Fated or Mated

My Mate is a What?

Adrianna:

I wake up to the sun blazing through my window. Oh my goddess, please tell me last night was a dream.... I sit up and look at the time, 6:35. It's time to get morning chores done. I walk to the closet and pull out a plain white tee and a pair of old faded jeans. I slip them on and add a belt before putting my boots on. Good enough for checking on things, I suppose. I go to turn towards the door when it caught my eyes. His gray suit jacket is tossed on my dresser. I slowly raise it up like it was a bomb or something. I examine the sleeves, and at the bottom is a pair of cuff links with our pack crest. I look at the lining and stitched into the back was one simple word, ASHTON. I gulp, it is definitely not a dream. It's not a dream at all! I put it back, not sure what to do yet, and run downstairs as quickly as I could away from it.

Down stairs it the kitchen, I find my mom and dad already having breakfast.

"Morning Sunshine! Are you hungry?" my dad asks.

"I'll just have some toast, please."

"Really? Are you feeling sick this morning or something?" Mom asks worriedly.

"I think I'm still a little rattled from last night, if I'm being honest... "

"About that, your dad and I have planned to take the truck over to the neighboring pack. We packed it full of food from the farm and plan to help prep and cook for all the families. Is that okay with you, Arianna?....." Mom sounding worried.

"Of course, Mom! I think that is such a thoughtful idea! Can I come?" I ask.

"Oh Arianna, we would really like if it you stayed behind, we don't know how safe it is to travel, plus the packgrounds still may have..... damage." he grimaces.

"Oh.... I didn't even think.... Yeah, I'll stay here.... I'll get some work done around here...."

"Nope, no work today. Your father and I finished early so you could relax. Do something fun and you enjoy yourself. I'm so sorry your ball was ruined, my love...." Mom said.

"It's okay, mom."

"Well, I think it's time for Mom and I to get on the road. We will probably be home tomorrow. We love you, kiddo!"

"Love you too, dad!"

I walk them to the truck, and we say our goodbyes. It's been a while since I was alone. I don't know what to do. I walk back to my room, and there lays my to-do list. Find this coats home. I quickly fold it nicely and slip it in my bag. Off to the packhouse, I guess.

I leisurely stroll down the long gravel drive. Since my car is still in town, I'll pick it up on the way I thought. I lightly kick some rocks along the way as I set off on my mission. What if he isn't there? What if he didn't come home yet? He may be injured. What if he never wanted to see us again?

"STOPPP!" Mia growled. "I can't sleep in with you whining!"

"Hmmmphhh.... I'm not whining, I'm thinking."

"SHHHHHHHHHH!"

10 minutes later, we are at the packhouse. It is creepily quieter than normal, probably because of the increased patrols. I slowly creep up the front steps to the entrance. I am not one to normally enter this building. I've never even seen past the first floor. The bottom layer is the visitor dorms, cafeteria, offices, and a few building attendances. The second story is the beta suites. The third and fourth stories are for the Alpha and his family.

I awkwardly stand in the hall clutching my bag until I see someone coming.

"Ummm..... Hello.. I was wondering if you could help me?..." I barely croak out.

"Of course, Beta Zane, at your service!" He booms as he winks at me.

I look up at him and feel my cheeks start to burn immediately. He was shirtless, in just training shorts, sweat beading all down his perfectly tanned and toned 6 pack abs. He rakes his fingers through his dark shaggy hair.

"What can I do for such a cutie like you?" He asks while giving me a million dollar smile.

"Ummm.... I'm looking for an Ashton, do you know him?...."

His smiling face turning into the most stunned expression, as if I was speaking Latin or something.

"So you're looking for Ashton?" He asks curiously.

"Yeah...." I say, almost confused myself.

"Tall, brooding stare, stick stuck up his...."

"Unfriendly. Unfriendly is the word I think you're looking for, Zane. I got it from here. Please return to the training arena. Now."

Zane starts walking backward with his hands in the air in playfully surrender.

"Woah, woah, woah. I was just trying to help the poor girl! I don't know why that sweet little thing would be looking for a big scary alpha like you, man!" He laughs as he turns and trots down the stairs to the training arena.

I find the piercing blue eyes from last night staring down at me. I am instantly stunned. Alpha. Did he just say Alpha? No. Nope. No possible. What star-crossed hell has the moon goddess gotten me into.

"Hello, my name is Ashton, Alpha Ashton..." he says coldly, his hands in his pockets, as he stares down at me.

"Alpha....." I whisper.

Ashton glances around. Some bystanders are starting to watch, wondering what was happening.

"Hey, why don't we take this to my office? It's right done this way."

He turns and places his large palm on the small of my back, leading me away. Sparks ignite at his touch, and I jump, then start to follow his lead down the hall. He opens the large door to an office and lets me in, following quickly behind.

The office was very dark and modern. The walls were black, lined with wooden floating shelves. Big leather bound books lined the shelves.

"Have a seat, please." he says, pulling out a chair for me, as he continues around to the other side, resting in his large leather chair on the opposite side of his long sleek wooden desk.

He adjusts his navy tie that paired nicely with his grey twill dress pants. From the looks of his custom-tailored shirt and Italian leather shoes, I definitely came under dressed to this unscheduled meeting.

"I didn't need anything really..." I stumble, "I just came to return this." I quickly pull out his jacket and push it to him across the desk to him.

"That's all, Ashton, sir, Alpha, um, oh my goddess...."

My head is spinning, I can't breathe, I can't think.

My mate is sitting across from me and is THE ALPHA.