To Catch an Alpha

Chapter 1- To Catch a Date

Kaiden Reynolds. The only name I had been constantly hearing for the last three months, and he wasn't even a member of my pack. Kaiden Spencer Reynolds. Just another spoiled, arrogant Alpha's son who had nothing better to do than break girl's hearts and party all the time. Per werewolf law, when an Alpha's son came of age to take over the throne of his father, he would have to choose a mate. Two unmated women from each pack must battle for the heart of the upcoming Alpha to become his Luna. The entire affair was so old fashioned. No woman should have to "duel" for a man's affections.

"Chase!" James hissed at me and pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned around in my seat to face him. His blue green eyes searched my face with a concerned look. A small smile fell on my lips towards him, and he mirrored my expression. We had been friends since we were in diapers. Our mothers have been planning our mating since we were two, but I don't think that I could mate with James. He's like a brother to me.

"Yes?" I questioned, my eyes fluttering down to my shoes to avoid his steely gaze. I was always a little shy, even around James. Maybe it had something to do with my status? I had no idea. My family and I were only Deltas, which is a step up from being an Omega. James, however, is a Gamma, and is helping me train to be one as well. A wolf can move up or down in the werewolf hierarchy, but when a wolf shifts at the age of 21, the Alpha decides their status. Alpha wolves shift at the age of 18, giving them an advantage over any challengers. Challenging doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's a bloodbath.

"Training, after school, are you in?" James asked with a smirk on his face and a mischievous glint in his eye. I smiled a full toothy smile and nodded my head, making him smile in return. I twirled a lock of auburn hair around my finger and shifted back in my seat to pay attention to Mr. Sanding talk about trigonometric functions. The bell rang within seconds of me turning around and I was grateful. I gathered my books and my bag and hurried out of the classroom.

"Hey there Chasey," I heard a voice call from behind me. I turned around to see none other than Braxton Pierce smiling at me with a wolfy grin. He was next in line to be Alpha and every girl in the school swooned over him. I gave him a polite smile back tiptoes towards him. His sandy blonde hair was shaved at the sides and sleek at the top. He ran his hand through it as I approached him. His green eyes looked me up and down and a small part of me felt disgusted that he would look me over like a piece of meat. His muscular arms were crossed over his broad chest as he leaned against the wall.

"Hello Alpha Braxton," I nearly whispered as I gripped my books tighter to my chest. If I did anything to make him upset, he could easily have me punished. I felt a calloused thumb on my chin, lifting my eyes to meet his. I could hear girls whispering as they walked by, no doubt jealous that Braxton is taking notice of the lowly Delta. Is he taking notice? "What can I help you with?" I blurted out nervously as he removed his hand from my skin. He let out a sigh then smiled at me, his arms leaving his chest as his hands dug themselves into his pockets.

"You're a beautiful girl Chase Bailey. Any guy around here would be lucky to have you," I swallowed the lump in my throat that was forming. I didn't know where he was going with this. "Thank you." I whispered and began to turn to leave. He caught my arm and spun me around against his chest. I gasped at the contact, I was a personal space freak. "My father is designing a ceremony, to find the mate for young Alpha Reynolds." I held in the urge to roll my eyes. The ceremony was all anyone could talk about. Finding the perfect dress, the perfect hairstyle, the perfect shoes, it was maddening. We all know that Kaiden wouldn't choose a girl from our pack. Our pack wasn't rich, or powerful, or had a lot of land. "I was asking if you would like to go..." he paused for a moment before looking into my eyes. "With me."

I was stunned. Why would Alpha Braxton Pierce, captain of the football team, wrestling team and baseball team, want to go to a ceremony with me? I blinked and slowly moved to pinch my arm. No, this was real. "I would be honored Alpha Braxton." I said quietly. He ran calloused his hand up my arm in a soothing motion. It didn't soothe me. "I'll see you later then?" I gave him a nod and was left standing by myself in the middle of the corridor.