ALPHA DARREN'S OMEGA MATE

He's here.

ALPHA DARREN

"Why do I have to go?" I grumbled, my voice laced with frustration as I stared out the window, watching the scenery speed by. The looming sky, heavy with clouds, mirrored my mood.

"Because we need to get you a new suit for the ceremony," my butler, Cedric, reminded me. His tone was steady and patient, a stark contrast to my growing irritation.

He continued without missing a beat, "Might I remind you, Sir Darren, that tomorrow is when you sign the treaty with the Sky Moon Pack in exchange for one of their she-wolves."

“Arg, don’t remind me.” I concluded, turning my gaze back to the passing trees.

Imagine being forced into a partnership with a low-life Omega tribe leader. It felt demeaning, beneath a ruling Alpha like myself. I had done this more times than I could count, negotiating and solidifying alliances in hopes of bolstering our already formidable reputation. Each time, it came with the glimmer of hope that amidst the politics, I might stumble across my true mate. Yet, here I was, two dozen futile attempts later, still empty-handed.

In the past, I would randomly select a she-wolf from the packs, bringing her back with the intention of forging connections. But I never allowed myself the indulgence of intimacy; I wasn’t that type of man. I had a singular focus—saving myself for my true mate.

Time, however, was growing short. I was twenty-two years old for the Goddess’s sake, a proud Alpha of the Black Moon Pack, feared and respected. I donned the weight of my title like armor, yet behind the facade, my heart ached for companionship, for love.

The irony was cruel; I had found her, Amelia, but she didn’t want to talk to me. I felt the sharp sting of rejection every time I thought of her, hot and fresh. But I refused to give up. I would find a way to reach her, my wolf Jerry nodding in firm approval with every thought of her.

The car finally came to a halt, and Cedric turned to me, gesturing toward the entrance. “We have arrived, Sir Darren.”

I stepped out of the vehicle to assess the Sky Moon Pack mall. It was passable, slightly smaller than our own, but I found myself unable to blame them; they were a fledgling civilization, still struggling to keep their tribe alive and thriving.

“Do I really have to go?” I asked again, crossing my arms in defiance, fighting the urge to return to the comfort of my car.

“I will be here to pick you up. In the meantime, I highly suggest you get the appropriate attire for our event tomorrow.” he replied, his tone unwavering and authoritative.

With a resigned sigh, I stepped out and into the bustling atmosphere of the mall. The moment the door swung shut behind me, I felt the weight of my title pressing down again—a heavy reminder that I had responsibilities to uphold.

As I entered the building, the sounds of chattering shoppers, laughter, and the clinking of bags filled the air. Bright lights and bold advertisements beckoned, but my mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts of Amelia and the impending treaty that loomed ominously tomorrow.

“Here we go again,” I whispered to myself, shaking off the dark thoughts as I focused on the task at hand. Shopping for a new suit wasn’t how I envisioned my day, but it was necessary. I pushed through the throngs of people, determined to make the best of it, even if my heart was elsewhere.

I navigated past stores, stealing glances but not truly seeing. My mind reeled with strategies for the treaty and schemes to connect with Amelia again. Each display I passed held no interest for me; I was on autopilot, focused on finding something suitable that would fit the formal occasion yet also allow me to stand out a striking contrast to the Omega tribe leader’s laid-back case.

With a slight shake of my head, I quirked a smile at the absurdity of the situation. If only I could convince my heart and mind to collaborate as well as my body seemed to find its way through the maze of fabric and garments.

Finally, I located a*****e that seemed promising. The crisp smell of fabric and polished wood filled my nostrils as I stepped inside. “Just a few quick choices, then I can get back to my real mission.” I muttered under my breath, the lingering thought of Amelia pulling on my heartstrings as I began my search.

As I rifled through blazers and suits, my mind wandered back to her face, the way her eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and mystery, igniting a flame inside me. I knew there was something special about her, something I had to uncover.

I chose a dark navy suit that complimented my build.

AMELIA

Was it just me, or did I suddenly smell the most unique and glorious scent ever? Standing in front of the bakery, I inhaled deeply, trying to decipher the aroma wafting through the air. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered—fruity with a hint of something earthy, like chopped wood mingling with sweetness. What kind of scent was this? It struck me as strangely familiar, reminiscent of the comforting smell of freshly opened shoeboxes, a blend of nostalgia and warmth.

As I stood there, lost in the alluring fragrance, a familiar voice danced around in my head—Nancy, my wolf.

“He’s here.” she sang, her enthusiasm palpable.

“Wait, who?” I asked, my brows furrowing. Then it hit me. "Ohhh... another rejection, huh?!"

“Nooo, please don’t do it! I feel this one is our last chance to meet a mate.” Nancy begged, her voice shifting to a desperate whisper in my mind.

Whoa! Never had I heard Nancy plea for anything. She had always been the stoic voice, guiding my decisions with a steady hand. Yet now, she was practically dancing in excitement. This must be serious.

Alpha Darren is here. s**t.

In that moment, I felt the urge to flee, the memory of that brief, soul-crushing encounter with him flaring back to life. “Aww, better luck next time.” I muttered under my breath and started to walk on.

“Hey, Amelia! What do you think about this gift for James?” Noah’s voice broke through my thoughts.

How sweet of him. I turned to see him pointing at a delicate necklace adorned with a tiny paw pendant.

“It’s gold-plated. I know James would love it since I saw him wearing another one just the other day. It can be his present for his upcoming birthday.” Noah explained, searching my face for approval.

As I contemplated the necklace, my mind drifted. I wondered what it would feel like to be gifted something special by someone who mattered—a pang of longing laced with undesired nostalgia. Someone like my ma... Whoa, whoa, hold it right there! I quickly shook the thought away, unwilling to venture down that emotional path.

“Oh...” Noah sighed, reading my moment of silence. “I guess not.”

Snapping back to reality, I countered quickly, “No, no! It’s perfect for James!” I put on a bright smile, hoping to mask the turmoil inside me.

“You okay?” Noah lifted an eyebrow, studying me carefully.

“Of course, I’m fine!” I exclaimed, layering my words with the sweetest smile I could muster.

“Then I shall get it! Nothing like getting a dog paw pendant to remind him that he is my bitch.” Noah joked, his voice lightening the mood.

I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me. “Last time I heard, you were the bottom.” I replied, unable to resist teasing him.

“Well, hunny, bottoms don’t mean you do all the work.” he added, ending his comment with an exaggerated sassy flair.

My eyes widened in disbelief, but I couldn't help it, the laughter erupted from within me. Damn, I loved Noah. His vibrant spirit was infectious, lifting not only my mood but the heavy weight of my earlier encounter.

ALPHA DARREN

The moment I stepped into the mall, the scent hit me like a tidal wave, washing over my body and leaving me utterly mesmerized. It felt as if I were enveloped in a warm embrace, the aroma lingering in the air like an enchanting melody that tugged at my soul. I recognized that scent; it was the same fragrance from the day Amelia first arrived at our pack, the day my heart began to race at the thought of her.

“Jerry!” I exclaimed mentally, my heart racing with excitement. “Do you smell that?”

“Yes!” he howled, giddy with anticipation. “She’s here! Our mate is here!”

“Are you sure?” I asked, my skepticism quickly fading in the face of his euphoria.

“i***t! She is here, and she knows you are here too!” he howled in joy, his excitement contagious.

Could it really be? My mate was here in the mall, within arm’s reach? And just like that, my determination solidified. I had to follow this heavenly scent; I wouldn’t let this chance slip away.

With purpose, I jogged through the mall, savoring the sweet notes of vanilla and cinnamon that enveloped me. It was intoxicating and entirely different from the aromas of the bakeries around me—hers was powerful, a signature that lingered in the air, drawing me closer like a moth to a flame.

A smile broke across my face. Today, I wouldn’t hide in the shadows like I had a month ago. I was going to claim my mate. I’d given her enough time since the attacks that had rocked their world.

As I weaved through the crowd, the scent intensified, then suddenly weakened momentarily. Jerry tilted his head in confusion, but I pushed forward, picking up the pace, urging myself not to lose her trail.

Finally, I found myself standing in front of a gift shop and there she was. A breathtaking golden-haired masterpiece stood before me. Amelia. Her hair cascaded down to her waist, straightened and voluminous, dancing slightly as she moved. Her laughter rang out like music, her perfect smile illuminating the space around her. Her light sky-blue eyes sparkled with pure joy, and I was awestruck by how stunning she was in that moment.

I couldn’t help but let my gaze travel greedily over her. Those curves would make any she-wolf envious, and her legs were defined yet soft—everything about her was perfect. Suddenly, I felt a warmth awaken within me, more than just the rush of excitement. I heard Jerry chuckle in disbelief.

“I didn’t think that would work.” he burst out laughing in my mind.

“Bastard!” I shot back internally, my face growing hot from embarrassment mixed with a good dose of longing.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and confidently strode toward the two of them. Even though I could sense her noticing my presence, she looked away; the guy beside her appeared confused, glancing around. Amelia attempted to hush him with a hand, a subtle attempt to hide her face from me? Was she playing games? A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips; this amused me.

It took a moment for the adrenaline to settle, but I forced myself to approach her with purpose. I had my own confidence and reputation to uphold.

“Jerry,” I said quietly, trying to focus. “This is it.”

His growl of approval echoed in my thoughts. “That’s her.”