Chicago Alpha

Chapter 4: Meeting the Alpha

Alpha Antonio's P.O.V.

~2 Hours before~

"Another," I ordered the bartender, who looked at me with wide eyes shaking his head. He never questioned me. Every evening at this time, I stopped by the restaurant after work and got dinner and drinks. There was no one for me to rush home to. There was no place for me to be.

I was the Alpha of Chicago's most prominent pack. Taking care of business was something I did on a regular basis. Most werewolf fans will tell you that werewolves live in mansions and do not work out in the ordinary world. They portray pictures of us just merely not existing with the human world. It is all completely wrong.

The world has always been full of otherworldly creatures. There are werewolves, elves, vampires, and other weird figures. We do not hide, to be honest. We have just learned that it is not anyone's business but ours. If we decided to share our existence with the world, we would, but it is not like we go out of our way.

There are some areas where it is more of a particular species that live there. The same goes for a lot of businesses. All species do coexist together, but because humans are a lot more naïve-minded. We choose not to do anything that would cause mass hysteria. We respect the natural process of things, and the government stays at peace with us. Humans maintain their political figures, and we retain ours.

Taking a long sip of my Jameson, I checked my phone. It was a quarter past five, and I knew that if I did not make it for the meeting with the Alpha from New York, he would begin complaining to the others. Removing a fifty from my wallet, I placed it on the bar. "See you later, Paul," I called out to the bartender, who saluted two fingers towards me in acknowledgment.

It was early spring in Chicago, and the weather was still a bit cool and not too warm in the daytime. My ideal time of year was spring and fall. High temperatures of 65 degrees and the lows only getting down into the 50s. Taking in a deep breath of Chicago air, I jumped into my pathfinder and made my way back to the Packhouse.

I turned on the radio flipping through my phone to play my favorite song. It took me back to my younger days before all the responsibilities and new things that now plagued my life. Being an Alpha was not an easy job. In fact, it was rather stressful making sure that the lives of so many people are protected. It was always worth it in the end, though.

Pulling into the long-paved driveway, I realized the hell that awaited me beyond those doors. I thanked God that I did not have to live here, at least not until I found my mate or wife to be. That was a task that I was not planning on doing any time soon. I had many things going on in my life that prevented me from taking things seriously with a woman.

The Packhouse was for all the pack meetings and for when visitors came. It was also where single warriors lived free of rent in the modern world until they found their mate. The only difference between a human partner and the supernatural is that the connection is more alive.

Many people have questioned my breaks from pack house tradition, but I found that breaking the rule was sometimes for the best. When you are growing a family, you need your own place. The single warriors should not have to worry about spending money on a place of their own for right now. I encourage them to save up and plan for their own place for when they find their mate. Of course, things were always subject to change if need be.

Once I did find my mate, the core of my circle would reside in the house. Unless, of course, they chose to live in their own home. Who was I to tell them what they may want to do with their own family? Yes, I was the Alpha, but it was the 21st century.

There was nothing enjoyable about where I was going, and most knew that I did not want to be there by my actions. It was not like an Alpha to hate the burden of being one, but then again, I had nothing joyous to look forward to.

I was the only Alpha without a mate, and I was in no hurry. Stepping from my car, I realized I was back in hell. I could smell the other Alpha waiting inside and wasted no time going to see him so he could hurry and leave.

The 10-bedroom manor was a beautiful sight to see on the outside. Still, once I stepped through the door, I realized it drastically needed some updating. The young male wolves' raging hormones encircled the manor, and I could not help but make a mental note on work I wanted to get done.

"Alpha Serrano!" A husky voice called to me from the formal sitting room.

I paused, looking in its direction, and sighed. "Hello, Brantley." I slowly replied. "What brings you to Chicago?"

The tall red-haired man stood walking towards me. He was well-manicured and gave off the impression that he had never done a hard day's manual labor in his life. Gripping my hand, he shook it and smiled. "Well, I was actually in town on business, and I thought I would stop in to see you and the territory. How are things for you?"

"Things are fine as always," I said, giving him a skeptical look. I knew this man well, and he never did anything out of the kindness of his heart. He always had an ulterior motive.

The smirk on his face let me know he was indeed up to something as he casually looked around. "That's great."

"What do you want, Brantley? You never come to visit." I grimaced, leaning against the wall.

"You know me. I have a firm here in Chicago that I usually maintain from afar, but business brought me here. Unfortunately, interests have requested me to remain here for a short while. Not to worry, I won't get into your way." Brantley said with a relaxed tone.

I gave him a skeptical look again and rolled my eyes. "Again, why are you here, Brantley?"

"You were always good at reading people, Toni." He hesitated for a moment considering his following words, "the council convened last week, and there were inquiries as to why you had not settled down yet. I mean, you are 36 now and still mateless. The only woman you have been with was temporary and not your soul's fulfillment. They are concerned and believe your territory needs a powerful ruling couple."

The anger began to surge through me as well as annoyance. I knew this is why he was here. The council of elders was like the Congress to the President. They were a bunch of former leaders, mainly betas. They were wise men that helped advise the Alphas and have been after me for years to find my mate. It is rather annoying to have someone always in my business pestering me.

"Seriously?!" I snapped at him. I watched as the man's eyes widened at my response. He quickly threw his hands up in defense.

"Hey, man. Do not shoot the messenger. I just told them I would let you know. Plus… I figured you could use a drinking partner after the news."

Giving a low growl, I observed him. I could not decide if I wanted to rip his throat out or drink with him. Then again, killing this man could start a war I really was not interested in. Turning towards the door, I opened it and began walking out.

Brantley looked at me with a questionable look. "Toni. Come out tomorrow night with me. It will be fun. It has been years since we did anything together, and we used to be close. For old-time sake?"

Turning to look at him, I sighed. "Fine. I will meet you tomorrow for a few drinks, but no more talk of marriage, please. I have more important sh*t to worry about." I watched as he nodded in approval, and I headed for my car. I had a pest to deal with this evening.

Driving my car down the downtown streets, I kept my eyes open for the man I was looking for. He had been dealing drugs to some of the younger kids in my territory, and that was not something I was going to allow. Parking in the public parking garage, I set out on foot to the man known to deal in these parts.

I saw him before he saw me, and the anger in me sprung to life. I stalked up behind him, my claws lengthened as I dug them quickly against his throat. The man's body dropped to the ground at my feet. The satisfying feeling of taking care of this criminal surged through me. That was until a soft gasp drew my attention to the woman at the end of the alleyway.

She was beyond beautiful, and her crystal bright sapphire eyes drew me in. I wanted her, and I had never wanted anyone so badly before. It took a minute for me to realize what she was seeing. "Sh*t," I said before watching her sprint towards the train platform. I could not just leave the body here in the open. Grabbing the man, I quickly tossed him into the dumpster and turned to sprint after the woman.

Beautiful or not, she had just witnessed me in a partial wolf form with a dead man at my feet. I could not have her screaming and telling everyone what she had seen. The issues I would have to deal with at that point were enormous. Taking the metal steps 2 at a time, I ran on the platform just in time to see her train pull away. "D*mn it."

A sudden realization crept through me, "I have a mate."

I could not believe that of all times for fate to suddenly intervene, it would be now. I did not have time for a clingy mate, and with the way my wolf was howling inside of me, I could tell he was not going to give up easily. Without my beautiful mate, I was weak. Ignoring the mate bond would make me vulnerable. With her by my side, I would be unstoppable. The conflict weighed heavily on my mind.

"Sh*t, I don't have time for this!" I growled lowly as I yelled in frustration drawing in the unwanted attention of a few people passing by. Groaning, I turned on my feet, leaving the platform. The only thing circling my mind was who the mysterious woman was.