Her forbidden mate

Bella’s POV   Doing the opposite of what was expected of me, and failing dramatically, was typical of me. Unfortunately, I reached a new low when two months ago, I quoted my rebellious wolf to my father. Being the Alpha of Mystic Hills's pack, he didn't take it well and forced me to leave. Now, I was living with my aunt Lisa. Just like me, she was rejected from the pack. My father kicked her out for being wolfless. Only the strongest had the honor to stay under my father's rule. Standing up from my seat in the bus to make space for an old, unshaven man, I leaned on the cool window. My mobile illuminated my sad face as I wrote to my twin sister, “Thank you for the money you sent. I’ve bought the dress you wanted.” “Yeah? I just want to keep our birthday tradition of dressing alike for the party. Don’t forget to send me a pic tomorrow.” Beverly wrote back, making me smile. She was good to me when she wanted to be. After all, my father favored our brother Thomas, prepping him for the future Alpha. My sister was left for ‘when he was in a good mood.’ Me? I was for when he needed to vent on something, spilling his sharp words like a knife storm. “I will,” I sent back to Beverly and sighed when I looked at the huge package in my other hand. “Don’t pout, Bella! You did this to yourself. You publicly accused our father of favoring only one of his daughters and neglecting the other. And as this wasn’t enough, you dared to offend his precious son of being selfish and heartless.” My sister scolded me, guessing my mood, and I rolled my eyes.  “Mom, I bought a dress for my 18th birthday. It is in my hands, but you will have to wait and see it tomorrow. Sweet dreams.” I wrote to my mother next, hoping she hid her phone from dad. She was secretly writing with me from time to time, hoping she would not make our dad mad. His temper resembled the temper of a wild, rabies wolf. I was thankful my mother was the opposite, but she was tamed like a pet. Getting off the bus, I ran from the pouring rain until I reached the cozy house of aunt Lisa - my new home. The humid air brought to my nostrils the scent of wet dirt and made my wolf smile. She liked anything nature-related. It made her feel free. I grinned and stepped inside, tossing my muddy shoes near the front door. The warmth and the smell of tasty food, filling the living room, reminded me that here I felt more at home than when I lived with the pack. I left the huge bag with the deep blue dress inside it, and I plopped on the overused sofa. My aunt appeared with her perfect smile and tired hazel eyes and sat across from me on the launching chair. “How was work? Any annoying customers complaining of their food tonight?” Lisa asked me, as she does every day. “Not today, but I had to go and buy this stupid dress before work which was equally exhausting,” I sighed, pursing my lips. She had no super wolf senses, so she couldn’t possibly detect how depressed I have been since my father banished me from our home. It broke my already damaged heart. It was humiliating and cruel, but I hid my emotions and acted like a survivor. Thankfully, my wolf was strong and kept me from falling apart. “Let me see it?” My aunt reached for the huge bag and spread the long, exquisite gown over her lap. “Nothing stupid about it. It is clean, perfect color matching your eyes, and will reveal some of your breasts for a difference.” I huffed and my wolf, Sia, laughed, agreeing with Lisa. “You should learn to live,” my aunt continued with a playful smile. “You are almost 18 now, Bella. Make a plan for your future and forget the pack. Have fun!” “When I finish school, I go to work. Then I sleep and repeat. No time for fun,” I waved my hand and pulled a pillow to rest my head on it. "Bethany will have a raging party with the pack and will probably meet her mate, while you just sit here and watch TV in an expensive gown," Lisa frowned. “It is not like I have something to celebrate,” I countered and turned on the TV to spite her. "That’s it. Put this on and get your jacket,” she raised from her chair and tossed the dress over me. “Where are we going?” I stared at her in disbelief. "To celebrate as we should,” Lisa let her golden hair spill over her shoulders. “What? Where? I am not going back to the pack's house,” I shook my head frantically, letting a few blonde locks cover my face. “My birthday is tomorrow, anyway!” “We will party in the best club in town. And your birthday is in less than two hours from now. It’s 22:15,” she protested and nodded for me to get up and do as she said. “Town? That is like an hour away from our village,” I stood up, but did not make a single step, wondering if she lost it. “So? We will drink and stay late!” Lisa got the dress from the sofa and placed it in my hands again. “Drink? What kind of aunt are you?” I blinked at her surprising words. “A cool one. The coolest,” she answered proudly, with a wild spark in her hazel eyes. *** I pulled up slightly my big dress in order to be able to walk comfortably. As soon as I stepped inside the club, my super senses were overwhelmed by a mix of scents. The perfumes, the sweat, the drinks, and the cigar smoke in the air made me cover my nose and mouth. I stood near the entrance for a moment to get used to the scene. We walked straight to reach the bar, where on a dim light, I was going to try alcohol for the first time. Lisa ordered and in no time our drinks were placed before us on the counter. “Cheers, dear!” My aunt raised her cocktail and waited for me to do the same. As I did, my eyes shyly looked away and landed on a group of young people, walking into the club. Something pulled my attention to them, and when they came closer to sit on a VIP table nearby, I saw him. My whole being was shaken when his black irises stared into me. Surely he was in his early twenties, but his look was wise, experienced. The world stopped moving, and I forgot how to breathe. It was like the lights in the club, the dancing people, the talking - everything stopped. The music was gone, instead, birds were singing their morning song on a sunny Spring day. “Happy birthday, Bella!” Lisa brought me to reality. “Look at the clock. You are 18 years old from three minutes.” My wolf brain slowly moved its wheels and I began to process what I had just experienced. Ignoring my aunt’s cheering and her hand raising a glass in the air, I turned again to check on the guy. He was still watching me, his eyes creating a fire in my heart. “Bella?” Lisa questioned my behavior, her concerned voice reaching me despite the loud music. The guy stood up from the place he just sat on and approached me. His charming eyes, never left me until he was a hand away. Something was pulling me towards this handsome stranger with tan skin. Part of his face was hidden by a lock of his long chestnut hair. “You know who he is, don’t you?” Sia questioned me. I swallowed, trying to get a hold of myself and act naturally. He was so serious, so intense. I allowed myself to inhale his scent and felt even more enchanted by him. He was a wolf, indeed, but for me - he wasn’t just any wolf. “Hello,” his firm, sweet voice caressed my ears. “I am Eric. Would you like to dance?” Awkwardly, he outstretched his hand toward me, and I felt better knowing he was also nervous. His full lips seemed soft, tempting. I wished he would smile. I craved to see him happy. “Oh! That’s…” Aunt Lisa exclaimed. “You two go on! I will be here. The drink can wait.” I looked at her, realizing what she was doing. Matchmaking her shy, naive niece. “Come on, you can’t escape him even if you wanted to,” my wolf reminded me. “He is your mate!” With a shaking hand, I lifted my glass to my aunt and gulped half of the fruit liquid. I needed courage when I turned again toward the guy. “You should know…I am not very good at dancing,” I almost whispered, but I knew his super hearing would pick up every word I said. “I don’t care,” he whispered back and after a long intense stare, I hesitantly placed my hand in his. The electricity, the sparks I heard of so much in the movies, I understand them now. Holding my dress with my free hand, I tried not to fall while he led me to the dancing area. He nodded to the DJ and a slow romantic song started, making my heart race. My breasts were moving under my heavy breathing, and I felt shy, too naked. He spun me, making my gown spread and show its beauty. My hair waved like on a shampoo commercial. I landed in his embrace and his palms shamelessly landed on my waist. “Tell me your name!” He ordered, his breath caressing my neck. I knew he could sense how nervous I felt, and could hear the crazy bumping of my heart. I was thankful to Sia for staying quiet. I knew she was eager to meet his wolf. Her words could only confuse me further. I inhaled Eric's scent deeply while gathering the courage to speak. “Bella.” I exhaled, while he was leading me into the slow music. “You imprinted on my heart, Bella.” He said, and the world started spinning. His lips grazed my neck and the warmth of his touch made me close my eyes and feel the rush. I enjoyed too much. It seemed sinful, right and wrong at the same time. Then the realization hit me and my eyes snapped open.