Mated By Alpha

Unintended Goodbye

With a look of scorn on his face, Bayad glanced at her briefly before turning back to Manue. Are you oblivious of all that has happened today? I’m happy you’ve been a good friend and company to my daughter while you grew up and have grown fond of each other, but you should keep in mind that she now has a mate and cannot be accessed by anyone else.

“Chareen attempted to justify her behavior, feeling her cheeks flame from his implication. “We weren’t doing anything except talking!” I do not like other men standing quite so close.” Manue retreated as the words rumbled out of his mouth, naturally recognizing Bayard's superiority. I had best go out, Chareen. I’ll see you around, I promise. Manue said it in a low, sad tone. Indeed, I will see you around. Chareen answered quietly, realizing that Manue was not likely to come near her again.

She was heartbroken to think that her relationship was coming to an end, as she would soon be leaving. With anger rising in her, she watched Manue turn and go back to the house before turning to confront her Dad. “You didn’t have to eject him in that way.” I didn’t eject him. I just informed him that you are now someone’s partner and that appropriate space must be maintained.” He was merely—“, I understand what he was just doing. Her Dad cut her off abruptly. “Jamal won’t share you with anybody, I could feel his longing for you. You are his, and you’ll be bound soon. You will not allow any other guy to smell near you.”

Look about me. Indeed. Isn’t it true that your next heat cycle is in roughly a month? I could already feel your pheromone levels rising last night. Even if he isn’t cognizant of them now, he will be in a few more days. Before his innate need to mount a pregnant female causes him to make a very bad decision, that lad has to know that he is off limits. Chareen gave a furious huff. Although the pack did not conceal heat cycles or mating instincts — in fact, it was impossible to do so — Chareen was not happy that her father had brought her and Manue’s relationship to such a low point. “You, Dad—” This talk is over, Chareen. The topic ends here.

Jamal is here, he thought he would come pick you up himself. I told you he was a great guy, there he is. She became aware that someone was walking towards her at that moment. He seemed to be in his late twenties, her father scowled. He was someone Chareen had never met before, so she took some time to get to know him. At least six feet four, the guy was taller than her father and had a strong build. His broad shoulders revealed muscles rippling under his shirt. A handsome face with chiseled cheekbones and a big lower lip was crowned with dark, somewhat disheveled hair.

He looked toward them with his amber eyes meeting hers, as if he sensed her examining him. Something tough about him was obvious. He examined her slowly, focusing first on her hips, then her breasts, then her face. He examined her from head to foot. Under his observation, Chareen felt herself becoming red. She thought she saw a hint of tenderness in his eyes as he gave her a fleeting grin, but it was gone in an instant. With a dismissive gesture, she turned back to face her father and continued talking to him.

Glancing up, she saw that Jamal had advanced and was now standing next to her father. “I’m glad to meet you, Chareen.” With his eyes fixed on hers, he said it in a low, deep voice. She managed a weak hello, licking her lips. Up close, Jamal seemed even bigger, making her wish she had more inches on her frame. Despite being normal in stature at five feet and six inches, she felt positively little in comparison to the new Alpha. Her father gave her a little elbow push, and she saw that Jamal had reached out to shake her hand. She tentatively extended her hand and accepted it. She felt the warmth of his flesh instantly, shooting up her arm. She jerked her head to gaze up into his face, startled, and saw a thin grin cross his lips.

“I believe we will work well together.” He gave her father a nod, then squeezed her hand. “I’ll see you later.” After giving her another thorough examination, Jamal turned to depart and made his way to the council meeting location.

Everyone was delighted to see him, he was so handsome and mature to look upon. More so, being Alpha at his young age was worth admiring. The elders welcomed him appropriately into the council meeting room. Bayad, who couldn’t wait to have word sent to Miguel’s about their alliance, said, “why don’t we begin the bonding ritual, and you’ll leave tomorrow instead”. The Elders clamored in agreement. Jamal couldn’t help but consent.

After greetings from the other pack members and words from the elders, the bonding ritual starts. She wasn’t even able to hear, much less understand, the things that were spoken as Jamal led her to the front of the room. The most agonizing part of it was seeing the agonized glances that she and Manue, who hung around, exchanged as the last words were spoken, and her wrist was linked together with Jamal’s by a ceremonial leather rope.

With their hands tied, Jamal took her down the corridor to a guest cottage not far from the center home, where the Alpha lived. They were strolling across the dark lawn when she sent him a sidelong look. He hadn’t spoken to her directly since their first encounter. Is there anything she could say to break the silence? Her mind searched for a suitable remark, but nothing occurred to her. In the present situation, banal chat like the weather sounded absurd, and she was too scared to think of anything else.

While Chareen understood that the need to mate was strong, and she hoped Jamal would be respectful of her, it was not in the character of an Alpha to be harsh to a member of the pack unless they openly displayed their control. Given his stature, she had little hope that he would be merely modestly endowed, and she knew that the first mating might be unpleasant.

It would be different if Manue were the one to mate her. She felt something for him. Her stomach muscles clenched at the notion of being with Jamal, but the thought of being with Manue made her feel eager and warm in the pit of her stomach. The cabin towered above them. It was located just on the edge of the forest, and the surrounding trees gave it a private feeling. It was made of logs and looked aged from years of exposure to the elements, but the shuttered windows, modest porch, and substantial stone chimney were all in good condition.

With their hands still bound, Jamal pulled the door open and motioned for her to come in, following closely after. He closed the door and turned on the lights, brightening the room with its little kitchenette, dining area, and couch in front of the fireplace to light. A bedroom and a tiny bathroom were accessible via a door on the left.

Chareen leaped as Jamal said, “Well.” “It seems like removing this would be the first thing to do.” She nodded in agreement as he raised their linked wrists. He took out a jackknife from his pocket and used it to cut the rope, allowing it to fall to the floor. Chareen took her arm away instantly and gave her wrist a quick massage. Although the tie wasn’t too tight, the leather nonetheless caused discomfort, and the forced closeness seemed awkward. She saw that Jamal was massaging his wrist as well.