The Older Alpha’s Mate

Chapter 3

Amber POV

The weeks went by fast, my days filled with cooking, cleaning, and school. I’ve endured brutal treatment the past week from Tiffany this past week especially, as if she’s preparing me for a night of tourment tonight just in time for my birthday tomorrow.

School was dragging all day, but since my grades are the top of my class, it’s not something I usually stress about. I don’t even need to try, school is something that has always come easily to me.

I was feeling off today for some reason, almost like a new wave of energy had passed through me making my body buzz. My walk felt lighter, my head clearer. I shrugged it off as maybe I actually got some sleep last night.

I ran home to the packhouse to prepare dinner as fast as I could while Tiffany had her weekly meeting with her horrible friends nearby. Jesse and Emma were usually gone during the day, and Alpha Lucas rarely left his office on the top floor or the training grounds, so I didn’t have to worry about him.

I made a quick carbonara pasta with Cesar salad and fresh breadsticks, making an impressive table spread with a huge centerpiece and flower petals spread throughout. Even if I’m forced to do this every day, I still try to get in touch with my creative side and make it fun for myself.

I grab my few belongings and head out the door, surprised I actually made it out without seeing anyone, when suddenly I stop. In the forest to the left of the packhouse were two huge green eyes staring at me. They belonged to the biggest wolf I had ever seen, with a beautiful sleek black coat, and one white spot on the forehead.

Suddenly, it growled so loud and I froze. Chills ran over my body and an unfamiliar warm feeling pooled in my stomach.

I palmed my keys and prepared for an attack, but the wolf backed away, and ran into the forest.

Well, that was strange.

I book it to Sage’s farm as fast as I can, possibly beating her time at 5 minutes. I go around back where I know her and her family stays to watch their animals in the afternoons, and I wipe the sweat from my face with my shirt.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Sages mom, Cynthia says. She is in the middle of planting a row of daises in their beautiful backyard garden filled with all kinds of flowers and crops.

“Hello Mrs. Fuller,” I reply with a smile.

“Please honey call me Cynthia!” She answers.

“Amber! How’s our Alpha Lucas doing?” Sage’s dad, pack warrior Dane asks.

“Oh busy as usual,” I say shyly. I was never any good talking with her father, probably because of the lingering daddy issues.

“Let’s get inside, we have A LOT of work to do!” Sage exclaims. She loves makeup and any form of self expression, something I was not allowed to practice at home. Luckily, we still have 3 hours until the party because my face will need tons of work. I look in Sage’s mirror in her bedroom and sigh at the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. My overgrown eyebrows stand out as well as my split ends. Damn, I really need a makeover!

Sage is super excited to do me over and whips out her hair cut kit, and gets started on me with a trim. She washes my hair first, and then gives me slight curtain bangs with long layers and moves on to a blowout. She uses all these volumizing products that I’ve never seen in my life, making me look like a 90’s bombshell.

Sage moves on to trimming and plucking my eyebrows, and begins my makeup. She goes for a natural look with light pink eyeshadow, and a small cat eye eyeliner. Once she’s finished, I look in the mirror and I gasp. I really was beautiful, and Sage made sure that everyone would notice me. I give her a thank you hug and she turns to get ready herself. I shimmy on the light pink summery milk maid dress that matches my makeup perfectly, and I slip on some comfortable pink flats that go with the dress. Sage wears a light green knee length dress with matching makeup and her long silver hair in beautiful bouncy curls.

“These guys will be ALL over us!” Sage exclaims.

She was right. We looked hot.

“We have to go show my mom how you look! She’s used to my makeovers but she’s never seen you like this.” Says says.

“Okay but then we’re going straight to the party right?” I ask.

“I promise! Go down I’ll be right there I just have to find my sandals,” Sage tells me.

I walk out of her bedroom into the hallway and immediately bump into her oldest brother, Adam.

“Oh! Um, sorry Adam…” I said trying to look at the floor. Adam was seriously hot, and I’d always had a little crush on him for as long as Sage and I had been friends.

“Damn, Amber!” Adam looks me up and down, really taking it all in. “You’ve definitely grown up.”

He was dressed up for the party, in a white v neck and blue jeans, his wavy brown hair styled to the side. He doesn’t even have to put in any effort, he just looks that hot all the time.

Sage saunters out of the room all ready to go, and gives Adam a sisterly punch on his shoulder and takes my arm. We walk down the stairs, and Sage’s three other brothers were waiting for us to escort us to Lindsay’s party.

Samuel, the youngest brother but also the tallest, was dressed in a navy muscle tee and white shorts and sneakers. Everett, the second youngest brother who was wearing all black per usual, smiled at me as we walked down. He had always had a little crush on me, but I never really saw how attractive he was until now. He was leaning against the wall with his muscular, tanned arms crossed, staring deep into my soul.

Will, the second oldest brother was waiting for us in his huge Jeep, wearing a short sleeve polo sweater and chinos with white vans.

“Hurry up guys, we don’t have all night!” Will yells at us through the window.

“You look absolutely marvelous, Amber,” Everett tells me with his flirtatious green eyes.

“Thank you, Everett,” I blush. I had always hoped that one of the brothers would be my first kiss, my first love, and even maybe my mate. It would certainly be easier than getting used to a stranger, which any other male inside the pack or out would be. I wasn’t allowed to fraternize with anyone outside the packhouse or Sage’s house, except waiting hand and foot on any guests that we were hosting.

We all crammed into Will’s Jeep, Sage and I getting in the third row to have some privacy from the boys. A wave of nerves washed over me, and suddenly I thought maybe this wasn’t the best idea. What if Tiffany some how finds out where I am, or what if Emma and Jesse were at the party, too?

As if she could read the emotions all over my face, Sage says, “Amber!! Don’t you worry about a thing. If your family shows up, we will handle it, I got you always, and you know all of my brothers will protect you with their lives. It’s almost your birthday! Let’s party like we were never able to before.”

“Amber, honey, I will hold your hand all night if you want, but we are going to this party,” Samuel tells me.

I sigh in relief. I knew they really had my back, and I was so lucky to have them. This was my family. Sage, her brothers, and her amazing parents Riley and Jude. They have always accepted me for who I am, and would never ever treat me like I have been treated at home.