Three

I was at a loss for words. Everyone had their eyes on me, including my mother, who looked disappointed by my lack of enthusiasm. Just moments before, she had dropped the news of a ridiculous mate ball, a place where single she-wolves could find their mates. Suddenly, my brother returned with a mate in tow and a baby on the way. He broke the awkward silence by throwing his arms around me and spewing nonsense about how much he missed me. He didn't miss us much, considering he forgot to mention his mate and child. Now, our parents would be even more pushy for me to follow in his footsteps.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and gather my thoughts. I knew that I couldn't continue to feel resentful towards my brother, but I couldn't shake the feeling that his return would only add to the pressure I was already feeling. I decided to step back from the situation and focus on what I wanted. I knew I didn't want to be pushed into finding a mate at some silly ball, but I didn't want to disappoint my parents. I resolved to have an honest conversation with them about my feelings and to try and find a way to make them understand that I needed to make my own choices.

My mother's voice interrupted my thoughts, "What do you mean? Of course, you're happy your brother will be a father." I shrugged, "As long as you don't expect me to follow that lead. I'm not popping out babies anytime soon." Veronica looked shocked by my bluntness, but I couldn't help how I felt. My brother was crazy, and this girl seemed quite irritating. I wasn't sure we would get along. Suddenly, our father, the alpha, appeared, beaming from ear to ear. "What's going on here?" he asked. "Our darling son is back," my mother replied, hurrying to hug him. "Welcome home, son, and welcome to our pack, Grace," my father said, but how did he know her name? She bowed and smiled back, rubbing her pregnant belly happily. I watched as my sister cooed over the bump and rolled my eyes. Turning on my heel, I walked to the pack house. I wasn't in the mood for a run, so instead, I went to my room and bathed. They wouldn't miss me anyway.

Jax's loud knock on my door was unmistakable. His arms were crossed, and his eyebrows were raised as he greeted me with my childhood nickname, "What's up, my Hallie bear?" I couldn't help but laugh. Only Jax could get away with calling me that nowadays. Sensing my mood, he nodded sympathetically, "Oh, you haven't heard?" I replied. He pushed into my room and picked up a magazine, throwing himself onto my bed. "Where's Kels?" I questioned. It was rare to see them apart. He flicked through the pages of the magazine and replied, "Oh, she's gone off shopping with Natalia. I wasn't going to be their bag carrier today." I chuckled.

Jax had come to catch up with me. He reminded me that if he had the chance, he'd be gone too. "She's not all that bad," he said, referring to my mother's wishes for me to become a mate and have children. But I wasn't going to let her dictate my life. "No way is my mother going to push me to be some stupid mate and pop out all these brats. I have dreams to make a reality," I said with determination.

Jax and I had been best friends for as long as I could remember. We had always shared everything. Going away from this pack to train would be a massive deal, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Jax's visit was a welcome distraction, and we chatted and laughed like old times. But I was determined to make my dreams a reality, no matter what anyone else thought.

Then my father mind linked me out of nowhere to see him in his office.

“I better go see what he wants.” I sighed. Jax gave me a sympathetic smile and a pat on the shoulder.

I quickly got up from my bed and went to my father's office. As I walked through the halls of our packhouse, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that my father's mind link meant that he had something important to discuss with me, and I couldn't help but worry about what it might be. When I finally reached his office, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Come in," my father said. I opened the door and stepped inside, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I entered my father's office, I saw him sitting behind his desk, looking serious as ever. "Hallie, take a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. I sat down, trying to keep my nerves under control. "I just received a letter from the Alpha of the neighbouring pack," my father began. "They're requesting our presence tomorrow." I couldn't help but feel my heart skip a beat at the mention of the neighbouring pack. I knew that there was something important that they wanted to discuss. "Why?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation. "Hallie, they want you and their son to be chosen mates," my father said, his voice full of gravitas. As I heard his words, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was a moment that would change my life forever.

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What?" I asked, my voice trembling. "They want me and their son to be chosen mates?" My father nodded gravely. "Yes, Hallie," he said. "I know that this is a lot to take in, but it's an important decision that you'll have to make sooner rather than later. I want to make sure that you choose the right mate. Your brother is very happy with Grace. We want the same for you.” he said.

I took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the decision that lay before me. "I understand, Father," I said. "I'll think about it." But inside I was crying, screaming. How could he do this to me? I didn't want to cause a scene so I just said whatever to get away quicker.

“Good, well I have to go and greet our guests now,” he said referring to the neighbouring pack for the training tryouts. I didn't bother to say goodbye or any other word. I had no intention of attending any stupid ball or meeting. The training was my only goal. My own parents were not about to destroy that for me.