You're Not My Mate

Inappropriate Bikinis

Aurelia POV

My father is sat behind his desk with my mother, the Luna. There’s also my 2 brothers, the Gamma and the Beta and their wives, and Junus’ brother. Oh s**t. What now? 

My father clears his throat before speaking. “Thank you for joining us. Aurelia, late as always I see.” I drop my mouth open. I literally got here the same time as Junus, yet it’s me who gets the scolding. I scowl and sit down on the empty sofa in the corner. Junus leaves my side and walks over to stand by his family. “Ok, so you know that we’ve had some unexpected visitors coming onto our land recently. I’ve spoken to Alpha Kustoff today, and he apologises. They have been in the area scoping for new business premises and some of his wolves got distracted. Especially when we have females draping themselves around in tiny, inappropriate bikinis out in the open.” He spits and looks at me.

I hang my head down and just look at my feet. I don’t even bother replying. I gave up years ago. My mother says it’s because I’m his only daughter and he’s just overprotective. Honestly, I think it’s because I’m a girl and he sees no need for them. I can feel Crimson whimpering in the back of my mind. 

“I know, girl. I know.” 

I say, trying to comfort her. “Anyway, I’ve managed to clear over that and tell them that we had some guests from another pack who enjoyed the weather. And that we as a pack don’t behave like that.” I continue to look at my feet. My mother comes to sit next to me then. “Alright Marcellus, she knows she did wrong, move on.” She holds my hand as my father carries on.

“Anyway, Alpha Kustoff asked if we would be interested in forming a business allegiance that could benefit us all in the local area. Him, his Beta, Gamma and some guards will be coming in a few days time to talk about the specifics. I would appreciate if my pack, especially my ALPHA BLOODLINE could compose themselves as the respectable family that we are. This has the potential to be a very good business dal. And I don’t want anything ruining this.” 

“Yes, Alpha.” Everyone says in unison, except me. I can feel my father’s glare on the top of my head. “Aurelia, do you have a problem?” “No, Alpha.” I say, sniffing. “Ok, the rest of you please leave. I’d like to talk to Aurelia.” Everyone leaves except my mother. When the door shuts, I know I’m in for it.

“Aurelia, LOOK at your Alpha!” He booms. My head snaps up to look at him. Nobody can disobey the Alpha. “You have not only been disrespectful to our pack, but to myself, as your father. You prancing around in little pieces of clothing, making us look like that’s all we do. And do me a favour, will you save yourself for your mate and stop fooling around with other boys. You’re going to be known as this pack’s dog before long. And when your mate does eventually find you, he’s going to reject you and leave you here with us for good.” I can’t stop the tears falling down my face. “Yes, Alpha.” I force myself to say. “Dismissed.” He says, waving me away. I snatch my hand from my mother and leave the office, heading back to my bedroom.

I throw myself onto my bed and break down all my walls and just burst into tears. The door to my room creaks open and the delicious campfire smell hits me. He climbs into the bed, wrapping me up in a blanket, careful not to touch me. “I’m sorry, Boo. That was my fault. I’ll clear it with your father.” I shake my head. “Don’t bother, Juno. He hates me anyway. No point hating you too.” He pulls my head close to his chest. “Boo, I heard it all. I came here as soon as I could. He’s not right, you know. You’re really well liked. The pack think very highly of you. You’re not a dog. I promise.” He kisses the top of my head and more tears flow.

“Juno?” “Yes, boo?” “Could you leave? I just wanna be alone.” He goes silent for a few seconds and then he talks, his voice breaking. “Uh- Su.. Ok. Just.. Call me. I’ll be here.” I can’t even bring myself to look at him. I know he’ll be upset. Me and him have never pushed the other one away. But, I know what I need to do now. I’ll reach out to my friends in other packs this week, and I’ll figure out what I can do. But I know one thing. I need to leave this house. This whole place. This pack.

I pick up my diary, and put all my thoughts into it. And then, I write a note to the only 3 people I cherish more than life itself. Junus, Lucia, and my brother, Felix. I want these ready for when I leave. 

Felix,

Thank you for being the best brother. For protecting me throughout my life and always being there for me. I appreciate you, more than you’ll ever know. And as much as you annoy me, I know you do it to cheer me up. I can never thank you enough. 

One day, you’ll find the most amazing mate. And she’ll see you exactly how I see you. The glue that holds all of this family together.

I love you.

Your sis. X

Lucia,

Where do I begin? What’s a girl without her best friend? You’ve kicked more asses than any of the blokes here. You are the most fierce, yet most caring woman in this whole pack.

I know we said we would never leave each other. How we would do everything together. But, I can’t do it anymore. You have Dominik now. And he treats you like the Goddess that you are. You are going to be an amazing Gamma female. 

I wish you all the love, success and happiness.

Aurelia X

And then... I’ve kept the hardest one for last.

Juno,

I don’t know where to start. I spent my whole life believing we were mates. I planned everything. Our wedding. Our children. Even where we would go on our honeymoon together.

You’ll never know how much it broke my heart that we weren’t mates. But, I know that’s because you deserve the most amazing woman there is. And that’s not me. You deserve someone who will cherish you, love you, support you and you’re going to find her.

You’re going to do great things. I’m sorry we can’t do them together. But I’ll always remember you as my first kiss. My first crush. My first love. My first for almost everything. 

I love you.

Your Aurelia X

I have no tears left. My face is dried out. I put the letters into envelopes and place them into my diary. Then I black out, falling to sleep.

I wake up to my stomach rumbling, and I realise I missed dinner last night. I look around and see no food brought up. Typical. If it’d been Caesar, they’d have brought a 3 course meal up for it. My stomach rumbles again. I know it’s time for breakfast so I better move. I get dressed, pull my hair up into a bun and leave off my make-up. What’s the point of pissing my father off even more. He already thinks I’m the pack dog.

When I get to the kitchen, I’m surprised to see only Juno and my mother there. I mumble good morning to them, and then Cain comes out with a fresh baked blueberry muffin for me. He doesn’t say anything just squeezes my shoulder and smiles at me before heading back into the kitchen.

My mother starts to talk and I just hold my hand up. “Mom, if it’s ok, I’m just gonna eat this upstairs.” She nods, pursing her lips but doesn’t say anything. I pick up my muffin and head back up to my bedroom. I don’t need a lecture right now. 

I sit on my bed eating my blueberry muffin while scrolling through f*******:, trying to work out where I’ll go. And that’s when I remember my Aunt Gloria. My mother’s sister. Her husband died a few years ago, I’m sure she’s still in the Silver Moon pack though. And I think I know where to find her. Just then a mind-link comes through from my father. It’s a group message so no insults for me this time.

Brothers and sisters. Tomorrow we welcome Alpha Kustoff and his high wolves to the house for a business meeting. I expect all Alpha, Beta and Gamma male members to greet them at the entrance of the house. Lunch will be served in the garden for everyone in this house and the visiting pack to eat together. Then, we will go to the fields for a game of football to help build relationships Is that understood?

There’s a flurry of “Yes, Alpha.” Including from me. This is perfect. While everyone is playing football, it would be easy for me to sneak away and leave the grounds. I jump up and head into my closet, pulling out a bag and starting to fill it with all my usual necessities. 

I spend the rest of the day writing in my diary, getting everything out of my mind. I pass on lunch. But when dinner time comes, Cain sends me a mind-link to let me know he’s made a roast chicken dinner. My stomach rumbles in response, so I decide to head down. I walk in and everyone is full of cheer and excitement for the meeting tomorrow. I smile and mumble my greetings to my parents and take a seat next to Felix. I keep my head down throughout the whole meal. Cain makes an amazing chicken dinner so I do all I can to try not to devour it within a few seconds. It would just be another reason for a telling off.

I can feel someone kick me under the table. I know it’s Junus. I can smell him and sense him. I ignore it and finish my food. “May I be excused?” I ask, looking at my father. He glares at me, but nods, giving me his permission. He has a great reputation with the pack, which is why he keeps his insults for when we’re in private. “Thank you.” I reply, before I head back to my bedroom. Usually, I’d cry. But, I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. I just climb into bed, pull out my diary, start to write and then fall asleep again. 

I dream of Juno. Walking into my bedroom, lifting me up and wrapping me up in him. Pulling me to his lap, and his arms wrapping me into a hug, making me feel safe. And loved. Junus always made me feel safe. I smile to myself in my dream. If this is the last dream I get of him. It’s perfect. Why couldn’t we be mates? I’m sure that’s what made my father hate me. He wanted me to give him one thing. And I couldn’t even do that. Then, a woman walks towards me. She’s beautiful, like an angel, with long blonde hair, in a white dress. “Moon Goddess?” I ask, bewildered. She smiles, and nods. “Your path is not an easy one. Your path is not what you believe you wanted. But, the fork in the road is coming soon. Have hope. Please trust me.”