Chapter 39: Jocelyn, The Matchmaker
"I thought you were having too much fun with your new friends and forgot about the hunting competition," Alpha Benjamin said when Jocelyn had sat down on the seat closest to his.
"How could I ever forget about such a thing when it's something I have been looking forward to for the past twelve months?" Jocelyn's smile spread across her pretty face.
The town square was well decorated with the skin of the animals made from some of the prey captured at every annual hunt since it came into existence.
Audrey never thought animals were anything special apart from serving as food to her kind but her opinion changed when she saw that animals had other uses apart from being a source of food.
The annual hunt was one of the events you would see so many of the pack members gather together at the same time.
Another event that always made them gather this way is the Alpha's birthday.
Since the establishment of the pack, the Alphas had always made it a point of duty to throw elaborate parties and all pack members were invited to the party.
The party was a way for the Alpha getting to know his people closely.
After Benjamin became the Alpha he also observed this ritual.
Not too long after Jocelyn, Rachel and Audrey arrived some dignitaries in the pack were called to talk about the annual festival that includes the hunt competition in particular.
After two people made their speech, Alpha Benjamin, the ruler of the great Golden Core Pack was called to speak.
Alpha Benjamin was welcomed onto the stage with thunderous applause.
As usual, he began talking by addressing everyone. He talked for a few minutes.
"I can't wait for them to get over with this so that we can commence with the game," Jocelyn muttered, frowning.
"Your brother looks quite handsome, I wonder why he is still single?" Audrey said in low tones.
"He is the most eligible bachelor in the pack. So many ladies are crushing over him. Some are desperate enough to seduce him just to get the title of his Luna," Jocelyn spoke with pride. she stole a glance at her aloof elder brother standing on the podium. His Beta, Noah stood very close to the Alpha performing his duty of protecting the Alpha.
"If he is so popular among women then why is he still unmated? You know I won't believe you if you tell me that he is yet to find his mate," Audrey said, her gaze fixated on the tall handsome guy speaking.
Apart from having a perfect body, Alpha Benjamin was blessed with the looks too. He had the weapons to bring every woman to her knees.
Even men who were not half as perfect as he were either married or were in a serious relationship with their mate so she wondered why such a fine species like the one standing in front of her was still single.
"Just like every werewolf my elder bro also had a mate, a very beautiful and loving one at that…,"
"If he had such a woman then why is he not married?" Audrey asked. She didn't pay enough attention to listen that Jocelyn was using the past tense when she mentioned the Alpha's mate.
"Because she is dead. She died a few days after their engagement," Rachel decided to help Jocelyn out on seeing her fallen expression.
It was after Rachel spoke that Audrey realised that she had touched on a sensitive topic she shouldn't have done.
"I am sorry, I didn't know he had such a history. I would have never had brought it up if I knew…,"
"It's ok. You are not at fault anyways," Jocelyn replied calmly. She diverted her attention to where her brother stood.
He turned and looked in her direction almost at the same time and Jocelyn forced a smile on.
"She died about five years ago but my Elder brother is still not over her yet…," Jocelyn trailed. "Or should I say he hasn't been able to imprint on any lady after she died. The bond he shared with her is something he hasn't been able to feel for any other woman".
Jocelyn didn't avoid her brother's eyes as she spoke, she knew he couldn't hear what she said from where he stood.
"Wow, I never knew he was such a loving man. Although he is quite handsome there is a cold aura he exudes so I thought he lacked female admirers because of this," Audrey brought back her gaze to Jocelyn.
"Yeah, my brother is such a good catch. He is the type of guy that is rare to find. If you like him, I don't mind playing the matchmaker…,"
"What!" Audrey's eyes widened in shock. She blinked repeatedly. Jocelyn's assumptions left her speechless.
"You look very interested in my elder brother and I don't mind having you as a sister-in-law…,"
"Sorry but I would have to reject your offer," Audrey interrupted her abruptly.
"But why?" Jocelyn asked, sounding pretty upset that Audrey rejected her elder brother.
"My Elder brother is not only tall but also handsome, rich and the most powerful werewolf in the pack. If you become his wife you will be well protected so why did you reject him?"
Audrey didn't know why Jocelyn seemed so upset but that didn't stop her from speaking her mind.
"I am nobody here and your people are glaring and ready to tear me into pieces. Do you think they would hesitate to rip me apart and feed my flesh to the vultures if the news of me being the Alpha's future Luna reaches their ears?" Audrey shudders. The mere thought alone made her shiver.
"It's not like you are afraid of them so why…,"
"Aren't you gonna listen to what he is saying? His gaze seems like a cautionary warning for you to behave yourself," Audrey said, immediately staring at her front. With Audrey acting this way she gave Jocelyn no chance to talk about the ongoing topic.
"The Golden Core Pack's annual festival is not only the medium for us to gather, dine and wine but the festival is our culture, our heritage and what defined our existence and where we originated from," Alpha Benjamin words echoed in the hearts of the people who had forgotten the essence of the annual festival.
"Let's never forget who we are or where we came from as we strive to be the best," Alpha Benjamin said.
[I have to admit, he has a very enticing masculine voice that lingers in the mind of those under the sound of his voice]
Audrey subconsciously smiled at him. She shook her head violently to drive the thoughts away when she realised what was going through her mind.
"Let the annual hunting competition begin," Alpha Benjamin finally said the words everyone gathered there was longing to hear.
Jocelyn jumped to her feet the instant she heard her brother's last sentence.
Alpha Benjamin and the three guards following him closely reached the girls just in time when they were about to leave for the forest.
"It doesn't matter whether you make it into the top ten hunters with the most catches, always remember that safety comes first. I will still be very proud of you even though you don't make the top ten list," Alpha Benjamin advised. He knew just how stubborn his little sister could be.
"I will see what to do about that," Jocelyn said. She grabbed both Rachel and Audrey's hands and pulled them along with her.
Alpha Benjamin turned to face Carl and the other bodyguards who were still holding the girl's weapon.
"Make sure no harm comes to any of them," He instructed in a cold tone.
Carl and his men left after giving the Alpha their words.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone