C5 Jackson POV

I didn't want to come for this wedding in the first place but I had no choice. I hate the crescent pack; they are liars and manipulators. I told everyone but they didn’t believe me. Eliot knew I hated him, so sending a special invitation didn’t come as a shock to me. He probably wants to rub it on me since he has a mate now and that too with another pack. I had to attend if not it would be a sign of rebellion and might cause a war among wolves. Even though I know I will win, after all I am the strongest alpha, I didn't want to cause an unnecessary fight.

I knew the party would be luxurious, but Eliot took it too far. i didn’t really care though; it is not my wedding nor is it my money. I saw the order of events and I couldn't help but laugh. a three-day event? Anyways, I could care less. One of the maids escorted me and my right-hand man to our room. It is not really normal for an alpha to share his room with someone but this is Eliot's way of degrading me. I didn't really care, I took it. At least, the room wasn’t shabby.

“Alpha, I could leave if you want me to.” my right-hand man, drake said.

“no, please stay. I am ok." I said to him while looking round the room. I had a bath and freshened up for dinner for the alphas.

it is obviously big and luxurious like I thought it would be. There was a lot of drink and food for all the alphas. According to him, he wanted all of us to share in his happiness.

After the toast and we were all done eating, he decided to pick on me.

“so, alpha jackson, i didn’t see you come with anyone. don’t you have a mate?” he asked.

Everyone looked at me expecting an answer but I didn't want to give any. As the strongest alpha, it was quite normal for everyone to question my inability to find a mate. but unlike other alphas that just go around and pick anyone, I am looking for the right one. My mother always told me about this magical moment of finding a mate and how good it feels and I want to experience that.

“If you have none, you can take from our pack before leaving. we have so many beautiful and strong she-wolves.” he said to me with a little chuckle and sipped on his wine.

“no, thank you. I am fine, and we both know that finding one is very easy for me.” I said to him and looked at his bride. He frowned at me. I think he got the memo.

With the kind of influence I have, any woman would feel lucky for me to choose them. Even Eliot's so-called bride, if I gave her the chance, she would leave him and come to me immediately.

After dinner, it was time for the ball, I stayed by the side for a while and sipped on some champagne. I must commend Eliot though; he does know how to throw a good party. The ball was massive and filled with a lot of pulp and splendor. There were a lot of drinks and food that was enough to feed a community. no wonder their pack members don't lack food. It was a masquerade ball so everyone had to cover their faces.

I stayed for a while and got bored so I went upstairs. Drake tried to stop me but I insisted. I really didn’t want to stay; not because I was jealous or something but because they are liars and killers and I will prove it.

I waited until midnight with my right hand-man, drake. At midnight, I went to the balcony immediately. I saw a lady there in black dress and on her mask. she was looking at the moon, when she noticed me, she turned and looked at me. We both stared at each other for a while. I didn't know what to say.

“Alpha, if you don’t mind can we find somewhere more private? I would like to speak about something important.”

“sure.” I said and inhaled. I led the way to my room. I sat at the end of the dining table in my room while Drake stood behind me. the girl in question stood on the other end.

“alpha of crescent moon is trying to cause a rebellion. this whole marriage is a way for him to take over is bride’s pack. he has done this to so many other packs and taken a lot of wolves and need you help to stop. i humbly ask you to help me.” she told me.

“and I can safely assume that you are one of the wolves he took.”

She was quiet for a while. “yes.”

I didn't say anything more. I was sure the silence was killing her. i knew that eliot was a scum but taking kids, that was far off. I thought really hard and I wasn't sure if it was safe for me to help her. She clearly wants something more but she isn’t telling me.

“remove your mask.” I ordered her after the long silence.

She took a deep breath and slowly reached for the back of her head and untied the mask and I was wowed. she looked even better without the mask. i knew she was pretty but without the mask, she looks like a piece of the moon.

“What's your name?” I asked her.

“amelia.”

“and how old are you?”

“18.”

I sighed. “let’s say what you are saying is true and i help you, what will i get in return?”

“What do you mean?”

“I do deserve something to help you.” informed her.

“isn’t this good enough, i am telling you how to prove all you have been saying.” she said.

so, she did her research.

“Well, I want something else.” I told her.

“What do you want?” she asked me.

“you.” I simply told her.

“I don't understand.”

“I want you to be my mate.”

She looked at me speechless, like I was on drugs or something. I knew she was in shock. It was out of the blue and unexpected so I decided to give her some time.

“I will be leaving tomorrow after the wedding so I need your answer by then. you may leave now.”

she left with a look of disbelief on her face. I looked at drake. There was a bit of shock on his face. I felt he wanted to say something but he was holding back.

“If you want to say something, just say it.”

He took a deep breath. “I don't mean to question you alpha but are you really going to marry her? you don’t even know her. wouldn’t it endanger you and the pack?” he asked.

“because she is my mate.”

Alpha, are you sure?”

Honestly, I am not. I don't even know why I asked her to marry me. I feel the connection but she doesn’t. I know we are connected but I don't get why she doesn’t.

“We will find out tomorrow when she gives an answer.” I stood up and went to the window. The moon was full and I really wanted to see it.

“what if she refuses?” Drake asked.

I didn't really think of her rejecting me, but for me, it is not an option.

“You may leave now drake. I want to be alone.”

“yes alpha.” he said and left.