Blood Moon Rising

Chapter Two || Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon celebration was under way; there were hundreds of wolves mixing and mingling, laughing and flirting. Xander looked around at his people in careful observation. It's been 5.. no, 6 years since his ascension to the throne as Alpha. He would like to think he was well liked and respected as there haven't been any major problems within the pack or the territory and his father hasn't shared a single complaint. Positive right? Xander thought to himself, before shrugging and returning to his father's side at the table.

"You remember I retired right?" Michael, his father looked over, his silver eyes looked playful. Xander treaded carefully with his answer, "Y.. yes..?" His eyebrows knitted together as they studied his father's hands roaming beneath the table. "That means leave Xander. LEAVE." His father's random fling of the week giggled and his stomach felt ugh. Xander didn't know his mother, she died in childbirth with him and technically he was an only child. Only mated pairs can have children and Michael, even with his strong physique and handsome features of silver eyes and hair, never mated again after Xander's mother had passed.

Standing abruptly, Xander cleared his throat; "You do not have to say that again." He turned and scanned the crowd for Kane and Remus. Xander's longtime best friends as well as his beta and his gamma, in that order. Kane who stood 6'2 which was a little shorter than Xander's 6' 3; with red-ish hair and green eyes, was making out with some female pack member that Xander couldn't really make out from his position. Remus, standing 6'0 was really good looking with blond hair and blue eyes but absolutely stand-offish around everyone. So he was standing with his back to a corner, arms crossed, watching the activities of the evening. Choosing patrol over fun as usual.

Remus and Kane both are the pack's fiercest warriors. Top of every league they've ever competed in from any form of martial arts to any high school sport, a lot of it's probably their enhanced abilities as wolves. Like most beta/gamma options for the alpha, they have usually been friends for a very long time and at 27 years old, Xander would absolutely say it's been a long time. He watched his friends and family enjoy their night before retreating to bed for the evening.

_____________________________

"Sir?" Kim, an omega of the pack or someone who served the royals of the pack, questioned lightly as she was holding out a paper towards Xander, causing him to look up from his pack binder, something he had to organize trades, alliances, and money generation. "What's this?" He took the paper from her and she adjusted her mini skirt, something he could tell she specifically picked out for him. Something she did every day. Stuttering as she blushed, "I.. It's a letter from the Blood Moon pack requesting the alpha's presence for a throne ascension."

Looking over it, Xander nodded and set it down. "Seems as though James and Cassidy are ready to settle down, and let their..." he tilted his head to double check the paper, "unmated?? Daughter inherit the throne?" He was only confused because she was a female. It was common to see a male alpha and just as common to see an unmated male as alpha but it has been decades since a female ascended the throne, much less an unmated female.

Kim nodded quickly, "I hear she's an only child and it's that time for the alpha and Luna of their pack. Do you have an issue with a female alpha?" She smirked, clearly used to questioning him. This caused him to let out a low growl at her, causing her to perk up frightened then back away from his desk. "I didn't mean any offense, Alpha Xander." Kim apologized quickly, lowering her head.

"It's not that. It's just a rare occasion. And it surprised me." Xander stood quickly, adjusting the collar of his tie-less gray suit. He stepped around the desk and passed her, "I'm going for a run, you can see your way out Kimberly." She shuddered at his closeness and nodded.

Xander opened his mind to Kane and Remus, Are you two up for a run?

Kane groaned, I was just getting to the best part. You should see this chick, she's so flexible and..