HER MATE

Ava's POV

The week passed in a blur of avoidance and awkward silences.

Adrian and I barely spoke. He spent most of his time with Sophia, showing her around the pack territory and introducing her to important pack members. I caught glimpses of them together, walking through the gardens, having lunch in his office, training in the gym. Always laughing, always touching.

The mate bond was getting stronger. I could see it in the way he looked at her.

I'd made up my mind to skip the gala entirely. The thought of watching them together all night was more than I could bear. But then Maya, Adrian's sister, had cornered me.

"Please come," she'd begged. "Aunt Catherine told me she invited you. If you don't go, Sophia wins completely. At least show her you're not running away with your tail between your legs."

"That's exactly what I'm doing though."

"Then stop. You're Ava freaking Morrison. You helped reorganize our entire pack structure. You single-handedly improved our relations with three neighboring packs. You're smart, capable, and beautiful. So what if you're not his fated mate? You're still amazing."

Her words stuck with me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I needed to go out with my head held high instead of hiding like I had something to be ashamed of.

 I asked Catherine if the invitation was still open. Her face lit up.

"Of course! Oh, we need to get you a dress. Something that will make Adrian's jaw drop."

The dress she chose was definitely that. Deep emerald green that brought out my eyes, with a neckline that was just this side of scandalous and a slit that went halfway up my thigh. I'd never worn anything so daring.

"I can't wear this. It's too much."

"It's perfect. Trust me."

The night of the gala, I spent two hours getting ready. Catherine had sent over a makeup artist and hairstylist who transformed me into someone I barely recognized. My dark hair was swept up in an elegant style with a few curls framing my face. My makeup was dramatic, smokey eyes and red lips.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw a confident, beautiful woman. Not the broken girl who'd been crying herself to sleep for the past week.

Catherine picked me up in her car, looking elegant in navy blue. "You look stunning."

"I feel ridiculous."

"You look like a Luna. His loss, remember that."

The gala was being held at the Alpha King's estate, a massive mansion that made Adrian's packhouse look like a cottage. Cars lined the circular driveway, expensive sports cars, luxury sedans, even a few Maybachs.

"Ready?" Catherine asked.

I took a deep breath. "As I'll ever be."

The moment we walked in, I felt eyes on me. Male wolves turned to stare, some even stopping mid-conversation. The dress was definitely working.

"See?" Catherine whispered. "You're the most beautiful woman here."

I didn't feel beautiful. I felt exposed. But I kept my chin up and smiled.

We were making our way through the crowd when someone grabbed my arm from behind. I turned to find Adrian glaring at me.

"What are you wearing?" His eyes raked over my dress, and not in a good way.

"A dress. Catherine picked it out."

"It's too revealing. Every unmated wolf in here is staring at you." His grip on my arm tightened. "Go home and change into something appropriate."

The possessiveness in his voice would have thrilled me a week ago. Now it just made me angry.

"You don't get to tell me what to wear anymore, Adrian. You made your choice."

"Alpha Adrian!" A distinguished-looking man called out. "We need your input on the border dispute."

Adrian looked torn. "Wait here. I'll have Jacob bring you a jacket."

He walked away before I could argue. I stood there fuming until Catherine returned with two champagne flutes.

"To new beginnings," she toasted.

I clinked my glass against hers and took a long sip. The alcohol burned going down, but it helped calm my nerves.

That's when I spotted them. Adrian and Sophia on the other side of the room, both dressed in matching navy blue. They looked like the perfect couple. Him, tall and commanding, her, delicate and beautiful. His hand rested possessively on her back.

"Don't look at them," Catherine advised. "Let's go mingle."

But I couldn't stop looking. Couldn't stop torturing myself with the image of what I'd lost.

Sophia caught me staring and said something to Adrian. He turned, his eyes finding mine across the room. For a moment, something flashed in his expression like regret? Longing maybe, but then Sophia pulled his attention back to her.

"I need some air." I handed Catherine my glass and headed for the balcony.

The cool night air was a relief after the stuffiness of the ballroom. I gripped the railing and tried to steady my breathing.

"Hiding already?" Sophia's voice made me stiffen. I turned to find her standing in the doorway, that same sweet smile on her face.

"Just getting some fresh air."

"Of course." She moved closer. "I wanted to thank you, actually."

"For what?"

"For taking such good care of Adrian while he waited for me. It must have been hard, knowing you were just a placeholder." Her voice was syrupy sweet, but her eyes were cold. "But don't worry. Now that I'm here, you can move on with a clear conscience."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on. You must have known this would happen eventually. Fated mates always find each other. What you and Adrian had was just... practice. For both of you."

My hands clenched into fists. "You don't know anything about what Adrian and I had."

"I know he's mine now. The mate bond is already so strong between us. When we're together, it's like the rest of the world disappears." She tilted her head. "Has he kissed you since we met? Held you? Made love to you?"

I couldn't answer because she already knew the truth.

"I didn't think so. The bond won't let him be with anyone else now. Not fully. So really, the kindest thing you can do is step aside and let him be happy with his true mate."

Before I could respond, she stumbled backward with a gasp, falling dramatically to the ground.

"What the…"

"Adrian!" Sophia's scream cut through the night air. Within seconds, Adrian was there, helping her up.

"What happened?" He demanded.

"I was just trying to talk to Ava, to tell her there were no hard feelings, but she got so angry." Sophia's eyes filled with tears. "She said I stole you from her and then she pushed me!"

"That's not…" I started, but Adrian cut me off.

"Is that true? Did you push her?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "You actually believe I would push her?"

"She's on the ground and you're the only other person here!" His voice rose, drawing attention from inside. People were gathering, watching the drama unfold.

My face burned with humiliation. This was my worst nightmare, being the center of attention, being accused of something I didn't do, having everyone see me as the villain.

"I didn't touch her," I said, but my voice came out weak.

"I've tried to be patient with you, Ava. I understand this situation is difficult. But Sophia is my mate and you need to accept that. Maybe it would be better if I just reject you as my chosen mate right now. End this confusion once and for all!"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I couldn't breathe. The crowd was watching, waiting to see what I would do.

I felt the panic attack coming, the tightness in my chest, the way the room started to spin. I had to get out of there.

I turned and ran, pushing through the crowd. Behind me, I heard Adrian calling my name, but I didn't stop.

I ran down the hallway, my heels clicking on the marble floor. Tears blurred my vision. I couldn't catch my breath.

I turned a corner and slammed into something solid.

Strong hands grabbed my arms to steady me. I looked up into the face of a stranger, a devastatingly handsome stranger with dark eyes and sharp features. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated power that made Adrian seem like a puppy in comparison.

And then the scent hit me. Sandalwood and rain, so intoxicating it made my head spin.

No. It couldn't be.

His eyes widened as he inhaled sharply, clearly scent-marking me too.

"Mate," he growled, his voice deep and commanding.

My mate. My fated mate was standing right in front of me.

And that's when my stomach decided to betray me completely. I barely had time to register what was happening before I was vomiting all over his undoubtedly expensive suit.