ALPHA'S MATE

10-YEAR-OLD EMILY'S POV, "Mom, look, I found this cute puppy at the back of our house. Isn't it adorable? Can we keep it? It seems to be hurt, though." I said to my mom excitedly showing the small puppy in my hand. "Here, let me see it, Em. Oh dear, it's not a puppy, Em. It's a baby wolf. We can't keep it. Maybe his family is missing him. Let's check it for injuries and then set it free." My mom said with a smile and eyes full of love. "Yep, you are right. Maybe he is missing his family, too. Let's check him for his injuries and let him go, " I said with a sad smile. Then we (mostly my mom) took care of his wounds and set him free. As the baby wolf was leaving, he looked straight into my eyes as if he was thanking me for tending his wounds and trying to capture my picture in his tiny eyes, which were as blue as the Pacific Ocean. 14 years later, EMILY’S POV (24 years old) I received my veterinary degree two years ago. I have always wanted to be a vet. I don't know where I get my love for the animals. I have always felt the need to help them. I don't even feel the same for humans. I have no issues with people, but I just feel more for these. So I studied about them and got the degree. I might be still in college if not for the fact that I skipped some grades. So I could graduate at 22. I have been saving money for a long time to open an animal clinic. It has been my dream since let's say when I was 10. When mom and I treated the baby wolf. I still remember the gray baby wolf with eyes as blue as the Pacific Ocean. I could save money well because I didn't have any student loans to pay. The scholarships and my mom helped me too, whenever I needed it. I also interned under my mentor at his clinic to get experience. Though the pay was super low, I was there to learn, not earn. So now, after a lot of years of saving, I could finally open my own clinic, though small but it still is mine. Today is the day of the opening of my clinic. My mentors, seniors, and friends came to congratulate me and wish me luck. But my boyfriend Max was nowhere to be seen. I also didn't get the opportunity to call him throughout the week. I was running here and there to get everything done neatly. But I did let him know about today that today is the opening day of my clinic. But I guess he is busy with work too. We don't really interfere with each other schedules. But do go on dates whenever we are free. Only after everyone left and I breathed in peace and contentment, I remembered to call him. So I fished my phone out and dialed his number. It rang but no one picked up so I dialed again this time he picked up, and then I said excitedly, "Max, are you free today? Let's celebrate the opening of my clinic and have dinner together. It's been too long since our last dinner," "Sorry, Em. Some mishaps happened at work so I couldn't get in touch with you. Unfortunately, it's possible today too. I have a dinner meeting with a client. That I can't miss it. My promotion depends on this meeting." Max said sounding sad. I replied sadly, "It's okay, Max. Work is important. I'll call Lily and go out with her." Max said, "Okay, babe. Have fun." "Yeah. Bye, see you soon."I replied. Max and I have been together for almost four years. We met at college. We were both in different departments. But somehow got to know each other and got into a relationship a few times after. Afterward, I called Lily and asked her to go with me to dance and have fun. At the club, and then to get some food. AT THE CLUB, "Em, where is that boyfriend of yours? Shouldn't he be here celebrating your success with you?" Lily asked, my best friend of 20 years. "I called him before I called you. He said he had an important meeting today with some business client." I replied taking a sip from my glass. "Um, okay. Sometimes, it feels like you guys are just regular friends. I can't see the chemistry between you both." Lily took a sip from her glass while saying. "Don't say it like that. It's just that we are both busy with our professional lives. That's all." I half-laughingly responded. "Yep, I hope so too. Now let's forget all of this and let's go dance." Lily said pulling me to the dancing stage where at least 50 people were already dancing like there's no tomorrow. After dancing to our heart's content, we both returned to our table and ordered a few more drinks, which were light on alcohol and mostly nonalcoholic. The waiter served our drinks and left, and I looked at Lily and saw her looking behind me. Before I could ask anything, Lily said, "Em, doesn't that guy somehow look like your boyfriend?" "What? Where?" and followed her gaze. I looked at where she was looking and to say shocked would be an understatement to see Max there. Wasn't he supposed to be in a business meeting important for his promotion? The most devastating thing was that he was with another girl. They were so close on the dance floor as if they were stuck together with super glue. And after a few moments, they started kissing. In the public, like that girl is oxygen to Max. I could feel tears coming to my eyes. But I refuse to cry for a guy like him. Then they pulled out from each other and Max was pulling her to the lavatory. It didn't need anyone to spell me as to why they were heading there. I was stilled from the shock, and then Lily pulled me after them. The door wasn't locked so after a light push, we could see clearly what was happening. And there what do I see? I see… I can't even explain. I feel disgusted. Horrified. That the man who said to love me is a cheater. I still refuse to cry for a guy like him. Maybe feeling two gazes on them they pulled out from each other and looked at the door. Max was shocked to see me standing there and was about to explain, but before he could, a smack fell on his face. I slapped him, and Max started to say gibberish, but I couldn't hear a thing. Most probably he was saying sorry or something. But I couldn't hear a thing. I had already made up my mind. "Max, I thought you were at a meeting. This is your meeting! You lied to me and cheated on me! How could you do that? We have been in a relationship for three years, and what you gave me is cheating." I said angrily. "Emily, please listen to me. It was a big mistake. I was drunk. Please forgive me. I won't ever do something like this." Max pleaded. "Enough, Max. It is all over between us. Never contact me ever again," I said and walked out with Lily. Lily got us a taxi and then we started for home, Lily is to send me home before she returns. "Are you okay Em? Cry if you want to. But forget about him tomorrow." Saying that she held onto my hands the whole way. The whole way to my house, I controlled my emotions. To not cry. Still, tears were coming out of my eyes. Lily hugged me tight as I cried silently a bit more. I kept telling myself not to cry for that trash of a man. The man that persuaded me for a whole year, before I finally agreed. The day which was supposed to be the best day of my life was ruined by a piece of s**t. Named Ex-Boyfriend. But after reaching home, the moment my body touched the bed, I broke into tears. And fell asleep while crying.