Chapter 8

Adrian's POV

Thursday arrived sooner than I expected. And yes, I was excited, not to meet some random chick I didn't know, but to see Kyle again. Who knows, I might get another surprise like Thanksgiving.

I dressed up in my nicest suit, tied my long hair into a half ponytail giving me a stylish, but classy appearance. Of course, I headed out with Mason for the restaurant.

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"Welcome, Alpha Darius." I welcomed the family of our guest. He was accompanied by his wife, who appeared almost the same age as his and two women, who I am assuming are his daughters.

"Alpha Adrian." He nodded, keeping hai face stern. "This is my family. Luna Celeste Frost. That's my older daughter, Amber Frost." He gestures towards the woman, standing to his right.

She stood tall, elegance dripping through every step she rolled while her blonde hair was tucked securely in a bun giving her an authoritative stance.

"This is Vera" he finally introduced me to the woman in question, also blonde but with less formal and more relaxed attire. She seemed genuinely interested in everything that was happening. I pitied this girl. She glanced at me, stealing gazes, trying to check me out.

I nodded at each one of them and asked them to take their seats. While they brought their entire family, I only brought Mason with me. Before we proceeded I asked the waiter to bring us the menu.

"So, before we proceed, I wanted to ask you. You have been Alpha for almost a year now, what made you seek a Luna now?" He asked.

"I have been trying to get my pack in order. I wanted to make sure things are steady when I bring Luna to my pack." I answered with a polite smile. From the looks of it I could tell he was convinced so he nodded.

I knew I had to play along for a while, because as far as I could tell Kyle wasn't here yet. No matter what, I could always smell him, even if I was surrounded by so many delicious aromas of Gourmet dishes.

"I have noticed quite some improvements since you took over the pack," Alpha Darius noted. "I expect you to keep flourishing." He added. It sounded less like wishful thinking and more like a threat. Of course he was an alpha, he wanted good things for his family.

Which made me ask them promptly, "I am aware our pack hasn't had the best reputation in the last couple of years. With all due respect, what made you interested in ours?"

"Like I said, things have improved since you took over." He clarified. "I see potential, and I know my daughter is very well versed with pack responsibilities. She will make a wonderful Luna" he added.

I forced a smile at them. Clearly things were not going good, as in them being disappointed and breaking things off. And where the hell was Kyle anyways? "Do you have any more questions for us?" Alpha Darius asked.

"Yes, I'd like to talk about some pack logistics as well." I clarified. I know it sounded more of a business meeting, but isn't that what finding a Luna was all about?

We talked for almost an hour, discussing their pack and mine. Turns out he doesn't need to merge his own pack with ours, which I would have hoped given he has two daughters. Amber is already married to another powerful Alpha, and they both had a younger brother who was training to be next in line who couldn't make it here due to some injury.

"Well, I suppose you would like to talk to each other before finalising?" Alpha Darius suggested.

"Yes, can we talk in private for a bit" Vera whispered in her dad's ears, but it was audible to all of us being werewolves which she seemed aware of. Clearly she was trying to come off as modest.

Alpha Darius looked at me and added, "well this has been nice, we'll keep in touch. We need to go, but Vera will keep you company". He added and left with his wife and elder daughter.

It's been over one hour, and no sign of Kyle. Not only was I frustrated, but this whole ordeal was frustrating to me to begin with. The one advantage I had didn't seem so advantageous anymore.

I excused myself for a moment along with Mason, feigning a pack thing. I cornered him and asked, "You said Kyle will be here!" I hissed.

"He should be. According to my sources". He fumbled. Let me check," and he disappeared. Frustrated, I came back to my seat and forced a smile. She smiled flirtatiously back at me.

"It seems like we can finally talk now," she put her hand over me. I had the urge to pull away and break her hand at the same time, but I held back. Seems like by sending off Mason I too have sent some sort of signal that I wanted us to be alone.

"What would you like to eat?" I offered, hoping to divert the conversation.

"I am not sure, you picked this place, you decide." She shrugged.

"Even, I am new here, perhaps we should ask the server". I shrugged. I called one of the servers for specials, but he seemed overwhelmed by his own menu. He apologized and stated he was new here while he went away to get someone more experienced. I swear humans are so vain, they shouldn't be allowed to exist.

"Are you alright ?" Vera asked me skeptically.

"Yes, I am just annoyed by incompetence." I sighed.

"I know what you mean, as a pack beta I have to deal with this more often than not." Vera informed me.

"More than the Alpha?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Of course," she scoffed. "I filter out so much incompetence before it reaches him. It's sort of my job, along with assisting him." She smiled. "And since I have observed my mother taking on Luna's responsibilities and Helping her along with it, I know I'll be good at it." She added, showing her interest.

I stared at her for a moment, taken aback by her straightforwardness, and frankly annoyed at how someone could be this needy. As if she could ever be more attractive than my mate. Speaking of which…

"I heard you wanted to know more about the specials?" A familiar voice hit my ears, and the familiar scent reached my nose at the same time. I looked up surprised but delighted to finally see his face. He had a black expression on his face with a hint of fake smile. I could feel his pheromones getting stronger as annoyance dripped through his perfectly polite posture.

"You don't seem like the waiter," Vera commented in a condescending tone. My first tightened. How dare she try to insult my mate?

"I am the head chef". He remarked, "and also the owner." He added with smugness. Clearly I wasn't the only one annoyed by Vera, but I couldn't show that to him.

Sensing an opportunity, I jumped in, "I apologise for the inconvenience, but can you hurry up." He looked at me skeptically. "We have to get going for this thing and I want to make sure that my lady has a wonderful day today." I smiled sickening sweetly at her while ghestering Kyle.

He looked even more surprised, but within a split second he composed himself and through his gritted teeth he explained the variety of the favours in the specials. After listening to all I decided to let her order whichever she liked, emphasising that it was on me. I wanted to make sure Kyle knew that this was a date.

After taking our order he stormed out quietly heading towards the kitchen, making me feeling victorious, but also a bit uncertain. I hope I didn't push him away in order to make him jealous.