Chapter 3
Tyler
I can't believe I allowed Max and Romi to organize this party. My birthday was three months ago, so why celebrate it now? They just wanted an excuse to party.
Max rested his chin on my desk, pleading, "Come on, Tayler, it's just one night! I want to see if I can finally find my partner."
Romi, holding a stack of papers, retorted, "You say that all the time. In your search for your partner, you've already crossed paths with 90% of the female population."
Max replied, "Shut up, you already have a partner." Romi, the oldest of the three of us at 29, while Max and I were 26, had taken on well-defined roles after the great war that claimed the lives of our leaders and my father, the former Alpha.
Romi added, "The fact that I'm with April has nothing to do with it. I also want to relax, but our responsibilities come first."
Max complained, "But I want to find my partner!" Sometimes, I wondered how he got the title of beta.
"You'll find your partner in due time. Now, we must focus on the renegade Kliff and his henchmen," Romi stated.
"We've been tracking them for a year!" Max groaned.
A moment of rest wouldn't hurt anyone. Besides, maybe you'll finally meet your partner, Tay? said Max, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm not interested," I replied, and it was true. The last thing on my mind was finding my partner and worrying about her safety and that of my descendants. My main goal was to apprehend Kliff, neutralize him, and end this war.
"What do you mean by 'I'm not interested'? I'm starting to think you might not be interested in wolves..." he added with a smile, mirroring my serious expression.
"If I may say so, sir, he's right. No one has ever seen you show interest in a woman. In fact, we've never even observed you speaking to them," Romain added.
I looked at him while Max laughed beside me.
"Alright! I authorize you to organize this reception at the end of the month," I said, pinching my nose. "However, after that, we will immediately return to track and eliminate Kliff."
"Great news!" Max exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Yes, sir," Romain agreed, "let's prepare the gala."
That's how I found myself here today, at this reception where I had no desire to be. We, the leaders - the alpha of the Blue Moon pack and his daughter Tisha, Romain and his partner, Max, and I - were outside the great hall, waiting for our introduction.
One by one, they entered as their names were announced. I was called last and entered without paying attention to the audience. As soon as I reached the table, I scanned the surroundings. My eyes met those of a person with piercing gray eyes that seemed to penetrate my soul. It was a simple servant, standing in the farthest corner, near me.
To the left. She had gray eyes and long brown hair. I quickly looked away and focused elsewhere. The party was progressing slowly for me. I didn't particularly enjoy having to decline dance invitations. Even Tisha, the daughter of the Blue Moon alpha, came to talk to me.
"Hey, Tayler," she said softly. I nodded at her, arms crossed.
"Nice party. I didn't know you liked organizing such events," she said.
"I didn't organize anything. Max and Romi prepared all this. I just gave my approval," I replied with little patience.
At that moment, a drunk person approached.
"Hey, happy birthday!" Max put his arm around my shoulder, trying to stand upright.
"You know, my birthday was several months ago. This party is just to please you," I replied.
"Oh, come on, don't be so negative. You can't be bored," he said, speaking with difficulty, drinking his beer.
"Actually, yes. I'm still here because I'm the host," I replied. "Have you found your partner yet? I want this party to end soon."
I regretted my question as soon as I asked it.
Max started to cry and hugged me.
"No! I'm beginning to think I don't have a partner. Is it my destiny to be a lone wolf forever?" he cried, clinging to me.
"Let me go."
But he continued to hold me tightly.
I felt really upset. I couldn't find my partner, which caused me great distress.
"I told you to let me go!" I said firmly as a pleasant scent wafted through the air. I distanced myself from Max, trying to identify this fragrance by sniffing.
"What's happening?" Max began, but I interrupted him.
"Do you smell that?" I asked.
"What smell?" Tisha asked, reminding me of her presence.
"I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to smell," she replied.
I ignored her comment. The scent was subtle and pleasant, reminiscent of vanilla and marshmallow.
Suddenly, my wolf instinct, Kronos, manifested strongly in my mind. It seemed agitated, seeking the source of this scent.
"I can smell it. It's our partner," Kronos affirmed in my mind.
I remained frozen. After eight years of unsuccessful searching, why now?
"Tyler, are you okay?" Tisha asked.
"You seem very pale. Is everything alright?" Max added.
"Yes, I'm fine," I said, still focused on this fragrance.
"Our partner is here. Find her!" Kronos insisted.
I snapped out of my trance and announced, "I need to go to the restroom. Excuse me." I moved away from Max and Tisha.
The scent irresistibly drew me. I moved through the guests without paying attention to them. My sole objective was to find my partner. Kronos continued to howl in my mind.
I advanced until I instinctively grasped a delicate, soft hand. Looking up, I met the gray gaze of the maid I had noticed earlier.
"Partner..." we said simultaneously.