The Alphas’ P**n Star Mate

Mr. Smith POV

"This wasn't part of the plan," the crazy little Luna puffed out her chest, watching the battle from behind the shield of my magic. I took a page out of their own book, watching from a high vantage point with magic concealing us. We had to move fast, but we made it here just in time as their forces arrived and the battle began.

"Did you do as I said?" I asked.

"YES!" She stomped her foot, staring up at her mate to do something. With my magic still in him, he can't go against me. It is a wasted effort.

She stomped again and growled furiously. "I WANT HIM NOW! WE NEED OUR PUP! I NEED HIM!"

I sighed, ignoring her as best I could. My irritation with the Luna has grown tremendously. My tolerance is becoming paper thin.

Below was becoming a massacre. The fraction of warriors we left behind were mostly defeated. There was a certain thrill in watching the defeat. Seeing the life drain from the eyes of those who were so unwilling to fight. Alpha Ford had to command the warriors who stayed to fight. They were not to cease until defeat.

Even still, fear and resentment were things a command couldn't force away. Every fallen warrior had the same regrettable face as they took up arms against the other pack. Their wolves were like robots, acting on their Alpha's will, but the humans trapped inside fought a different battle to the very end. A battle of wills none were to win.

"Did you not hear me!" The Luna stomped to my side, face red and eyes bulging. "You promised me him!"

"Ah, and your mate promised me the girl in return, but she has yet to be delivered to me."

Her lips curled in furry, but I just tilted my head and sighed.

"Laura, my dear. Do you know the game of solitaire?"

Her nose wrinkled on her twisted face. "The card game?"

"Yes. It's commonly played on computers these days. Do you want to know my strategy to win?" She looked at me in madness, and I took her silence as a cue to continue on. "The first time going through the deck, I never place a single card. Do you want to know why?" "Why?..."

"Well," my lips curled in amusement. "It would be unwise to act before you fully grasp the hand you are being dealt. Patience, more times than not, plays out better than a quick attack. What if I were to start stacking my cards, and then get to the bottom of my deck to see I have a card I cannot place because I stacked others without a plan in my race to finish the game. Often, in the end, forfeit is the only option.

"Yes, I still set my aces, and stack my twos, maybe even my threes if I'm lucky. You never play beyond that until you fully grasp every card in your deck. Do you know why?"

She stared, the angry glint in her eyes sending a chilling thrill down my back.

"As your mate found out, rushing to the win can cause you to lose in the end. Trying to force cards in their stack can ruin the natural and brilliant unfolding of the game." "What is that supposed to mean?" She sneered.

I bent to wickedly whisper in her ear, "If your mate had waited for his true mate, he wouldn't have ruined his pack for a selfish little tart like you. He would not be mindlessly watching a third of his pack being massacred because of the misfortune of taking a high-reaching woman as his Luna. You, my dear, are only capable of the short game, but I play for the long haul. So unless you want me to dissolve the magic keeping your ex-mate tied to you and let what is left of your miserable pack return to where you belong empty-handed, I suggest you stand back and keep that pretty mouth of yours shut." I grinned and added, "Unless you have something more vulgar in mind to use it for than spitting demands for your vanity."

"You're a filthy bastard," she snarled, making her Alpha perk up. I passed him a look, and he obediently backed down.

"And you, my dear, are a short-tempered shrew with a few too many screws loose." I straightened out my jacket and tossed my cane over my shoulder. "I will not forfeit this game. Not with a prize this valuable."

If she continues to become detrimental to my game, I might have to do away with her and pull my ace from up my sleeve. This will be their last chance to be of use to me, before I restart my deck with him instead.

As we stood watching, the one she had been obsessively destroying her pack over, came running out of the destroyed back doors to the patio, trailing after our fake little realtor friend. His face was still swollen and bruised, and he looked confused as he wandered outside.

The shrew must have rattled him. His friends were running to him, checking his injuries and hugging him tight. His eyes were wandering around the grounds still, like he was searching for something. Someone.

I searched among the wolves, and didn't see the one I wanted. Neither of the brothers currently mated to my masked lady were in attendance for this rescue mission, much to my disappointment.

That would have been the ultimate ending to this game. The rest of the cards would have fallen in line, and she would have come to me if I could have gotten my hands on one of the brothers. Too bad neither showed.

Can I say I blame them? I would have stayed with her too.

That is why you always see the cards you were dealt before you act. Always.

The tortured werewolf kept glancing at the realtor with distrust, then looking along the perimeter. Then, his eyes seemed to almost meet mine. He was staring right at our location, the influence of my magic and the insecure bond with his former mate pulling him this way. "Time to go," I said as the onyx eyes of my staff began to emit a soft glow. The witch among the group and the other deity I was told of would be able to detect me, and detect the influence I have over their friend if I stayed any longer.

"Where are we going?" the Alpha asked, ready to command his reluctant and wary men.

I grinned darkly. "Closer to my ace up my sleeve."