- Augustine's POV-

"Is there anything else...I'm running late." I said as I stood in the pack house office next to two of my brothers as our father and oldest brother spoke to us.

"Augustine this is serious son." Dad sounded angrily. "Rogues are attacking, only one town over...and you want to go dancing?"

My brothers snickered at our Dad's words. I bit my tongue and maintained my cool. "I'm not going dancing...I have a club opening."

"You and your cousin should have never opened that place...it brings disgrace on our family name." My Father added with a shake of his head now.

"How, it's a business...one that might I add pays well, well enough to put me through school when you wouldn't." I threw in.

"I wasn't going to pay to have my son shipped away to take pictures for a living...you are my son, you need to start acting like it."

"How?" I asked, "when you stepped down You got the packs next Alpha in Junior, the packs next Beta in Marco, and the leader of the pack guard in Alfie...what do you need me for?"

Being the youngest of the great Antonio Andolini's four sons wasn't exactly glorious or something I ever asked for.

I didn't have power like my three older brothers, I wasn't held to the same regard as them...I mean sure everyone in town knew me, but it was only because I made it a point to get to know them.

And I knew that is exactly what my father wanted now...me...he needed the people person.

Junior spoke now. "We have a very real threat Augustine, We need the people to know about the severity of the threat of the rogues lingering around our pack...but we also need them to trust that we'll keep them safe."

I smirked. "So then tell them that...not me."

"Augustine." my father scolded me.

"Dad...Junior's the pack Alpha...the people, HIS people need to know him too and not just see him as a glorified figurehead."

"What each of your brothers do is integral to this pack just like you are also integral...you may not feel that you are in a position of power like your siblings because you do not have a title but you are just as important my son."

I knew there was no getting out of this, I would be the one who would have to go out of my way to not only inform the pack of the threat but also blindly assure them that everything would be fine.

Something that I didn't know for certain myself...but something I'd be forced to say...and I knew if I didn't agree, Junior would only order me to do his bidding.

And to keep what little independence I still maintain I'd go along with it.

"Since we're all here...I also wanted to talk to you Dad and Junior...tell you both that I've taken on a teaching job...-"

"Another job...photographer, club owner and now a teacher...you're just a man of many hats aren't you Augustine?" Junior asked a bit humored.

I felt the heat on my neck rising from embarrassment as I tried my best to ignore his comments. "I-It's a photography professor position over at the University in no-man's land."

"That's away from the pack." Marco pointed out.

"Ease up on him." Alfie sounded.

"You have something to add to this Alfredo?" Dad asked.

I looked to my brother, Alfie, to be honest...out of all my siblings, I was the closest to him. Maybe it was because he's closest to me in age, maybe it's because my only "official Pack job" is serving as a pack guard member Under his leadership.

"All I'm saying is he's unmated, no kids...and he'll be gone during the week but back on the weekends." Alfie spoke up for me.

"Speaking of Unmated." Father said now. "you're 30 now son...do you remember the talk I had with all of you when you shifted?"

My heart raced, "Yes sir."

All three of my brothers looked a little sad and none of them would say anything in my defense now.

"I told you, if ANY of you didn't find your mate by 30 I'd arrange a marriage for you."

"What does it matter anymore, Junior, Marco, Alfie...they all have mates, and children to carry on our familial line."

"And while I love my family, I have but Granddaughters." He countered.

"Yeah, And?" I asked, "the council put forward the First Born law just a little over two decades ago...any of the girls would would still hold a higher power than any children I father...sons included."

Dad sighed, "once more Augustine, I have only granddaughters and one day they will all marry off and my name will be lost..."

I knew my sisters in law all had various reasons that prevented them from having children any longer.

"You also know Our pack has never been lead by a pack daughter...and we won't start now." He said before dropping his voice a little, "I know what the law states...a but the choice of Alpha resides in the previous Alpha alone...and I have it in my last will and testament that my familial pack may only be governed by a True Alpha son..."

I knew it wasn't worth arguing so I let him continue so I could go.

"Now I know you have a mate out there somewhere son, and as much as we all wish you could be with her...your time is up, and I wanted to tell you that I've found a perfectly suitable match for your bride."

"What?!"

"Calm down, Ace." Junior said, reminding me who was in charge.

Dad continued, "I've sat down with the girl's father and we've discussed the marriage contract...-"

"No...I'm not going to just marry some girl I've never met...one who has her own mate out there somewhere." I said.

"This isn't up for debate, It's already been submitted to the council." Dad sighed tiredly.

I turned to leave and Junior tried to stop me "Ace!"

"Let him go." My Father said now.

_____

"'Bout time you showed up." Vinny sounded as I walked right up to him.

"The place looks good...decent crowd considering we aren't officially open just yet."

Vinny nodded. "We got good music, hot girls, the drinks are free tonight, 3 minimum of course...but this crowd here tonight will spread the word and we'll be packed this weekend for our official opening."

I only nodded.

"Hey what's with you?" He asked as he hit my chest with the back of his hand.

"My Father." I growled.

I didn't even want to voice that my dad was trying to marry me off to goddess knows who.

"I get it cuz...your dad, he's the previous Alpha so it's only natural he expects a lot out of you...-"

"He wants too much." I cut him off.

Before Gio walked over handing me a drink. "Here ya go Ace...try one of the house specials."

I thanked him and tasted the drink, it had a more delicate taste than I expected. It was smooth but had a sharpness at the end of it.

"What is that?" I asked as I finished the sample he'd given me.

"I call it a She-Wolf."

I nodded, "soft and smooth with a vicious bite." I said as my own wolf went wild within me.

I figured he was still riled up about Dad trying to use us as a fucking piece in his big game plan.

I tried to ignore it but I was nagging at me to turn and watch.

So I finally gave in just as Vinny started talking.

My eyes drowned out every other person in the club except for HER.

I couldn't do anything except stand and stare.

My eyes moved with her, every move she made of her gorgeous body unknowingly taunted me.

She was all leather and lace.

Her hips swayed so seductively and her wolf called to mine like a whisper in the dead of night.

'MATE'

"Who's that?" I asked trying to hold what little of my composure I had left.

"Who Ace?"

I pointed to the group of girls my new found mate was dancing with.

"Oh, that's Grace Wylde and her girls... they're notorious for visiting other packs and hitting up their clubs and bars."

"I figured Pops would have his precious little angel on a tight leash." I sounded, "Alpha Roc Wylde broke so many hearts back in his day...you'd think he'd know better than to let his daughter out alone late at night."

Vinny chuckled, "she ain't no angel that's for damn sure and that ain't Roc Wylde's daughter either...she's Dylan's."

"Oh..." I looked at my cousin and smirked, I had heard all about the "Wylde child" she is the oldest of Alpha Dylan Wylde's daughter's, she's everything a Luna's not suppose to be...she rejected the stereotypical Were conformity so no doubt she'd try and push me away as well.

"Oh no, no, no... I know that smirk, What are you thinking Ace?"

I looked at my cousin once more, I could feel my eyes growing dark with excitement at the possible adventure of obtaining my mate.

"I've always liked a little challenge."

And just like that I set off to make my first move.