Not Your Mate
We drive through the pack residential area, the soft moonlight shows everything with such a picturesque view.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
Shadow Moon is indeed outstanding, the spatial planning is excellent. The residential centers are probably separated from the lively catering industry to prevent noise nuisance. Everything is orderly and maintained, as I already noted when we drove through the gates.
The Alpha explains that his pack is one of the oldest and most of the smaller ones originated from Shadow Moon. Persons who at first could not adhere to the strict discipline had left in groups and formed smaller werewolf counties that have grown over the years. This pack does not accept rogues, except for refugees from packs destroyed by war. He states that his father is officially still the Alpha but that he is the actual leader carrying out all the work. According to tradition, he can only take over the position once he has found his fated mate. Alpha Rainer is now twenty and has searched for her in a number of packs but came home empty-handed.
“I think she’s still a minor and that’s why I can’t sense her yet,” the Alpha suddenly declares, distraught. Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror. He looks at me intently, trying to tell me something. I break eye contact and clear my throat.
“Of course, that’s a possibility, Alpha. But my mate discovered me when I was only ten years old”, I say with sparkling eyes. “He saw me and his wolf called me his mate and that was the happiest day of my life up to now. When I turn eighteen in a few months, I will make new memories. I can’t wait for that day.”
“But that’s very strange,” the Beta lashes out after a few seconds of silence. “I’ve never heard of a ten year old mate before. Are you sure the guy doesn’t just want to keep you to himself? You might get the surprise of your life when you turn eighteen.” I laugh at his comment.
“I do not think so. Everything points to Zane being my fated. We feel each other perfectly, we are one in everything and if I am away from him for too long, I get short of breath. I can’t live without Zane,” I declare confidently. “Zane can even sense all my mood swings when I’m sad, in pain or bursting with happiness.”
The Alpha, listening in silently all along, suddenly joins the conversation.
“Well, I know there were a few cases where minors already met their mate. But those are very rare,” he explains. “In any case, I expect an invitation to your birthday, Mercedes. If it’s not Alpha Zane after all, I could be fated to you. My pack would be delighted to have a charming Luna like you.” His Beta and Gamma begin to laugh heartily.
“You can count on us to come, with or without an invitation. You are now our friend and friends don’t need an official invitation,” the Beta explains. The atmosphere in the car has improved a lot now. We chat about all kinds of things that happen in packs, mates and even breakups.
And then, the Alpha drives towards a crowded club, there is a long line of people waiting to get in. I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable, I don’t want to be here. When the car comes to a stop in the parking lot, I tap the Beta on the shoulder.
“Would you mind taking me back to the packhouse before you go in?” I ask him. “I want to do something different”.
Of course, the others heard my remark.
Suddenly the Alpha turns to face me.
“I can guarantee you that it is safe here. No one dares to do anything illegal in front of me,” he whispers. I shake my head.
“I am serious about this. I don’t want to go to the club. But if it’s too much to ask, I’ll walk back. I don’t like to spoil your fun”, I insist. The two men look at their Alpha, I know they are communicating in the mind link. After a few seconds, the Alpha turns to me.
“Come and sit next to me. Clarita is already going in with Clark and Enrik while I drop you off at the packhouse,” he offers. Not to cause any further commotion, I get out and take Clarita’s seat next to the Alpha. My girlfriend seems happy with this arrangement, now she has all three men to herself. I nod, and she beckons me with her thumb that it’s okay.
We drive away from the club onto the main road. As we approach the packhouse, the Alpha stops the vehicle at the side.
“Mercedes, don’t you trust me? I must confess that I have been terribly attracted to you since I first saw you. You are a charming woman,” he starts, grabbing my chin with one hand. He turns my face to him.
“I know you keep reminding me that you have a mate, it’s as if you are afraid to forget that yourself. That indicates that you also feel the attraction,” he whispers now close to my face. “Maybe Alpha Zane isn’t fated to you. Maybe, just maybe it’s me, you won’t know for sure for a few months. So don’t push me off, let’s explore if what we are feeling runs deep and is genuine”, he suggests tenderly.
When he moves his face closer to mine to kiss me, I cry out in horror. Just the idea of another man kissing me makes me feel dirty and betray my mate. With a hard push, I knock the Alpha away from me.
“No! You are not my mate! I already have a man!” I exclaim. “Don’t touch me!”
I open the door and jump out of the car. But the Alpha is faster. He grabs my arm and holds me in place.
“Mercedes, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d take it like this. Please get back in the car, I will take you to the packhouse,” he pleads. “It’s getting late and no one in the pack knows you. It can become dangerous for you in the dark.” I have to admit that he is right.
“But no more physical contact. I meant what I said, I’m here for Glary and Saphira. And then I’ll leave,” I point to him. The Alpha nods and I get back in the car. We drive in silence to the packhouse.
When we arrive, I rush to the apartment and lock myself in the bedroom. After I got my nightdress on, I washed my face in the bathroom. I want to be cooled down when I talk to Zane, he shouldn’t notice my mood until I get what I came for in Shadow Moon….