Dear Alpha, You Broke Me First

Four

Raiden

The late afternoon sun slanted through Sera's bedroom window as we lay tangled together on her bed, both of us spent and catching our breath. As our heart rates returned to normal, Sera rolled away and started gathering up her discarded clothes.

"We should probably get cleaned up," she said, pulling her shirt back on. "My parents will be home soon."

"Yeah, good idea." I sat up reluctantly, already missing the feel of her warm body against mine. I watched her dress for a moment, then said, "Hey, want to grab some coffee after? We could study together for finals."

Sera laughed lightly as she shimmied into her jeans. "Studying isn't really my thing, babe. I'll leave that nerd stuff to you." She flashed me a teasing grin.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. It was one of the things I liked about Sera - she was fun-loving and carefree, helping me not take myself too seriously. Even if it sometimes meant pulling teeth to get her to crack open a textbook.

We tidied up the evidence of our tryst, then headed downstairs. Sera immediately plopped onto the living room couch and started scrolling through her phone. I hovered uncertainly.

"You sure you don't want to at least go over some flashcards or something?" I asked hopefully.

She waved a hand dismissively, not looking up from her phone screen. "It's Friday night, Raiden. The only thing I want to study is the inside of your eyelids, if you know what I mean." She flashed me a flirty smirk.

I chuckled, though a bit disappointed. "Alright, alright. But exams start Monday, remember?"

"Ugh, don't remind me," Sera groaned dramatically. "Now stop pestering me and go make yourself useful helping Maisie with her homework or something." She nodded toward her younger sister sitting at the kitchen table, books spread around her and a confused look on her face.

Recognizing defeat, I ambled over to see if I could assist. Maisie brightened when she saw me. "Raiden! Can you help me with these stupid math problems? They don't make any sense."

I gladly settled in beside her and walked her through the equations. By the time we had them all solved, she was beaming. "Thanks, you're the best!"

I ruffled her hair affectionately. "Anytime, kiddo." I enjoyed helping Maisie out, and it satisfied the small part of me that wished Sera took school more seriously like her sister did. But I knew trying to change Sera's carefree, anti-academic ways was futile.

After saying goodbye to the girls, I headed out to my car. On impulse, I decided to swing by the Corner Cafe and get some studying in on my own, since Sera was a lost cause tonight. The little 24-hour cafe was a favorite local haunt for students.

As I pulled into the small parking lot and headed inside, my phone buzzed with an incoming call - my father. I sighed, bracing myself as I answered.

"Hey Dad, what's up?"

"Raiden, have you seen the new security bulletins?" came his stern voice without preamble. "The rogue pact means they can enter our lands completely undetected now. You need to start taking extra precautions on your patrols."

I bristled instinctively at his patronizing, overprotective tone. "Dad, we've been over this. I'm not a kid anymore, I can handle myself."

"Don't get smart with me," he snapped, making me grit my teeth. "You don't seem to appreciate how dangerous these rogues are. As future Alpha you'll be a target."

By now my jaw was clenched so tight it ached. "I get it already, I'm not an i***t. You don't have to keep lecturing me."

"Watch your tone, boy. You may be twenty but I'm still your father and Alpha."

I barely suppressed an irritated growl rumbling in my chest. We went back and forth for several more infuriating minutes before finally ending the call, both of us pissed off. So much for a relaxing coffee break.

Scowling, I got in line to place my order, trying to calm down. I was so preoccupied I didn't even notice the girl in front of me until she stepped up to the counter. My nostrils flared as a sweet, delicate scent hit my senses for the first time.

It was Kate. Up close, I noticed details about her I'd never cared to pay attention to before. Her slim shoulders and petite frame that made her seem fragile and in need of protection. The warm honey-gold shade of her eyes behind those glasses. And her scent...like a fresh ocean breeze, tinged with honeysuckle and vanilla...

It stirred something primal deep inside me. I froze, stunned realization crashing over me like a bucket of ice water. She was my mate?!

No, no way. It had to be a mistake. This nobody, this freak, could not be my fated bonded partner! I refused to accept it. Gritting my teeth, I shoved the unwanted mate-pull back down, trying to ignore it.

But then Kate turned and noticed me. Those gold eyes widened fractionally before skittering away. She hugged her books tighter to her chest, as if trying to make herself smaller. I swore internally. Great, now things would be awkward. This day just kept getting worse.

I ordered an Americano when it was my turn, avoiding looking at Kate again even as my newly awakened senses remained hyper-aware of her every movement. She found an empty table in the corner after getting her own drink - a caramel latte, judging by the sweet scent.

I should have just enjoyed my coffee in peace and ignored her. But some nosy, masochistic part of myself made me wander over.

"Mind if I join? No other free spots."

Kate's eyes flicked up to me, surprise flashing across her delicate features. Those lips...so perfectly shaped... Ahem. Focus, Romeo.

"Uh, sure," she said after a pause, shyly averting her gaze again.

I sat, trying not to breathe too deeply. Just play it cool. Don't indulge the incessant mate-pull. Maybe it would fade on its own if I ignored it long enough.

Her wariness was palpable, probably wondering if this was some trick. I honestly couldn't blame her. I sipped my coffee, casting about for a neutral topic.

"So...ready for exams?" Lame, but it was the best I could muster.

She nodded, still not looking directly at me. "I suppose. I really need to ace them to have a shot at getting some scholarships..."

She trailed off, cheeks pinking slightly, as if embarrassed at having revealed something so personal. Before I could think better of it, I found myself saying, "Hey, I could quiz you if you want. Two heads are better than one, right?"

Gold eyes glanced up at me uncertainly. "Really? You'd...help me study?"

Would I? No, I absolutely should not offer any unnecessary time or intimacy that could deepen this unwelcome mate-bond. But seeing a spark of hope in those shy eyes did strange things to my chest.

"Sure, if you think it'd help. No pressure though." Damn it all, why couldn't I just be cold and leave her alone? The questioning look she gave me suggested she was wondering the same thing.

But finally, a tentative smile curved her lips - the first I'd ever seen from her directed my way. It lit up her whole face. "Yeah, okay. I'd really appreciate that, actually. I'm kind of struggling with calculus..."

Somehow I found myself scooting my chair around to her side of the table as she opened her textbook and notebook. To my surprise, I didn't hate tutoring her. Kate was bright and asked thoughtful questions. Her smile was even more captivating up close. She smelled fantastic...

Whoa, rein it in! I forced myself to refocus on the math, steering my thoughts away from how cute she looked with that little crease between her brows as she concentrated. No mate daydreams!

We actually lost track of time. It wasn't until Kate's phone buzzed and she checked it that her eyes widened in panic.

"Oh no, it's almost 10 o'clock! I have to get home." She started hastily shoving her books into her bag.

"Past curfew, huh?" I said. "I can give you a lift if you want, save you the walk." Wait, did I really just offer that? I must be a masochist.

But Kate was already nodding, relief plain on her face. "Would you? Thank you so much!"

Well, too late to back out now. I kept the car ride short, focusing on driving while resisting the urges to breathe her in or make small talk. I was hyper aware of her sitting just inches away. Kate gave me a shy smile as she climbed out of the car in front of her duplex.

"Thanks again, Raiden. And for the studying help too. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime," I found myself saying. I was rewarded with another sweet smile before she disappeared inside.

I drove home in a daze, my mind spinning. Spending that time with Kate had felt...nice. Comfortable. Right. And seeing her smile, hearing her laugh...it did funny things to my insides.

But it was just physical attraction, I rationalized. I couldn't actually be bonding with this nobody girl! No, it was simply biological impulse. I just needed to ignore it, and things would go back to normal.

But even as I told myself that, I couldn't erase the memory of her smile from my mind. The sound of her laughter lingered like a song I couldn't forget. And try as I might to deny it...deep down, some part of me wondered - hoped, even - that I might get to study with Kate again soon.

I was in serious trouble here. And I had a feeling that trying to avoid the pull of the mate-bond was going to prove far more difficult than I ever could have imagined.