Chapter 1: Mate

**The timeline in this book begins from the second epilogue of The Pack’s Luna. This is the sixth book in The Pack series. It is highly recommended that you read the series from the beginning, starting with The Pack’s Doctor.**

Vivienne

It’s all I can do not to cry as I force myself to clap for Piper and her friends as they cross the stage.

‘Vivienne?’ Alpha Quirin asks in the mind link.

I don’t look at him and I shake my head just enough to tell him not to say anymore. I’m barely holding it together and if he says anything at all, I’ll burst into tears.

Why? Why now? Why did my mate have to be an Alpha? Why did he have to stop my rejection? I told him about my life. I told him I prostituted myself on the streets. No man, and definitely no Alpha, wants a woman like me.  

But he stopped me from rejecting him. He wants to talk after the ceremony. What the fuck am I supposed to do?

He’s sitting in the row behind us. His scent keeps drifting over to me, making my head spin. I can feel his power radiating off of him and feel his eyes boring into the back of my head.

Apparently, he’s Alpha Cyra’s cousin and he knows the larger group of Alphas who are here to support their family and friends that are graduating from the Warrior Academy. I’ve met Alphas Yorick and Cyra, I’ve met all of Luna Kennedy’s family and extended family, or so I thought. I hadn’t met Alpha Arman until today.

When the ceremony is finally over, I stand with Alpha Quirin and Luna Kennedy as Piper, Alpha Cyra, and Alpha Yorick come over to get their congratulatory hugs.

It takes every bit of experience I’ve had on the street not to shed a tear. On the street, men get off on making women cry, proving how much strength they have, and their power over us. I learned long ago not to cry, no matter what they did to me.

But I never cared about them. They meant nothing. I didn’t expect to find my mate and I certainly didn’t expect to find him here of all places.

What are the fucking odds?

I watch as Piper hugs our half-brothers, slowly making her way to me. When she turns, she smirks, obviously ready for me to give her my usually snarky comment.

Instead, when she wraps her arms around me, I hold on to her like she’s my lifeline.

It’s not the first time Piper has been this for me. After our father murdered my mother, he dragged me to his pack to live. He told me never to speak of what he’d done or that I was related to them because Piper and my half-brothers would hate me forever.

I never said a word, but as is Piper’s way, she still befriended me. When she found out several months ago that we are sisters, she was angry and hurt, but she forgave me for never telling her. I’m sure that’s why she’s mated to an Alpha. My sister has always been a passionate woman, fearless when it comes to protecting those she loves, and loving more deeply than anyone who was raised by our asshole of a father should be able to.

So, when she wraps her arms around me, surrounding me with her loving embrace, I can’t hold back any longer. The tears begin to fall, and Piper knows instantly that something is wrong.

“Vivienne, what is it?”

I shake my head and pull away from her, quickly brushing away my tears.

“Vivienne …” she begins.

“It’s okay, Piper. I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not,” she growls and looks around, trying to find a private space where we can talk. I’m ready to follow her and tell her what’s happened, but at that moment, one of the instructors calls for all the elite warriors to come back to the stage.

“Viv,” she says, looking torn.

“Go, Piper. This is what you’ve trained for,” I tell her.

She hugs me quickly. “I’ll be back and we’re going to talk,” she says, but I already know I’ll be gone by then. This is her weekend and I have to get back out on the streets.

Before that, I just need to get this Alpha to accept my rejection. It will make going back on the streets risky, because I’ll be weak, but it can’t be helped.

“Why are you crying?”

His deep, melodic accent sends waves of pleasure flowing through my body again.

DAMMIT!

I swipe away my tears and turn to face him.

“You wanted to talk, Alpha Arman. I don’t have much time. Hopefully, while we’ve been watching our family members graduate you’ve realized that there is only one decision to make about our mate bond.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Yes, I’ve done quite a bit of thinking while watching the cadets graduate and then watching the graduates accept their roles on the elite squads.”

“Good, then let’s get this over with,” I say, looking up at him.

Dear goddess above, did the angels weep when she created this man? He’s the most stunningly gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life.

“What are we getting over?” he asks.

“What?” I ask, frowning. What were we talking about?

“You said we needed to get this over with. What are we getting over?”

I shake my head, trying to clear the mate bond haze out of my mind so I can think.

“Right, our rejection. Did you want to go somewhere more private?” I ask.

“Yes. Why don’t we do that,” he says, putting his hand on my lower back and leading me outside.

‘Vivienne?’ Alpha Quirin’s voice floats into my head.

‘I’m okay, Alpha.’

“Let me know if you need me.’

‘Thank you,’ I say.

I know he means it, but I also know I won’t be asking for his help. As soon as this is done, I’m going to get in the car with Clarissa, bawl my eyes out, then throw myself back into saving these women.

As soon as we’re outside and I hear the door of the auditorium close behind us, I turn, ready to reject this man so he won’t be stuck with a woman like me. I’m not like Piper. I was never meant to be a Luna.

The moment I open my mouth, his mouth is on mine.

He growls, wrapping his arm around my waist and holding me against him as his free hand slides into my hair. His mouth is soft, but insistent. He expertly slides his tongue into my mouth and teases my tongue in a dance I never knew existed.

My experience with men, specifically with Alphas, has always been about dominance, I’m used to that. But Arman’s dominance isn’t about showing his power and control over me. He’s showing me that he wants me and he has no intention of letting me reject him.

I’ve never been kissed like this. I’ve never been kissed like the man kissing me could drown in me and die happy because he’s with me. The fragile barrier I’ve erected since Piper walked away breaks again and I cling to my mate, letting him lead this kiss, letting him show me what it feels like to be kissed by a man who wants me for more than my body.

When he pulls away, he leans his forehead against mine.

“Tell me one thing,” he says softly.

I nod as he gently wipes the tears from my cheek.

“What do you do for the Council?”

“I’m working to get women like me, women who are forced into a life they never wanted, off the streets,” I say.

He pulls back and looks at me, studying my face.

“How do you think that makes you unworthy of being a Luna?” he whispers.

I scoff and shake my head. “Lunas don’t prostitute themselves to survive.”

“What I know about Lunas, the good ones, is that they would risk their lives to protect those who are weaker than they are. I’d say you qualify for that, Vivienne. I won’t be accepting your rejection today or ever. I understand you have responsibilities, I do as well, but I want to get to know you. I want to hear more about what you’re doing. If the bruise on your face is any indication, it’s very dangerous. I want you to get to know me before you decide you don’t want me.”

“I never said I didn’t want you. I said you didn’t want me,” I whisper.

“You are wrong,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I believe the Moon Goddess sends us the person who is perfect for us. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting you, but I’m willing to take a leap of faith and trust our deity if you are.”

I shake my head and look into his startling blue eyes. “You’re crazy. Do you know that?”

“I know I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I’m not willing to just throw this away because it doesn’t fit the mold of what I expected. Give us some time, Vivienne. Give ME some time.”

“I think you’re making a mistake, but it’s your mistake to make,” I say.

“Yes, it is,” he says, pressing his lips to mine again and slowly deepening the kiss until I’m leaning against him, practically weeping with the sweetness of it.

When he pulls away, he kisses my nose.

“I believe your ride is here,” he says.

I turn my head and see Clarissa waiting for me with wide eyes.

“Yes. She’s part of my team.”

“How many are on your team?”

“Five, including me. Clarissa and I are the only two women.” I smile. “Piper chose my team, not trusting Alpha Quirin to choose them.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And Alpha Quirin accepted that?”

“Piper and Alpha Quirin and very similar in nature. It’s probably why I get along with her so well.”

“Do you have a phone?” he asks.

I pull it out of my back pocket.

“This is my number. Please use it - anytime, day or night,” he says, taking my phone and putting his number in it. When his phone buzzes, I realize he’s texted himself so he has my number too.

“Do me a favor,” he says, handing my phone back to me.

“What’s that?”

“Try not to get anymore bruises before you see me again.”