Chapter 9 - Ares's Arrival

“I expect you to make a good impression.” Alpha Lucian, my father, glared at me as we arrived at the Black Claw packhouse in our limo with two black SUV escort vehicles in front of us and behind us.

“Yes, father,” I respond rather blandly. I know he expects me to be on my best behavior, and he expects me to find my mate. I roll my eyes in my mind since I know my father would beat me for actually rolling my eyes at him.

We spent the last twenty-four hours traveling to the Black Claw pack from our pack to attend the annual Mates Ball and week-long festivities associated with the ball and claiming. Father committed to attending for the first time since I turned 18 because he is ready to officially retire and wants to try to make some alliances on my behalf before he passes the Alpha title to me, not that I need his help with alliances. More than likely, I’ll end up ending those alliances once I take over since father and I have never seen eye-to-eye on how to run the pack.

My father abhors Alpha King Harmon and has grown our pack forces to a substantial size, rivaling the Alpha King’s pack forces. He has grown our forces in preparation for war with the Alpha King or for overthrowing him. My father has spent most of my life in pursuit of the Alpha King title since Alpha King Harmon was unable to produce a male heir and being that my father was able to produce a male heir, he always felt more entitled than Harmon to be the Alpha King. Like he’s more special than any of the other alphas with male heirs. After his failed first attempt to move the council to overthrow Harmon, he was written off for the most part by the council as a mad wolf, deeply disturbed and affected by the death of his mate, my mother.

Since I was a teenager, he has tried feeding me all his bullshit about being the next Alpha King. I never bought into his crap due to the fact that the only time he paid attention to me was when he wanted to convince me that I was destined to be the next Alpha King right before brutally beating me into submission when I didn’t take him seriously or didn’t share the same views as him on the subject. After a while, I couldn’t take it anymore so I spent a lot of my late teen and early adult years in seclusion and as far away from my father as possible. I’ve just stayed out of his life and away from the politics outside of the daily operations of our pack. I have spent my time focused on training our pack warriors and maintaining the daily operations in our pack since my father has for the most part become reclusive and only focused on growing our forces to one day take over Alpha King Harmon’s territory by force. I never listen to his ravings and ramblings if I can get away with it, but since he has for the most part abandoned the day-to-day operations of our pack, someone has had to step in and take care of everything. That has left me little time to deal with politics, let alone find my mate.

“Well, we are here. Just remember son, once you step foot outside of this vehicle - do not trust ANYONE not from our pack.” My father declares, staring me down seriously.

“Yes father, I understand.” I open the door to the limo and step outside, standing up tall to stretch. I look up at the packhouse in front of me towering over me. It is much larger and more grand than my father described it. I’ve never actually come to the Black Claw packhouse, even though I have spent many summers in Black Claw territory during my adolescent years.

My father described it as a modest size packhouse in desperate need of updating. As I stood in front of the grand estate, I realized it was nothing like my father had described it. Out front was a giant fountain in the center of the circle drive that opened up to a giant graveled area, for visitor parking I assume. The fountain wasn’t small by any stretch of the word, in fact, it was quite large. In the center of the fountain stood two large wolves towering over everyone that gazed upon it. They appeared to be howling at the moon and out of their mouths, water was spurting up and out. Smaller wolves are nestled behind and around the two large wolves. All the wolves look to be covered in a gunmetal, almost metallic coating. It was quite beautiful actually, almost breathtaking if you’ve never seen it before.

After getting over the initial shock of the fountain, the next thing that grabs your attention is the sheer size of the packhouse. It isn’t just a house, or even an estate like many tend to say it looks, it looks more like an actual CASTLE. I counted at least 6 stories, with wolf-like gargoyles sitting watchfully every 10 feet or they sat on each side of every steeple across the top of the house. There were hundreds of windows and small balconies attached to at least two rooms on each side of each floor, except the top floor, where the balcony extended all the way around the entire floor. It almost reminded me of a French provincial chateau or castle.

The packhouse was surrounded by thick luscious woods that made my wolf itch to get out for a run and explore, but I knew that wasn’t possible due to the preparations happening right now for the claiming. Nonetheless, the property itself was magnificent and thoroughly maintained. Nothing like my father ever described.

“Welcome to the Black Claw Pack’s packhouse Master Martin.” An omega that appeared to be like the head butler greeted me as I stepped closer to the entrance still glaring up at the magnificent architecture in front of me. When I didn’t respond to him he clearly assumed I was still taking the property in when he smiled at me and said, “It’s quite beautiful isn’t it?”

“Huh? Oh...yes, quite.” I snap out of my daze and agree with him.

“Let me show you to your quarters. Can I take your bags?” The omega kindly offers.

“Oh, we have some men that can take care of that. If you can just show me to my room, that would be great.”

“As you wish.” The omega nodded, directing me into the packhouse.

I followed him through the packhouse, up two flights of stairs to the third floor. The omega explained that there were six floors in total. The top floor was reserved for the Alpha King and his family, the fifth floor was for his beta, the female beta, and their family, followed by the fourth floor for other important pack members and unmated members. The third floor, he explained, was for visiting pack Alphas, their families, and dignitaries and all our pack members were welcome to find an available room on the second floor, which was for anyone else needing a place to stay for the night.

“What do I call you?” I inquired to the omega as he opened the door to my suite.

“You may call me Sergio.” He responds.

“Okay, well, thank you for showing me around Sergio. If I need anything else, I will let you know. I think I can take it from here.” I say grateful for his hospitality.

“It is my pleasure, sir. Please let your father, Alpha Lucian know we were pleased to hear of your commitment to attending the ball and that he would be accompanying you. If there is anything he needs, we are at his disposal.”

“I will let him know. Thank you, Sergio, that will be all.”

“Of course sir. Have a good evening.” I smile, shutting the door as he leaves.

I was finally alone, away from my father for the time being. Spending an entire day around my father was almost unbearable. Luckily, I was able to bring Alec and Alessandro with me to keep me company even if they had to stay on the second floor. It was better than having to deal with my father alone.

Tomorrow was the ball and it was getting late so I decided to jump in the shower and stay in my room the remainder of the night to get some rest.

As I began to drift off to sleep, I realized I was already dreaming…

I hear moans, my body is tingling all over. I feel hands wrapped around my neck and I realize a beautiful woman is letting me devour her. I can’t see her face, but for some reason, I know she’s beautiful.

“Oh Ares...Don’t stop…” She moans as she trails her hands down my chest. I already have my shirt off, but I’m still wearing my pants...the sweatpants I had just put on before bed.

“I couldn’t... stop….even…. if I wanted to…” I mumble between kisses I am placing down her neck and chest to one of her perfect tits.

I am inside her, and she feels so fucking amazing. This feeling feels amazing. So….perfect. So right. I run a hand to the back of her neck and the other I have holding onto her back right above her perfectly rounded ass.

“OH YES!” She screams and it sends such a jolt through my body, it’s electrifying.

I jolt awake. FUCK. I look down at my sweatpants and already know what I’ve done. I get up and go walk to the bathroom to clean myself off and change into dry boxer shorts. I get back in bed and try to get back to this goddess in my dreams...

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