The Wrong Mate

Cole POV

The sound of hockey skates cutting across ice echoed through the empty arena. It was sharp and violent.

I pushed harder, my chest burning as I chased the puck across the rink alone. Sweat slid down my neck under my training shirt, my wolf restless beneath my skin. I slammed the puck into the goal. The impact cracked through the silent arena.

Then I heard a deep mocking voice “Still practicing alone like a loser?”

Hearing that voice, my grip tightened around my hockey stick before I slowly looked toward the entrance.

Lucas leaned against the doorway with a mocking smile on his face. Two of his friends stood behind him, laughing quietly.

My stepbrother looked perfect as always. He always wore perfect clothes and had a perfect smile.

He always looked like the Perfect future Alpha. Everything my father wanted.

Lucas continued casually “You’ll tear your shoulder at this rate and then what? You’ll blame me again?”

I turned away from him and picked up another puck and said without any emotion “I don’t have time for this.”

Lucas walked onto the ice and said with a mocking smile “Father’s waiting.”

That made my jaw tighten. Of course, he was waiting. Father only called for me when he wanted to remind me that I wasn’t enough. Sometimes I wonder why I work so hard, only to get disappointed again. 

I shook my head and followed Lucas out of the rink silently.

The academy halls were crowded tonight because of the annual Blackthorne welcoming banquet. Rich heirs from powerful packs filled the halls wearing expensive suits and dresses while professors and investors watched proudly.

Everyone looked important here except me.

Lucas walked beside me confidently while students greeted him “Future Alpha Black.”

Another one called loudly “Lucas!”

The other guy said “Good game last week.”

Hearing their compliments, Lucas smiled proudly. Nobody looked at me twice.

We entered the private lounge upstairs and saw father standing near the window with a glass in his hand.

I knew he sensed my presence but Alpha Darius Black didn’t look at me immediately. That somehow felt worse.

He finally said without looking at me “You’re late.” 

I answered “I was training.”

Lucas sat down lazily on the couch and said with a mocking smile “Cole’s trying hard lately.”

Father ignored him and his eyes landed on me coldly and he said with a serious tone “The Moonlit Pack arrived today.”

Hearing it, I stiffened slightly. Every wolf in Blackthorne knew the moonlit pack and it's ruler, the Cross family.

They were rich, untouchable and dangerous.

Especially future alpha of the moonlit pack, Aiden Cross.

Captain of Crimson Claw’s hockey team. The academy’s golden boy and my worst enemy. Every omega wanted him and every alpha wanted to beat him but somehow he always won.

Father ordered “You’ll stay away from unnecessary conflict”.

Lucas smirked and remarked “That sounds difficult for Cole.”

I looked at him sharply and said with irritation “Shut up.”

Hearing it, Lucas laughed and father’s expression darkened instantly and he said with an angry voice “You dare speak to him like that?”

My wolf growled low inside me. There it was again. The difference between us. Father always took his side without hearing my side of the story. 

Lucas joked and Father laughed. I defended myself and suddenly I was disrespectful.

I ignored it and muttered “I’m going back downstairs.” 

I turned to leave but when I heard my father's cold voice, I stopped at the door “Cole!”

Father’s voice turned colder and he continued “You represent the Black family. Don’t embarrass us.”

Hearing his words, my fingers curled tightly. I always tried to do my best for his acknowledgement but he never praised me. I work hard in studies and sports but he never looks at me. He didn't care about achievements. He only cared about his reputation and his beloved family which excluded me. He only remembered that he had another son besides Lucas when he needed to present his happy family in front of everyone.

I walked out before my anger exploded.

…,.....,.........................

The music downstairs grew louder as students danced and laughed under glowing chandeliers. I hated these events. There were too many fake smiles and too many powerful families pretending they weren’t monsters.

I grabbed a drink from a table and stayed near the wall.

Then the room suddenly shifted and the air became heavier. The girls started whispering excitedly. Some guys straightened nervously.

I didn’t need to look up to know who entered.

I knew that jerk very well, Aiden Cross.

The crowd parted naturally for him. I looked at him and he was wearing a black shirt and silver rings.

He had dark eyes that looked bored with the entire world. Three guys walked behind him like loyal pets.

Girls practically melted around him and a blonde wrapped herself around his arm immediately.

I knew her. She was the school bell, Serena Vale. She was beautiful and popular. Every alpha wanted her. Lucas tried to date her but she rejected him because of this untouchable guy who looked at everyone like they were flies.

Aiden barely reacted to her touch. Serena said something to him but he didn't react at all. This guy was really untouchable. He didn't even glance at the school beauty. 

Then his eyes suddenly lifted and it was straight toward me. Looking at his black eyes, my body locked. His gaze was sharp enough to cut skin. 

Slowly, one corner of his mouth lifted. I hate that guy. He always looked at me like I was his entertainment. He always looked down on me just like my father. I gritted my teeth but I remembered my father's warning and I looked away first.

 My wolf growled violently. I narrowed my eyes. Something felt wrong.

I turned toward the drink table then the scent hit me. It was sweet and addictive.

My wolf growled “Mate.”

Realizing it, my entire body froze. The glass slipped slightly in my hand as my wolf slammed against my ribs. 

No way. I slowly turned and saw Serena standing only a few feet away, laughing with her friends.

The mate bond burned through me so hard my knees almost weakened.

My mate! Aiden Cross’s girlfriend was my fucking mate! 

My breathing became uneven then Serena noticed my staring and her smile faded instantly.

Then realization crossed her face and her eyes widened in horror.

She whispered “No,” 

A few nearby wolves turned toward us curiously.

I swallowed hard and tried to say “Serena,”

But she interrupted “Don’t.”

She stepped back quickly as I disgusted her. The room slowly quieted.

Aiden watched everything silently from across the hall.

Serena laughed suddenly. She had a beautiful smile but at that time her laughter became cruel.

She murmured “You’re joking, right? Him?”

Hearing it,my chest tightened.

One of her friends covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Everyone whispered, and my face became red in embarrassment.

Serena looked directly at me and said “I’d rather die than be mates with you.”

The words hit harder than punches.

People started whispering “Oh my god!”

Another one said “That’s brutal.”

Someone said with a confused voice “Cole Black?”

Another person said “No way.”

Heat rushed into my face and my wolf howled painfully inside me.

Serena stepped closer, she looked at me with disgusted eyes and said “You think I’d choose some pathetic unwanted Alpha over Aiden Cross?”

Laughter broke around us. Every sound felt like claws tearing into my skin.

I looked toward Aiden. He leaned casually against the wall, watching me with a smirk. 

Seeing his smirked face, something inside me snapped. The pressure exploded from my body violently. The marble floor beneath my feet split apart and several students gasped in fear. Silence crashed through the hall.

My breathing turned ragged and my vision blurred red.

Even Serena stumbled backward.

Then Aiden slowly pushed himself off the wall. His dark eyes locked onto mine and he smiled wider.

Like he finally found something interesting.

My wolf snarled. For the first time in my life, I wanted to destroy someone.

And his name was Aiden Cross. 

I left without looking at anyone. I knew my father would be angry with me because of it but right now I didn't care. I couldn't tolerate seeing that jerk’s face anymore.

……………………………..……...…….

Later that night, I slammed my locker shut hard enough to dent the metal.

The hockey locker room was empty except for me. I didn’t want anyone to see my condition either.

I gripped the sink tightly and stared at my reflection.

Humiliation still burned through my chest.

My mate looked at me like I was trash. I remembered her rejection, everyone’s laughter and my humiliation in front of the entire academy.

I knew she only liked Aiden Cross. After all, she was his girlfriend. I knew she would reject me but she insulted me in front of the whole academy. I didn't think that. It's all because of that jerk. He always tried to mess with my life. And why did the moon goddess choose his girlfriend as my mate? What did I do to deserve this? 

I closed my eyes and suddenly the locker room door opened. I didn't open my eyes but heard heavy footsteps echoing slowly.

I already knew who it was. After all, he was my rival and my enemy. And now, because of him, my mate rejected me. 

I opened my eyes and saw Aiden Cross through the mirror. He stood there casually with one hand in his pocket like he owned every room he walked into.

I asked with a cold voice “You came to laugh too?” 

Aiden tilted his head slightly and said with a teasing voice “You almost lost control out there.”

I couldn't tolerate him. Why does he always bother me? He always acts untouchable. He never gave attention to anyone but he always teased me with his infuriating smirk.

I gritted my teeth and said “Get out.”

Instead of leaving, he stepped closer and my wolf immediately reacted. He was angry and alert.

Aiden stopped directly in front of me. He was too close.

He murmured and his eyes slid over my face slowly “You know, you look prettier when you are angry.”

Hearing it, anger appeared on my face and before I stopped myself, I punched him. His head snapped sideways and blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Then I looked at him with a shocked expression. What the hell did I do? My father warned me not to fight with this person and I promised myself that I would ignore this guy. But when he came close to me, I couldn't control my emotions. I wanted to beat him senseless. 

Then Aiden chuckled. It was not a fake smile he gave to his classmates, friends and girlfriend. But it was a low, deep chuckle.

He wiped blood from his lip with his thumb and looked at it, then back at me and murmured “Interesting.”

My chest rose heavily and I said with gritted teeth “Stay away from me.”

Aiden stepped closer instead and he whispered “So violent.” 

And then suddenly my back hit the lockers and his hand suddenly slammed beside my head, caging me in. Every instinct in my body screamed danger.

He asked with his low, deep voice “You hate me that much?” 

I answered without hesitation “Yes.”

His eyes darkened and he murmured “Good.”

Then he leaned closer enough for me to feel his breath near my ear and he continued with his deep, low voice “Because I’m going to enjoy ruining you.”

Hearing it, my pulse stopped and a shiver ran down my spine. Is it fear, excitement or something else? I didn't know. 

The locker room door suddenly opened again.

One of Aiden’s friends appeared and he said “The meeting starts at ten.”

Aiden slowly stepped back but his eyes never left mine then he tossed something onto the bench beside me.

I glanced at it and it was a black envelope sealed with silver wax.

I narrowed my eyes but before I asked anything, I heard his deep voice “You’ve been invited, Black.”

Hearing it, my stomach tightened. I knew Cross had a secret society. And in there, his loyal followers did whatever their master asked them to do, no matter what it was. But why did he give me this invitation?

Looking at my confused expression, Aiden smirked and said “Try not to disappoint us.”

Then he walked away, leaving me staring at the envelope. I took it with shaking hands and looked at the stamp across the seal. It was a silver wolf head which symbolized the Cross family and there was a name written in block letters “OBSIDIAN CIRCLE”.