The Blue Blood Alpha

Chapter 57 - Envy

Atlas sips his scotch and scans the Mystic Falls function room. The first day of training with the combined operatives went well. Today the young Alpha took the lead, running through tactical skills and drills with all participants, and outlining the rules of what would take place tomorrow. Tomorrow the games would begin for real, and it would be team against team. Atlas would be leading the Pine Lake/Redwood pack team, going up against Delta Josh and Gamma Christie's teams. All three team leaders were competitive and wanted their own team to win.

Mystic Falls was hosting a welcoming party for the visiting elite soldiers. As protocol dictates, when packs get together, it's encouraged they not only train hard but socialise too. The hope was, that mate pairings would be found.

"Where is your uncle?" inquires the immaculate looking Beta Jaxon. Atlas notices the pretty boy Beta looks extra polished tonight in his evening attire; he is clearly out to impress someone.

"Do you really care where my uncle is, or are you more interested in where a certain visiting Luna is?" replied Atlas with a cocked eyebrow as he looks the beta up and down.

"Well, they have been gone all day, and it's getting late now, and they still haven't returned! What if she's in trouble?" Jaxon says with a scowl.

Alpha Knight approaches giving Jaxon a friendly slap on the back, which is just a tad too hard "Jaxon...Luna Sophie is in very safe hands. Save for myself, nobody here can even come close to challenging Alpha Knox. Need I remind you, that both Alpha Knox and Luna Sophie out rank you, which means if they want to stay out as long as they like...for whatever reason they want...then they can...and it's none of our business why" Caden gives the Beta a stern look "unless you want Knox's fist, ruining your pretty face, I suggest you back off".

The Beta gives a curt nod and bares his neck slightly to his Alpha, showing his reluctant submission.

"Alpha Knight, may I have a word?" says Christie, as she approaches the men "I was hoping Alpha Atlas and myself may be excused for the rest this evening to continue last night's meeting. Now that we've reshuffled our duties and teams, I want to run through some of the finer points of tomorrow's rules of engagement. I still don't think it is entirely fair that Alpha Atlas is even leading a team, he has the clear advantage over the rest of us" complains Christie, she never misses a trick, always trying to get an edge over the competition.

Caden smirks at his gamma "It's my understanding that Alpha Atlas only had two weeks to put his team together. You've been training with your team of operatives for over a year now. I think it is you who has the clear advantage.  However...if Alpha Atlas is willing to bow out of tonight's event and meet with you instead, I have no issue with it" says Caden as he turns to Atlas.

Atlas swigs the rest of his scotch and places the tumbler on a nearby table "I don't mind at all. As we all know, the real reason for these gatherings is to find a mate, and I can assure you, I am already very happily marked and mated" he says proudly.

"Ah yes, we're all very envious of you Altas, in my mind you're the epitome of a true Alpha. Possessing a very beautiful mate and a strong healthy pup, by all accounts, you have been moon blessed indeed. What is the point of being an Alpha without a family? I can obtain all the wealth in the world, but I can never buy what you have. I still hope one day to visit your pack and meet your beautiful family...it would bring me great joy to witness what you have first-hand" laments Caden, there is some deep sadness in the Alpha's eyes as he speaks.

"You would be most welcome at Pine Lake. I'm sure my darling Rose and my pup Xavier would love a visit from the esteemed Alpha Knight" Atlas says with a nod.

"May we use your office to have our meeting? Last night Atlas and I met here in the function room, but it's far too noisy tonight" inquires Christie

"Of course, my office is at your disposal. Jaxon will have some refreshments sent, and ensure you are not disturbed".

With Caden's parting words, Christie leads Atlas out of the pack function room, down the hallway to Alpha Knight's impressive official office. Christie rolls her eyes, as Atlas's mouth hangs open in awe as they enter the massive room.

"Caden allowed Jaxon free reign to construct the office for him, and as you can see the Beta has unleashed all his adolescent male fantasies into the design of the space. It's over the top of you ask me" says the Gamma.

"I think it looks awesome!" exclaims Atlas as he enters the room. The office looks like a collaboration between James Bond, The Godfather and Christian Grey, in other words, the ultimate bachelor pad. Atlas circles the office, admiring the bold design "wow...I have to give it to Jaxon...he knows his stuff! I definitely have office envy now...would you look at the bar! I mean where did he find... " Atlas pauses his speech mid-sentence and comes to a halt. He is standing in front of a large canvas hanging on the wall, it is huge, about 3 metres wide. The painting appears to be an impression of a pack run during a blood moon. The artist has painted all different coloured wolves with bold brush strokes, expertly capturing the excitement of the run, with the beauty of the blood moon depicted in the background. What makes Atlas's heart skip a beat, is the stunning white wolf with black dipped paws, flanking one side of the prominently featured black Alpha wolf. He remembers this wolf, the one that he mated in fur form, the one who visits his dreams! My Mate!

Could it be a coincidence that the artist has depicted a wolf that looks just like his dead mate? Then Atlas heart almost stops again, now just noticing the smaller wolf, flanking the other side of the lead black wolf. He instantly recognises Rose's golden wolf with her beautiful bushy gold tipped tail. My Luna!

He takes a step back from the artwork, realising the artist has captured a mating run, with combined packs celebrating a wolf union. It is easy to recognise the Alpha, clearly it is the magnificent pure black wolf leading the pack. But which wolf is his mate? The two lead female wolves are flanking the Alpha, one on each side.

"Christie...can you tell me about this painting? Who are the three wolves most prominently featured at the front of the pack?" Atlas says as he looks at the corner of the painting, reading the signed name Lily Rose" and who is the artist?!"

OMG Atlas has stumbled upon Lily's painting?!  Do you think he will finally figure out the identity of his true mate? And are you happy about it? Predictions?  Loving the feedback - some of the comments are hilarious and make me LOL!  Please remember to vote for each chapter – I appreciate all the support! 🐺❤