Bloodlines: Stephano

The preparations for the party were in full swing when I walked down the stairs. Mum was running around the room with all the flowers she bought for me and my brother, Athena was probably busy with cooking the meals for tonight.

It’s today that me and Alex turned 24 years old and that means, being the oldest of the twins, that I have to take the place as the Alpha. Everything is bound to change in the next couple of years.

I will be attending every meeting and I had to receive and entertain every visit from other Alpha’s. Mum was always so good at it. She was a born Luna and she cared for everyone in our pack.

“ Stephano, go help your father with the plans. He’s making a mess and I’m trying to get through to him that the entertainment has to be here precisely at 6pm.

Even before I could answer her she already moved on telling one of the maids how the decorations should hang on the walls. I had a slight laugh internally, if someone could worry about the party tonight, it was her. Alex stood next to me on the lowest staircase and casually leaned against the wall wearing nothing except some underwear.

“You know mum only has the best intentions right? They invited multiple women tonight to see if your mate is among them, so don’t argue with her. You know to become an Alpha you need a Luna. If you can’t find her yourself, they will choose one for you.

Alex points to the kitchen where dad was sitting, stacks of papers everywhere and a phone to his ear, arguing with one of the victims on the other side of the line.

“I hope everything will go smoothly tonight.”

Alex and I looked at each other and laughed. We both walked up to the kitchen to help Athena with our birthday breakfast. Our kitchen was filled with meals that would be heated for the other Alpha’s that were invited to dine with us before the party started. It’s a tradition to get to know the new apprentice Alpha and it’s the perfect moment for a Luna to keep up with their contacts from our world. Athena made eggs and bacon for us and while Alex was stuffing his face I was keeping my eye on Dad, who was trying his best to keep his patience while he was on hold for something.

“And big brother, are you ready for tonight?”

My sister has always been enthusiastic about an Alpha ritual and was proud that I could take over when my dad would retire. I was not the firstborn son of my parents, my brother Jason should have become Alpha, but unfortunately he disappeared years ago in a fight for the defense of our land and just afterwards we felt the mental bond we had with him as a family break . Which meant he had died. My mother was completely heartbroken, but events like tonight helped her heart heal slowly.

’Hey? Earth to Stephano! ”

My little but occasionally annoying little sister snapped her fingers in front of my face and she laughed when I pushed her hand away in annoyance.

“Athena, leave your brother alone and go change, Alpha Sam and Luna Kate will be here soon.”

She walked past Alex with a sneaky smile and within hearing distance of us but not my father she managed to crawl under Alex’s skin.

“Maybe they’ll bring Elena with them.”

Then she ran out of the room giggling while Alex turned bright red in his neck. He had a little crush on her since her birthday and my father and I, like Athena, took every opportunity to pester him about it. It worked every time.

I quickly ate my breakfast and looked at the list of telephone numbers that my father had to call. The catering still had to be informed of the latest changes for the dinner and the entertainment had to know what space they could use to change and prepare.

With one arm my father kept the phone out of hearing range and with the other he grabbed the list from my hand.

“You too have to prepare Stephano, your mother has put your clothes in your room and make sure you look representative! It does not happen every day that an Alpha goes into training. ”

He winked and laughed, I walked out of the room to take a hot shower and get ready for the arrival of the ruling Alpha’s who would be here tonight.

I took a quick shower and washed my hair. My mother was a fashion designer and had prepared clothes for every family member for today. I put on a nice pair of black jeans with a nice pair of shoes and a light blue shirt. “I have a good feeling about tonight.” My wolf was enthusiastic, he knew he would be an Alpha soon and for a wolf that would be a powerful title. But besides being enthusiastic he was also tense, a feeling of nervousness washed over me and I didn’t understand where it came from. The bell rang through the house and I shook the bad feeling away while I walked down with a quick step.

At the front door, my father was talking to Alpha Sam, and as I approached, he smiled. He shook my hand and I bowed my head out of respect for a full Alpha, something we were taught from birth.

“Stephano how nice to see you again, I hope your father didn’t scare you the Alpha title.”

“No worries, if I find my Luna then I hope to be able to take over so my father and my mother can enjoy the retired life together”.

“It was about time, when my Elena takes over, we have to take a trip with the women, old friend.”

My father smiled at his old friend and nodded. He and Alpha Sam had become Alpha together and they had been through a lot.

“That seems like a good idea.”

While my father took Alpha Sam to his study, I saw Elena talking to Luna Kate and my mother outside. Elena was an only child and nevertheless she had proved by far that she was a suitable Luna for the Discipline pack. In addition to her determination, she was also a natural beauty. She had long black hair that reached to her waist and moss-green eyes, covered with full eyelashes. I understood why my brother had a crush on her but despite her beauty she was not my type and I considered her nothing but a good friend.

“Good afternoon, Stephano, how are you feeling today?”

Luna Kate was a loving woman who had passed on her beauty to her daughter. Like Elena, she had black hair, but she had it cut short to her shoulders, and her eyes were a dark green.

“Welcome Luna Kate I feel good, my wolf is a little nervous but otherwise we are looking forward to it”

She nodded and gave me a hug.

“That’s nice to hear and how often have I told you now? Just call me Kate, Elena will probably take over my title soon. ”

Elena rolled with her eyes and I didn’t understand why. An Alpha or Luna title was an honor to get and whether you were born in or married into it, it was important that a pack had a leader.

“Sorry Kate, I will go get Athena so you can catch up.”

She nodded and my mother smiled at me. With a smile back I walked back inside, my sister just came down the stairs in the clothes my mother had chosen for her.

“Do you think mom will notice if I change shoes halfway through the night?”

She asked me while she struggled to stand up with the pair of heels my mother had picked out. She leaned against me to take off her heels, but a sweet blossom scent invaded my nostrils and a shiver ran down my body. “Steph, do you smell this?” My wolf became restless and I looked around to see where the smell came from.

“Athena, I have to go.”

Without waiting for an answer I walked through the corridors of our house in search of the sweet smell. The scent hung everywhere and it surrounded me until it almost made me dizzy.

I searched room after room and started getting irritated when I couldn’t find anything. The smell grew stronger as I walked back to the kitchen and through the wide open doors I saw several people standing in the garden, including my father and Alpha Sam, they were helping to set up the stage for tonight. The sweet blossom scent grew stronger and I almost ran outside to find its source.

Dimly I heard my name was called by my father, but it was so strong that I could not think anymore. “Jay, what kind of smell is this?” I tried to reach my wolf and felt that my father wanted to use the mindlink but I shut him out. I walked through the field in search of the scent and tried to get as close as possible.

I felt like I was walking in circles and started getting dizzy with the sweet smell. Jay came through and I felt my eyes change to his dark blue color and a growl grew into my chest.

I felt a pressure on my shoulder and turned around. My father, Alpha Sam and my mother looked at me with concern and were shocked when they saw Jay.

“Jay?”

My mother was careful but I was increasingly taken over by my wolf.

“Mate”

He spoke and my parents looked at each other in surprise. I tried to regain control and that conflict was visible on my face. I finally managed to push Jay back and took a breath of relief.

“Stephano, are you okay?”

My mother was worried, you could tell by her facial expression.

“Mom, my mate is here somewhere.”