She’s Mine

Brie's POV

"Thank you for the ride, beta Eli. Bye, Brie." Silvie says as she closes the door behind her and smiles.

"Bye. See you tomorrow at my house. We'll pick up our dresses together, ok?" I said, making her smile.

"Ok. See you," she says, and Eli drives away.

The rest of the ride was awkward.

I tried not to blush, but I could feel Eli's eyes on me the whole ride home. Eli kept his eyes on me, making me nervous.

"So tell me, how was your day? Ready for the big day tomorrow?" he asks, making me look at him with a smile.

"I am. I'm excited for my brothers." I say, making him smile. My brothers, who by now, if you haven't figured it out, are Xavier and Alexander. We are triplets. I'm the only girl of the three.

I also have another little brother, Brandon, who is three years younger than I am. He's a big momma boy. He should have been in the ninth grade, but he's incredibly smart, and our school bores him, so he's been homeschooling since he was ten. This year, he'll be leaving for Princeton. He was accepted two months ago. He was named after my uncle, Brandon, my mom's brother, the alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.

"You know what I'm excited about? I'm excited to leave. I'm looking forward to joining Grandpa for school. I haven't seen him in over a year."I said, feeling a sudden change in Eli.

He tightened his hold on the steering wheel. "So you're really leaving?"

"Yeah. I'm taking over Dannelly's enterprise, so I must study hard and graduate soon. I don't want to let Dad down." I say, smiling.

Eli suddenly pulls the car over and grunts. " Are you... ok, Eli?" I ask, feeling concerned.

"Brie, what if... You found your mate tomorrow? You're turning eighteen and'll have higher chances of finding your mate. What if he's at the party or right before you now? What about him?"

I chuckled in disbelief. "I guess I haven't thought about it. If he truly loves me, he could wait for me, right? I won't hook up with anyone out there if I find him. I know what I want. And if he's faithful, I must tell him that the mating bond is also important to me. Eli, I want what Mom and Dad have. I want a pure, beautiful, romantic bond like my parents'. Sure, we might have differences now and then, but I will make sure he knows that he will be my forever."

Before I could keep going, Eli pulled me by the back of my head and kissed me. His lips were warm and sweet, and they felt so right; it made me feel guilty. But somehow, I couldn't find myself to pull away.

I placed my hand on his chest. His heartbeat was fast, making butterflies awaken in my stomach. His lips slowly tucked into my bottom lip, pulling it in for a more intimate kiss and making me close my eyes.

"Eli, wait," I whispered as I pulled away. I pressed my forehead against him, feeling my heart beating profusely. "I can't do this. I'm sorry." I whispered, making him sigh. I could feel him shut his eyes, his fingers interlaced in my hair.

"I'm going crazy, Brie. I can't take any more of this. I need you. You're driving me crazy."

"Eli... no. What about your mate? You can't... I can't!" I said as I pulled away.

Did I want him? Yes... Oh, goddess, I. Did! But... our mates. It's not fair for them.

"Brie, listen... I'm your-"

"No, Eli. This isn't right. You and I... It cannot happen. You will find your mate sooner or later, Eli. And I can't do this to her." I snarled as I felt a tear fall.

"No, Brie, you don't understand. You're -"

"No, Eli. Thank you for the ride, but I'll walk from here," I said as I exited the car and slammed the door.

"Brie, wait. Listen," he calls out as he gets out of the car.

My head is spinning. How could I let him kiss me? That was my first kiss. It was meant for my mate. Yet... it felt so good that the guilt ate at me.

I dropped my backpack on the floor and took off running, not leaving him a chance to continue. I need to stay away from him until I can face him again.

(a few weeks later)

I finally graduated. It's been hard these past few days, I won't lie. At the party, Eli looked for me constantly and tried to talk to me—probably to apologize, but I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. My brother's ceremony was impressive, though. It was emotional and exciting.

A few days after the ceremony, Eli finally gave me space. He's avoided me, confining himself to his office with work. My brothers tell me Eli is usually the last to leave at night. And when training, he's been very aggressive with the other members. I don't know why, but I feel so guilty. I can't help but think of that kiss.

I finally turn eighteen today, and my parents are throwing a grand party. There are so many packs coming to celebrate.

My wolf, Sienna, has been very anxious.

"What's wrong with you? Sienna, you act like you haven't had a good run in years." I say, making her whimper.

"He's here, Brie. Our mate, he's getting closer," she says, widening my eyes. I suddenly felt nervous. I wasn't expecting this. I mean, Eli is two years older and hasn't found his mate. Other members are nearly ten years older and haven't found their mate. Could this be true? Is my mate really here?

This only means one thing... he's probably from a visiting pack.

I smiled as I shockingly applied a thin layer of lip gloss. I took one last look in the mirror, trying to calm my nerves.

I wore a simple gown made by my mom's friend, Mila. She's a famous designer who is known worldwide. My dress was simple but elegant. I wore a long mermaid-style gown in a blush pink color. The top was sleeveless, with a low back. I left my hair down in loose curls and applied light makeup.

I hurriedly put on my stilettos, running my nervous palms on the side of my dress as I stood up.

"Then I guess... we shouldn't make him wait. I hope... he's not disappointed in or rejects us." I said, making Sienna whimper.

Let's be honest. So many werewolves are hoping to find their mates, yet others who find their mates only end up rejecting them because they don't like who our moon goddess has destined them to be with.

Ironic, isn't it?

I walked down the spiraled steps slowly, with my head held high, hiding my nervousness. "What if he doesn't want me? What if he already has a mate? I mean, it's possible if he's older... he could have settled for a chosen mate, right?" I thought to myself, making Sienna growl.

"Stop it, Brie. Don't jinx us. I know he will want us. I just know it," she says, lacing her voice with hope.

I felt a warm breeze coming, and with it, the scent of Sandalwood and Citrus hit me, awakening something inside me.

My eyes darkened, and I looked toward the busy floor. The room was filled with hundreds of guests, celebrating the Dannelly triplets' birthday and coming of age.

But all my eyes could do was stare at those piercing eyes that looked back at me.

My eyes widened as I saw my mate.

His dominant aura radiated fiercely, and he knew... I knew...

We were mates.

My mouth gasped in shock as I made my way down the last step, where he stood waiting for me.

He towered over me, easily by a foot. But I could tell his posture apart even in this busy room. "Mate?" I asked, slowly tugging the right side of his lips into a smirk.

"Mate!" he whispered as his eyes darkened.

My eyes looked at him in shock.

Sienna wasn't helping either; she was so happy jumping up and down, cheering and laughing happily that I couldn't hear my thoughts.

All I could do was stare dumbfoundedly at my mate.

"Eli... you're my—"

"Mate," he says, wrapping his hand around my waist possessively and pulling me against him, causing my eyes to widen in shock as I gasp.

"My... mate!" he says in a deep, demanding tone.