Rising Alpha

5

She stops in her tracks for a moment before she tears her eyes away from me and heads toward the house.

Never in my twenty-eight years did I think I'd find my mate. My wolf howls loud, ringing in my ears, and claws to get out. He wants to claim his mate now.

SAVANNAH

M

y wolf urges me to turn around and run straight into that man's arms. What the hell is wrong with me? I keep heading toward the house, determined not to look back at him. It could only

make it worse, but to my horror, I glance back.

My eyes meet his and butterflies take flight in my stomach. He's still focused on me even though his friend is saying something to him. He licks his lips and grins.

What I wouldn't give to have his lips on me. My breathing gets rapid, before reality comes crashing down hard. Oh my God, what am I going to do? I have no chance at all with this man if I go through with this ceremony. However, I might not make it out alive if I don't.

It takes all my self-control to turn back around and walk into the house. As I step inside, the smell of musk and tobacco almost makes me gag. I'm not sure I'll ever get use to that stench. I head to the smallest room in the back and find my plain black dress hanging there. He gave me this room to get ready in. Already showing my place in the household.

When I grew up, I figured I'd have a mate that would treat me as an equal and doted on me. That's always the rumor you hear about fated mates, but Kevin is definitely the opposite of that. When he stumbled upon me as a rogue, he told me he felt my dominance, was impressed with how strong I was. He promised safe passage, and once I submitted things changed. He'd admitted he found me a challenge, and that he couldn’t wait to break me. I tried taking him on, but between him and his beta I

didn’t stand a chance and they forced me to submit. I’d thought that was the worst day of my life, but I was wrong. Today is, but I'll be damned if I ever let him know. He's nothing like the guy outside who already has made an impression on me.

Shit, I'll never be able to be with that guy if I go through with the ceremony. My wolf growls in my ear at the thought of it and whines. For both of us to be this upset over a man we don't know could only mean one thing. He's my fated mate.

Of course I'd see him right before my mating ceremony. The odds always seem to be stacked against me, but hell, that guy out there has to be an alpha. He's strong, muscular, and has raw power emanating from the way he holds himself.

It's always been my dream to start my own pack, but even though I have the alpha will, some man would come and challenge me. I may be able to beat most wolves, but not a strong alpha male, which pisses me off. Why can't I have the same brute strength? However, that man could hold his own against any adversary. The pack would be safe with him.

Hell, who am I kidding. All my experiences have been with egotistical, domineering men. I've heard fairytales of alphas who treat all the members of their pack with respect and care but never came across one who did. The one story that always springs to my mind is the wicked queen from Snow White. She craved control and power the same way every man I've ever known does. The only thing a man can do that she can't is compare d**k size which is just as important to them. They think the bigger it is the more impressive and stronger they are, however, I've learned that size correlates to their intelligence. The smaller it is; the smarter they are.

I'm sure if I ever got to know the guy outside, I'd be disappointed and wind up in a similar fate I'm heading towards now. With him at least the s*x might be average and I might be willing. With Kevin, the very thought makes bile rise in my throat.

Dom

It takes everything in my power not to run after her. I don't know why she's walking away from me, but every ounce of my control is being tested right now.

"Who do you think is the unlucky mate-to-be?" John scans the area and glances my way.

Right now that's the last thing from my mind. This beautiful specimen in front of me is the only thing filling my thoughts. I bet she tastes even sweeter than she smells. I lick my lips as images of her riding me hard while I bury my head in between her full, perky breasts fill my head.

All too soon, she tears her eyes from me and heads toward that prick’s house. He better not lay a finger on her, or there will be hell to pay. How did she get to be in a sorry-ass pack like this? That's the first thing we'll have to rectify.

John turns his head following my gaze. "Uh, Dom, you okay?"

She enters the cabin, leaving me with the memory of her. My wolf growls, wanting me to go after her, but right now isn't the time. "Yeah." My voice is gruff and my eyes stay on the door hoping she'll come right back out. I need to see her again. "I... I think I found her."

"Are you talking about your mate?" His mouth drops open and his eyes glance back to where we were standing just moments ago.

"No, asshole. I was talking about the tooth fairy." Is he f*****g kidding me right now? "What else would I be talking about?"

"Can you blame me for being confused?" He punches me in the arm and grins. "You're the one who didn't think fated mates existed anymore."

"Well, I was wrong." I hate to admit this. It hurts so bad it's almost physical. Now, I'll never hear the end of all his gloating.

"Wait." He turns his head so his ear is facing towards me and cups his hand around it. "I couldn't hear you. Could you repeat that please?"

It's the oddest thing, because, for once, I'm glad I've been proven wrong. If I was going to be incorrect on anything, this is the perfect one.

"Man, you're grinning over being wrong." He grabs his phone and holds it out so it's pointing at me. "I've got to take a picture."

Oh, hell no. That's not going to happen. "Put the damn thing down before you regret it." He better be glad I'm in a good mood right now or he'd already be in a headlock on the ground. It doesn't matter if he's supposed to be a regional representative or not.