The Almighty Alpha Thinks I'm His

Date With Mate

     Most of the day went by quickly. Today was my short day, but I needed to attend training. Once the bell rung signaling class, I headed outside. I figured I might as well see if he needed any help with training plans. Truthfully, I really wanted to see him. I avoided Max most of the day, which was good.

“Shouldn’t you be eating lunch?” Derek asked, looking up from his clipboard.

“Today is my half-day, and I will eat lunch when I get done with training. Did you want to work on that training plan?” I said.

He reached over and grabbed a clipboard and some papers out of his bag and handed them to me. The top of the clipboard had my name on it in green lettering.

“I started on it already, since you were busy last night, but you can help monitor strengths and weaknesses, and mark them by their name,” He said, pointing to the paper at the top on the clipboard.

“I told you it wasn’t a date; he is new and wanted me to show him around…” I started

“Rather, it was a date or not; he kissed you. The lip gloss all over your face showed it was a deep one too,” He grumbled.

“It wasn’t all over my face, that’s an exaggeration. I can’t help that he kissed me!” I exclaimed.

“What’s it to you, anyway?” I asked him.

He threw his clipboard onto the ground and pulled me to his chest, making my heart skip a beat. Damn, he smelled good, “Because you accepted a date with me, and I will not have you going on a date, or kissing any other man as long as you are dating me. Is that understood?” 

“Get your hands off of her!” I suddenly heard.

When I turned around, I saw Max and Tyler standing there. Kyle and Renee and a few others were close behind them. I knew it was Max, who yelled. Oh, just great, Training class was already proving to be a drama. He pushed me to the side and moved closer, standing directly in front of Max.

“What are you going to do about it, Maxwell?” He growled as he cliched his fists, and I knew he was looking for a fight.

“Come on, guys, people are gathering around, and soon humans will be here. You can’t do this,” I said, standing in between the two. Derek’s eyes rested on mine, and he backed up, signaling he understood.

“Your right, but we will discuss this later,” He said to Max. Max only eyed him back and nodded his head.

The rest of the class, I kept my distance, walking around and taking notes. Derek worked with some of the students and showed them different moves. I found myself thinking of our date later and wondering what we would do. I don’t even know what to wear; he never told me where we were going.

After class ended, I busied myself with writing stuff down. I was trying to keep my distance from Max and Derek. I gathered my stuff and started walking towards my car when Derek shouted, “I will pick you up at five ‘o’clock, since you are off early today, and wear something cute and casual,”

I was glad there were only a few people left but noticed one of them was Max. I somehow think Derek did it on purpose. Tyler pulled Max away, and I took off to my car. I had about three hours until he would pick me up since he moved it up a few hours.

After I got out of the shower and blow-dried my hair, I asked my mother for help to fix my hair. She always loved to do it, and it would give me time to fill her in since no doubt the entire pack knew by now I had a date with Derek.

“Mom, I was wondering if you might help fix my hair. I have a date in a few hours?” I asked her.

“Oh, absolutely just let me turn this roast down on low,” She said

.

I was nervous to tell my mother and knew she would wonder why an Alpha wanted to go out with me when I was not his mate. If my mother wasn’t Mrs. Gossip herself, I might have considered telling her.

“So, are you going out with Max?” My mother asked excitedly as she came into my room.

“Mom, I told you Max was just a friend, and I’m going out with Alpha Derek,” I replied, awaiting her reaction.

“Alpha Derek, but Honey, that is not a good idea, your father said he already found his mate at the dance. You will only get hurt. Your father also told me about the arguments you have been getting into with him,” She said, worried.

“He will be here to pick me up in a few hours, so if you don’t want to help me, let me know now,” I told her.

“Of course, I will help. I love fixing your hair. You don’t let me do it much now that you are all grown up.” She said.

“I know mom, and you do an outstanding job, I didn’t mean to sound so mean, but I really do know what I’m doing,” I said.

For the next thirty minutes, we sat in silence while mom straightened my hair. I was getting nervous, just thinking that soon he would be here. I hope I dressed casual enough. I decided on a pair of black skinnies, sandals, and a long form-fitting white Sweater.

“Honey, I know you want to find love on your own, but going out with Alpha Derek may end up getting you a broken heart. What will you do when he finds his mate?” My mother suddenly asked as she unplugged the straightener.

“Mom, I can handle this, I know what I’m doing,” I warned her.

“Honey, I have always been supportive of you dating, even when it was not your mate, but he is The Head Alpha, and it is important he finds his mate,” She said.

I grabbed my purse, making sure my wallet and phone were inside, and headed downstairs. I hope he comes early. I’m done hearing what she had to say. Did she not think I was good enough to be with him? Everyone knows he can choose a mate; he doesn’t have to mate with his real mate, though, I’m his true mate.

“Do not walk away from me, Isabella,” She scolded as she followed behind me.

“Do not call me that,” I said. I only liked it when Derek said it. Having my mother use it to scold me just ruined it.

“You are not going. I have made my decision. Your father is right. You need to concentrate on finding your own mate, and stop trying to take someone else’s,” She lowered her head down, knowing she crossed the line, but it was too late.

“I’m not a child. In fact, I’m eighteen years old. If who I go on a date with is such a big deal to you, then I will gladly move out. I can’t believe you have no faith in me. You just assume I’m not good enough for him. He can choose his own mate, and it is a date, not a damn marriage proposal!” I yelled.

I could hear the knock at the door, and I knew Derek was here. I didn’t want him to see us arguing. I turned towards my mother and said, “We will talk about this later. He is here now,”

“Fine, but when he dumps you for his true mate, don’t come crying to me, and I’d watch yourself, you wouldn’t want to ruin any chances of your real mate rejecting you,” She said.

I couldn’t believe it. My mother and I usually got along so well. I went to open the front door, glad to end the conversation.

 Derek looked great; he had on a pair of black jeans and a button-down. One look at his eyes, though, and I’m worried. They were not their usual color, but almost charcoal.

“Isabella, you look beautiful,” He greeted me as he moved into the house. I was trying to leave, not invite him in.

“Thank you,” I blushed and walked towards the door. Derek grabbed my hand in his and pulled me back to his side. Oh great, he was going to talk to my mother.

“Do you have a problem with me and your daughter going on a date?” He asked her. I guess he heard at least some of what we said. Sometimes I hated that we had excellent hearing.

 My mother bowed her head in respect and then looked him right in the eye. She seemed ashamed, and I hoped she would just let it go, “I am sorry, Alpha Derek, but she is my daughter, and it is no secret you came here looking for your mate. It is also no secret you met her at the dance. I don’t want her wasting your time,” 

“No one can tell me who I choose as my mate. I alone decide that. Just as no one can decide who I take on a date, she is of age and can make that decision herself. I’m not happy you insinuated I would use your daughter and then dump her,” He shot back at her. I could feel he was tensing up. The door behind us opened, and my father walked in.

“What is going on here?” He asked when he saw my mother’s face. He bowed to Derek, then turned towards my mother for an explanation. She gave him none.

“I suggest you ask your wife,” Derek scoffed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean any disrespect; I just didn’t want her getting hurt. She has a mate of her own out there,” My mother cried. I felt terrible for her and went to reach for her, but Derek held me closer.

My dad looked from me to Derek and back to my mother again. I could tell he was trying to choose his words lightly. It hurt my mother didn’t think Derek would want me, but I understood she abides our laws just like my father.

“I told you about my intentions with your daughter. It is not my fault you didn’t inform your wife,” Derek turned his dark eyes to my father. Wait, did he say my father knew? What did he mean by intentions?

“You knew of this? Why would you condone this?” My mother turned on my father.

“You know she never wanted the damn mating bond, she always dreamed of finding love on her own. They are going on a date; he has no intention to lead her on. Derek will make sure she knows where they stand. He, as the High Alpha, has the decision to take his own mate if he chooses to,” My father told her.

“What about her mate?” My mother asked.

“So far, her mate has not shown up. If Derek claims her, then he will probably get another. You know the rules. It shouldn’t even be a discussion. They are only going on a date!” My father yelled back to her.

“We should go,” I told Derek. He nodded his head, and we left my parents there to work out their own differences.

 I was suddenly in a sour mood, and I was not too fond of that. Hopefully, I will cheer up soon.

We drove mostly in silence, and I knew Derek was thinking, but I didn’t really know what about. I assume he may wonder if I was worth it all, and I had to wonder that myself. I know I needed to be careful because I was playing with fire. But what did I have to lose if he decided he wanted his true mate, well that’s me. I know it seemed like I couldn’t lose, but truthfully I knew that if he told me he wanted to look for her, it would break my heart because that meant I he didn’t love me for me.

We pulled up to the Lake, and I was glad. I needed to stretch my feet a bit. He parked the car and came around and opened up my side, “I’m sorry about earlier, but I don’t want it to ruin our date,” He said as he bent down in front of me. I nodded my head, and he helped me out of the car. He took my hand and walked me towards the dock. I was still trying to figure out what we were doing. He stopped in front of a boat, “Your father told me you always wanted to ride on a boat, so I hope you like it. This is actually a yacht. It’s more comfortable,” He said.

“I do, I have lived here all my life and never got to ride on one,” I said.

He took my hand and helped me inside. There on the deck was a table set up with candles and a bottle of wine. He took out his cell phone and sent out a text.

“I have food coming. It should be here in a minute, then we will take off,” He said.

Today had been such an emotional day, what with my parents fighting and my mother’s words to me, but knowing he asked my father what I liked made me feel good. I walked around the yacht, trying to walk off my nerves. I have always wanted to sail on the water, but it still made me nervous.

Brad and Melly walked up with a few bags in hand. It smelled delicious, and I knew they were the ones tasked with bringing us food, “Have fun,” Melly winked as she walked off-hand in hand with Brad.

Derek began setting up the food on the table, and I tried to help him, but he only sat me down in the seat. He dialed a number on his phone and told whoever answered we were ready. I assumed it was the driver. He then lit the candles and sat down at the table opposite me.

“You’re not nervous or anything, are you?” He teased, pouring wine into our glasses.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Well, just relax, I promise it will be fun,” He said we made our plates, and I was happy he got me my favorite General Tso’s Chicken. We ate in silence for a few moments, then he asked, “So what’s this about defying the mate bond?” I looked at him, and he didn’t seem upset. In fact, he was smiling.

“I just think it’s superficial. I don’t see how people can meet each other and immediately think they’re so in love,” I said.

“So, what do you think it should be like?” He asked as he took a bite of his food.

“You should get to know someone, fall in love with them, not a bond,” I said.

“Like we are doing now,” He asked, making me blush.

“Yes, I guess going on a date is a good way to get to know someone,” I said.