Fated or Mated

The Ties that Bind

Arianna:

Oh my Goddess... I just wanna get out of here! I can't handle this. My mate is an alpha. I jump out of my seat and head for the door, or at least that was the plan. As soon as I stand to flee, I feel two large arms wrap around my waist.

"Arianna... please calm down..." he asked, almost in a whisper. I shutter as his breath tickles my ear, and his touch makes my whole body tingle. He has my small statue pressed firmly against his large frame. I keep my eyes shut tight, not ready to face reality.

"Please, Ashton...." I plea.

He sits me back down once more. He now has found the seat next to me and turns it to face me. He cups my tiny hands in his and looks at me.

"Adrianna."

"Yes." I say, slowly opening my eyes, only to get lost in his.

"We have to talk....."

"About?" I question.

"I have waited my whole life to find my mate, my other half, the part that will make me whole...."

I can feel my heart start to race. A cold chill comes over me. This is it. He is my mate. I can't refuse him. I can't refuse this. The Moon Goddess herself has cursed me with all my nightmares. I can learn to live with this, right?

"...but I can't accept this, Arianna. You can not be my Luna."

What?.... Did I hear him correctly?... He doesn't want me?....

"I need a strong, able-abled, fierce Luna, and we both know you do not qualify."

"Okay." I whisper.

"Okay?" He questions.

"Yeah, reject me now, and no one has to even know." I say, almost in a trance staring at the floor, hoping it would just swallow me whole.

"Adrianna, no. I can't. It's not that simple... A mate bond is the strongest tie that binds us. If it is severed... You will not survive...."

I raise my face to him, his eyes now red rimmed and glassy.

"Ashton, it is okay... I'm okay. I know you want your Goddess-given mate, but we both know she made a mistake. I am a little, plain farm hand. You are a big, fancy alpha. This is simply silly to even consider."

He leans far back into his chair, lets out a ragged breath, and rakes his shakey hands through his perfectly groomed hair. He's becoming more disheveled looking at every passing minute.

"Look at me!" I stand and wave my hands down my body, "Then look at you!" I exclaim.

I lean over and grab his shoulders, looking straight into his eyes. "This is comical. Ashton, I'm going home, and we both can go on as if this never happened, okay?"

I turn and grab my bag, determined to make it out of here his time.

..."Adrianna, you're my mate, we....."

I cut him off, "What you're going to say, we both know the truth, no one under the sun would accept this, and neither can we. It was nice meeting you, Alpha Ashton, but I must go...."

With that being said, I turn and open the door, glancing back at him and offering a feeble smile as I shut it closed. Ashton is now leaning forward, his elbows to his knees, his hands rubbing his face. I hear the click of the door clasp and turn down the hall. It is so quiet that I feel I can hear my heartbeat echoing off the walls. This is for the best, right?.... I should be over the moon he doesn't want to trap me here. I can just take a chosen mate, it will be easier than all this. I quicken my pace, thinking maybe I will change my mind and plea to stay if I don't.

"You can't do this, Arianna," I hear Mia finally quietly cry in my mind.

"It is already over, Mia. It was over before it even began."

"No, it's not that simple, Arianna! You can't just say it isn't so and it not be! He's our mate! Gifted to us from the moon goddess herself!

"STOP THAT RIGHT NOW MIA! It can not be, and it will not be! He is the Alpha, and I am what?! A nobody!"

I finally find the car and fumble to find my keys. I hop in and speed towards home. I can't stand being in this place one more instant. It's too much! I finally feel my head clearing a little as I hear the sound of the gravel road crunching under the weight of the tires. My heart feels heavy. My heart feels like I've lost something precious, without even knowing what it is. One tear silently streams down my cheek.... Then another.... Then another....

"Why Moon Goddess! Why have you forsaken me! Why! It was not supposed to be like this!

A sudden mindlink interrupts my rant. It's the Alpha, "Dearst pack members, as you all know, last night, or closet neighboring pack was attacked. Many pack members were lost. They are currently looking for specialized positions to help rebuild their pack, which includes, but is not limited to: warriors, carpenters, nurses, farmers,......"

My mind blanked on the rest after that. The neighboring pack is looking for farmers?! This is it! This is my out! I can go help the neighboring pack, and Ashton will have plenty of time to forget me and arrange a chosen mate to help him rule! It is perfect! A little distance and time, and I won't even be a faint memory.

"All that wish you volunteer in the rebuild must come to the packhouse tomorrow to fill out a contract, and our warriors will escort the first group tomorrow at 5. Thank you." The mindlink was then closed. Tomorrow at 5?? I have to pack! What will my parents think? They believe in helping others, and they will be happy, right? It's not forever, just a bit. It will be fine. I get out of the car, finally, and head inside. My parents are still gone so I rush upstairs. I quickly pull out my luggage and decide what I need to get the hell out of here.