The Alpha's Marked Mate

 White. Fluffy. Abundant. Scratchy. Prim. Long lace sleeves. Tight. Breathless. Uncomfortable. Unbearable. Jane’s fingerprints are all over this marshmallow monstrosity wedding dress for a wedding that will never occur. A bride without true marital vows. Vows of fertility and undying fealty to my sister and clan. In a few weeks, my clan except to me don an expensive frilly waste of satin to vow to produce a next leader for our clan. Actually, I need to produce two daughters. One to lead, and the other to produce. My family has an archaic, backwards traditions. One female to lead as Alpha. Her younger sister produces the next Alpha and brood mare. After I drop two daughters, and nurse them to a healthy childhood; I drink a glass of hemlock. You shouldn’t have completing mothers. Bullshit, right. Oh yes, a refined young lady doesn’t use coarse language per our etiquette tutor. She didn’t say I couldn’t curse in my mind, mother like a sailor in my head. My head time gives me freedom to think. Nobody lives in my head except for me. In my mind, I am free. I’ve been kissed by a boy. It was fabulous under moon and stars as we strolled among a thicket of Cherry Blossom in D.C. My girlfriends teased me in middle school about my crush after I hid my face in a book. Never happened. After school, I worked in a coffee shop. The best-looking guy in school bought a muffin from me every day until he asked me out on a date. Another fantasy. I ate popcorn a sleepover at my BFF’s tenth birthday. We painted our nails. Didn’t sleep. My only friends were Jane, Mara, Caden, and Henry. They weren’t friends by choice. Jane is my older sister, our future Alpha. Henry is my male twin. He was supposed to be drowned at birth. My big wailing mouth kept him alive. I couldn’t bear to be without my brother. These people needed my uterus; so, Henry could live. Caden and Mara are cousins once over. Forced friends. No choices except in my mind.  Perhaps in my mind, I could pretend this frothy creation is a prom dress. I am crowned Prom Queen with my adoring All American Prom King holding my hand. Note to self: stop watching so much TV. It’s not your life. My life is centered on my v****a. A timid knock on my dressing room door broke me from my depressing monologue of dreams unanswered. It was Jane. My elder sister. Her knock resembled her graceful ladylike personality. Groomed to represent strength and feminist paired with dignity. Jane only wears skirts and dresses. Her modesty must always be apparent. No man can ever touch her. She is an Alpha in training, an example for all. Compared to Jane, my life is gumdrops and cookies. Pants, jeans, and Shorts aren’t banned from my wardrobe, in a slick contrast, my body is on display to every available male werewolf. Look, just down touch unless I pull your name from a hat. Some random guy chosen to steal my virginity. I am not willingly. Knock me up. No love involved. Just a duty to reproduce. Jane knocked a bit more assertively. She hates to be ignored. Alpha lesson Number 1, they must compile to your wishes quickly. Well, I am not participating in my deflowering and death. Emma,” Jane requested gently,” Mom asked me to see why you’re taking so long in the dressing room. We can’t wait to see you in your Gaia gown.” She wants to see me dress up to start the end of my life. I love my sister. Simple fact… I am not Alpha material. Sure, as hell don’t want to give birth to her children. She’s excited by my Gaia gown because she wants a wedding gown. She wants a wedding, picket fence, and 2.5 kids in a subdivision. No, Janie, you are going to live in a mansion surrounded by green fields with grazing horses as the future queen of our candy company. Our ancestor created a particularly delicious butterscotch hard candy. She likened her Alphadom as a trailblazing empire in the New World. She was named after Queen Elizabeth 1. She wanted to be a virgin Alpha. Male paws weren’t allowed on her. Did she allow female paws on her? Her demented mind created Gallagher clan’s draconian traditions of a Virgin Alpha and broodmare sister. Legends has it she hated her sister. You can’t have competition for your power. b***h, you made butterscotch. Good butterscotch. Not good enough to die over. Gallagher Candy offers more than butterscotch now. Still. She created candy, not a cure for Cancer. Her brilliant ideas keep women trapped in the 1800’s.  Twisting the door handle, a look of utter joy danced across Jane’s face. According to everyone, Jane resembled our father. Never met him. He’s an Alpha of European pack somewhere in Europe. With her deep green eyes and blonde hair, a perfect porcelain doll. She can never be touched or broken by emotions. She cried when they sent Mama to sleep. I heard her through the walls, she cried for months. They missed something in her training. “You look amazing. Your Gaia ceremony is perfectly planed with Rose, Gardenias, expensive wine, and delicious food. Emma, you’re stunning, just a perfect showstopper.” Jane’s perfect wedding reception. I am not a fan of Roses or Gardenias; Jane is a big fan of them. Give me a bouquet of Tiger Lilies, Sunflowers, and Gerbera Daisies. They don’t go together, perfectly mismatched.  Her happiness warmed my heart; yet, I live with a dreaded sense of disappointment. I am not happy. Should I be? My entire existence has had more freedom than any other breeder sister. I went to college; even though I had to stay at home. A first breeder with a Driver License. Happiness wasn’t always fleeting for me. “I love my dress, Jane. You have such exquisite taste in clothing,” I lied sweetly. Jane pulled me into her welcoming embrace,” This is an amazing time,” she whispered in my ear. Fucking Amazing