The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter One; Happy Birthday to Me

"GAH!" I shot upright in my bed, panting and sweating. My nightmare was so vivid, I wasn't even sure it was a nightmare. I pushed my hair back off of my face and tried to get my breathing under control. My alarm went off, telling me it was 6:30am. I nearly jumped out of my skin from the fright of it. I glared at it before shutting it off. I got up and walked to the small bathroom that my small cottage housed. I passed the calendar on the way to the bathroom and paused. It was my birthday today. Yay. I sighed and continued to the bathroom. What a way to start my birthday.

I brushed my teeth and splashed my face with cool water before getting ready for the day. I had training still this morning but I had work off. I tried to convince them that I was fine working on my birthday, but they wanted nothing of it. So now, I had a full day off absolutely nothing but dread. I knew what my birthday meant, I was turning 17, which meant my wolf would finally emerge and I would meet my mate. Ugh. I hated the concept. I respected the Moon Goddess, but having your love life completely decided for you from the moment you turn 17? That wasn't for me. It takes a lot for me to trust people. I don't understand how we can just easily forget someones past and forget our boyfriends and a whole other life.

Why are you rejecting the idea of a mate? A voice said in my mind. I frowned. I paused, my hand in my hair as I was halfway through putting my hair in a ponytail.

Hello? I thought, wary.

Hello. Why are you having thoughts of rejecting our mate? The voice said, again in my mind.

Before you go ahead asking me questions, let me ask you a question. Who are you? I replied. Suddenly, I had the image of a beautiful silver wolf in my mind. She shook her fur and pranced around. She turned and I suddenly felt like she was staring right at me.

I am your wolf, Serena She said. She shook her fur again and it shimmered. She was gorgeous.

How are you my wolf? You're gorgeous and I'm a nobody I asked her. She chuckled.

You aren't a nobody, Serena. If you were, I wouldn't be here. Yet the Moon Goddess chose me to be your wolf so here I am. She said, simply as if it were obvious.

Oh. What is your name? I asked her. She gave me a little smile.

My name, my dear, is Anika. It is a pleasure to be your wolf. She replied, bowing to me a little. I let go of my hair and sat down on the bed. I was overwhelmed. Can I ask you a question now? She asked me, unafraid and staring at me again. I just nodded. Why are you thinking of rejecting our mate? You haven't even met him yet.

I won't reject him. I respect the Moon Goddess but I just don't like the idea of giving up my life for them. I told her. I got changed into my gym gear and started packing my gym bag.

You don't have to. Besides, what if he's worth it? She asked me, tilting her head slightly. It gave her the slightest of puppy looks and made her look so cute.

If he's worthy of my trust and love, then sure. Otherwise, I'm not going to rush into anything. You will do well to remember that, Anika. I told her, sternly. You may be my wolf, but this is my life. We got a whole day ahead of us first. Whoever our mate is, he might not be here and could take us a while to find him I reasoned with her. She huffed and walked away. She knew I was right.

I grabbed my gym bag and keys and headed out the door. I was just looking forward to this day being over.

CRACE'S POV

I could barely keep focus on my morning paperwork. I had been up for an hour, trying to get some things sorted before heading to training today. Seiko just kept whining in my head. He was eager for me to get to training more than ever today.

I stared at the form in front of me, rereading the paragraph for the third time. I glanced at the clock and say that it was only 7:00. It would be way too early to leave for training. Perhaps I should let Sieko out and go for a run before training...

SERENA'S POV

I managed to get to training before anyone else today. I was pretty proud of myself. Although, I didn't know what to do now. I sighed looking around the gymnasium and just decided to do some warm up and stretches while waiting. I did the stretches and went to get a skipping rope from the equipment. I stretched once more before getting into it.

One, two, three, four I counted in my head to each jump.

CRACE'S POV

Seiko howled powerfully as we ran around the outskirt of the forest. Seiko never entered the forest on our runs and now I knew why. It wasn't our place to disturb. He seemed so anxious and this run was helping him a little. He pushed harder, using all his effort into making us run faster and farther. We eventually reached the gate that was at the front of the territory. We had ran quite far for us to reach here. He panted hard, taking a moment to catch our breath. The men standing guard at the gate saw us and bowed respectfully to us. Seiko bowed back. I rolled my eyes at him. I told him there was no need to bow back. We are their Alpha, not the other way around. He just said that all members of the pack deserve the same respect they show us, all members have the same importance.

Seiko pranced a little, showing off and the men laughed at him. Not in a degrading way though, they adored him. They gave him a little scratch on the head and Seiko's ears twitched in content. The men went back to their duties and Seiko took off again. We ran past the little houses on the outskirts of town, past the town centre, past the manor. When we were getting closer to the gym, I asked Seiko if I could take over. He huffed in annoyance but eventually retreated and allowed me to shift back.

I pushed myself as hard as Seiko did and I let out my stress through each stride. I was a sweaty mess when I reached the gym, finally. It made me glad I had decided to leave a shirt in the lockers here instead of wearing it. I reached the door of the gym and was about to enter when the smell of a vibrant forest hit me. It was intoxicating. I could smell moss, rain, dew and wildflowers. It was heady. I braced a hand on the wall outside of the gym, trying to steady myself. Seiko stood to attention in my mind and howled, happily.

What or who is that smell? I asked him.

He pranced in circles and I could sense all the anxiety from the past two weeks had dissipated.

Seiko, do you know what that smell is? I asked him, again. He howled again before answering me.

That is our mate! He exclaimed. WHAT?! I pushed the gym door open and went inside to see for myself.

SERENA'S POV

49, 50, 51 I continued, counting. Skipping was easy for me. It was monotonous and easy to focus on. 56, 57, 58. I counted some more. I was about to reach 70 when suddenly, my nostrils were invaded by the most delectable smell. I smelt chocolate, caramel, pastry and coffee. My mouth filled with saliva at the smell. My heart raced as I knew what this meant. There was only one explanation for the smell, and judging by the fact that I was nowhere near a bakery and that Anika had stood up, ears pricked, I was right. My future mate was nearby. Suddenly, there was a bang and I swirled around to see what it was. There stood Crace, at the entrance of the gym. He was shirtless, sweat glistening on his chest and abs. His chocolate eyes bore into mine. His breathing was laboured. His dark brown hair was messy and wind-swept. He must have just gone a run. He only wore baggy jeans that hung low on his waist, showing of his v-line. How had I never noticed his beauty before? I thought. Then it hit me, the smell was coming from him. Crace Ashford was my mate. Anika flicked her tail happily.

See, Miss Pessimist? I told you that our mate was worth it! She teased me and her tongue lolled out a little. Was she sticking her tongue out at me. My eyes widened a little as I started to realise what this meant. I was so screwed...

CRACE'S POV

I pushed the door open of the gym to see who my mate was. The breath knocked out of me as I saw who was inside the gym. She didn't notice me for a split second. She was doing warm ups with the skipping rope and she seemed so focused. She stopped then and I could tell that she must have smelt me. The door suddenly hit the wall with a bang and she swung around to face me. She was more gorgeous than ever. Her skin glistened a little from the workout, her brown hair tied in a ponytail was slightly messy. Those damn baby curls framed her face one more and I resisted the urge to tuck them behind her ears. Her green eyes looked into mine with surprise as she saw me. As I stared back, I felt transported and realised it all made sense. The forest smell, her green eyes...She really was the Fairy Nymph Queen. Not literally, of course. Though it all fit into her beauty. She wore her usual sports bra and shorts today and though it was nothing special, she never looked more stunning than she did now. I couldn't believe it. Serena Hastings was my mate...no wonder...

Seiko, why didn't you tell me? I asked him. He turned his head to me.

As if I knew why? I knew a change was coming and that I would meet my mate soon. I just didn't know who. Even if I did, why would I say? It would ruin the surprise! Look at her, isn't she exquisite? He breathed the last part in awe. He had a point. He didn't know what had been going on anymore than I did.

I took a step towards her, tentatively. I was suddenly so unsure of myself. It was like when it came to her, I felt I had to prove myself. She stayed still, watching me. I assumed that was a good sign so I took another step. Her breathing hitched and her heart beat a little faster, but she still stood still. I was about to take another step when suddenly, the door swung open again.

"Crace, baby, training doesn't start for another half an hour. Why don't we do some warm ups of our own?" I knew that voice. It no longer was pleasant to my ears and Seiko growled. This time, I agreed with him. I sighed. Serena looked away and took a step back. "Oh, you're here. Why don't you make yourself scarce and scare of some crows or something?" She said, snarling.

How dare she speak to our mate like that Seiko growled, menacingly. I pursed my lips. Serena's head snapped up at her remark and I managed to make eye contact with her. I silently pleaded her to wait a second so I could deal with Gabriella. She gave a slight nod of her head and stayed where she was. I sighed a breath of relief and I went to Gabriella. All I knew was that after today, I was so screwed...