega." I cross my arms defiantly.

Aaron sighed, "Well, fuck. For the opportunity to eat those everyday I might need to change teams.”

Aaron grabs another cupcake this time chocolate with strawberry ganache and vanilla icing and moans like he is sucking a damn tit. "I cannot take you right now." I raise my hands and walk away eyeing the dance floor scouting new prey. When in Rome...

These events are always exactly the same. The same song and dance, the same mate parade bullshit. The Strawberry Moon Alpha, Beck, steps to the microphone flanked by his Luna, Gwyneth. Posted on the far corner near the balcony I pause to at least pretend to be respectful. I have met them a handful of times at coalition meetings over the years. He isn’t as pushy as most of the old crew but he leans more on the cautious side than I prefer. The last meeting regarding rogues got heated and he hadn’t hesitated to pull rank.

Beck’s voice boomed over the ballroom. “Welcome to the Annual Moon Ball. It is our pleasure to host this year's event and highlight the delicious bounty we are so aptly named for. The Moon Goddess continues to bless us and in thanks and gratitude we are happy to share the fruits of our labor. May this event bear many of its own fruit through the wonderous pairings of new mates and strengthening of alliances. Now without further adieu let us officially commence the ball with the ceremonial first dance, please welcome the future Alpha of Strawberry Moon Pack Garnett Fellowes and our talented daughter Ruby Fellowes." I cannot see the pair but as the crowd’s gaze shifts to the left I assume their entrance.

With the start of the band I take my cue to begin my hunt. My wolf is pacing perhaps a quick chase will tame the beast so I can focus on the task at hand, an alliance with the Crescent Moon Pack. Scanning the crowd I knew I found exactly what I was looking for when I locked eyes with a leggy raven beauty. Dressed in a tight red strapless dress she sauntered over in her stiletto nude heels. My wolf was uncharacteristically annoyed but maybe she was just the distraction I needed.

"Alpha Leo, I do not believe we have met. Cesarina, Cesarina Milano." She gently ran her hand up my forearm, so much for the chase. She wasn’t my mate thank the goddess but she definitely looked like a good time.

"Indeed, I believe I would remember a beauty such as yourself." She blushed at the compliment batting her eyelashes. This was too easy but a win is a win. "How about we take this to a place a little more quiet so we can get to know one another?"

Grabbing my hand she pulled me forecfully toward the balcony door, "I thought you would never ask."

Pressed over the balcony I squeeze her shoulder with one hand firmly on her waist. It was quick and dirty but as I felt her quake beneath me I knew my job was done. I pulled away as she yanked her dress back over her hips turning to meet my face. "That was... great." She huskily whispered as she eyed me zipping up my pants. "I have a hotel room just down the road." Dipping down she slowly reattached the ankle strap of her heel. Dragging her hand slowly up her leg she refocused her gaze on my package. This one was definitely bold.

"I wouldn't dare cheapen this with a one night stand, Ciara. I have some business to attend to this evening but how about I give you a call tomorrow?" I begin to turn not even waiting for her response.

"But you don't have my number," she huffed. "And my name is Cesarina!"

I wave goodbye behind myself and make my way back into the ballroom. Now I can get to work. The priority for this trip is an alliance with the Crescent Moon Pack. Alpha Levi is also a fairly new Alpha, only 2 years older than myself at 24. My father despised their pack and refused to engage in any business with them for reasons he would never share. But the bastard is dead so I say it is time to turn a new leaf. Progress is good. Onward and upward is my mantra.

Once again eyeing the crowd I look for my target. I see Cesarina push back into the ballroom shooting daggers in my direction. I ignore her and turn back spotting Alpha Levi across the way near the desert table. Fucking cupcakes.

The crowd is unbearable and the heat from so many bodies is becoming stifling. I pull the collar on my shirt and remove my already loosened tie shoving it in my coat pocket. I move into his line of sight and wait for his acknowledgement. He will come to me.

"Alpha Leo, enjoying your first Moon Ball as an official Alpha?" Bingo, I knew he couldn’t resist.

I widen my stance crossing my arms across my barreled chest. “It is as expected.”

A purred voice enters from the right. “Oh, Alpha Levi looking for something sweet?”

Cessarina tangles her hand around Levi’s bicep while shooting a death glare in my direction. The game she’s playing clear, a contest I have no intention of entering. Well, at least not again.

I nod acknowledging her presence.

Ignoring me she moves her body in front of Levi pressing herself close, “Alpha Levi, have you tried the whiskey?”

Taking a step back he swiftly untangles himself. “Cessarina, it’s nice to see you again.”

“I feel the same Alpha Levi,” she purs.

Coughing and stepping further back, “Uhm sure. Have you met Alpha Leo?”

Cessarjna turns slightly, “No, I haven’t had the pleasure.”

Levi cackles unexpectedly, “Well that’s awkward considering you reek of his scent.”

Her cheeks bloomed with embarrassment as she turns towards the restrooms, “If you will excuse me.” Cutting her eyes back in my direction she held my gaze hopefully expecting a rescue. I stood unfazed taking in her glare until she huffed in exasperation as she finally walked away.

The silence hung between us as Alpha Levi’s brow furrowed. “Playing a dangerous game there, at a ball no less. What if you meet your mate and the cloud of your indiscretion hangs over your fate?” His jaw tensed with his condemnation.

“I am capable of handling my own fate just fine.” While I wasn’t fazed by the turn of events I can admit it didn’t portray me in the best light. This wasn’t the way I had intended this to go. A quick distraction had now become a major irritation.

“Well, you aren’t known for your social graces. I can assume you have sought me out for business.” He questions while scanning the desert table. An omega lowers her eyes as she replenishes the quickly depleting trays. “You have out down yourselves,” he smiles while grabbing a small iced cupcake.

“Thank you,” she grins walking back to her cart. Just as she begins to push it back the wheel sticks and the recently emptied trays begin to topple. A pair of arms quickly grab them before they crash to the floor. Her face lights with admiration, “Garnett.”

A tall redhead with hair cropped short on the sides quickly leans down and shimmies the wheel. “Should be ready now Melody.” Leaning up against the wall he wipes rogue frosting from a tray off of his dark navy dress shirt. Nodding she takes back off down the hallway.

“Garnett, your pack has done an excellent job. This is the best spread I have seen in years.” Alpha Levi scanned the table.

“It’s all thanks to Ruby. She’s the mastermind and executioner all in one.” Garnett grins clearly proud of his pack.

“Your sister?” Alpha Levi paused without moving his gaze from the table. His mental gears clearly turning.

“The one and only." Garnett replied meeting the gaze of an approaching woman to his right.

“What did I do now?” A red head with inquisitive green eyes playfully glared. The similarities were uncanny, clearly they were siblings.

All sound seemed to pause, my heartbeat pounding in my ears the only thing I could hear. Her smile pulled at the depths of my soul as the tantalizing smell of warm cranberries and orange engulfed my senses.

Mate my wolf howled. Young, young she doesn't know yet.

Typically both mates needed to be of age to recognize each other but it wasn’t unheard of for an alpha to be able to sniff out their mate before they were of age. It was highly frowned upon to act upon until they became of age though.

No, I don't want a mate. This was not part of the plan.

Ha, your plan. I definitely want her as a mate. I can sense her wolf is a year or so off from her 20th birthday.

At least I have time to figure this out. Sweat beaded across my brow as I restrained my wolf from leaping forward.

“Ruby, you did all of this?” Alpha Levi looked to the red head admiration evident on his face.

“Not alone, without our pack it would have been impossible.” She grinned as she tidied trays.

“Gracious as always Ruby. I must have hit the jackpot to be able to have you join us at Crescent Moon next month." Alpha Levi reached over and brushed a bit of flour from her cheek.

I suppressed a growl as rage coursed through me.