I'm Your Alpha, not Your Luna

My mate doesn't want me?

Sawyer POV

I sighed as I stepped out of the car and took in my surroundings. The Red Moon pack was truly a beautiful and expansive pack. Our pack, Crystal Moon, was visiting Red Moon because the current Alpha requested a meeting with our ranked members and strongest warriors. Apparently, there have been a lot of problems of wolves attacking the nearby humans and reports of rogues leaving their packs en masse, so the surrounding area’s pack leaders planned a meeting to discuss what was happening and try to find a solution.

I was not a ranked member, but the Alpha, Sean, was my brother. Because I grew up with an Alpha-in-training, I trained just as hard and became one of our pack’s strongest warriors. I usually accompanied Sean on these adventures; both because I could provide excellent protection and so I could learn the ropes of being Alpha in case something were to happen to my brother. I didn’t mind it most of the time, but my wolf, Red, had been annoyingly anxious all day. He had not been communicating with me very well and was pacing in my head, super nervous about something. Red wouldn’t tell me what though. Because my wolf was on edge, I was on edge, which made me not a very good traveling partner.

“What’s going on little bro? You seem on edge?” Sean asked, clapping me on the back as we made our way to the Alpha’s office with the Beta, Charlotte, who everyone called Lottie, in tow. Most packs think it is weird to have a female Beta, usually pack leadership is patriarchal, but Sean chose her because she deserved the position and fills it well. Besides, Red Moon’s next Alpha was supposed to be a female, unless the council did something drastic about it, so I was sure Charlotte would be welcomed with open arms while we were here.

“Red is acting off-it’s like he’s nervous about something. He’s jumpy so it’s making me jumpy.” I replied, shaking off his hand.

“Maybe you will find your mate here.” Sean pointed out, “My wolf was constantly pacing in my head right before I met Riley. There are quite a few unmated wolves here, including the Alpha’s daughter. Although it is a bit strange that she is almost 21 and unmated-some say she has found her mate but rejected him so that she could keep her position.”

“Hey, I’m 22 and unmated, and there’s nothing wrong with me! I just haven’t encountered my mate yet!” I defended myself.

“Yeah, and maybe she just hasn’t found hers yet! You of all people should know how difficult it is for females to fill leadership positions-you chose one as your Beta!” Lottie pointed out, chastizing Sean a little bit. We both knew he was not sexist, but he did love himself some good gossip. Both he and his Luna loved to gossip, but they never meant any ill intent. It was just who they were as people.

“Alpha Sean, Beta Charlotte, Sawyer, good to see you all. Thank you for coming on such short notice. The other packs will be arriving after lunch.” The Alpha, Fred, stands as we enter his office. It is very roomy in here, and I can see a second smaller desk off to the side that I assume is for his daughter. There is not a lot of decoration in the room. Most males aren’t big about making a room look nice and fancy so long as it is neat.

“We apologize for being early and hope it is not an inconvenience,” Sean stated, shaking Fred’s hand. “My brother was a bit restless this morning so we decided to go ahead and leave.”

“No worries at all, I understand that,” Fred responded as he shook Lottie’s hand as well. “Actually, Charlotte, while you are here, I think it would be helpful if you could talk to my daughter. As her 21st birthday approaches, she is getting very nervous about being a female Alpha. I think hearing from another female leader will help her a little bit, if you don’t mind.” He asked, smiling at her broadly.

“Of course, I would love to. I really wish I had had someone to look up to when I was being selected as Beta, plus we are relatively close in age, so maybe we will get along." She responded with an even brighter smile.

“Excellent,” Fred responded. “I was just about to head out to the training field if you would all like to join me. It will be extra helpful for your restless brother, I think, to have something to focus his energy on until the meeting starts, don’t you, Sean?” Fred teased, turning his eyebrows up at my brother.

“I think that is a great idea,” Sean began, “plus, maybe his mate is one of your warriors. I keep telling him that that is why his wolf is acting crazy, but he won’t listen to me.”

Charlotte snorted at this comment but at least Fred had the decency to try to hide his laugh.

“Perhaps some one-on-one sparring with the Alpha then? Maybe show those single ladies how strong of a warrior you really are if you can hold your own against me?” Fred offered with a knowing smile.

“What is with you all being convinced my mate is here? I am excited to finally meet her, but maybe my wolf is just sick or something!” I exclaimed, getting a little frustrated.

“Look, he’s blushing!” Charlotte teased. The others joined her in laughing at me.

“Fine, let’s just go. I’ll take your challenge, Alpha. Let’s spar, show everyone how it’s done.” I said with a confident smile, shaking his hand.

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As we approached the training grounds, I marveled at how nice they were. There were multiple areas with bleachers surrounding them, so those not currently training could watch. To the left of the first arena was a building that I assumed housed locker rooms and showers in case anyone needed them. Fred headed toward the first arena, which was empty because apparently everyone was still at breakfast. I was kind of hungry, but I had already committed to fighting the Alpha, so I just went with it.

“Normally, my daughter would already be here warming up so that she can help lead training, but from what I understand, she wasn’t feeling well this morning. Hopefully, she will be by after breakfast so that you can meet her. She is very dedicated to her position and takes the line of duty seriously, sometimes too seriously at times. But neither I nor her mother can convince her to take it easy every once in a while, but maybe you can, Charlotte.” Fred explained to us, as Charlotte and Sean had a seat on the nearby bleachers.

“Please, call me Lottie, everyone else does. I sincerely hope so though.” Lottie added. Fred nodded at her and started to stretch. He was already in workout clothes, but I was wearing jeans and a Polo shirt. The jeans I could fight in, but I would definitely rip the shirt if I wasn’t careful, so I decided to just take it off. I tossed it to Charlotte for her to hold on to while we battled.

As we circled each other waiting for the other to make a move, a crowd started to amass around us. The Alpha was a big, muscular man with a bit of a scary face and dark features like his eyes and hair, so he definitely fits the Alpha stereotype. Fred was getting older though, developing some wrinkles on his face and I’m sure he moved slower than he used to. Getting impatient, I struck first, realizing that was what he wanted me to do all along. A commotion was erupting behind us as the pack members discovered my presence. More and more pack members came rushing to watch me fight the Alpha.

I was actually holding my own against him until Red started jumping around and whimpering in my head. Mate is close, I can feel her. He said. I rolled my eyes at him, landing a punch on the Alpha’s shoulder. Look up, she is right in front of you!” Red exclaimed, basically trying to take control of my body. I looked up and immediately met the most beautiful pair of brown eyes I have ever seen. Most people think brown eyes are boring, but there are so many layers of color to them. This girl’s eyes seemed to glow like the sun was shining through them. She was kind of short, with curly brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail. Where she lacked in height, her body made up for in curves and muscles, and she was dressed to train in a pair of leggings and a sports bra. I assumed that she trained a lot based on how muscular she was, so she was either the daughter of a ranked member or one of their best warriors. Another girl about her age was walking with her, but I only had eyes for the brunette.

That’s her! That’s our mate!” Red exclaimed, prancing around my head as she looked up and her eyes met mine. I saw her check me out as I had done with her and she blushed when she realized what she was doing.

My feet started carrying me toward her and she came to meet me in the middle. I couldn’t help it. I pulled her into my arms and inhaled her scent, chocolate brownies, and strawberry shortcake. She smelled absolutely amazing, and she was beautiful and strong. Suddenly, I could understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to mates. I would do anything for this girl, and I didn’t even know her name yet. I was about to ask her when she pulled away from me. She was breathing fast like she was having a panic attack.

“Sawyer, Lucy, what is the meaning of this?” Fred asked, looking at Lucy with concern on his face. He must know her well, whoever she was. The girl that had walked up with my mate was also staring at us with shock. What was her problem?

“Mate?” I asked, reaching out to take her hand in mine. Immediately, sparks shot up from where my skin made contact with hers. I tried to let my feelings of hurt and confusion show on my face as well as flow through the bond we now shared. The bond was weak because we had just found each other, but I knew she could feel what I was feeling, just as I could feel her anxiety.

She let go of my hand, backing away slowly. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I finally met my mate and she doesn’t want me. She didn’t even give me a chance, she is just pulling away from me without even trying.

“Lucy?” I tried her name, hoping it would get through to her. “Mate?” Lucy’s eyes did widen when I said her name, but it was not enough. Red started whimpering louder in my head, showing how hurt he was by our mate’s rejection too.

“I can’t. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Lucy blurted, with tears in her eyes. I wanted to take her into my arms and comfort her, wiping her tears away. Even if she didn’t want me, I still wanted to make her feel better. But before I could do anything, she started running away from the training grounds, back toward the packhouse.

“Lucy!” her friend called out.

“Lucy! What’s wrong?” Fred yelled.

“Come back!” I cried out with desperation as I fell to my knees with a howl of pain that mostly came from Red. Lucy had reached the packhouse but she kept running into the woods that stretched far beyond the packhouse. I quickly jumped off my knees and followed her, her friend right on my heels. I barely heard Fred ordering the Beta to lead training for the time being and to allow no panic or talk until Lucy was found. Hm, she must be important for the Alpha to go look for her personally. Fred had already caught up with us by the time we reached the edge of the woods.

Where had my mate gone, and why did she run away from me in the first place?