A Chosen Mate

Alina Taylor woke up early, excited and ready for the day. It was her 18th birthday, the day she could find her mate. She'd had her wolf since 16, but mates weren't sensed until they were 18. Most didn't find their mate on their birthday, but many hoped. She dressed in black, ripped skinny jeans and navy peplum shirt with a pink floral pattern. Her long blonde hair was wavy naturally, so she just added water and product to keep the frizz at bay. She kept her makeup minimal, mostly because she was in a hurry. She loved makeup and often wore dramatic looks. She put her phone in her back pocket and rushed downstairs. There were a few handsome men her age that lived in the Omega compound that she half hoped were her mate. Anyway, she headed straight to the packhouse to start breakfast there. The Omegas were responsible for the brunt of the work around here. She threw on an apron and set to it. After the packhouse breakfast was served buffet style the Omegas got to eat. She hadn't sniffed out her mate yet, but she wasn't giving up hope. She was known for being optimistic and full of hope. Even being an Omega with no hope of rising to anything meaninful she was hopeful and radiant. Halfway through her meal in the kitchen she caught wind of a delicious scent. It was intoxicating, like a deep musky leather. She stood and followed it. Her friends and family tried to call after her, but she was deaf to their voices. She walked to through the kitchen and just before she could open the door into the dining hall it slammed open knocking her back. "You," a deep voice snarled. Alina looked up and her face fell with disapointment, she was stearing into the blue eyes of Brandon Blackwell, the future Alpha. The biggest prick she'd ever met. He was arrogant, entitled and so full of himself that she was sure he made out with his mirror every night. "Would you look at that..." she sighed. "Don't tell anyone about this," he hissed. Before she could respond he went back to his breakfast, the door shutting behind him. "Great, just great... I'm mated to that guy? Gross," she thought to herself. "If he thinks I'm going to be okay with that he has another thing coming. We're mates, so we should stay together. Rejections are rough, some don't even survive them. But him? Maybe he just needs to grow up..." She didn't want to tell anyone she was mates with Brandon, so not telling anyone was very easy. She just went about her day, a little less enthusiastic, but tried her best to keep up appearances. That night she walked to a lake near the pack house. She sat down on the sand near the waters edge and began to throw rocks into the water. She couldn't keep her mind off of him. She knew the mate bond had a lot to do with that, but she felt her heart tugging even beyond that. Sure, he was an a royal ass. A bit of a womanizer too. She didn't want that in a mate, not at all. But maybe they could make things work. He wasn't exactly raised to be a good person, his dad was always busy and so critical. His mother, the Luna, cared more about her appearance than her children. Alina knew the Alpha and Luna must love their children, but love without really showing it isn't enough for a child. Yes... maybe they could make it work. She'd demand some boundaries, though. No s*x until they were both ready, no cheating in the mean time, they'd need to really date and get to know each other. For most as soon as the mate bond was clear they jumped into bed and that was that. Happily ever after. Alina knew this would be different. She wasn't mated to some shining example of masculinity and sainthood. She hadn't noticed Brandon walking up behind her. He stood watching her for some time. His wolf howling at him to go to her and mark her. Prove his love to her. Brandon felt no such inclinations. He had a girlfriend he'd hoped was his mate, she would be the Luna. Not this Omega. He would not be humiliated by her. His girlfriend was the Beta's daughter. Everyone expected them to be mates and while she was a bit annoying and empty headed, she was Luna material. She had to be, she had the experience. This Omega wouldn't be up for the job. He had to admit she was beautiful though. Her blonde hair reflected the diminishing light and the way her blue eyes met his this morning... his heart skipped a beat just thinking about it. Her body was incredible, lean and strong, but not too skinny. He could tell she worked hard to keep up her strength and her health. Her hair fell in waves, almost curls, down to the small of her back. She threw rock after rock into the water. Maybe she was having just as many tumultuous thoughts as he was about all this... If she was then it would be easier to reject her. He had to reject her. An Omega would never make a good Luna. Maybe he could put it off until tomorrow though... he just didn't have the heart to do it right now. He turned, glanced once more at her, and walked away. Alina finally stood and dusted herself off. Tomorrow she'd find him and discuss everything with him. They couldn't put it off much longer, their wolves would fight for control and that would not be good. She made her way back home and fell asleep quickly, her mental exhaustion making it an easy task. Tomorrow she'd deal with it, tomorrow was another day.