Chapter 2
Devil's Food Cake
Lucas' Point of View
Chapter Song: Hurricane by Luke Combs
Chapter Quote: "It's none of my business what people say about me. I am what I am, I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier." –Anthony Hopkins

Content Warning: Mature Language

The whistling wind blows through my bedroom, billowing my curtains out that are really no good to me anyways. I always keep them open, I enjoy the soothing sounds of nature, the rain droplets hitting the earth or the laughter of my pack pups when they're playing outside.

I love all of that, everything that Mother Nature and the Moon Goddess has provided, when the sun is out. There are no rays of sunshine illuminating my bedroom. It's asleep and a crescent moon is high in the sky, it has always been my favorite phase of the moon, though it doesn't illuminate the earth quite like a full moon. Whenever there's no more laughter throughout the pack house, and all my wolves are either sleeping or doing border patrol, my mind decides to run constantly. I can't even remember the last time I had slept through a full night.

Pressing the button on my iPhone, my face turns into a grimace when I see the time. The number five followed by a couple of goose eggs are taunting me, they might as well be pointing and laughing at my inability to shut my brain off for just a few hours. If I'm going to be up, might as well be doing something productive. With a heave, my feet are on the cold hardwood floor. My toes pop with every step while sauntering towards my bathroom.

My eyes stayed glued to the floor, there was nothing to look at in my room anyways. My walls were bare, but the discoloration of the paint on random spaces of the wall made it very clear that at one point and time it had been just as lively as I had once felt. Shaking those thoughts out of my head immediately, my muscles enjoy the shower. The hot water cascades over my ink, every dip and curve of my muscular frame. I was a big guy, but compared to my father I was nothing but a shrimp.

Eventually.

'Human. Make us strong.'

I couldn't help but snort at my wolf, Gabriel, but agreed with him anyways. I didn't have any work now, but with the annual mating ball happening tonight, there was no way I would be bored today. 'Maybe meet mate.'

I shut him off. There's no reason to get into an argument with the other life taking place in my body. That would just cause a headache.

True to my thoughts earlier, my Delta's mate came into the gym as I was working out this morning. I'd been in here for roughly an hour anyways. "Alpha, are you prepared to discuss the mate ball?"

I give a curt nod and gesture for her to follow me, which she does. I don't like talking about pack things while I'm working out, this is my free time and space to clear my head. Sauntering up the stairs, I catch the eye of a few pups who glance at me with toothless grins before their parents pull them away with a wary look. I'm no idiot, I'm quiet and reserved and that sometimes translates into me being a dick.

Let them think what they want, that's not my problem. As long as they respect me, I don't care who fears me. My whole pack knows I would die for them without a second thought, but I would fight till the very end. This pack is my family and has been my only form of silent support for years. My hand clasps around the bronze doorknob and with my free hand, I gesture for her to enter my office. It's simple, nothing extravagant and I haven't changed much from when my father was Alpha. My large black leather chair creaks ever so slightly when I sit down and place my arms against the lacquered cherry wood. "Go ahead."

Smackle nods and begins to pull out random forms and speaks about the budget. Confirming minor details with me and asking if I'd like anything else. "No, you've done well. Thank you Theta for doing this along with your other requirements." Isadora Smackle is our pack doctor as well, she's pretty much a genius just like her mate and when in her office, there's no one better.

"It's not a problem." She waves me off and tucks a strand of her raven haired locks behind her ear. "Who knows, maybe you'll meet your –"

I raise my hand to stop her from speaking, to which she complies instantly. The males and females I work with on a daily basis aren't even close to being afraid of me. But, in times like this where they make comments such as that, I can't help but wish they were. "If the Goddess wanted me to have a mate I would have found her ten years ago." Her face falls slightly, it's no secret I'm one of the few wolves – especially Alpha wolf – that has not found a mate.

I had given up four years ago, after travelling the world and having the Alpha position thrust on me before I had found her, there was no reason to keep looking. I was twenty-eight now and when I first turned eighteen and had the ability to find my mate, my wolf and I were more than eager. We were on the edge of our seat excited. But after countless tales of Luna's being used against the Alpha, I've come to peace with the fact I don't have one.

Gabriel hasn't, but I have.

"I ordered the croquembouche," Smackle pulls me out of my thoughts with a small smile on her face. Not pitying, but I could definitely do without it, she knows where my mind was running. "I know it is your favorite."

After a small 'thank you', and 'see you tonight', she's off to continue preparing for this evening. Which was I needed to do, mentally prepare.

The party was in full swing. Even on the top floor, I could hear the laughter, and music from the ballroom and not surprisingly mating pheromones from a few floors down. Seems as if some wolves couldn't wait. The mating ball is held every year, each month a different pack holds one and all the unmated males and females come to try and find their other half. A tradition I'm proud to say my great grandfather came up with, it was ideas such as the mating ball that caused other packs to label him as the 'Wise Alpha'.

At the moment I'm standing in front of my room, dreading going down to this mating ball. As Alpha, I don't have a choice in going. Maybe a quick walk around the pack house, just a quick one and I'll head inside. "The fresh air will help clear my head." Gabriel huffs, upset about the fact that I'm delaying the inevitable. As soon as I open up the front door to the pack house, cool wind slaps me across the face. Inhaling deeply, I let the breeze relax my mind.

I can smell the trees, the water from the waterfall and random animals that are trotting through my territory. Rounding the next corner, I inhale again and smell something incredibly enticing. The smell of strawberries and sugar permeates the air more and more with every step I take. "Gabriel?"

'Find it. Now.'

I'm hit with another gust of wind and with shaking legs, I'm brought to my knees. A deep, pleasurable growl rumbles my chest. "Holy, fuck." My heart is beating wildly against my chest at an unnatural speed. There's no way this is some sort of drug.

"ALPHA!" One of my wolves making rounds for the safety of my pack sprints towards me with worried eyes. "Are you okay? Should I get the Theta?"

He'd be out if this were a drug. "Do you smell that?" A gust of wind floats by again, I can feel Gabriel pacing relentlessly, he desperately wants out. Knowing that the best thing to do is lock him up tight, I do and avoid the snarling in my mind.

Lifting his head into the air, the warrior sniffs slightly but frowns. "I smell a few scents Alpha. Vanilla, there's a pine –

"Strawberries. Something sweet." His brows furrow at the sound of my desperation, but he nods his head in agreement. I'm off of my feet and with every step my stomach turns into knots. Ahead, I can see some light peeking out from the window that is open. That must be where the scent is coming from.

'Mate?'

I block him out, I've never had a mate – obviously - and even though this is what I think it would feel like, I refuse to get my hopes up. When the trail ends at the open window and mingles with the other hundreds of scents here, my conclusion seems to be correct. However, the strawberries stands out. My eyes shift around the room vicariously in search of who it might be. Gabriel seems to be doing the same thing, whining in the process. My green eyes meet a plate full of strawberries, disappointment fills me to the brim.

My heart seems to shatter. Fucking strawberries, literally. "Damn it." Gabriel buries his face underneath his paws, and flicks his tail over his eyes before shutting me out entirely. We got our hopes up. "Why was it so strong?" Cursing myself into oblivion I make my way back to the front and try to calm my shaking hands. I'm not sure if they're shaking from anger or sadness, but when the urge to curse the Moon Goddess invades my mind, I know it is the former.

Let me just get in, and get the fuck out. I'm in an awful mood. Slamming the ballroom doors open, they crack against the stone walls gathering the attention from the entire party. The pack parts in the middle, making way for their Alpha. The strong scent hits me one more time, and with everything inside of me I force the grimace off of my face.

Never again will I eat fucking strawberries.

Even thinking it, I'm immediately taking that back. I enjoy their flavor too much. Gabriel wakes back up again when it seems to be getting stronger and gives off a wave of my power, just to show any pups visiting from other packs who exactly I am. I'm used to the stares and whispers I get from my pack members as well as others, it's odd for an Alpha not to have a Luna. In fact, it goes against everything that a pack needs. Luckily, the leadership females – no matter how busy they are have taken on the role of Luna as a group and have done a decent job.

I digress, I'm used to the curious stares when there isn't a female on my arm. But there was a burning stare on my body, I could feel everywhere this wolf looked but ignored it to the best of my ability or Gabriel would get annoyed and snap. He was in just as bad of a mood as I. "Enjoy the party." I announce when a small crowd had formed around me.

On cue, the music started and wolves had begun speaking and dancing once more. However, those damn strawberries were putting off a ridiculously large scent and that heated gaze was becoming overwhelming. To my surprise, Gabriel began to purr in delight. For a moment, I release control to Gabriel and feel him snap our head in the direction of the smell and stare.

The most beautiful woman in the entire world is staring at me with the softest parted pink lips I had ever seen. Holy shit. Her dark chocolate curls ended a few inches beneath her chest that's heaving up and down. She's probably feeling the way I feel, breathless. Her heart shaped face is covered with the smoothest ivory skin, decorated with a few fading sun freckles. My gaze follows a small button nose up to a pair of arched eyebrows, and at the same exact time I lock eyes with her, I know I'm a fucking goner.

Beautiful. Beautiful doe eyes that are the color of melted chocolate blink innocently at me surrounded by long thick lashes, drowning me in their depths, pulling me deeper until I can't hold on any longer. "Mate." I whisper and realize Gabriel relinquished his hold on me, Gabriel must be as shocked as I still am.

A gust of wind blows her hair behind her tiny frame revealing her collarbone, pushing her scent out the window I was looking through earlier. My gaze shifts towards the table in front of her and the urge to punch myself in the damn face is strong. The dessert table.

The strawberries. I fucking love strawberries. "Alpha." I acknowledge the presence of my Beta but don't look away from the woman who became distracted with serving desserts. He follows my line of sight and intakes a sharp breath. "Alpha, is she your –

"Beta, I'll have our Theta Smackle send her home. I need you to follow her, keep an eye on her and make sure she's safe. Understood?"

He nods his head, taking one step to leave until he hesitates and returns to his spot beside me. "Alpha, are you sure you wouldn't want to do this task? I only ask simply because she's yours and –

Knowing his train of thought, I nod in agreement. "I would much rather be the one to do this. But, if I don't leave now, I'm afraid I'll be too much for her. Gabriel will want to mate and mark her." And from the way he's biting and scratching at my mind, I know for a fact it will happen. Gabriel howls in pleasure when he sees a genuine smile playing on her lips, it's damn near the closest thing to perfection in this world. The wolf takes the dessert from her and laughs at something my mate said. She's perfect.

"She's human."

God damn it. Can't catch a fucking break. It's all in her scent, it's obvious but I was too distracted with how delicious her scent was or how gorgeous she was, I hadn't noticed. Her gaze meets mine before I'm pulling myself away and storming out of the ballroom, all while my mate watches me do it. Neither my beta who is following me or I speak until I'm slamming my office door shut. Gabriel is pissed right now, he'd been waiting years for our mate and I just left her downstairs. "FUCK!" Lifting up the nearest thing, I heave the lamp against the wall and listen to it as it shatters against the hardwood floor.

"Alpha, wolves have human mates all the time."

"Not. Alphas." I spew through gritted teeth.

Not only have I been deprived of a mate for ten years, but she's fucking human. The most fragile of all the creatures who walk this damn planet. My fingers grip the strands of my hair, "the Moon Goddess knows what she's doing Alpha."

Falling into the familiar leather chair, I let my elbows rest against the wood. "Josh. What the hell do I do?"

He sighs and gives me a wide grin, "who the shit cares what anyone thinks about a human mating to an Alpha. As long as you are truly mates –

"We are!" I snarl.

"- Then no one can say anything. No one will go against the Moon's wishes." He continues as if I never interrupted him, "tell me Alpha. Does the knowledge of her being human cause your feelings to change any?"

"No." She's the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Even the wolves she was serving got along with her. "My wolf wants her, no matter what."

Josh shrugs as if this were an easy decision, "that's great. Wolves love their mates before they've even see them. Does it bother you that she's human?" Well shit. Does it? She'll be at more of a risk and in danger than ever before. Am I willing to do that to her?

'Human. Don't fuck this up.'

'I can't bring her into danger, knowingly.'

'We will protect mate. You want mate, I feel it.'

Of course I want her. If I wasn't a wolf, she would absolutely be someone I pursue. "Josh, I've come to terms with the fact that I didn't need a Luna. I've been okay with this for years now. But she blindsided me, not even a fucking warning from the Goddess. I was fine, but even just the thought of her is making me go crazy. She's fucking everything up."

"In the best way possible." He tacked on, knowing exactly what I was trying to say but couldn't quite vocalize. I'm not great with words, Beta Josh is the only wolf I have ever opened up to and that's because we're practically brothers. "I'll have Smackle dismiss her for the evening and follow her as you requested. You need a few moments to gather your thoughts."

Deciding I needed one last glimpse of my mate before she left, I follow him downstairs and ignore the amused expression on his otherwise smug face. Dick. Once I'm back in the ballroom, my Beta veers off to meet up with Smackle and I try to blend in with the crowd to try and spy on my mate. Which proves to be more difficult than originally intended, wolves keep their distance from me but from where I'm standing I have her in plain sight and remain in the shadows. Goddamn she's beautiful.

She's not serving anyone at the moment but swaying from left to right to the modern music, her long locks shifting in the process and a content smile tugging at her lips. My mate seemed completely at ease, Gabriel and I were in complete awe of her. She's tall with a tiny waist, I could absolutely see myself holding her and loving her for as long as she'd let me and even after that.

So, once Smackle dismisses her for the night I ignore the small frown pulling at her lips before she nods and thanks her for everything with a grin and follow her outside. It is incredible how quickly her frown flipped into a smile, her carefree and happy attitude is definitely contagious. Obvious from Theta Smackle's smile and my own I am just now realizing was there.

My intention was to follow her home and ensure she got their safely but then she calls for a cab, throwing my plan out of whack.

God she's fucked everything up, she wrecked the complacency my life had become, the complacency that I was fine with. I should hate this situation.

And in a way I do.

I hate that I want her so much. I hate that I hadn't found her sooner. I hate that the Moon Goddess has put this angel in my life and her safety is at risk. But, I hate more than anything that I'm selfish and couldn't give two shits about the danger I'm going to willingly bring her into.

Here's hoping I'll be able to wreck her life in the same way she wrecked mine.

Author's Note.

Hello Lovelies.
What'd you think of this unedited chapter LOL?
By the way I was super thrilled with the feedback I received last chapter. I know I hadn't posted in a while so I wasn't sure how much attention this book would get at first.
So, what did you guys think of Lucas?
Any song suggestions for this chapter? I kind of love the one that's posted above. I think it fits well, but I always take suggestions and if I think they can fit, I can add them to the list.
Also, I am still on the hunt for covers.

XOXO, Taylor.

Date Posted:
Word Count: 3,212