The Runt's Human Mate

Chapter 1: Lily POV

Chapter One: Lily POV

"Move faster Lily!" I glared at my sister as she sidestepped me in the breakfast line. I hated when Lina yelled stupid stuff. She knows I can't rush doing anything without feeling like I'm having a heart attack. I wasn't gathering my food fast enough for her. Her impatience left such a bad taste in my mouth that I put my empty plate down on the counter and left the line. I sat down on one of the bar stools. My chest was heaving just from that much movement. I hated being weak, being a runt. I admired how my mother got past it but I was still struggling. My 18th birthday is approaching but I feel like I'm no different than an invalid child.

"Hey, you okay?" I looked up to see my brother Daniel's bright green eyes. I nodded, frustrated, "Lina." Her name was all I had to say for him to understand. "Let me get you some food," he said, smiling his perfect smile.

My older brother could pass as a clone of our father minus the full sleeve arm tattoos and eye color. Daniel had played around with the idea of a tattoo but I think it is all talk. He was very handsome and radiated the same Alpha aura as our parents and my sisters. I don't think I give off much of an aura of any type. I feel like I barely exist. I'm five feet tall and I'm stick thin. Pop-pop says I look like his Lily, my mother's mother. She was a thin beautiful woman with my hair and eye color, not a runt please note. I don't think I'm particularly beautiful. I'm plain. I don't have much to offer beyond my brain and rank.

"Morning, beautiful." I looked up to see my mother walk into the kitchen. Now she was beautiful with her fiery red hair and bright emerald eyes. She had ideal features in my opinion. "Morning, mama," I said, my voice low. She looked at me with a sad expression. "What's wrong, my love?" I shook my head, "Nothing." Before she could push the issue more I was presented a plate of food by Daniel. "Eat up!"

I took the plate and watched as he bent down and kissed our mother's cheek. They had a close relationship. Despite him basically being a physical copy of our father he definitely doted on our mother. The only person he probably showered more love on was me. Like mama, I have a heart and runt condition. Everyone but Lina and Mom treats me like I'm fragile, breakable. Mom knows what I'm going through while Lina is just too self involved. She has always been that way.

As soon as Dad and Liza walked into the room stinking of sweat I wished I could run out. I couldn't stand the stench of their training. At least Daniel had the decency to shower before he came to the kitchen every morning. "Good morning, Mate," my dad practically sang as he leaned down to kiss my mother's lips. She blushed. They were so cute. Unlike me my mom didn't hate my father's sweat. She probably didn't realize it but sometimes I saw her eyes flicker black. That made me blush. I wish I had that. Love. Lust. The mate bond. It was the only thing I wanted more than to be free of my health issues.

"Are you going on that date?" Liza asked as she passed me in her sports bra and shorts. She was eyeing me. "Date? What date?" It was like a chorus of nosey wolves. All eyes were on me. I sighed, "Alpha Phillip stopped by again...he asked me out to dinner..." Both Daddy and Daniel's eyes turned black. "And?" Lina said in an overdramatic high-pitched tone. "I declined. He isn't my mate," I shrugged. While the men nodded, my sisters shook their heads. "We aren't 18 until next month. How can you possibly be sure?" Lina asked with her eyes narrowed. I glared back, "The same way we all know Samuel is your mate. You just know."

At the mention of her suitor she swooned. "He is great, isn't he?" The men rolled their eyes. Daddy only approved of their dating because Samuel is Daniel's Beta and Lina had confirmed they started feeling the sparks two months ago. The sparks are allegedly these physical manifestations of the mate bond. It is said a wolf can literally feel them when they touch their mate. Alphas sometimes experience the sparks and mate bonds before they turn 18 but not always. My mom was a prime example while Uncle Matthew was 16 when he felt the mate bond for the first time with Aunt Shawna. I've never felt the sparks so I know I've never met my mate. Beside Phillip was an arrogant selfish Alpha with more ego than we have land. He is the son of Alpha Royce and Luna Margo. They are just as arrogant and unappealing. I'd hate for him to be my mate.

Liza smiled and squeezed my hand. "You'll find your mate. He is out there." I smiled back my small smile. Liza was definitely the mature sister. She had her head on straight. She was born first of us triplets. She takes charge and knows how to get what she wants without hurting others. When she wanted to be a warrior? She convinced Daddy to let her train. When she wanted to learn to fight in wolf form? She found a way to convince Daniel. She was charismatic and unapologetic, something I envied.

I was last born after Lina. Dr. Robin won't say it out loud but sometimes she looks at me like she is shocked I made it. My sisters were born without issue but not me. I had to be the difficult pup. I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck and a hole in my heart. I'm shocked I survived too. It got a little better after I shifted when I was 15 but even then I was a late bloomer. My siblings all shifted before they hit puberty. Mom told me she was the same way and to not be ashamed. "You have to grow and develop at your own pace, my little Lily," she would say. I really just wanted to be normal. I wanted to be tall like my siblings, strong like my dad, and beautiful like my mom. It was like I got slapped with the ugly stick. There was not a single attractive thing about me. Why Alpha Phillip or anyone would try to court me was beyond understanding.

When everyone sat down to eat I made an announcement. "I finally decided what I want for my birthday present." Everyone looked up. Liza had asked for a bigger gym which had been built. Lina of course asked for a shopping spree. I hadn't known how to answer when Daddy asked me last month. "And what would that be, my beautiful flower?" Grandpa Leon walked in. "Hey Daddy," my mother cooed as he kissed the top of her head. He did the same to me. I smiled, "I want approval to attend college."

Silence fell on the room. No one in my family had ever attended formal schooling, especially not college with humans. "Why?" Lina spat out. Her mate had joined us and gave her a glare. I suddenly felt very small and stupid. "It's what I want," I whispered. Mama got up from her seat and lifted my chin with her hand. "Then it is what you will get. My only condition is that you have pack protection," she said, kissing my forehead. My father and Daniel shot up from their seats. Before they could speak she glared, "Neither of you is stopping her. You will not stifle Lily more than I already know you do. Now sit down and shut your mouths." They did as they were told, both looking embarrassed. My mom was the best. "Thank you," I whispered.

"Well if we are going to have a college girl on our hands we will need to do some shopping," Pop-pop suddenly said. I looked over at him. "Why? That's more Lina's thing." He laughed, "Lily, you can't go to school without a car." I felt my heart quicken. A car? Really? My own car. Daddy tried to protest. Mama grabbed his arm and said, "Not another word, Nathan." He looked down. He knew when she said his full first name he was not on her good side. "Fine, she can have a car," Daddy said. "Along with a driver and fancy new security team," he grinned. I sighed. I sensed this was going to be exhausting. But at the same time nothing made me happier than learning. I wanted to be a pack teacher so I figured I should experience real schooling, real education. I wanted so much more than just being the Alpha's runt pup.