The Chosen Mate

CHAPTER 4 |

Tonight, at midnight, I will celebrate my birthday. I will finally turn eighteen. I can hear the whole pack getting ready for tonight even though it’s only one in the afternoon.

I wasn’t really excited about it, but seeing them all happy and working so hard for my birthday is making me excited as well.

I walk all around the house and ask how I can help with the preparations. Of course, they tell me to rest and just enjoy today before the big event. Serena is already pacing in my head.

“You know that you don’t to be THAT nervous right?” I tell her, trying to calm her. All her pacing is giving one of a headache. “It’s only tomorrow and plus, he can NOT be part of this pack.”

“No.” She just tells me. “No. I feel him near but I can’t tell why but it feels so distant. The pull is forming but it’s getting away I don’t get it.”

“It doesn’t make sense Serena. How can it get away? The bond isn't even formed yet !”

“I don’t know I just told you !” She barks loud. It’s pulsating in my head. She's so confused, it’s so unlike her.

“Just stop thinking about it and sleep for a bit, you’re really giving me a hard time.”

And I block the link as hard as I can.

I call and ask Henry if he wants his milkshake today. I decided to take my bike for today. Some fresh air can only do good for now. In fifteen minutes I’m at Henry’s and waiting on his porch.

“Why did you take the bike ?” He asks as he takes his own out of the garage. 

“Nothing just wanted to feel the fresh air.” 

“Okay but it’s going to take a good thirty-five minutes to get there” He jumps on his bike a little annoyed and we’re good to go.

“Let’s go through the forest ‘kay? Maybe we can get there in twenty-five.”

After a nice and chatty ballad, we finally arrive and park our bikes near the entrance.

“Wow, looks like there’s more customer than usual uh. Maybel must be in all her states !”

He was right, six tables were taken instead of the usual two, and one was ours.

“Maybe she has a huge sale or somethin’ like that” I guess. “Anyway, let’s go or say goodbye to your chocolate milkshake !” I say laughing.

We enter and get seated by ourselves. You can vaguely hear the background music. I guess I won’t be able to ask Maybel for the control of the speaker today.

Henry looks at the menu even though we both know he memorized the menu by heart. He orders the same thing all the time. We order his milkshake and I order a pink lemonade with a carrot cake.

Maybel comes and puts our food on the table and as I was about to take a sip of my lemonade, I see something moving from the corner of my eye. Henry seems to be too focused on his milkshake to notice.

My Alpha senses are sharper but I can’t pinpoint exactly where the movement is coming from.

That's when I hear the familiar voice rising from the noise. My treacherous heart starts beating like crazy, again. I turn around and see him, with some of his friends and Isabella. In his arms. He really is trying to make it easy for me to forget him.

Suddenly I feel his gaze on me, it burns my skin. The intensity of his stare lasts for five long seconds. I see his eyes turn a color and then an expression passes his face. He turns his head and I am invisible again.

It’s like nothing happened. What was that? The expression on his face was… so plain?

I didn’t feel any anger, disgust, or anything. But rather, a plain, and “whatever” look. I was right.

I don’t even entice his sympathy or friendliness. I literally saw it with my own two eyes, when he looks at me, he feels nothing. I…

“Mavis, you alright ?” I almost forgot Henry and his milkshake. “Why do you look so pale all of a sudden ?”

“Oh, nothing! I just think the cake has a funny taste. “ I smile at him. “How’s yours ?”

“You’re right, the cookie tastes a bit old but whatever. But the milkshake never deceives me. Want some ?” He puts a second straw in the glass.

“Does that mean you're giving it to me ?!” I ask dramatically, knowing he loves this more than me.

“No silly don’t even try to steal her from me!” he says ironically.

I rest my elbows on the table and start to drink a little. Henry does the same and just looks at me while taking a sip. His green eyes have that spark and sweetness that I envy. It’s like the eyes of a child. It’s kinda cute. 

He turned eighteen a couple of months ago but he hasn't found his mate yet. He wasn't even a bit sad or anything, I think it's just really not his thing at the moment, well, that's what he told me. 

He could literally have any girl he wants, with his sweet green eyes, his undisciplined curly brown hair, and a smile your heart could melt for, I don't know why he likes being single. He's the sweetest any person, outside of my family, has ever been to me. I used to have the smallest and fastest crush on him before we became best friends. It's nothing compared to what I felt towards Cole. It all went away when we became closer, let's say the spark didn't last, and it wasn't worth it. His friendship is much more valuable to me. I love him so much, like a brother. 

“What you smiling at bro’ ?” I didn’t even realize I was smiling.

“Hm, I’m just thinking about the fact that I’ve already drunk half of this and how you didn’t notice.” He pouts and frowns his eyebrows and I let a heartfelt laugh come out of me.

He slaps my hand and tells me to let go of it while I’m still laughing.

After some time we’re done eating and decide to pay the bill. This place is really cheap, fifteen dollars for this, plus the usual discount she gives us it’s only nine dollars and forty-five cents. 

“Wait for me I’m going to the restroom, coming back in five !”

I go outside and start scrolling on Pinterest. This app is really underrated. I hear the old bell on the door ring.

“Anywhere you want to go? I still have some time before the party any...” 

I look up and I see Cole and his stoic face.