Caesar's POV
I glanced at the invitation my Beta had just handed me, the third one this week. Another I would turn down like the others.
My gaze returned to the laptop. "Not going." My pack barely had any relations with the Southerners, and it was clear they only sent this invitation out of courtesy. So why waste my time showing up?
However, as the Beta who had served since my father's generation, and also my teacher - this man wouldn't stop talking.
"Caesar, you already have the northern territories under your control, but that isn't the end. To become the Alpha King, we need to make the southern territories ours too. Everything will be easier if we have insiders from there. So why don't you attend and meet the other Alphas?"
"No need for that," I mumbled. "We'll take them down when the time comes."
Beta Jaxon's sigh floated to my ears. "Not everything should be settled with a bloodbath, Caesar. More friends are better than more enemies or none at all. Make a few connections, and it'll be easier to win them over and make them submit."
I shot him a look, saying nothing.
He clamped his mouth shut, and I turned my attention back to the work on my laptop.
A few seconds passed, and the old man I thought I had silenced spoke up again.
"This is the third invitation I've brought you this week, yet you want to turn all of them down. Do me the honor of attending just one, will you? Also, their pack just happens to be nearby. Why don't we just drop by, say hi, and leave?"
"And who knows, maybe you'll find your mate there? You're already thirty and still unmated. It's because you never took socializing seriously. Your father is a prime example, he met his Luna at a dinner party. Maybe yours is waiting at one too."
"What's even the use of a mate?" I ran my hand through my hair. The elders in the pack had recently grown concerned about my mate situation. They even went as far as bringing random women near me, hoping one might be her.
"That's what everyone says, until they meet theirs. Don't you want someone who'll make your day better and make your heart race?"
I tapped the laptop, eyes still on the screen. "Shutting your mouth would absolutely make my days better. And heart racing?" I scoffed.
Infatuated people really had names for a lot of things. Heart racing, heart skipping a beat, butterfly fluttering in their stomach – whatever they called them. Do they even exist? I doubt it.
However, since Jaxon said the pack was nearby, why not show my face?
My lips curled into a smirk as I imagined the Southern Alphas calling a meeting just to rack their brains over why I'd shown up at their pack.
Well then, let's give them something to think about.
So, I told Jaxon we were heading to that pack.
It was indeed close by as we arrived in less than ten minutes.
Through the window, I could see the Alpha smiling happily.
But as soon as I stepped out of the car, his smile froze, vanishing like it was never there.
I enjoyed the flash of fear in his eyes, the swirl of thoughts racing behind those orbs.
Pathetic Alphas. What I liked to call those trembling creatures who couldn't stand before me. How dare they call themselves Alphas when they couldn't even function properly in my presence?
Before I could sink further into the pleasure of his fear, a wonderful rose scent danced into my nose, like spring blooming in the air.
What was that?
I clutched my chest, feeling my heart thump powerfully for some reason.
'Our mate! Our mate!' my wolf howled joyfully, his voice trembling like someone who had just won the lottery.
My mate?
My gaze followed the scent, and my eyes widened at the ethereal sight before me.
They say the goddess created everyone in her image, but I felt she must be the image of the goddess herself.
Her eyes were bright, green like spring, darting about like those of a curious kitten. Something stirred in my chest at the sight of her fluttering lashes. And when she licked those pink lips of hers, I was completely entranced.
Mine.
My heart clenched.
I wished she would look at me. But ut she didn't. She never did.
I watched those pretty eyes light up, and then she sprinted off.
She didn't glance at me. Not even once.
'Let's go after her! She's ours! Follow her!' my wolf, Night, growled, his voice filled with urgency.
The Alpha was deep in his greetings, but I could barely register what he was saying.
"This is my daughter. Her name is Autumn. She's an Alpha. Autumn, say hi…"
After exchanging pleasantries, I immediately entered the hall and, without wasting time, began searching for her.
However, my presence had clearly alerted some people. Before I could even try to find her, my path was blocked. Those Alphas surrounded me in false welcome, their eyes a mix of curiosity and surprise.
I mind-linked my Beta, asking him to do the needful.
Once he stepped forward, I used the chance to slip away.
I had to find that pretty woman.