Be Mine, Alpha

One

Daphne's POV

The constant buzzing of my alarm clock forced me to open my eyes, not that I was actually sleeping in the first place. A sigh and a ridiculously loud exhale made their way out as I flipped away the bedspread that kept me tucked in bed.

I swung my legs just to plant them in the pair of fuzzy slippers that were waiting at the foot of my bed. A glance showed my denim jean pants complemented the slippers, or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, yes, I was already prepared for school.

"I'm cominggggggg in," She announced before barging into my room. She didn't even spare me so much as a knock. "Wakey, wakey Daphne!"

"What do you want Harper?" I rolled my eyes, in all good fun of course. "Have you come to borrow my tank top this time? Or perhaps you'd want me to lend you my kidney as well. You never seem to like to use your own stuff."

"Don't be silly, I only need your slippers." Harper grinned. Her grin became even wider and my stomach churned at what was about to come. "Happy Birthday Daphne!!"

"No," She was already on top of me before I could get a word out. "Harper, you're crushing me…"

"My little sister isn't so little anymore." She cooed in my ears, totally nonchalant about the fact that she was restricting my airflow. "You're older now but still not older than me though,"

"It's just by one year, Harper." I finally got out of my sister's iron grip. More like she let go of me really. "You're older than me by just one year."

"But I'm still your elder sister and you're my baby sister." She pinched my cheek lovingly, her smile touching her eyes. There was no way I could resist that. "So tell me, aren't you excited for your birthday?"

"No." I chorused, at the same time she chorused "Yes."

She scrunched her eyebrows, slightly narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean-"

"Harper!" Mum's voice came from downstairs. "Breakfast's ready."

"I'm coming mum," Harper replied, in an equally loud tone. She turned to me and gave a small sad smile before walking out the door. I wasn't mad, I understood what she'd just said or what the entire situation meant actually. No breakfast for you.

I sighed again before getting up to my closet. This was one of the reasons I never looked forward to my birthday, it was the same as every other day. I was constantly reminded that for some strange reason, my mum disliked me. Scratch that, loathed me.

"But we do have something to look forward to, this year right?" A soft voice interrupted my thoughts. "Tonight actually. We're finally going to find our mate." My wolf added.

"Of course, Mia." I slipped my feet into the pair of black converses I'd picked out for today. I wouldn't lie, I was excited and you could tell by the little hum I gave as I slung my backpack behind me and headed down the stairs.

The scene was just as I'd expected when I got down. Mum and Harper were chatting heartily at the dining table. Until I walked in that is.

"Good morning, Mum." I knew it was a long shot, but I did it anyway. I always did it. I even gave a small nod too.

"Hurry up Harper dear." I felt a stake being driven into the center of my heart. "You don't want to be late for school." And with that, she got up from her chair and headed to the kitchen.

"Here." I took the apple Harper handed out to me. Even her smile couldn't help forget the fact that my own mother wanted nothing to do with me but I returned the smile anyway. "Have this."

"Thank you." The apple went straight into my bag. " I'll just wait till you finish up, so we can go to school together."

"Actually." Harper drawled and I felt my heart pick up its pace. "I'm going with Nikolai. He's coming to pick me up."

"Oh." I really hoped I'd masked my hurt. My palms felt clammy at the sound of the news. " It's okay then, I'll just take my motorcycle. I actually haven't taken it on a spin in a long time." Liess.

"Okay." Harper went back to her meal. " See you at school then?"

"Sure, see you at school."

***

The drive to the school was uneventful unless I counted the frequent thought and giddiness of finding my mate tonight. Something, Mia and I both shared.

After securing a spot at the school's garage, I made my way into the school which was a buzz with teenagers roaming around the halls and everywhere the architect had paved a path. Greenland Community Highschool was huge.

Honestly, massive was an understatement. The high walls and broad buildings gave its students not only a luxury education but comfort as well.

"Well, well, you finally decided to join us." I could recognize that voice anywhere, even in my sleep. "I thought you'd prefer to spend your birthday at home this time around."

"Conan!" Camilla slapped the red-haired boy hard on the arm. " That was not what we discussed. Happy Birthday, Daphne."

"Thank you, Camilla." I hugged one of my two best friends, the scent of her shampoo wafting through my nostrils. "Unlike some people who won't stop being a jerk to me even today."

"You know I love you," Conan smirked, before ruffling my hair. I hated that and he knew it. "Happy Birthday, kiddo."

"Thank you, Conan…" The rest of my words died down in my throat as I locked eyes with Nikolai. Quickly before he could notice me, I turned my gaze back to my friends.

"What did you…" Conan stopped midway as his gaze fell on who I just saw. His lips curved up into a sly smile. "Ohh, I see."

"Shut up, Nikolai.." I paled at my blunder. "Conan. I meant to say, Conan."

"Ohhhh." Conan drawled, his sly grin still on his face. "Someone has it hots for Mr. Hot stuff, huh?"

"It was a mistake." I pouted. "And it's just a stupid crush. It's going to pass eventually, it has to. He's my sister's boyfriend. Everyone in the pack knows that."

"And if it doesn't?" Conan always had a way to trouble me and it made me wonder exactly how we became friends in the first place. "What are you going to do?"

"It won't matter because she'll be finding her mate tonight, right?" Camilla squealed. "Oh my Gosh, I'm so excited for you, Daph,"

"If I find him that is." I shrugged. The morning bell rang loudly and we took it as a sign to head to our classes. "I'm not keeping my hopes up." Yes, you are.

"I'm sure you will," Camilla reassured me as we walked down to class. "And if you don't, we'd all go out for ice cream. Conan's treat."

"Wait, what? I didn't agree to that." Conan butted in and I grinned widely.

"Oh shut up, who knows you could find your mate there." I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

"Why can't we all just be lucky like Camilla?" Conan sighed. "She already found her mate."

He was right. Camilla's mate was one of Nikolai's friends, Xavier. "You'll find yours in due time, don't sweat it. "

"I believe this is where I leave you both." Conan made a gesture of tipping his hat. " I have AP calculus in just a matter of minutes."

"And this is my stop too, Daphne." We all paused in front of a classroom. " Home economics won't learn itself."

"Yeah, yeah." I hugged them both. "Meet up at the cafeteria for lunch?"

"Of course."

"Bills on you." Coman winked. I was going to make sure I smacked him today, no matter what it took.

"Bye." I waved them both before entering my class by the left. Something tugged at the pit of my stomach before I walked in. It was quick and I glanced around the hallway littered with students for something, anything but I was met with nothing but the receding backs of my friends, amongst other students too.

Luckily for me, my favorite spot in the classroom hadn't been occupied yet. Stealthily and as quickly as I could I headed over to the seat at the corner of the back and plunked right into it.

"Good morning class." The once noisy classroom died into silence the moment he walked in. It was Mr. Rogers, our chemistry teacher. "Sit down and turn your textbooks to page 78. We'll be discussing atoms and-"

I had no idea why he knocked. It was weird and uncalled for, at least for someone of his caliber. He always did whatever he wanted to do in the manner he seemed fit.

So when Nikolai Rodriguez knocked at our door before entering, it confused a lot of us. If I'd thought my confusion was over, this was only the beginning.

The moment I set my eyes on him for the second time that morning I heard something whispered into my ear. It was so low I could have mistaken it, but I didn't. I'd heard it as clear as day.

Mate.

Nikolai Rodriguez, the Alpha of my pack and Harper's boyfriend was my mate.

Shit.