At one pm Jesse knew his life would never be the same again. He'd made certain of it. If the rules said he needed to find himself a mate then he'd make certain it would be someone he wanted and not who the world expected him to be with. 

Every Alpha King before him had gone through the same outdated routine. They had to choose a mate from selected females who were high up in the genetics pool. And as much as he had tried to prevent making this choice, he hadn't been able to stop the process from happening to him too. 

"Sir? Can you please turn around?"

His wolf scoffed in his mind at the intrusion of his thoughts. 

Jesse turned on the spot, looking at the male dresser who tugged at his new vest and dress shirt. Every new occasion, he was in need of a new outfit. A waste of money and resources  was a better way to put it, but he knew it also created jobs for others. The people involved in dressing him were all too grateful for the opportunity given.

"Are you ready for your introduction?" the dresser asked, smiling.

Jesse forced himself into a neutral face. "It'll definitely be interesting." At least he could say the truth about that. He was certain it would turn out to be more spectacular than the head of the household could imagine. Maya would be in for a treat once she figured out he had added a name to the list of their candidates.

"That's good to hear, Sir." The tailor stepped back. "You're all set and done.” He brushed his hand over the black vest. “The next couple of weeks will definitely be a period to remember." 

"For certain," Jesse said and walked over to the mirror in his room, tugging at his black vest. At least he looked more than presentable. They'd made sure of that. The twenty-one females he'd meet soon all were here for a shot at him. A glorious opportunity for a better life by his side. They’d be able to become Luna. His Luna. 

Jesse heard the dresser leave and another pair of footsteps entered his room. "Hi, Logan," Jesse said without turning around, he'd recognize his betas footsteps anywhere. "Why are you here?"

"Am I not allowed to check on my alpha on his big day?" A smirk played on the short haired male's lips. "You're looking..." He ran his gaze up and down. "Rather crisp." 

"Just don't...." Jesse rolled his eyes and grabbed his shoes to put on. "I hate this as much as anyone else. But I can't not show my face. If I don't....those females came here for me. Changed homes for me. The least I can do is show them some courtesy and go and greet them."

"Maya is already on a warpath through the house."

Jesse sighed. "We need to tone her down."

"I know," Logan said, "but then again this is her job and Maya is one woman I don't want to get in the way of."

"What if I tell you to lock her up for me?" Jesse knew he could demand it, but protocols and etiquette stopped him from doing so.

Logan snickered. "You can try and she'll probably scream murder to get out. I don't want to be there when that happens. Now...it's five minutes to one. How about we get you to your appointment where you swoon females off their feet?" He pushed open the door to the hallway. 

Jesse stepped into the corridor and forced his breathing under control. His wolf was ready to go and see her. He hadn’t seen her in days.

This was the day everything would change. But not in the way Maya would see it coming. Jesse would play the game set out for him, but he was the one who decided the rules.