UNEXPECTED MATE

Since a young age I’ve always been a romantic and everyone knows it; the only problem is I was born a wolf with curves. My mother was elated, at sixteen I was being told I had the perfect birthing hips and boys were staring at my breasts. They all saw it as a blessing. I saw it as a curse. I grew up on fairytales and always imagined one day that I’d become a princess by marrying the charming prince or in my case, my mate. That’s what every wolf wants afterall, to find the one they're destined to be with. I found a love for medicine to tie me over until that time would come and knew from the age of twelve that I only wanted two things in life. To be the pack doctor (or one of them at least) and to find my mate. My parents were mated at sixteen and have been in love ever since; watching them as I've grown up has made me want that kind of relationship; something eternal and sweet. It wasn’t until I got older that I realised it was more than sweetness, it was love and lust. I wanted something like, I wanted someone to look at me like that. When I turned sixteen I was convinced I would find my mate. Nothing. Now with my eighteenth birthday I’m convinced this time that I will finally feel the connection I so desire. “Happy Birthday, my darling.” Mum chimed as she stepped into my bedroom. “Don’t you look lovely.” I was wearing a royal blue satin dress that clung to every curve. If today was going to be the day I finally found my mate then I might as well look hot for him, but it was more than that. I wanted to finally look and feel like an adult. Mum placed some of my black curls over my shoulder so they covered at least one side of my dress. “You’re still my little girl even if you look stunning.” “Thanks mum.” “Everyone’s waiting downstairs, are you ready?” I nodded and took my mum's hand as she led me towards the stairs. As soon as I got to the top everyone downstairs started singing. Happy Birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to Sophie. Happy Birthday to you. I beamed at everyone in the room that was plastered with balloons and a banner. It was a small affair. Despite my father knowing everyone in the pack I didn’t want one of my most important birthdays having random people there that I didn’t know. That meant there was only my family, a few school friends, my boyfriend and of course the Alpha. My boyfriend, Liam, strided over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. We’ve been dating for over a year now and everyone is convinced we will be mated; even Liam believes it. I’m not sure. I want to be mated with Liam. It would be easy after knowing each other for so long. However, Liam turned eighteen at the start of the year I would have thought we would know by now if we were. “Happy Birthday, Sophie.” I turned around to the deep voice and saw Alpha Alexander and his wife Miranda walking towards me. I smiled at Liam’s parents as the Alpha handed me an envelope. “This is my gift for you. Knowing you for as long as I have, I think this might be something you’ve always wanted.” I looked at the envelope with a questioning look. It feels like I’ve known Alpha Alexander for most of my life; from the minute we moved to his pack he was always around; working alongside my father. I suppose it’s his duty to know his people but I couldn’t even begin to imagine what would be in the envelope. Curiosity overtook me and I ripped it open; inside was the apprenticeship form I filled in to work with the pack doctor and there in big red letters was the word- APPROVED. My mouth fell agape and I lunged forward, hugging the Alpha. I squealed in his ear before I realised what I was doing. I was hugging the alpha. My hands were pulling at the back of his hair and grabbing the back of his strong neck. I let go suddenly, taking four rapid steps back. “Oh sorry. I’m just so happy. Thank you so much.” The alpha’s laugh boomed through the room as he replied. “You are more than welcome.” Alpha Alexander nodded goodbye and headed for the drinks table, his wife trailing behind him. I turned to Liam and squealed again with the biggest smile on my face. “I hope you’re going to be this happy with the gift I give you.” I stopped jumping up and down and gave all my attention to Liam as he presented a tiny box from his back pocket. I opened it gracefully and inside was a small star necklace. I loved the night sky when all the stars were out and shining. My eyes teared up as Liam took it and draped it over my neck, it falling gracefully between my breasts. “It’s beautiful Liam, thank you.” He fluffed my hair back down and lifted my chin to softly kiss my lips. I blush just as the music starts playing and everyone begins to dance and chat amongst themselves. I head towards the snack table meeting my best friend Kim. “Happy Birthday, bestie.” “And where’s my gift?” I tease. “I ate it,” Kim jokes. “ However, I do have this.” She hands me a piece of paper and I see that it’s the same application as mine with APPROVED written over it. I jumped up and down, smashing her into a hug. “Yay we’re going to be together.” “Of course, I'm going to be top of the class; you can follow in close second,” She jokes, munching on a mini burger. “That’s fine by me.” I laugh. I pick at the tiny slice of chocolate cake. (If you hadn’t gathered all the food is miniature.) I have it up to my mouth, the delicious waft of chocolate entering my nose when I sense it. There’s a clench in my heart. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I press my thighs together as I feel a heat in my lower region. Never before have I experienced a feeling this intense before and then I smell it. I must find the source of it. It’s like an intoxicating smell and I’ll die if I don’t find it. One word comes to mind. MATE I look around for Liam but when I see him in the corner talking with my father my heart sinks. It’s not him. I feel nothing when I look at him. I don’t even find him the remote bit attractive anymore. There’s not much need to look around at the other faces. My heart or rather my heat is telling me where to go. I follow it without question; leaving the room and heading towards my father’s study. I open the door to darkness. No one is supposed to be here. The door closes behind me and all I can hear is my heartbeat pounding and it’s not alone. Someone moves in front of me. I see the dark silhouette of a man as he gets closer. I can hear his every move. I can feel the lust seeping out of his pores. His breath brushes against my ear and my skin tingles just at the proximity. “Mate,” he growls in my ear. His voice is low and rough. Feral. I recognise it, I know I do, but I can’t place it. I can’t work out who it belongs to. My hips are grabbed by strong hands, crushing my body against his and his lips roughly press against mine. Even in the dark he can find his target. It feels so different to when Liam would kiss me. That was just childsplay. This is the real deal. He presses against me, his hard erection rubbing against the thin material of my dress. My back hits the door, his hands fumble for some method of discarding my dress. I obey by unzipping it for him and I hear the buckle of a belt and the thud of material dropping to the floor. I almost cry out at the loss of contact when he’s back again. Our heads move in rhythm, twisting in opposite directions to one another, our mouths opening and allowing our tongues access. I get carried away, my stomach bubbling with anticipation, hungry for more when it suddenly hits me. I don’t know who I’m kissing. I don’t know who’s fondling my breasts. I don’t know who’s c**k I'm stroking. I feel around the wall with my spare hand, looking for the light switch. My fingers whisk across something and I press down hard. The light comes as a harsh shock that stuns us both. My mate steps back and we both have to adjust, squinting until our vision clears. When it finally does my heart stops. Standing before me, devilishly naked with those hard abs and ginormous - Oh my god No I can’t think like that, not when Alpha Alexander is standing in front of me.