The Alpha's Twenty Dollar Mate

Chapter Three – The Alpha's Mate

Iris

The crowd's whispers felt uncomfortably. Standing there in my wet dress, tears falling down my face, I'd never thought coming here would go this wrong. I never feel this humiliated before.

But Marcus's words—"cheating w***e"—echoed in my head, making me dizzy with shame. The void where our mate bond was aching like an open wound.

"I said that's enough." Blake's voice cut through the chaos in my mind. He moved to stand between Marcus and me, his broad shoulders tensed with anger. The air crackled with alpha energy as he faced down his beta-to-be.

Marcus sneered, "Defending your little side piece, Stone? Didn't think you'd stoop to—"

"She's my mate." Blake uttered.

The words cut through the whispers clear and strong, making everyone shut.

I was speechless, I just stared at Blake's back, not if I heard him correctly.

Mate? With him?

As if he heard me, he turned, facing me, his gray eyes was intense. "I felt it the moment I saw her behind those bleachers. But confirmed it now that he rejected her. Iris is my fated mate, my second chance mate."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Second chance mates were rare—when a wolf's first mate bond was broken, sometimes the Moon Goddess blessed them with another. But for it to happen so quickly, and with the future alpha...

"That's impossible!" A sharp voice completed my thoughts.

Cutting through the whispers I turned to see who's voice it was.

And I saw her Sofia Reynolds walked through the crowd, her perfect blonde hair swinging with each step she took.

"Blake, you're joking right? She's nothing but a nerdy little omega who—"

"Whom the moon goddess chosen as my Luna-to-be," Blake interrupted her sentence, his voice was strong, carrying the weight of alpha authority. Sofia flinched as if she was slapped.

My breath hitched. This can't be happening. Me? Luna?

Seeing my situation, Blake took my hand in his. His warm long fingers intertwining with mine. The touch sent sparks up my arm, and I feel something inside me responded to him. Is it a new bond, it's fragile but undeniably real, forming slowly.

"But she's ... she's not made for this, she's not even on the cheerleading squad!" Sofia argued, her painted face filled with anger. Aboutto burstany second.

"A Luna needs to be someone who can lead, who understands pack politics. Not some nobody who hides behind sketchbooks!"

"Yeah, I agree with you there," Blake uttered, smiling evilly, rubbing his thumb on the back of my hand. "Our Luna should be involved in university life. That's why Iris is taking your place as cheer captain."

I gasped. Together with some of the crowd, shocked like me. But Sofia's screech made some close their ears. "NO!"

"You can't do that! My father—"

"Can take it up with my father if he has concerns." Blake's voice was steel wrapped in silk. "But as future alpha and current captain of the basketball team, I have the authority to make this decision."

Sofia's face turned an ugly shade of red. "This is ridiculous! She's weak! A pathetic little omega who can't even hold onto her first mate. The bond has to be fake!"

Something in me snapped. Maybe it was the because of Marcus's rejection, or Sofia's hurtful words, or was it because I know I have Blake on my side, his hand felt so right in mine.

Because I found my voice.

"The only fake thing here is your attitude, Sofia." My words were stronger than I expected. "At least I don't have to tear others down to feel powerful." I spat.

Blake's hand squeezed mine, and I felt a pulse of pride through our forming bond. Sofia opened her mouth for another attack, but Blake cut her off.

"The decision is made. Anyone who has a problem with my mate can take it up with me directly." His eyes swept the crowd, the promise of consequences clear in his gaze. "Party's over. Everyone out."

People began filing out, their excited whispers following them. Sofia stormed off, practically vibrating with rage. Marcus had disappeared sometime after Blake step in, leaving only the echo of his cruel words behind.

As the last guests left, my legs finally gave out. Blake caught me before I could fall, scooping me into his arms like I weighed nothing.

"I've got you," he murmured, holding me close to his chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady against my ear.

"Blake," I whispered, still not quite believing this was real. "Did you mean it? About the mate bond?"

He started climbing the stairs, still carrying me. "I've never meant anything more. I felt something yesterday. Thats why I invited you to the party and after Marcus rejected you. That's the moment I feel the pull, but I never thought he'll go so far. I should have claimed you yesterday. Maybe then..."

"Then he wouldn't have rejected me in front of everyone?" I tried to laugh, but it came out more like a sob.

Blake pushed open a door with his shoulder, carrying me into what had to be his bedroom. The walls were a deep blue, covered in basketball posters and pack photos. He set me gently on the edge of his bed.

"I'm so sorry he hurt you," Blake uttered, kneeling in front of me. He cupped my face ij his big palms, wiping my tears with his thumb. "But I'm not sorry about what happened after. The Moon Goddess bond me to you."

The way his gray eyes bored into mine, made me shiver. The new bond drawing us closer, growing stronger with each passing second.

His scent, now a tender pine, wrapping me like a warm blanket.

"I'm scared," I uttered, hugging him. "Everything is happening so fast. Your mate? Soon to be Luna? Cheer captain? I don't know if I can—"

"You can do anything," Blake said firmly. "I've seen your strength, Iris. The way you capture life in your art, the way you stood up to Sofia just now. You're exactly what this pack needs in a Luna."

His faith in me, warmed my heart. I reached out, running my fingers through his copper hair like I dreamed of. This is real, not my dreams.

Not my sketches.

Blake leaned into my touch, his eyes darkening.

"I want to do this right," he whispered, leaning closer. "Mark you properly, give you time to adjust. But Goddess, Iris, I've wanted to kiss you since I saw you drawing me."

The admission sent heat flooding through me. "You knew? About the drawings?"

He smiled against my palm. "I've felt someone watching me for weeks. Never knew it was an artist capturing my good side."

"All your sides are good," I said without thinking, then blushed at his knowing grin.

"Stay with me tonight," Blake said softly. "Not for anything but holding you. I just... I need to know this is real. That you're really mine."

But instead of answering, I moved in closer and pressed my lips on his. Kissing him.

The kiss started gentle, hesitant, but soon we couldn't take it fire burning inside of us.

Blake pulled me, his hands tangled in my hair, deepened the kiss, and I felt our bond getting stronger mixed with heat and desire.

We broke apart, breathing slowly, I knew staying "just to hold" each other was no longer an option. The way Blake looked at me, like I was precious and sexy and powerful all at once, made me want to give myself to him.

"I want you," I whispered, running my hands down his chest. "All of you."

Blake's eyes flashed alpha-red. "Are you sure? We don't have to—"

I silenced him with another kiss, this one fierce with certainty. "Make me yours, Blake. Make me forget everything but this."

He growled, low and possessive, before claiming my mouth again. As he laid me gently on his bed, I felt the last pieces of the old me fade away.

I'm no longer the nerdy Iris anymore.

And I know tomorrow, I would face the consequences of becoming Luna-to-be in a night.

Tomorrow, I would deal with Sofia's rage and Marcus's anger and the whispers that would follow me across campus.

But tonight? Tonight I would let myself be loved by a man who saw me—really saw me—for exactly who I was.

And as Blake's hands and lips explored my skin, I finally understood what it meant to be truly wanted. To be loved. To have a mate.

"Iris, I swear you'll regret it" I heard Sofia voice deep in my mind.