The Mating Game

The Last Game

A/N: No editing has been done. 

The Mating Game

Chapter 8     

 Howl could admit that he'd seriously neglected the mating game that was hosted for him. Albeit it hadn't been his idea and he would have much rather found a mate a different way, he still knew his parents had expected for him to be more involved. Unfortunately though he'd opted out and instead had his beta and third in command take over the games. He trusted their opinions and knew that they'd create the correct challenges in order for the best Luna to win. But as Howl stared at the names of the last four competitors he couldn't help but feel he already knew which Luna he wanted. 

  Perhaps his opinion was a little biased as he'd spent time with the curly head beauty that slowly reigned in his interest. Her innocence and naivety had made him fond of her. 

  Howl looked up from the paperwork on the remaining competitors and into the eyes of an eager Dylan. 

"So...?" Dylan asked. He'd been waiting on Howl's decision for quite a moment now. 

"So you want to wrap this up with one last challenge? A scavenger-hunt? We probably could have done something simpler like allowed me to meet the girls and just picked who I was the most attracted to."

"Oh yeah that's smart ,with an impending war on our hands lets make enemies with a few alpha's daughters by insulting them by basically telling them that they aren't attractive enough for you Howl...that will certainly be a good idea." 

Howl just shrugged in annoyance,  he knew that Dylan was right and had given him the best advice. He knew that it was about time the games be closed. His parents had honestly wanted for the games to last for a week. They were supposed to be quick. There were too many issues within the pack that required taken care of and in order for Howl to be prepared for the upcoming expected events he needed to be mated. He needed to be at his full attention and he also needed to keep the alliances he had. Plenty of alphas sent their daughters to him so that Howl could sift through them and find his appropriate mate, they trusted Howl with their daughters. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass or insult packs that were so closely aligned with him that their alphas were willing to mate their daughters with him. 

Howl made sacrifices for his pack. He even gave up the hopes of mating a woman he loved. Hell as soon as he found the mate he preferred they were expected - well required - to consummate their mating and mark one another in order to even be considered actual mates. There was no period of getting use to one another or seeing if they were truly compatible. For his situation that did not serve to benefit his pack. Mating was the only way for them to tap into the true power they held as alpha and Luna. Usually this lead to having pups. Which is why mating before dating was not usually advised. 

Who wanted to get stuck with someone they didn't actual like or find attractive?

  An alpha and Luna, in fact any wolf, did not reach their full power until mated. Which was why Howl had been pressured into the mating games anyways. He needed to be at his full potential in order to be prepared for what was to come. The very fate of his packed rested within his hands. 

"Alright do what you must."

"You don't want to contribute with helping me put this hunt together? Hell I really don't even know what to make them find." 

A sudden thought occurred to Howl. If he could leave hints to her that only she could understand maybe just maybe she could win this thing. 

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