UNEXPECTED MATE

CHAPTER 2

Perhaps it was a dream. That’s what I wanted and wished for more than anything, but then he appeared in my dreams. Alpha Alexander was standing over me in his entire naked glory; sweat dripping down his perfectly chiselled abs and his hands were everywhere. His hands were on me, in me. It was intoxicating and I wanted more. I wanted to taste him.

I can’t.

I can’t dream of him.

Stop.

I forced myself awake for the third time that evening, gasping for air, my heart racing and my legs oozing with wetness. At this rate the only thing I would have gained from my birthday was an unexpected mate, a headache and dark shadows under my eyes.

To say my birthday ended abruptly was an understatement. I ran out of my father’s study and faked being sick in order to get everyone to leave; it worked quickly and everyone left me in peace.

I’ve been in bed ever since.

Liam’s texted me non stop but I haven’t had the heart to reply to any of them.

Are you ok?

How are you feeling?

I tried popping by, but your mother said you still weren’t feeling well?

Text me, when you're feeling better.

“How are you feeling?”

I raise my head up from the pillow, seeing my mom walk in with a mug of tea. I take it from her, taking a sip and digesting the warmth that I've needed ever since my birthday.

“I’m getting better.”

“Will you be alright for tomorrow?” She asks.

I nod.

I thought about pulling another sickie but this is something I’ve always wanted. I want to be a pack doctor and it would be wrong to not appreciate a birthday present, despite how much I want to avoid Alpha Alexander. Surely he wouldn’t be there. He was an alpha after all and he had more important matters to tend to. I had convinced myself that I wouldn’t see him before bed and was able to get a good night's sleep and woke up in the morning feeling refreshed. I put on my tailored culottes and t-shirt and paired it with some trainers. I had to look stylish but practical; afterall I had work to do. I tied my hair back in a ponytail and grabbed my bag to go; I was meeting Kim for coffee before, so we could calm our nerves.

She had already devoured two cups before I got there; her knees bouncing with nerves.

“Nervous?” She asked me.

“Close to throwing up,” I replied.

For more reasons than one I thought to myself.

“We’ve got this!” Kim suddenly yelled pounding her fist on the coffee table.

People looked our way. “And that’s our cue to leave.” I stated, feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I hated being the centre of attention even at my birthday party, I felt awkward.

We left giggling and headed towards the pack doctor. It was a big hut that sat to the side of the main pack house. There was a group of trainees entering and we quickly followed them. The resident pack doctor stood in front of us- Nellie. She was an absolute legend and it was taking every fibre in my body to not lose my cool in front of her right now. She had single handedly won the respect of the previous alpha and became the first leading female doctor of the pack. My dream was to be just like her.

When she walked into the room the silence was instant. “I am here to make you the best doctor you can possibly be. You know the basics, you have the skill but you don’t have the experience. You will be tested and not to sound dramatic but only the strongest will remain standing.”

I look at Kim and we both gulp, the smiles dying on our lips.

“Let's get started shall we.”

Nellie handed us all white aprons with our names on it. We had to deserve our coats.

All morning we were made to run drills and team up with the other trainees so we could all get to know each other. Other than Kim and I, there were three boys; Miles, Toby & Jacob and two other girls Lexie and Pippa. The only one I got some bad vibes from was Lexie. She seemed to look at us all like we were dirt and she was the only one who mattered. Stay away from that one, I thought to myself.

I was practising my stitches technique when a silence filled the entire infirmary. I looked up at Miles who was supposed to be helping me when I felt it.

He was here.

Don’t look.

Don’t look and maybe he’ll go away.

“Another injury, Alpha?”

“Aye, I'm afraid so, Nellie. Let's test one of your new trainees shall we.”

My hand started to shake as I tried desperately to focus on the task in front of me but it stopped the minute I heard my name. Everyone was looking at me and even if I wanted to, there was no escaping.

“What are you waiting for?” Nellie asked me. “Your Alpha is injured, see to him.”

I wanted more than anything to escape and get the hell out of there but there was no chance of that now. I nodded begrudgingly and followed the alpha into the room. He stood by the door, closing it behind me.

I didn’t have to look at him to know he was sitting on the examination table while I washed my hands. It was the strangest thing being able to sense his every move. It was like I could hear the blood seeping from the gash on his arm and the dirt that was clogging it up and stopping it from healing. He was in pain, even if it felt like just a sting. I could feel it.

My trembling hands reached out for the gauze as I turned around to my Alpha.

That’s what I had to remind myself that he was my alpha and also a patient. He wasn’t my mate.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since your birthday,” Alexander growls, his hand stroking at my free arm.

“Please stop,” I beg as his hands move to my hips.

“I can’t.”

His grip on my hip tightens as he pulls me closer to him, his breath tickles my chin. I refuse to look at him. If I do, I'll become putty in his hands. I can’t do it.

“Let me taste those luscious lips of yours. Just one quick little taste.”

Alexander cupped my arse cheeks, suddenly bringing me closer to him. “I’m like a sugar addict and you’re my sweetener.”

I laughed before I could help myself.

His soft lips kissed my cheek. “You have such a beautiful laugh.”

There was a sweetness to his voice that made me look at him. His eyes were sincere and his hands rubbed circles on my back. Before I knew it his face was in front of me and his lips softly planted on mine. They were rough, but they were everything I needed and I couldn’t pull away. When his lips moved, mine followed and the moment I weakened and moaned, his tongue slipped into my mouth. I could feel him growling underneath me as if the simple act was turning him into a beast in front of me. It was enough to snap me out of ti and yank away.

“We can’t do this. You have a wife. She’s your mate, not me.”

“I thought so too but a mate is unquestionable. You just know. You feel them. Your heartbeat matches there's. You can sense them. You feel like you’d die without them. I feel all of that for you. I’ve never felt that for my wife.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re married and I'm your best friend's daughter. It’s not right and we both know it. I wanted the fairytale not something that would get us both gawked at for the rest of our lives.”

I tried to pull away but he held his arms firmly around me.

“I can’t explain this either. Heck I want to. I want to understand all of this but I'm just as lost and confused as you are. I’m the alpha, I can't be like this.”

“Perhaps it’s best if we just stop. Perhaps it’s best If i just rej-”

His hand slammed against my mouth. It didn’t hurt but it took me by surprise. “No. Give me a chance. Come with me to the elders. Lets have this explained and then after. After if you don’t like what you hear then you can do it. You can reject me. Just promise me. Promise me please. Promise your alpha. Promise your mate. Promise me; this sad and pathetic creature in front of you. please.”

His tears scared me and my heart clenched at the sight of his pain.

“I promise.”