The Alpha I Chose

Chapter Two

Meadow

I freeze, much in the same way Daisy has.

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

She grabs me and turns me to look at the stage where Alpha Garrett Blackwood is staring right at me, a smirk on his gorgeous face.

“That’s not possible.” I say as I keep my eyes trained on the man who is now taking long, confident strides in our direction. “I can’t smell him.”

The crowd parts for him, almost as if he’s a movie star, and soon Alpha Blackwood is standing right in front of me. He grins, teeth obnoxiously perfect.

“Well hello there, little mate,” he says, reaching up and cupping my cheek in the palm of his hand. I do my very best not to swoon because I am so not one of those she-wolves. Instead, I force myself to take a step back, causing the people around us to murmur among themselves.

“You don’t smell like my mate,” I say bluntly, squinting at him and crossing my arms over my chest. He raises an eyebrow, smirking again.

“It’s called a scent blocker, darling. I didn’t want any she-wolves to try to pull a fast one on me.” He winks at me before reaching into his button-down shirt and pulling out a gold pendant. He slips it over his head and presses it into my palm.

His scent crashes into me so hard my knees almost buckle.

Cedar. Whiskey. A hint of citrus.

Clover immediately pushes forward and speaks for us both.

“Mate!”

Alpha Blackwood’s eyes flash black for a second before his wolf claims us.

“Mate.”

Before I have time to process anything, my pack is cheering, and Alpha Blackwood wraps his arms around my waist and presses his lips to mine in a firm, but weirdly polite kiss.

Such a gentleman, showing such restraint in front of all of these people! Clover is absolutely swooning.

After just a couple of seconds, Alpha Blackwood pulls away and steps back, his hand lingering at my waist.

“Your name, please?” He asks. Gosh, this man is so… formal.

“Meadow. Meadow Fields. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Blackwood.”

Unsure what to do, I awkwardly stick my hand out for him to shake.

Girl, what are you doing? He’s your mate, not a member of the Wolf Council.

Clover cackles at me.

I don’t freaking know, Clover. I’ve never met my mate before. Shush.

Alpha Blackwood looks at my hand as if he’s unsure what I’m doing before taking it in his and pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

A squeal beside me reminds me that my sister is there. I pull my hand away and look over to see her standing there, hands clasped dramatically at her chest again.

“Oh, Alpha Blackwood, this is Daisy, my little sister.” I say, gesturing towards her as if he couldn’t tell who I meant. I’m so smooth.

“Pleased to meet you, Alpha Blackwood!” She chirps at him. He nods politely at her.

“A pleasure,” he says before turning back to me. “I’d like to meet your parents before we depart.”

“Depart?” I frown. Surely he isn’t expecting us to just… go.

“Yes. For Blackwood Ridge.”

“We’re leaving right away?” I ask, panic starting to bubble up in my chest.

“I hadn’t expected to find my mate and already had plans to return today. You may visit your family here as often as you like.” He smiles at me softly.

“Oh… well, okay.” I say and smile up at him.

We head towards our little cottage, Daisy chatting nonstop about our pack and our parents and how she can’t wait to come visit Blackwood Ridge. Apparently, she’s hoping to find a mate there once she’s of age so that we can be in the same pack again.

As we approach the house, I see my parents working out in the garden. They look up as we approach, their eyes widening when they see we aren’t alone.

Mama elbows Daddy as they walk towards us.

“Meadow baby, who’s your friend?” Daddy asks, frowning slightly.

“Mama, Daddy… this is Alpha Garrett Blackwood,” I say, trying my best to keep my voice even so I don’t sound like Daisy and her squealing. “He’s my mate.”

Mama’s jaw drops, and she immediately rushes to me to give me a hug before doing the same to Alpha Blackwood. He obviously wasn’t expecting my mother’s enthusiasm because he stiffens slightly before returning the hug and quickly stepping back.

“I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. Fields,” he says, shaking hands with my father, who has stepped up beside my mom. Daddy waves his hand at him.

“None of that, you’re our daughter’s mate. You’ll call us Walter and Maggie!” Daddy beams at him.

“If you insist, Walter,” Alpha Blackwood smiles his perfect smile at my dad.

“So, Alpha, how long will you be staying before you need to return to your pack?” Mama asks. I just know she’s already planning out what to cook for supper.

“Unfortunately, we need to be leaving as soon as possible. I hadn’t planned on a long stay and have business I need to tend to back home.” Alpha Blackwood says, placing his hand on my lower back. “It was important I meet you first though, and assure you that Meadow will be able to visit as often as she likes.”

Tears well up in Mama’s eyes, but she nods in understanding.“Of course, life doesn’t stop just because you’ve found your mate!” She wipes at her eyes quickly. “Let’s go get you packed up, sweetie.”

“Just a small bag will do. The essentials,” Alpha Blackwood cuts in. “I’ll be taking Meadow shopping tomorrow for whatever she may need. That way her belongings are all here. For when she visits, of course.”

I smile at him, my nervousness easing just a bit.

“May I get a sewing machine?” I ask him. “I like to make a lot of my clothes by hand.” He raises an eyebrow at me but chuckles softly.

“Whatever you like, darling.”

~ ~ ~

Less than thirty minutes later, I have a bag packed and am carrying my favorite quilt down the stairs to where Daddy is teaching Alpha Blackwood all about the proper gardening techniques for cucumbers.

His SUV has made its way down the path to our house, and the driver gets out, taking my bag and quilt and putting them in the back end of the vehicle.

“You ready?” Alpha Blackwood asks with a smile. I nod before realizing something important.

“Oh wait! I have to say goodbye to Tilly first!” I exclaim. I can’t believe I nearly forgot about my bird bestie!

“Who’s Tilly?” He asks me. “Another sister?” Daisy cackles beside him.

“Tilly is her pet chicken. Well, one of them.”

“Pet… chicken…?” He raises an eyebrow, and I can feel myself blushing.

“Technically, there are six of them," Daisy supplies helpfully.

"DAISY."

"What? He deserves to know what he's getting himself into."

I roll my eyes and race to the coop to say goodbye to my best girls. I remind them to be good and not give Daisy a hard time. Looks like she will be collecting those eggs for more than a week now.

I rush back to where my mate waits patiently, not wanting to hold him up any longer than necessary. I say tearful goodbyes to Mama and Daddy before getting into the backseat of the SUV beside Alpha Blackwood.

I stare out the window as we pull away, watching as my cozy little cottage gets smaller and smaller. Mama has her arm wrapped around Daisy's shoulders. Daddy raises a hand and waves until the curve in the path hides them from view.

For the first time since finding my mate, the reality of what’s happening settles over me.

Silver Creek is behind me now. Ahead of me is my mate, a new pack, and a life I never expected.

My entire world is about to completely change.