And with that, Andrew left, sweeping out of the pack house’s door and shutting it with a dull thud behind him.
Andrew sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration before sinking his hands into the pockets of his low-riding, dark-wash jeans. If Andrew was honest with himself, he could admit that he was a pretty handsome guy. He wasn’t arrogant about it, but objectively, he knew he was attractive. The number of women that hit on him at the bar was somewhat a testament to that. The problem was, however, that he had simply never had much luck with women.
Being the Alpha of a rather large pack of adult werewolves was no walk in the park. When he did have time to himself, it was hard trying to navigate the tumultuous terrain of dating. After a few years and a few more disastrous relationships, he had honestly given up on having a love life, at least, for a rather long time.
He could divide the women up into two categories: wanton werewolf women and horrified humans. Most of the eligible women outside of his pack seemed after one thing when it came down to it: power. When pressed it seemed as though they were always initially interested in Andrew, not because he was a good person or even good looking, but because he was an Alpha, and that typically came with perks.
The human women however, were an entirely different story. They didn’t care about his Alpha perks, his power, or his respect, instead, they seemed to care more about how he had a penchant for turning into a rather large wolf whenever he so chose. If a woman he was interested in stayed with him long enough for him to tell them that he was a wolf, they all hit the road pretty soon after he proved it to them.
He groaned, kicking a rock on the road he was walking on and watched as it skated off into the grass. If asked ten years ago where he’d be by now, he would have easily said mated with a pup or two. But now, that domestic dream seemed to be getting further and further from his grasp.
Never had Andrew thought that things would get so desperate that his pack would be urging him to mate. He laughed, remembering Leo’s terrified face from earlier as he closed his eyes and took in the calming scent of the wooded area around him, his nostrils flaring as the breeze brought over the smell of wildflowers. He wished he could just stay in the calming scene of nature around him instead of heading back to his home to face his apprehensive pack.
But nevertheless, he headed home resigned to face the nervous whispers and concerned and fearful looks from the members of his pack.
When he entered his house, he was immediately suspicious. Every member of his pack had congregated in the kitchen, all talking in empathetic, but quiet voices amongst themselves.
“Alright,” Andrew said, interrupting them, “what are you all gossiping about now?”
He smirked as he looked at them all, amused. It was quite the comical sight to see, fifteen grown adults all suddenly looking as though they were little kids who had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
“Listen boss, I just want to make it completely clear that this was not my idea and I was against it from the beginning,” Leo said, hands out in a show of innocence as he stepped forward.
Andrew frowned, eyes scanning the faces before him that all had varying degrees of either giddiness or nervousness on them.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Andrew murmured, taking a few steps forward into the room, causing his pack to shift nervously as if they feared that he would suddenly lunge at them all and reprimand them like young pups.
He sighed, putting his hands on the table and leaning against it, appearing haggard as his stern eyes slowly looked at his pack. “Well, as you all know, Leo has told me that you all would like me to find a mate, for a wide variety of reasons. I’m assuming,” he said slowly, “that your current whispering and gossiping is related to the subject. So, out with it. I’m already growing tired of the discussion and I’ve only heard Leo’s halting account of your conversation, so tell me what this is all about and make it quick.”
The room was silent for a moment, everyone looking around in an attempt to find someone willing to speak on the group’s behalf, each person too nervous to do it themselves. Finally, with a huff of annoyance, Harley, Andrew’s Delta, stepped forward.
He shook out his long blond hair, as he was prone to do, and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his board shorts. “Listen, you know my reasons for suggesting you to mate, whether you think it valid or not. And, keep in mind, I am concerned about the pack’s status, but this was not my idea.”
He sighed, looking around the room once more in the hope that someone would come in and speak, giving him the chance to run away, but he had no such luck.
“Abbie and Chloe have taken it upon themselves to help you find a mate. And, in the short time that it took you to take a walk or do whatever you were out there doing, they’ve lined up and contacted a series of potential mates for you.”
“Excuse me?” Andrew said, looking at the two women in question sternly.
Abbie came forward, nervously wringing the brunette hair in her long ponytail as her wide, brown eyes blinked up at him innocently through her chic, thin, black framed glasses.
Andrew rolled his eyes, seeing through her innocent act immediately. “Explain yourself.”
Abbie grinned impishly. “We’ve been around long enough to see why some of your relationships fizzle out, and we believe that we can help you find one that lasts and that makes you happy.”
“We think that, in order for it to be a long lasting relationship, you should look to eligible werewolves in the region instead of humans, because the humans are the ones that ultimately end up causing the most trouble.”
Andrew was silent, staring at her pointedly to encourage her to get to her main idea.
Abbie cleared her throat. “Anyways, we’ve compiled a list of eight eligible women in the area and have contacted them in order to arrange a sort of speed dating. The only difference would be that you’re the only guy present. So really, I guess it’s more like a fast-paced version of The Bachelor, only the supernatural version.”
“Absolutely not,” Andrew snarled, eyes darkening. “Listen,” he began, commanding the attention of everyone in the room, “While I appreciate all of your concerns for the pack, for me, and my love life, I have to stress that I am the Alpha and it is ultimately my decision. Which means that I need all of you to butt out of these matters and not step over any more boundaries. There’s a reason that Leo is my Beta, if he thinks that something is a bad idea, you would be wise to heed his advice. Now, I am going to sleep; the speed dating thing is out of the question. I’m going to bed now.”
“Wait!” Chloe called out as Andrew began heading towards the stairs, making him turn around and raise an eyebrow at her questioningly.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, all eyes shifting to focus on the door. Andrew sniffed the air, eyes narrowing as he took in the scents of several wolves that he was unfamiliar with.
“I’m sorry Andrew, we were excited,” Chloe began, trailing off when Andrew’s eyes widened in realization.
“You didn’t,” Andrew growled.
Abbie bit her lip, hands rising in a show of helplessness. “I’m sorry,” she said, making Andrew groan, “But we sort of scheduled the speed dates for tonight.”
Chapter 2
Andrew growled, a sound that reverberated off of the wooden walls of the house and sent shivers down the spines of his pack.
“Send them away,” he snarled.
“But, it’s impolite,” Abbie said meekly.
Andrew took a threatening step forward, prompting Leo to hastily speak up.
“Listen boss, it doesn’t matter if it’s impolite per se, but it does matter how it’s perceived, you supposedly having arranged this and then sending them all away. It’s not doing anything to ease regional pack tensions.”
Andrew swiveled his head to look Abbie straight in the eye. “You told them that I ordered this?” he demanded.
“Well, we didn’t outright say it, so much as insinuated it,” Ch
loe said faintly.
Andrew groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as he attempted to gather his thoughts, his frustration growing with each passing moment.
“Open the door and set whatever you had planned up,” Andrew barked, “let everyone know that this ends in an hour.”
Chloe scrambled over to get the door, her blonde hair flying behind her as Leo came up to him to pat him reassuringly on the back, giving him a look of pained sympathy.
“I baked cookies,” Abbie said, trying for an optimistic tone as if cookies could fix everything.
Andrew cursed, Abbie’s cookies were fantastic. It would be impossible to stay mad at her if he tasted the gooey chocolate chips and crunchy oats of her famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. He’d have to be strong and resist.
He looked down at his clothes for a moment, wondering if a simple pair of dark-wash jeans and a close-fitting blue V-neck was the appropriate attire for such an event.
Yes, he thought as he looked over as the women all filed in one by one, each in a different version of a short, slinky cocktail dress, he was definitely underdressed.
“Okay everyone,” Chloe said, clapping as she did so to get everyone’s attention. “Here’s how tonight’s events will work. As you know, Alpha’s are very busy, so Andrew only has an hour of his time to give you lovely ladies. So, the process will go as follows. It’ll be like a romantic interview of sorts. Andrew, our kind, forgiving,” she emphasized the word forgiving to which Andrew only rolled his eyes, “will sit at the kitchen table, and one by one we will call each of you in to have a seven minute conversation with him, like a mini date. At the end of the mini dates, Andrew will decide who, if anyone, he would like to court, and of course the woman has the option of accepting or declining his proffer of courtship once he asks. Does everyone understand?”
There were nods and murmurs of assent from the women gathered in the home’s entryway and Abbie smiled eagerly.
“Okay,” she said, turning to Andrew and motioning for him to sit at the long, oak kitchen table, which he did reluctantly, “first up, let’s have Kali.”
Andrew tried to smile politely as a long-legged, spray-tanned, bottle-blonde woman with an overabundance of makeup covering her features approached him, taking a seat opposite of him at the table.
Ruby-red lips spread in a smile, showing off her pearly-white teeth as she shook his hand. Andrew flushed as her dress moved with the motion, giving him a very clear view of what lay underneath.
He looked away out of respect, his eyes meeting her hazel ones.
“So,” he began, unsure of quite what to say in this type of situation, “I’m Andrew.”
Kali laughed uproariously, as if he had said something utterly hilarious. “Yes, Andrew, I know. I’m Kali.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Kali,” he said over a strained smile.
“You as well.” She grinned. “So, let’s get down to it shall we?”
“Um, alright?” Andrew said, just a bit puzzled.
“I am beautiful, obviously, smart, and pretty great in the sack from what I’ve heard. I’ll agree to bear you three pups in the next seven years, more until we get a boy if necessary; I’ll be monogamously faithful and all I require is a $1000 a week allowance.”
“An allowance,” Andrew said slowly, wondering if she were playing some sort of joke on him, “I’m sorry, what?”
“It’s not that unusual really,” Kali said frankly, all business now, “If I’m renting out my womb to you, an allowance is quite reasonable. In other circumstances I may request more, but you’re quite easy on the eyes so I’ve requested less, since mating with you won’t be entirely unpleasant.”
“Right, well,” Andrew said, glancing up and over her head to send a sharp and pointed look at an anxiously watching Chloe to get this woman away from him, “I don’t have much experience in giving out allowances; I provide for my pack, but most of them have their own jobs and careers that they find to be very fulfilling.”
Kali laughed again, a high pitched, uproarious laugh, as if she genuinely believed Andrew to be joking.
“Oh, look at the time!” Chloe exclaimed, walking hurriedly toward them as she put a gentle hand on Kali’s shoulder. “You two seemed to have a great conversation, both chatterboxes the two of you. But, sadly, your time is up and it’s time for the next girl.” She smiled kindly, flashing an apologetic look at Andrew as Kali stood and Chloe gestured for her to go back into the living room to wait with the others.
“You are so in for it when this is over,” Andrew said lowly.
Chloe nodded wearily. “I figured.” Then, she said a bit louder, “Alright, can I have Sarah come in next?”
Andrew put on another smile as Sarah walked into the room. She was nice looking, significantly shorter than Kali with long, dirty-blonde hair that fell over her shoulders in tight ringlets. She wore a substantially less-revealing red cocktail dress and red stilettos that made her about half a foot taller than she normally would have been.
“Hi, I’m Andrew,” he said, standing to shake her hand as she smiled politely.
“I’m Sarah; it’s nice to finally meet the mysteriously unmated Alpha that I’ve heard so much about.”
Andrew chuckled. “Yes, well, I had no idea I was such a figure of gossip.”
“Oh, it’s just a bit unusual,” Sarah shrugged, “To be honest, most of us have a pretty good idea of why you haven’t mated yet.”
“Oh really?” Andrew asked, curious as to what others thought of him.
Sarah nodded before she spoke matter-of-factly, “You’re impotent.”
Andrew blinked, processing her words before he balked. “Excuse me?” he stuttered, shocked.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Sarah said gently, placing a hand that was meant to be reassuring on his forearm, “it’s perfectly fine. I can mate with you and bear the child of whichever pack mate you choose, I don’t mind.”
He flushed, unsure if it was out of anger or embarrassment. “I’m not impotent,” he bit out, eyes darkening as he shot a threatening look to Chloe.
“Really,” Sarah whispered, seeming to grow impatient, “if we would mate, honesty would be very important. You don’t need to feel threatened or embarrassed around me. Impotency is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Of course it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Andrew bit out impatiently as he looked at Chloe once more, “but I’m not impotent.”
Sarah opened her mouth as if to say something else when Chloe interrupted her, a woman at her side this time.
“Alright, I think that’s all of your time,” she said, to which Sarah frowned, checking the time on her phone. Chloe saw that she was going to argue but quickly cut her off, grabbing her arm delicately and helping her up. “Alright, I’m sure Andrew thoroughly enjoyed talking with you, but now its Amelie’s turn.”
Sarah stood reluctantly, clearly upset as Chloe led her away, with Amelie taking a seat.
“Hi,” she said, taking Andrew’s hand as Andrew grinned weakly, wondering how he would do this six more times.
“Hello,” he said, not even bothering to introduce himself this time.
“So,” she trailed off, unsure of what to say.
“So,” Andrew said plainly, not quite wanting to put the effort into making conversation.
They sat in silence for a long moment before Amelie finally spoke.
“I apologize for sounding rude, but I have a boyfriend.”
Andrew looked at her in bewilderment. “Excuse me?”
Amelie shrugged. “We’ve been dating for three months, but a girl can hardly turn down the chance of landing an Alpha. But I’d like to cut right to the chase; do you think you’re interested or am I wasting my time here?”
“I need a drink,” Andrew muttered, standing abruptly and walking over to the liquor cabinet and pulling out a bottle of scotch, pouring a little into a glass and downing it quickly, wincing at the burn before he poured another and returned to the table, taki
ng a seat heavily.
“You should go back to your boyfriend,” Andrew said wearily, “but, if you want my opinion, I’m not sure it’s going to last for long.”
Amelie shrugged, saying nothing further as she stood, by passing Chloe entirely and exiting the house, the door shutting behind her quietly.
The next four women Chloe sent in were entirely unremarkable, all either wanting a form of allowance or status from Andrew. He couldn’t help wondering just where Abbie and Chloe had looked for these women.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair as Abbie took over for Chloe and walked into the living room to bring out the next ‘contestant’. At least this was the last one, he thought happily.
He was surprised to see that this woman was not wearing a cocktail dress, and wondered how he had missed spotting her earlier.
She wore a simple pair of dark jeans and a green silk tank top that matched her green eyes. She had dark black hair that fell in loose curls over her shoulders. She had an entirely bored look to her face and shook Andrew’s hand curtly when he stood to greet her.
“I’m Andrew.”
“Faith,” she said concisely, looking at him plainly.
“So-”
“Listen,” Faith said, cutting him off. “I’m entirely uninterested in whatever status or groveling respect that you think you’re entitled to as an Alpha. I don’t want your power or your money, and honestly think you’re a bit pathetic for arranging this entire thing, having women come crawling to you.”
“I didn’t-”
“I’m only here because my Alpha forced me to come since I’m the only unmated woman left in our pack and they think that it’d be good to strengthen ties with a neighboring pack. Now, I assume you’re not interested, so I intend to leave now.”
“Wait,” Andrew said, reaching out to grab her arm gently as she stood, making to leave. “You haven’t even let me get a word in.”
She Wolf and The Detective: (Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy) (Book 1-3) Page 24