My Deserving Mate

Mates

Natalie’s POV

Sh**. Jacob is my intended mate? What was the moon goddess thinking? I’m not fit to be a Luna. I much prefer not being center of attention or in the lime light and being an intended Luna is the complete opposite of that!

I notice he quickly looks away from me and takes his seat next to Lauren. Lauren is his current girlfriend and she would have made an excellent Luna. On any other day those two are always all over each other but today neither one seems to be very touchy feely. Maybe it’s because they know they aren’t mates now? We don’t find out who our mates are until one of us is 18. Jacob turned 18 first and being a future alpha makes that mate bond a lot stronger.

I’m only half listening in class today. My mind is in a million different places. Do I talk to him? Do I run for my life? He acted like he had no interest in talking to me either. So maybe I hang back after class and wait for him to leave so we don’t have to talk to each other? Finding a mate before I’m 18 and before college is not in the plans at all. I’m suppose to start new elsewhere and be who I’ve always dreamed of being. A mate…particularly an alpha mate means being stuck here in this town forever. But I always knew I wanted to find my mate. Someone who would love me unconditionally forever? Who wouldn’t want that?

The bell rings and before I could make a decision on whether or not to talk to him, he bolts out the door and down the hall far far away from me.

Well that settles that. He doesn’t want me for his mate. Or maybe like me he expected it to be Lauren as well and needs time to adjust to that thought. I’ll let him come to me when he’s ready to talk. Lucky for me this was our only class together.

Tinleigh and I walk out together and she bids me goodbye as she goes to her next class. The rest of the day went by uneventful. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jacob though. The mate bond is a strange thing. I could feel he was very conflicted and upset most of the day. I wondered if he could feel my anxiousness and confusion as well.

As I was walking to the parking lot I felt someone grab my wrist and pull me into the nearby classroom. The heat emitting from the hand told me it was a werewolf and the smell and electricity coming off the person told me it was Jacob. My breath caught in my throat and for a second I forgot how to breathe. I was looking into the chocolate brown eyes of my mate. And for the first time ever we spoke to each other

“Hi.” We said at the same time.

My cheeks flushed red and then there was an awkward silence between us.

Well this is going great.

Jacob’s POV

I turned and sat quickly next to Lauren. I could feel the tension rolling off her and saw her glance back at the scrawny brunette girl. Geese I really need to learn her name. She is my mate after all. I listen as the teacher calls role and when she says here, I confirm that her name is Natalie. I know nothing about her, other than her dad is the beta to our pack and she’s super quiet, shy, and awkward. Not really the kind of girl you would pick for the Luna of one of the toughest and strongest packs in the United States

I can’t focus on class at all. I am barely listening. I keep trying to sneak glances back at her. Every time I do she looks like she’s in deep thought. I wonder if she’s thinking of me too? Stop that. She can’t be the future Luna. She’s not fit for the job. I’m sure she’s a great girl but not right to be the Luna. I can’t help but wonder if the moon goddess could make a mistake.

The bell rings and I make a beeline out the door. I am not ready to talk to her yet. I hear Lauren call after me but it’s too late, I’m out the door and down the hall. Thankfully this is the only class we have together. I go about the rest of the day feeling her anxiousness and confusion. Da** mate bond. I feel bad that she’s so anxious. I guess anyone would be to learn that they might be the future Luna. But I need to talk to her and clear it up that she won’t be luna and I won’t be accepting her as my mate.

After school I see her walking towards the parking lot and I realize this is my chance. I grab her by the wrist and pull her into the closest classroom. I can feel the sparks and the desire when I touch her.

“Hi.” She really does have beautiful eyes. I see the blood rush to her cheeks and I want to touch her but I know I need to control myself.

The silence between us is almost deafening. I decided I should be the first to speak.

“It’s Natalie right?” I asked looking for clarification that was her name.

She looked down at her feet as her face blushes again. “Yes.” She mumbled so quietly if I wasn’t a werewolf I may not have heard her. This helps solidify my decision. If she can’t talk to me how do I expect her to talk to a whole pack. But maybe she’s just shy until you get to know her, my wolf chimed in for the the first time today. I don’t think the moon goddess would make a mistake with our mate.

Perhaps he is right. Perhaps I should give her a chance. “Look I know we have never talked before but the moon goddess seems to think we would be a good fit. What do you say we get a cup of coffee this evening? Say around 630?”

She looks stunned and just nods her head never quite looking at me. Well this should be an interesting date.