ALPHA REJECTION
As beautiful and desirable as Jenna is, she cannot be my mate. I break eye contact and turn to dismiss the crowd, determined to keep my distance from Jenna. 
As the crowds disperse, I begin to move towards the building, abandoned thousands of years ago by humans, a place that has become home. 
A shadow falls into step beside me, and I turn to regard them. It's my beta. 
Years older and more experienced, the beta had taught me all that I had needed to know after my father had been brutally killed in war. Even though he's my beta, I look up to him more than I'd care to admit. 
“The last thing I expected today was the announcement of a feast. I didn't know we had something to celebrate.”
“It will be a small one,” I say, after I quickly turn. I am almost in my bedroom now, I have never been a prude, and I don't care that I am in the company of another, even though there's not a stitch of clothing on me. I move towards my wardrobe to make a selection, noting the dwindling collection in my closet. 
I really need to learn to shrug off my clothes before I turn, like the others do. 
“What shall we celebrate?” He asks, his eyes filled with curiosity. 
“The announcement of my mate,” I say, avoiding the wise eyes of my beta, a little afraid that if I were to make eye contact, he'd read the truth in them.
“Your mate? Have you found her?” He asks, his voice tinged with excitement. 
“No.” I growl. I hate that I have to lie to my beta about this. But it's for the best. I am doing this for the pack. 
“Tonight, I, chose Violet as my mate