The Wolf Games

California Dreaming

I board my flight and Massimo hasn't called me. I'm actually surprised but I'm sure he is so upset with me and will never forgive me for leaving that way.

Then I try and make myself feel better and think he does this to women nearly every day... how dare he be upset with me. 

My wolf Chloe, who normally never shuts up has stopped talking to me because she loves Massimo and can't believe I would do that to him.

I'm about to send him a message to say I'm sorry for not saying goodbye and that I'll call him when I land. I go to press the send button and I quickly delete it and turn off my phone.

I pop maybe five sleeping tablets as people are boarding the flight and I just want to forget everything and sleep.

My eyes get heavier and heavier and as I'm drifting off I smell the most incredible smell, sandalwood mixed with sage. My wolf is howling and I try to open my eyes and realize I forgot to take the masking tablet this morning and this smell could be my mate. The next thing I remember is being shaken by a flight attendant.

"Excuse me Miss? Hello? The plane has landed. Do you speak English? You've arrived in LAX" 

I open my eyes and feel disorientated. I'm looking around and everyone has already disembarked the plane.

"I'm so sorry" I feel the drool on my cheek and wipe it off with my hand

"Would you like some help getting your things? Maybe some water?" she asks with a concerned voice

"No, no, I'll be ok. Thank you" I grab my bag and disembark the plane. I see a restroom sign and decide I need to freshen up before going through customs. I wash my face and instantly feel awake. I fix my hair and put on some light makeup and change my clothes into a beautiful mini Victoria Beckham red dress that hugs my curves perfectly and has a plunging neckline showing off my breasts. 

It's important to make a good impression at The wolf games because you want the crowds to cheer you on and fall in love with you. I don't want the fame but sometimes wolves get endorsement deals if you're popular and you get free clothes and gifts. If I don't win maybe I can sell the gifts and use the money to help Mum. You want to win over the young wolves to think you're cool because they post it all over social media.

I finally arrive at the baggage area and see my lonely suitcase going round and round the conveyer belt. I pick it up and join the customs line. I can smell lots of wolves and I'm sure they have come from all over the world to attend the games. Many people are staring my way checking me out and probably thinking I'm someone important from the Alpha aura that radiates off me. Humans are always mesmerized by my looks but for my kind, we're used to seeing attractive wolves.

I suddenly remember that smell from the plane and curse myself for not taking the tablet that was shipped expressed for me to take. Oh god, what if my mate smelt me, what if he is here. I quickly go through my handbag and find the tablet and wash it down with my bottled water. I turn on my phone and no messages from Massimo. I send a message to my mum letting her know I landed and I'll call her when I arrive at the Red Moon Pack.

I look around and the line is huge and it's going to take hours to get through.  I can't freeze time and cut the line because there are a lot of security cameras and I can't risk being caught. I see a security officer and I give him a flirty smile and look away trying to be mysterious. Massimo has been teaching me how to flirt with guys since we were teenagers and I've become pretty good at it over the years but still laugh at myself every time it works. 

Without fail, the security guard walks over to me

"Good afternoon Miss or should I say Mrs?" he asks 

"um, hello" I giggle biting my lower lip pretending I like what I see. Foreigners love when they hear my Italian accent.

"It's Miss" I reply, giving him another flirty smile

"You must be tired from a long flight why don't you follow me and I can take you to the front of the line"  looking me up and down.

"Grazie mille, are all American men sweet like you?" I ask in my seductive voice.

The man starts to laugh because I've clearly boosted his ego and carries my luggage for me- leading the way I follow from behind. As we're cutting through there are hundreds of people lining up to be seen. A group of handsome werewolves stare at me and looked annoyed that I'm cutting the queue. 

One Wolf stands out in particular and he is dropped dead gorgeous. He is at least 6'5" with piercing blue eyes and brown hair that has been brushed back. He is wearing a black shirt with his sleeves rolled up showing off his tattoos that run up his arm. He clearly catches me checking him out and gives me a little smile.

Damn it! I can see from his smug look that he's happy I was checking him out so I decided to crush his ego. I look at his friend next to him who is also cute and using my seductive voice again. I look his friend in the eyes and say "ciao Bello"  followed by a wink

Mr. Blue eyes let out a low growl...

............................................................................................................................................................................

3 hours later I arrive at the Red Moon Pack House

This place is huge. The packhouse looks like The White House surrounded by a stunning garden with gorgeous mountains in the backdrop. 

There are so many checkpoints and security everywhere and I'm blown away by how organized this event is. There's lots of camera crew setting up and there are large screens everywhere showing past contestants and fights. My driver stops and opens my door. As soon as I hop out of the car I'm greeted by a short woman, with a blonde bob and looks no older than 20.

"Welcome to Red Moon Pack, may I please see your invite," she asks with a huge smile on her face

"Good afternoon" as I hand her my official invite

"Wow, Sasha Colombo " she says wide-eyed looking at my invite

 "Everyone has been talking about you. We've never had anyone compete from The Roma Pack before. Not many women apply either so everyone is very eager to meet you. We also couldn't find you on social media or google so everyone is very intrigued" she says way too enthusiastically

I changed my surname on the application to Massimo's surname because if I use my mother's maiden name which is Adolpha, I'm sure my Dad would put two and two together.

"My name is Taylor and I'll be your official guide, manager for The Wold Games"

"Nice to meet you Taylor. I won't be needing a guide or a manager, but I thank you for the offer" I say grabbing my bags. Taylor whistles for a young boy to grab my luggage and I see him quickly run over to us. He looks at me like love at first sight and I know it's not the mate pull but just a young boy liking my appearance.

"Hello, I'm Joseph. I would love to be at your service for anything you need" he says nervously.

"Nice to meet you Joseph, I'm Sasha but I was just telling Taylor I won't be needing any help" I then see his face drop like I've just broken his heart. He takes my bags and walks away with his head down.

"Don't be ridiculous. Everyone has a guide/manager for The Games. There is no way you could train and fight and keep up with all the events and photoshoots. I'll also be dealing with any endorsements, contracts and offers that come our way. I have a feeling that you're going to be getting a lot with your killer looks and the fact that there are only thirty women competing this year."

"Only thirty women out of how many?" I say shocked 

"1255" she laughs. Taylor begins to scroll through an itinerary on her iPad and gets straight down to business.

"First let me give you a tour and I'll show you to your room. In one hour you're booked in for hair and make-up for a photo shoot and then you can have a little rest. You can go for a run if you want or have a nap. I'll then send the glam squad again to your room at 6 pm and you'll need to be ready by 7 for the official masquerade welcome party"

Not even catching her breath she gets on her phone and after a few seconds tells whoever is on the line that I've arrived and that the yellow Givenchy will be perfect and to send to my room.

"I had no idea that I had to attend parties or even that there was a masquerade party" I groaned rubbing my temples like I feel a headache coming on. I just want to start fighting.

"The Masquerade is the most anticipated event. People travel all around the world to come. Tickets are really expensive to attend and all competitors wear a mask to add to the mystery for the upcoming games. You have to be there" she said way too eagerly.

I look around and I can see many wolves arriving and meeting their guide. I see one woman check-in and she's stunning. She's talking really loud and yelling at that sweet boy Joseph who took my luggage. She's making a bit of a scene and I can see Joseph is going red from embarrassment. She has long wavey red hair to her bum, killer body, but clearly has no style,- she looks over in our direction, looks me up and down and gives me an evil look, and then continues yelling at Joseph. I know this type of person and I have no time for them. She thinks she's impressing the crowd by belittling someone.

"Who's the redhead Taylor?" I ask in a firm voice shaking my head at how she's treating poor Joseph

"Oh, that's Naomi from the Cresent moon pack. She's the daughter of the Beta and has been training with her Alpha since she was young. She won't win but bets are that she's the strongest female participating in this year's game. She's in line to take over the pack since the Alpha never had children" 

I feel a lump in my throat as I wasn't expecting to hear about my dad so soon. Curious, I thought I might ask a few questions about him

"What's the Alpha like from the Crescent moon pack?" before she can answer my question Naomi has Joseph by the throat. Without even thinking I race over and begin to growl.

"Let him go!" I feel my wolf Chloe at the surface and wanting to claw her face

Naomi turns and looks at me and her grip gets tighter. Joseph is now turning Blue. 

"You have three seconds to let him go otherwise I'm going to claw that face of yours and I can assure you, you're going to need a bigger mask to cover your damaged face tonight" 

I can see her eyes change color and I know she doesn't want to submit to me

"1......2......" my claws come out ready to slice her face and she lets him go. Joseph drops to the ground and is gasping for air. I look around and notice there is a huge audience and people have their phones out filming us. I then see the guys from the queue at the airport and Mr. Blue eyes is staring right at me. 

Naomi lets go of Joseph and walks over to me. She comes inches away from my face and in a loud voice for the crowd to hear 

"You've just made yourself an enemy. You better watch out" she says, trying to intimidate me.

"Looking forward to it" with a huge smile on my face. She has no idea who she's dealing with.

Naomi storms off and I bend down to check on Joseph

"You ok?" I ask. I know he will be ok because werewolves heal pretty quickly but I'm sure he's embarrassed with everyone staring.

"Thank you Sasha. I'm sorry you've made an enemy because of me" his voice sounds all croaky.

"I don't want friends like that Joseph. Plus I think I will need your services. What do you say? Want to join team Sasha?" 

Joseph jumps up and gives me a huge hug. 

"I'm going to need you to escort me to the gym every morning and train with me every day. I'll need a partner to practice on." His eyes light up and gives me a nod

"I have to go tell my family. They'll be so proud of me" he screams and runs off obviously to go tell his family and friends.

"Are you sure that's a good idea Sasha? He's not very strong, I don't think I've ever seen him train before. He's an Omega  I don't know if he will be the best partner for you. Let me find someone more worthy" she says concerned

"I can tell he has a big heart and won't let me down. I don't need anyone to teach me to fight but I wouldn't mind teaching him a few moves so bullies like Naomi don't touch him" 

"I'm so happy to be on your team Sasha. Let me show you round."

"

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