Fate by Birth *Book 1* FREE READ

A Contracted Mate

::Sarah's POV::

    It hurt! It hurt so much! Every word that left my mouth spat daggers right to my heart. But why? I've done this many times and the pain did not come close to this! 

    ''Because he is the one you i***t!'' Jen scoffed.

    It doesn't matter we don't need anyone! We've gone through this so many times! I retorted.

    I received no response after, must've agreed with me. But this pain, it was unbearable and still ongoing. I could barely breathe. My emotions were flaring all over the place. Anger, sadness, lust, and- lust? I raised a suspicious eyebrow at myself. What do I mean lust? I couldn't be attracted to such a thing. I mean he did have those soft eyes preying over me. Those sexy muscles hiding beneath those clothes. That dimple deepened at every word he said. Ugh... that dimple! It definitely would be the death of me.

    But still, I did say it. I did reject him. It would have been over if he had played his part. But he refused? He looked in obvious pain as he took off away from me. He did not cry, but he definitely seemed confused and defeated. I felt so bad. As if I've done the worst crime in the world.

    What am I talking about?!  I scolded myself. This will blow over I know it.

    It definitely did not. When Adam came back he looked at me with total awe, ''Another one bits the dust huh?'' but instead of laughing it off like I usually did he saw a tear drop off my left cheek. ''Oh no hunny, is this one different?'' 

    I nodded. 

    We got home and called it a day. I went back to my old shack by the woods. I lost my home to the family of the man that I had murdered. And may I add I was to be banished but they never got to the case because of lack of proof. My mom wasn't there to testify or defend me, so I was left to be isolated from everyone else. My old shack was already reaching its usage days, I can see there were a few holes on the tin roof and there was no doors or windows. Just a curtain for privacy.

    I snuggled up on my futon that Adam generously gave me. He offered to have me stay with him as did Derrick, but I declined. There was no way I wanted to be a burden to the two most important people I had left in my life. Everywhere I went I knew there was going to be a problem. The problem was me. And for that I do not want to cause problems for anyone else.

     Not even for a mate.

::Drake's POV::

    The next day crept upon me as I awoke from my hotel room. Was it all just a dream? 

    ''No it wasn't, sure wish it was'' I heard Terry say.

    Dammit. 

    I took a long hot shower and got dressed. It was 10 am and I had to be at the ceremony in an hour. Not that it mattered. Maybe I won't see Sarah there, he could easily make that sorry for a pack wait however long I wanted. Ugh, it's gonna be another she-male staff added to the pack. I cringed.

    Gerald phoned me to be downstairs quickly. I paced myself and got into the car. As we drove off I remembered her beautiful features yet again. Although the rejection hurt, it still left a smile on my face to just meet someone like her. She had an odd tune to her personality. I don't know much about it but damn was I curious.

    An hour passes and we made it to the territory. I was greeted by their current alpha Xander. He bowed in respect and gestured towards the field where there was a stage and the members of the pack excitedly looking over towards my direction. There were so many for an Omega tribe. 

    Let's get this over with!

::Sarah's POV::

    I was rudely woken up by Derrick and Adam nudging me, ''Sarah wake up! Today's the day!'' 

    ''Wai- what?'' I half awake asked.

    Rolling his eyes Adam propped me on my feet, ''Girl today's the ceremony!''

    s**t! That was today!?

    I groaned and tried to turn myself to sleep. I didn't care about any events this forsaken pack had to offer. I usually only went to the ones Adam and Derrick recommended. 

    ''b***h if you don't get up I will pee on you!'' Adam warned.

    Oh hell no!  I shot him a glare, then yawned, ''Okay I'm up, I'm up''.

    We headed towards the field. It seemed everyone was there! we rifled through the crowd searching for a better view. I wasn't really interested in what's to come. I over heard one of the she-wolves giggling, ''I wonder who the famous alpha will choose? I hope it's me'' 

    ''He is so sexy I've seen him on TV multiple times.'' another added.

    I could just vomit. I deafened my ears to any incoming rumors about this dude. I just wanted to get this over with so i could go back home and sleep. Adam, Gil, Derrick, and Lily were all present and curious to know as well. Before we knew it, our own pack leader, bastard Xander made his appearance. He took authority to shut the voices down before he continued.

    ''Today, we make history. The Bronze Fangs pack has successfully completed a treaty with the Crimson Red pack...'' 

    Wait... Crimson Red pack? Aren't they one of the biggest clans out there?! I began to be interested.

    ''... the Alpha has agreed to protect our culture and home in exchange for a mistress'' he added, ''Be mindful that this is an opportunity and an honor for all you non-mated she wolves to partake in. Whoever he shall choose will be under his rule to do anything and everything he desires''.

    Of course... a contract mate ceremony! 

    ''Without further ado, I'd like for all of you to welcome Alpha Drake!''

    A huge roar of support echoed through the crowd. Wait! Did he just say Drake? Nah can't be him! Struggling to get a better view from waving hands and screams from the crowd I tried my best to tiptoe. 

    And there he was! Drake, the same one, I met yesterday! What the... Drake walked forward to the crowd with a bored expression on his face. Occasionally scanning the crowd I ducked to hide myself. Oh s**t oh s**t! This can't be happening! My heart began to race. No! Not this again! Jen padded to the front of my mind, ''Oh it's our mate!'' she gleefully said.

    This is a total nightmare! I need to get out of here. 

    ''Now Alpha Drake you may take your prize'' Xander gestured towards the crowd.

    The she wolves were in a frenzy. Excitedly awaiting to be chosen, they bounced all giddy up and down screaming for Drake's attention. If I stayed hidden maybe he wouldn't be able to find me.

    ''Do you have a member named Sarah?'' I over heard his voice in the mic.

    The crowd fell silent. Xander tilted his head in confusion, ''I don't believe so, why?'' Oh thank the goddess he denied me, this is my chance to run away. 

    ''Well, because I can smell her, she is here, and she is my mate!'' Drake spoke.

    A huge wave of silence, then chattering formed amongst the crowd. The she wolves instantly found me and gave the dirtiest look, ''No way, it can't be this Sarah! Stella's daughter?'' With that the whole crowd looked at me. I froze in embarrassment as Drake and Xander tried to get a better look. ''Ew, no chance it's her, must be a different one!'' another spatted.

    ''Make way'' Xander ordered. The crowd made a path that revealed the hiding Sarah in Drake's plain sight. Holding her head in shame she awkwardly looked up towards the main stage. There she saw Drake frozen, and speechless. A shot of disbelief and then hopeful moments appeared in his eyes. 

    ''She's the one! She's my mate'' he declared.

    Derrick and Adam turned towards her in unison, mouth agape. Not a single word left their mouths but their shocked expressions said it all. I was his mate! Although technically rejected on my part I was still needing that acceptance on his part to complete the ritual.

    ''Sarah! Come forward'' Xander ordered. 

    s**t!

    I had to obey his order and slowly walked towards the main stage receiving harsh glances from every view I tried to make an escape with. It felt like hours before I got there, maybe because my body was shaking every moment I took a step forward. I awkwardly took the steps and found myself directly in front of the alpha's. 

    ''There must be a mistake, sir'' I muttered.

    ''Obviously! Who'd want something as worthless as you'' Xander agreed.

::Drake's POV::

    What did this bastard just call her?! I can hear Terry's snarls lingering for me to rip this man apart. How f*****g dare he! I felt my pupils dilate and my sense began to heightened. ''Kill him!'' Terry urged. Right before I was about to lunge I saw my mates face. She was looking away, sad. I had to refrain from causing her anymore fear from me. I could easily rip her alpha apart but I didn't want that to be my first real impression. However, he will not get away with what he just said.

    ''To think, the strongest alpha around these parts be suited with the likes of you, must be a cruel joke from the moon Goddess herself'' I heard him continue.

    Sarah's head dipped lower as she mumbled, ''I agree. Alpha Drake must be blind and mistook me for someone else''.

    What was she saying?! I am her mate! I am damn sure of it. Yet why does she reject me?  I thought in confusion. 

    ''She won't even look at us, yet her own wolf desires us? She must be in denial''  Terry speculated.

    To this I could agree, I quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her close to me. Shots of electricity tingled through my body with the touch of her skin. It was an euphoric feeling, ''Alpha Xander, I have chosen my prize. I take Sarah of the Bronze Fangs to be my contracted mate''.