The Head Alpha's Widow Beta

Alexander's POV It's finally my 20th birthday! I am so excited to know who my mate is. I really hope that it's Michael who will be my mate. I mean he is like ten years older than me, and he is my father's beta and, in the future, my beta. My best friend, who knows that I have been in love with Michael since I was a teenager, kept telling me that I was a fool and that he would never be mine. Also, he keeps mentioning the age gap and that my dad would never allow it. "Alex, are you ready?" my dad entered my room. "Yes, I am ready dad! I am so excited to know who my mate is". Dad smiled at me and patted my back. "So am I. I hope you find a nice mate" his happy smile entered into a sad smile. I knew what he meant, my mother was unfaithful to him and later on left him for another guy. "Dad is Micheal coming?" I slightly bit my lower lip. "He said he was coming. He didn't want to miss the main birthday of his future head alpha" "Oh yes. Future head alpha", I chuckled nervously. How can I forget that my crush sees me as nothing more than his duty. "If you are ready, then let's go down?" I nodded and we went downstairs. It was a grand celebration since the future head alpha would finally find his mate. Today is the day everyone will find who the future luna of this pack will be. Wolves from far away places have come to witness this moment. There are times when they don't find their mates in these kinds of gatherings, but that is because their mate is a commoner from another pack most of the time. If I don't find my mate, then I will have to visit every pack in the world to find my mate, and that would be exhausting. I just hope to find my mate today, and I hope that my mate is Michael. I really don't care about the age gap as long as it is him. The moment I stepped into the hall, I could smell the delicious food and something with a hint of a rainy and gloomy forest. What was that scent? Maybe my mate? "Let's go up the stage. It's almost 12" dad said. I nodded and we went onto the stage. He took the mic and cleared his throat and slowly all the attention of everyone was on us except some who were gossiping while looking at us. My dad started speaking "As you guys know, after a few minutes my son will turn 20, and he will find his mate, hopefully" everyone laughed at his comment" I hope the future luna of this pack takes care of this pack just like I did and cherishes it like I and my son are doing. We love this pack. Oh! It's 12 already!" my father turned to me and pulled me in a hug, whispering 'happy birthday my son' in my ear. I smiled and hugged him back. "Happy birthday, son" he said on the mic while patting my back after he broke the hug. The smell of a rainy and gloomy forest had got stronger, and I started to look around. It seemed like my dad noticed because he laughed "I think someone found his mate", it seemed like he gestured to me to get down and find them. I got off the stage and followed the scent. The people moved out of my way as eager as me to know who my mate was, but the scent was all over the place! I groaned loudly, which made everyone laugh, especially the mated ones and I don't know why, but I ignored them and again started following the scent of rainy and gloomy forest. I stopped in front of a person with black hair. It was a man. I could tell because of his body structure, he was wearing a blue blazer and black shoes along with, I think, a black shirt? I couldn't see his shirt properly. But I have to say, he had a nice body, and an amazing ass. He had the whole bakery. I was about to pat him, but he turned around with a stiff body and when he turned around, I smiled widely because it was Micheal, but he looked terrified, which made my smile drop. "You are mate, Micheal" I whispered. "Tha-that can't be! No! It can't be!" he started panicking. In the corner of my eyes, I saw my father running towards and patting Micheal's back. I was so confused about what was happening. "What is happening? Why is he panicking, dad?" and did he know that we were mates from the start? Did dad know this? "Why don't you take Micheal upstairs to his room and have a talk with him, Alex?" dad said as he slowly guided Micheal towards him who shook his head violently and looked at dad with a terrified expression. It hurt me because it makes me sad seeing him so broken... "Are you-" "Take him, Alexander", I nodded and gently took Micheal's hand in mine and guided him to his room. I could feel him trembling and having trouble walking, so I picked him up, which made everyone gasp. I mean why? I am just picking up my mate. Micheal immediately put his head on his chest and his face, he even took in my scent, which kind of made me smile. While going to Micheal's room, I saw my best friend. I looked at him and showed him my tongue because Micheal is my mate, to which he responded with an eye roll.