My Mate

Leona’s point of view

I hate parties.

I hate being around people, and today it is the worst because there’s a wedding in our pack, and as the pack doctor’s daughter, I will be attending, but it’s also my 18th birthday.

“Leona! If you are not down in five minutes, I will be dragging you there whether dressed or not!” My mother shouts from the hallway. God, does she even remember that today is my birthday?

For her, it’s always pack then family.

“Coming!” I shout, checking myself in the mirror. I have done a good job hiding the bruises on my face courtesy of the beta’s daughter, Faye, and her little minions.

The smoky eye makeup I’ve applied makes my golden eyes stand out more, and the red lipstick I’ve chosen makes my lips look fuller than they are.

“Let’s do this,” I murmur.

I know my wolf won’t respond, but either way, I try to link to her, hoping I might get a response. I know she is there; I feel her stir sometimes or hear her whimper sometimes, but I don’t understand why she won’t talk to me.

I run my hands over my curves and smile when I see how I look in my black silky slip-on dress with a high slit, then make my way out of the room.

“Finally!” Mom shouts when I come out of the room. She is wearing a black shimmering dress that hugs her curves so well, and her long hair is tied in a ponytail. The only hairstyle I have seen her wear since I can remember.

My little brother is also in a black tuxedo, while my dad is wearing a matching tuxedo with a black shirt inside.

“Here, baby. Happy birthday,” he says, coming closer to give me a little black and gold present bag.

“Thanks, Dad!” I say, hugging him, then he plants a kiss on my temple. “Of course, kiddo. Anything for you.”

He might not be my biological father, but he has treated me like I was his ever since he met me. And I wouldn’t have asked for a better dad.

“Let’s get going before we miss the marriage blessing!” My mother shouts, shoving a bag into my hands. I swap looks with my little brother Jaden, who is the spitting image of Dad. He gives me a knowing smile.

“I have never seen a doctor who loves parties like that woman,” I mutter under my breath, while Dad helps me put on my coat. I want to open my gifts, but trust Mom to rush everything so we can go to the party the alpha is hosting.

“Happy birthday, Big sis!” Jaden says, giving me a bag similar to Dad’s bag, and I smile at myself. I don’t know if they planned to get me the smile present bags, but either way, I love them.

“I will check them later,” I murmur, putting the bags on the table in the living room, then heading out of the house after Dad.

“Make sure when you get to the pack house, you check on your friend, okay?” Mom says while tucking her hands in her fur coat.

If by friend she means Faye, then I don’t plan to.

If anything, Faye isn’t my friend but my enemy, but I don’t bother telling her that. She always seems to assume everyone wants to be my friend because she is a pack doctor. If she knew what I had to endure because of that.

When we get to the pack house, Mom is already giving orders of what is expected of us and how excited she is about this entire party.

“Let’s see the luna before we head to the garden,” my mother suggests, and I just follow her behind.

But immediately I step into the pack house, a powerful scent of cinnamon and ginger hits my nostrils.

My mate.

He is here.

I feel goosebumps on my skin as I smile at myself. ‘He’s here,’ I tell my wolf, but she is quiet. I just feel her stir, and my heart throbs hard against my chest.

My body goes rigid, and I feel the hairs on my back rise as I glance up to the second floor.

“I will catch up with you guys. Okay?” I say, holding on tight to my clutch, then make my way towards the second floor, my feet dragging me towards the private rooms. I shouldn’t be here, but I can feel it. My mate is here.

My heart is pounding so hard as I walk towards one room. I exhale heavily as I stop in front of one room. The scent is getting stronger; I am sure my mate is behind this door.

I hold the doorknob and then push it open. But moans and grunts fill the room. The smell of sex and sweat is the first thing that fills my nostrils.

I look at the bed. There’s a girl who has her head buried in the bed. Bastian, the alpha’s son, is kneeling behind her, thrusting hard as she moans, and he has his head thrown back.

“Mate?” The words come out like a whisper as I look at Bastian, who snaps his eyes open, meeting mine, and he narrows his brows. A dark look in his eyes, and suddenly, I wish I hadn’t opened the door.

My heart drums in my chest; I can hear it in my ears. “I’m sorry… I’m…” I stutter, staggering back, my legs going numb.

No. No. Not now.

But just then, my legs give out, and I fall to the ground on the threshold.

“Oh, don’t stop, Bast.” Faye moans, and I gasp as Bastian continues thrusting into her. “Get the fuck out, Leona. You can see I am busy,” he growls as I gasp. Won’t stop? Even though—he knew.

He knew I was his mate. The gasp that leaves my lips can be heard from the hallway.

“Leona? What’s going on, sweetie?” Luna Kelly’s voice comes, but I sit there, tears blurring my vision as I watch my mate sleep with another woman on the bed.

“Oh, goddess Bastian!” She gasps behind me. Bastian jumps off the bed, grabbing his bed sheet.

“Leona? What’s going on?” She asks. I can hear the curiosity in her voice. I lower my head, then a whimper leaves my lips.

“Bastian!”

“Just get her the fuck out of here! Can I get some fucking privacy?” He growls; his voice is laced with anger and disgust.

“Is she your mate? Oh Bastian”

“She is not my fucking mate! Do you honestly believe I would ever mate something like that?” He growls, my heart sinking.

This entire time. He knew he was my mate. That’s why he has been treating me like his enemy for the last three years.

“Come on, Sweetie. Get dressed. We need to talk,” she throws the last sentence at him, while helping me to my feet, but they feel weak.

I don’t think I can walk.

She wraps her arms around my waist to steady me. My mate doesn’t want me. He hates me. I let it sink in even as I let Luna Kelly lead me.

“Leona? What’s wrong?” I hear my father’s voice. There’s a glint of fear in his eyes, a line forming on his forehead.

“He doesn’t want me, Dad. He hates me.” The words leave my lips, then the sobs that I have been choking back.

My mate doesn’t want me.

“He hates me.”

“Oh, baby!” He comes closer, and I throw myself in his arms. I am cursed. Unwanted.

That’s why my wolf doesn’t talk to me. Now my mate doesn’t want me.