Chapter 3

<The Birthday Surprise>

ADRIAN 

I hated birthdays.

Every year since I could remember, my family threw a ridiculous celebration to remind me I was the heir to the Nightfang Pack. This year, though, it felt different—heavier. Eighteen. The age wolves came of age, the age you could feel the bond if your mate was near.

With all this, I was supposed to feel a bit excited, but as I adjusted the collar of my dress shirt, I felt nothing but absolute dread.

Maybe because I knew that I was on a fraying thread now. My father knew of some others who met their mates before eighteen, and he's been putting pressure on me ever since. Now that I'm eighteen, I should find one today, but what if I don't?

I mean, that was the only reason my dad was throwing a big party and inviting every werewolf's kids and grandkids.

If this wasn't a load of pressure, then I have no idea what is. 

In fact, I don't think there's any amount of pressure higher than this.

“Looking good, Alpha,” Eli teased from the doorway. “I'm really honored to be the first one to see your fit.

I glared at him. “Stop calling me that. Besides, Connor has seen the fit. He joined me to go shopping.”

He grinned. “Fine. Looking good, Birthday Boy. And I'm still the first one to see you in the fit, so I still win. Anyway, are you ready for the circus?”

“Not really.”

“Cheer up, Adrian. Maybe your mate’s here tonight.” He tapped me on my shoulder as he adjusted his own suit.

I forced a smile. “Yeah. Maybe.”

But the thought only made my chest tighten. Whoever she was, she’d be a stranger with expectations. I didn’t want a political match or someone who saw me only as the future Alpha. I wanted… I didn’t even know anymore.

I got to the ballroom and was surprised at what I saw. The ballroom was decorated with rose petals and had expensive wine everywhere.

My father had gone all out.

Shit.

Well, I guess it was time to admit that I was wrong. There was in fact a higher level of pressure and this was it.

Wolves from different packs hung around talking, laughing, eating, drinking, dancing and doing whatever it was they liked.

There was soft jazz music playing, but the tension in the air was so strong.

I'm sure everyone here was looking forward to finding out who my mate was. With the way some looked at me, I'm sure they thought it was them.

“Hey. You know you can't just stand around like this right?” Connor whispered beside me. “Go say hi to your guests.”

He was right. I couldn't just keep looking around.

I decided to go meet them seeing as most of them were my friends anyway.

I shook hands, cracked jokes and basically did what I had to.

I went through everyone for hours, and I still felt nothing. There was no spark, no tug, there was literally nothing they said I'd feel when I met my mate, and I knew it. 

My mate was not in this place.

“Hey man, Lucas is here and he's causing a scene.” Eli said hurriedly as he motioned me to follow him.

“I don't understand. What happened? Why is he causing a scene?”

“Apparently, his name is not on the guest list?”

“That's because he wasn't fucking invited.” I snarled.

I was close to the scene where the bouncers my father had hired held Lucas when it hit me. The scent.

A scent that made my wolf scream and writhe, clawing at my control. Mate.

No. It couldn't be …could it?

My mate was among them or around here. 

“Clear up. I want to see who it is.”

I didn't care that Lucas was there. I just wanted to see who my mate was. I wanted to see what she looked like.

They cleared up and the only person I saw was Lucas, leaning against the bar like he was the one that owned the place.

Damn where did he get that suit? I mean, my suit was nice too, but his was perfect. It fit him so perfectly that it could be mistaken for a second skin.

His hair was messy but in a good way, and his eyes roamed the room lazily until they met mine.

“No. Not him,” I whispered under my breath as I looked at him in disbelief. 

My wolf snarled in frustration.

Eli quacked me, totally unaware of what was happening. “Hey, is anything wrong? You look a little pale.”

“Stay here,” I motioned with my hand as I hurried forward to meet Lucas.

“Hey, Birthday Boy.” He smiled but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed.

“Would you believe me if I said I came to wish you well?” He asked with a cocked brow.

“Try again.”

“Alright.” His smirk deepened. “Maybe I came because I knew this would piss you off.”

“Get out,” I growled.

“Can’t. Your parents invited me. It's all about politics, you know.” He leaned closer, reducing his voice to a whisper. “But you don’t look upset about politics. You look… scared.”

“Shut up,” I snapped. The pull between us was unbearable now. 

It felt as if the world was spinning around him now as my wolf kept howling uncontrollably in my head.

“What's wrong with you?” He frowned, probably noticing how I was struggling.

“Nothing,” I lied, but I was already shaking.

“You're not that good of a liar. Do you know that?” He took a step closer.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I had no idea when I grabbed him and dragged him out of the hall. I didn't even care about the stares people were shooting at us.

“Where the hell are we going?” Lucas demanded as I yanked him down a dark hallway and shoved him against a wall.

His scent hit me again, but this time it was stronger. It caused my wolf to roar. Mate. Ours.

“Stop looking at me like that.” Lucas said and took a step back.

“I can’t,” I choked out.

He froze. 

“What do you mean by that?”

I swallowed hard. “You… You’re my mate.”

His expression went blank. “What?”

“I can smell it. Feel it. You’re my mate, Lucas.”

“No. No way.” He burst into laughter after staring at me for a long while.

“I’m very serious.”

“Bullshit.” He pushed me against the wall, anger in his eyes. “You’re just messing with me, aren’t you? Trying to get in my head?”

I grabbed him and pulled him towards me so that he could feel it too. “Now tell me, does this feel like I'm joking?”

He sucked in a breath, and I saw the moment he felt it. 

His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. “No. This isn’t happening. It cannot be happening….. right?”

I let go of his hand and took a step away. “I wish it wasn't, Lucas.”

“But I'm straight.” He snapped.

“I am too. Or at least I was.”

We stood there in silence as reality washed over us. Lucas was my mate. Lucas Rayne. The boy I’d hated since I can remember.

Well, wasn't this a birthday surprise?