MATE BY CHANCE

~ A MISTAKE~

~ June~

I braced myself for whatever lay beyond the doors I would be going through. Deep down, I was scared that the bubble I had made for myself would only be popped as soon as I saw the man who shattered my already broken heart into smithereens. I hoped my bad-ass look would at least mask my fears as I went up the same stairs I had taken only hours before. At that time, it felt like I was on the path toward my freedom, from my pack and their constant ridicule of me. I took those same steps that had momentarily stopped my dull aching heart at the scent of our mate. This time, those same steps only represented what I hoped would be my freedom, ad chance to finally heal. Externally, I knew my aura radiated energy that a broken wolf shouldn't have, making the few pack members around the Alpha's residence gawk at me like I was some sort of alien, and maybe I was since they really never got to see this side of me, they never let me show them this side of me.

'Do they not have anything better to do ?' Leenah asked from within our mind link and ii couldn't help but agree with her. At last, I reached the Alpha's residence and fixed my face, putting on my best nonchalant face, as I approached the huge double doors that led to the parlor. I opened the door and waltzed in as if I had just arrived at some ball. I could still faintly catch the scent of my ma-, Pete, and his mate within the room. The mention of his name alone should have made it unbearable but for some reason, I felt nothing, my mother's scent spray must be working well as I couldn't imagine the humiliation I would have faced had it not worked. Still, I wondered for how long the effects would last. I spotted my Alpha and quickly bowed to show some respect, even though he deserved none of it. How could he let some other people humiliate a member of his pack just like that? I willed myself to get it over and done with if I indeed wanted to cut ties with this wretched Pack.

" Apologies Alpha, I was out of character earlier. " I made an attempt to show my submission while all I wanted to do was attack every single wolf in this room.

"I will let it go just this once, I understand your actions might. I hope everything will go back to how it was, it's not like you were in love with something. Think of it as a clean break. " The Alpha said, making the small crowd around him burst out laughing. What kind of Alpha was this? he seemed to enjoy seeing me humiliated.

'Let me rip him in shreds, I don't care if we become Rogues. ' Leenah snarled and it took all of me to stop her from doing what even I really wanted. I cleared my throat and went on with my show... of submission.

"Yes Alpha, I am here to take the guests to their respective rooms. " I said, keeping my eyes glued to the floor. I did not trust my eyes to match my fake mood. I turned and faced the guests.

"My name is Juniper, but feel free to call me June, I will be at your disposal all through your visit with us. " I said, bowing once again to the guests. Just then, the mood in the palour changed and I could instantly tell Pete was in the room, and so was Luna.

"I am surprised to see you on your feet, for a second there I thought we would have to drag you out. I guess your bond wasn't as strong. " The Luna suddenly spat out. I never knew why the Luna always treated me like the scum of the earth. She probably saw me as a threat or something, but whatever it was, I wasn't going to let her have her way today, enough was enough. I let Leenah release her pheromones that screamed anger, watching in delight as both she and Pete's ... mate flinch a little. Not wanting to challenge the Alphas- not that I cared- I reeled back my anger and gave Luna my answer.

"We all know I am truly strong for that Luna, but thank you for your concern." I coldly answered back and almost smiled at the shocked look she had on her face. The tension in the room was so thick I could almost taste it.

It was almost midnight and I needed to g for my run but I was stuck here waiting on guests that had only brought pain with them. If there was an award for the most enduring wolf, I would have gotten a bag full of trophies. Here I was, showing the man who would have been my mate, to his room where he would be spending the night with a woman that was not me. My mind had moved on from the idea of ever having a mate but my heart was adamant. The dull ache in my chest was almost gone completely and I knew it would soon be replaced with a void. I just needed closure, to know why I could not be the one for him, why I had to be replaced, and when it happened.

"Your room is on the first floor, Alpha Chris, your Beta is on the ground floor. I shall see you in the morning for a proper pack tour." I steeled myself as I directed the visiting Alpha who had yet to speak a word to me, I must truly be unworthy of his attention. Behind the Alpha, stood Pete. I never had the chance to properly look at him, I wonder why. I ran my eyes all over his figure and cursed at myself when the thought of us making a great pair struck my mind.

"Pete, can I talk to you before you go in? There is something I need to know. " I managed to ask him, his mate gave him a sour look before answering for him.

"You can ask him whatever you want, here. Who knows what your bitterness will lead to. " the bi- mate said clinging to Pete's arm. I almost threw up at the sight.

"Do not worry your pretty little head, but this is something private if you don't mind. And I wasn't going to bring this up but, I am glad we are not mates, he is not my type. " I spat out. Truly the man before me was not my type, had he not rejected me.

"You may go, Pete, you owe her that much. Freya, calm down, we all know nothing will happen. " Alpha Chris said out of the blue.

"Yes, Alpha. " Pete said Curtly and left through the same door we had come in.

"What do you want, make it quick. " Pete said the moment we were outside. I couldn't believe this man would have been my mate. I squared my shoulders, giving off confidence even when my heart was hammering in my chest. I searched for regret or even pity in his expression but his eyes still remained dark and cold.

"Why ... Why did you do that? Couldn't you have waited till we were alone? Did you have to do it in front of my Pack?" I asked him, question after question.

"What do you mean why? I already have a mate that I actually like. There was no need to delay the inevitable. We did our bonding ceremony the moment we turned 16 since you were nowhere. " He said as if it was common knowledge.

"So what you mean is that you had two mates and chose one who was near? Make it make sense. " I asked him in disbelief. Was he fated to have two mates? Or did he just choose the younger and prettier mate?

"Seems like it, I cant have two mates at a go." He said in a matter-of-fact way and turned to leave.

"Why did you not look for me ?" I prodded further.

"I did not even know who you were until today, when you reacted to me, I immediately knew we were bonded by mistake. Otherwise, how would you explain my bond with Freya?" he turned back and answered. I was a mistake, that was what he thought of me I almost burst out laughing since crying was out of the picture, I would never shed tears, not for him at least.

"Did you feel the bond breaking? " I continued my line of questioning, I needed to know that I wasn't the only one hurting today.

"Not really, I already have a mate. Listen I am sorry for the confusion but I have to go, we have meetings tomorrow and I need my rest. " He coldly said and was gone in a flash.

Nothing he had said made any sense. There was no way he was fated to have two mates, and if he was, I wouldn't really have minded having another wolf in the picture. His actions right now were very suspicious but I wanted nothing to do with him or this Pack anymore.

I went back to the confines of my room that had always managed to give me the comfort I needed. I packed all the things that were important to me in a duffel bag and laid it them next to my bed. I would leave the pack soon, with or without the Alpha's blessing. I had no energy left in me as I climbed up my bed. The day had gone from zero to one hundred real fast, not giving me a chance for a breather. I closed my eyes and willed the image of the man in the forest as I realized one thing; I was a mistake.

The realization made me break into a fit of laughter that soon morphed into whimpers as I cried -even after promising myself not to for the loss of a mate that thought I was a mistake.

'You are not a mistake... '