Chapter 4 Kieran

• “Couldn’t resist having another round this morning?” Xavier smirked as I flopped down into my chair.
• “He called to make sure I was here? Controlling bastard can’t resist stirring the pot,” I growled rolling my eyes as I tossed the files onto my desk.
• “That he did. Bitching that you don’t know how to respect mealtimes. He might care in some crazy fucked up way,” he responded.
• “Yeah well, he can stick his cares up his ass. I’m having Mrs. Masters order my breakfast in, did you want anything?” I questioned as I started up my computer.
• “Nah, Melissa made me french toast and sausage this morning, after I gave her a taste of my own sausage,” he snickered and caught the pen I had picked up and whipped in his direction.
• “Get to work and keep your bedroom antics to yourself,” I chuckled as I focused on my computer screen. I had just located the Council’s web page and was scrolling to find the list of upcoming mating balls, when Mrs. Masters brought in my breakfast and a cup of coffee. “Thank you, Mrs. Masters. I appreciate it,” I said absently as I clicked on the button to populate the list of mating balls.
• I opened the food container and dug into the biscuits and gravy as the list filled the screen. “Sonofabitch! Why are there so many? With that many balls, how can there even be enough people for anyone to find their mate?” I mumbled as the list continued to generate. I figured there would have been four or five of them, but by the time the list stopped there were thirty-five of them. How was I ever going to pick one and hope that it would be the one where my mate was too?
• “What’s wrong Kieran? Which file are you looking at?” Xavier questioned as he got up to come look over my shoulder.
• “I decided I would check to see which packs were hosting mating balls this blood moon. How in the hell do I pick one? And what are the chances that there will even be enough people in attendance to make a difference in finding the one?” I complained. Leave it to my jackass best friend to break out in a very poor rendition of ‘Eleanor Rigby.’ “You’re an ass, you know that right? Seriously, how do I pick one?” I grumbled as I pushed him away.
• “You could leave it up to fate,” he smirked, and I gave him my most sincere go fuck yourself look. “No seriously. Hear me out. Print out the list. I will take the list and cut it into strips, we’ll put them all in a hat and pick one at random,” he explained further.
• “What, no eeny, meeny, miny, moe? Be serious Xav, I really need to find my mate, before my dad becomes a bigger dick and runs all the pack off,” I scolded.
• “I am being serious Kieran, let fate guide you to our next Luna. What’s the worst that can happen? You come home empty handed? I say give it a try,” he said with enthusiasm.
• “Fine. I can’t believe that I am going to choose a mating ball location out of a hat in the hopes that the next Luna is there waiting for me. You do realize that this is serious and not some sort of fated romance novel?” I grumbled as I clicked the button to print out the list. “Go get that from the printing room before Mrs. Masters sees it and find something to put the strips in. I am going to finish my breakfast and get another cup of coffee,” I sulked as I turned back to my rapidly cooling breakfast.
• I had finished my breakfast and went to grab another cup of coffee, then started going through the files Mrs. Masters had given me when I came in before Xavier came back into the office. “Are you ready to see where fate leads you?” he asked in a singsong voice. I would have suspected him of sneaking off to get a quickie if I didn’t know that his mate was at home waiting for his return call.
• “Melissa called while you were off making confetti. Give me that thing and if you ever tell anyone about this, we won’t have to worry about a Gamma Heir,” I threatened as I took the basket that I am certain had been holding sugar packets in the break room.
• “Fat chance of that, I’ll just let Torch zap your ornery ass if you come after the family jewels,” he taunted and danced back out of reach raising his hands in surrender as I growled at him. “No peeking!” he teased as I looked down and went to grab one of the folded pieces of paper from the basket.
• “Oh, for goddess’ sake, here! Should I close my eyes too?” I questioned handing him back the basket.
• “Sure, why not. It should be completely random for fate to be your guide,” he said and held the basket above my head.
• I rolled my eyes before closing them and reaching up and plucking a single piece of paper from the basket and laid it on my desk. I stared at it as my palms grew sweaty and my stomach churned in anticipation. I can’t believe I am getting this worked up over a scrap of paper.
• “Well, are you gonna open it or not Kieran? Where are you going to find our next Luna?” he questioned as I continued to stare at the paper. “Here, I’ll read it and let you know where you’re going,” he said as he reached to take the paper.
• “Stop, I can read. I just needed a moment to think,” I said, swatting his hand away. ‘Okay, moon goddess, where am I going to find the love of my life?’ I thought to myself as I reached for the paper and slowly opened it.
• “What does it say Kieran? Where are you traveling to?” Xavier questioned eagerly.
• “Shadow Moon pack; Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I would imagine I will need to book a hotel, because others have probably RSVPed already and taken all the spots at the pack house,” I mumbled.
• “Kieran, you're an Alpha Heir. Why don’t you give the pack house a call and see if there’s a room available before you waste money on a hotel. I bet they make room for an Alpha in search of his Luna,” he asserted.
• “Yeah maybe. I’ll give them a call and find out,” I murmured, turning back to my computer to look for a phone number.
• I found the number easily enough and dialed through expecting to speak to one of the pack house staff, but the Luna of the pack answered. “Good morning. Shadow Moon pack, Luna Felicity speaking. How can I make your day better?” she chirped happily into the receiver.
• “Good morning, ma’am. This is Alpha Heir Kieran Conway. I realize this is short notice, but I just decided that I would like to attend the mating ball you’re hosting, and I was wondering if there were any accommodations available on your territory?” I replied.
• “Oh wonderful! An Alpha you said? We can surely have you stay here at the pack house; it will even give you a chance to meet two of the girls early,” she gushed.
• “If you’re sure it won’t be too much trouble, that sounds perfect Luna Felicity. Thank you,” I responded. Hmm, a chance to meet two of the girls early could be a nice thing.
• “It won’t be any trouble at all. Do you know when you plan to arrive, so I can make sure your room is ready,” she asked.
• “Two nights prior to the ball ma’am. I do really appreciate the hospitality,” I replied.
• “No problem, Alpha Kieran. We’ll see you two nights before the ball. Safe travels,” she said and disconnected the line.
• “Well, I am going to stay on the territory in the pack house. It sounds like there are two girls of age that live there too. I suppose I should get things here squared away and start packing for my trip,” I told Xavier who was eagerly watching me.
• “Ooo, maybe you’ll be getting twin action,” he snickered and picked up my coffee cup and drank what was left.
• “Now go refill that, asshole. Then get to work.”