I am the Unwanted Mate

I used a towel to dry my hair a bit as I stood in front of the mirror after my shower. Football was my love, my passion. But sweaty jerseys were something I just couldn't handle, and I had to take a shower after every game. I was a clean freak like that. I gelled my hair into the perfect spike, sprayed on some cologne that drove all the girls crazy, and pulled on a simple v-neck shirt that showed off my toned chest. I was getting ready to head out when my phone pinged with a message. Initially, I ignored it, assuming it was some girl I had been with before, asking to come over. But this time, I decided to check, just in case she had sent nudes. To my surprise, it wasn't from a girl. It was my best friend Thiago, informing me about a party. I sighed and slipped my phone into my pocket. Despite the exchange with Thiago, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this party was going to be a drag. But hey, a party was a party, and there was always a chance of meeting new people. Maybe there would be some attractive girls there, even if I wasn't planning on hooking up with them again. I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, leaving behind my thoughts of one-night stands and focusing on the evening ahead. Deep down, beneath my carefree and promiscuous exterior, there was a part of me that craved genuine connections. Maybe this party would surprise me and offer something more than just another conquest. I playfully sent him an insult and shook my head in amusement. That's what best friends do—insult and tease each other mercilessly. But when someone else tried to say anything negative to either of us, we would go all ballistic and defensive. It was a dynamic we had perfected over the years. Thiago had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. We were inseparable even as kids, always causing mischief and pushing each other's limits. We were like the Alpha and Beta, working together to run the pack in the best way possible. I opened my bedside drawer and grabbed a few condoms, tucking them securely into my jeans. Picking up my phone, I grinned at myself. I had a party to attend, and who knows what the night had in store for me. °•°•°•° "So, are you officially turning into a nun now?" Thiago, the witty bastard, said as he slid onto a chair next to mine. I rolled my eyes and playfully flipped him off. "Just because I haven't found a cute butt to grind into yet doesn't mean I won't." "Yeah, right. All you've done since you got here is drink and stare into space," he remarked, raising an eyebrow. I took a sip of my third beer, contemplating his words. He had a point. I hadn't even made an effort to flirt with anyone yet. When I arrived at the party, my intentions were clear—get laid. But now I found myself brooding in a corner, as if my favorite bitch had died or something. "I don't know, man. My wolf is feeling off tonight," I confessed honestly. My wolf, Carson, was never thrilled at the idea of me hooking up with random people. To him, it felt like infidelity to a future mate and all that sentimental stuff, but I didn't care. Today, however, something was different. Instead of incessantly whining about not having a mate, Carson seemed restless and eager, searching for something. God knows what was wrong with him. It was as if he sensed something in the air, some hidden scent that piqued his curiosity. But what it was, I couldn't say. I shrugged off the peculiar feeling and took another sip of my beer. Tonight was about letting loose, enjoying the party, and who knows, maybe even finding someone worth breaking my one-night stand rule for. Thiago had a momentary concerned expression on his face, which quickly transformed into a teasing one. But before he could say anything, his name was called from behind, and he turned to look. A girl wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering something seductive into his ear. Thiago immediately smirked and gave me a triumphant look. I rolled my eyes. This was definitely the girl he was going to hook up with tonight. She fit his usual type perfectly—curved ass and perky boobs. We often went for the same kind of girls, but the difference was that I preferred tall girls while he preferred shorter ones.

Virgin girls were not my thing, though. Not at all. I had been with a few before, and they were nothing but high maintenance. "Taking care" of a girl whom I wouldn't see after the night was not my idea of a good time. Call me a jerk if you want. I don't care. "Okay, seriously, Carson, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked my wolf, who had started howling inside my head. "Mate," Carson replied, panting. I mentally rolled my eyes. "Can you stop obsessing over your imaginary mate for a while, Carson? We don't have one. So chill out." I had turned 18 just last month, and my dad threw a massive party to celebrate the fact that the new beta had come of age. The purpose of the party was simple—just like every other parent out there, my dad wanted me to find my mate. He invited the entire pack and some important people from neighboring packs as well. Everyone expected me to find my mate that night. But I didn't. No big deal, though. I was actually kind of glad about it. Mates meant commitment, and I wasn't looking for that right now. Commitment scared me. And as someone who had never been in a relationship, I didn't want to start now. I was too young, anyway. I wanted to enjoy my life as it was right now. My mate could wait. "You disgust me!" Carson scoffed in my brain. "I don't care about what you think," I replied, dismissing his opinion. "I can kind of sense her here. Get your lazy ass up from this spot and get moving. Let's explore this place and try to catch a whiff of her scent." I rolled my eyes at my wolf's persistence but obliged anyway. I didn't want him whining about it later. He would learn his lesson when we returned mateless, anyway. As I walked around the house, something surprising happened—I didn't look at or flirt with other girls. Maybe I was intrigued too. Could my mate really be here? The possibility lingered in my mind as I continued to explore, eager to uncover any signs that might lead me to her. I was nearing the dance area when suddenly everything went dark. The room filled with groans of annoyance as the power went out. A power cut was unusual, but not unheard of. I knew the generators would kick in soon and restore the light. As I sighed, anticipating the return of the lights, I felt a sudden collision with another body. "Owwww!" I hissed, rubbing my arm where the impact had landed. "Watch out!" I cursed at the person, but my annoyance was met with a soft apology. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry-" she began, but her voice trailed off as her skin brushed against mine. In that instant, I felt a surge of electricity, as if sparks were igniting in my arm. My eyes widened, and a sense of recognition and excitement coursed through me. Could it be? Had I found my mate? Holy mother of Jesus... In the darkness, her hand reached out, tenderly touching my face. I inhaled sharply, feeling the tingles spread from my face to my toes. I couldn't deny the pleasure I felt from her touch. But just as I was about to speak, the lights flickered back on, illuminating her face. "YOU?" I bellowed angrily, pushing her away from me. She gasped, falling to the ground in shock, clearly not expecting my reaction. Regret was absent from my emotions. She deserved my anger. "KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME, YOU BITCH!" I spat at her, my voice dripping with disgust. She remained stunned, her gaze fixed on the ground as I cast her a final disgusted glance and walked away. To hell with being mates.

Quinnie As cliché as it may sound, I despise parties, especially the ones involving my parents and relatives. Because I know exactly what's going to happen when relatives are present. But turning down a party offer on your own birthday isn't really an option... Fuck my life. "Oh my god! Quinnie! Is that you, honey? Holly Molly! It's been so long!" Aunt Hannah exclaimed, enveloping me in one of her bone-crushing hugs. Awww, here we go, the affectionate displays. "You've grown up so much!" She gushed once again. What the hell are you talking about, woman? You literally saw me just last week. The only things that have grown in that time are my armpit hair and a slight mustache. You see, I'm a brunette. So, my facial hair doesn't naturally blend with my skin. And being a werewolf, I have the delightful ability to grow body hair at an accelerated rate, which annoys me to no end. Sometimes I wonder if my wolf ever gets jealous of the amount of hair on my skin... "So, where is your mate?" She asked, scanning the room. She knows I haven't found my mate, but she still likes to ask every time. Just to rub it in. This little B for Bitch. "Haven't found one yet," I whispered softly, the disappointment and sadness evident in my tone. I've always longed to find my mate. After hearing those dreamy stories about mates, witnessing the unbreakable bond between my parents, and seeing my school friends fall in love so effortlessly, it's hard not to hope. And I was hopeful. I know my mate will love me, and I will love him. That's what mates are supposed to be like, right? Right? ... I excused myself to get a drink, needing a momentary escape from Aunt Hannah's irritating questions. Don't get me wrong, she's not a terrible person. But she's far too proud of herself and her family. Her son holds a prominent position in the pack army, and her daughter has ventured out of state for her studies. Perfect, isn't it? Well, at least that's what she believes. In reality, her son is running an underground gang within the pack, and her daughter is too caught up in the streets of New York, getting high. Anyway... As I approached the drinks table, I opted for a simple glass of lemonade today, even though it's my 18th birthday. While most people would get wasted on this day, I couldn't be less interested. I'd rather stay sober and cherish the memories than get drunk and pass out. Not that I anticipate anything memorable happening anyway. Just a few steps away from the bar, the lights suddenly went out. I heard groans and shook my head, trying to find my way out. Unintentionally, I bumped into someone, and they let out a hiss. Judging by their strength, it was clearly a man. Also, when I collided with "the person," I felt a solid, iron chest instead of, you know, uh... breasts. So, it's a guy. Well, unless the girl is as flat-chested as me, then perfect! I've found my soul sister! He hissed at me, and embarrassment immediately painted my cheeks crimson. "Oh my god! I'm so sor—" I gasped as our hands touched, leaving me at a loss for words. Sparks. Sparks like never before erupted throughout my body, and I felt my wolf stirring within me. I've just turned 18, so my wolf hasn't come to me yet. I haven't even shifted. But within a fortnight of turning 18, you experience your first shift. I shook my head, dismissing these unnecessary thoughts, and decided to savor this moment. I've found my mate! Finally! Instinctively, my hand reached out to touch his face. I was already yearning to feel those tingles once more. When our skin made contact again, he inhaled sharply. And so did I. My fingers gently caressed his cheek, relishing the sensation of his rough stubble. I yearned to see his face so desperately. Why did the lights have to go off at this moment? As I leaned in, attempting to make out his features, the lights suddenly flickered back on, and a part of me felt relieved. I raised my gaze to meet the warm eyes of my mate, hoping to find love reflected in them. I longed for the same affectionate look I had witnessed my father give my mother throughout their lives. But did I receive it? No. Instead, all I encountered was an icy glare and a disdainful snark from someone I had known my entire life. "YOU?" he bellowed in anger, his Beta voice echoing through the hall. I yearned to say something, to inquire what was wrong. I wanted to declare that I was his mate and that I would love him eternally. Yet, he never allowed me the opportunity to do so. With a forceful push, he sent me tumbling backward. I landed on the ground, sitting on my rear, my eyes fixed on him in a state of shock and bewilderment. His hands curled into fists as he continued to glare at me. "KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME, BITCH!" he spat before storming away. The flicker of connection I had felt with my wolf in the beginning had vanished entirely, replaced by an overwhelming sense of agony and loss.

After lying there in shock for a few more moments, I mustered the strength to get up and hurried to my room. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, sliding down to the floor. As the reality of the situation began to sink in, a strange pain in my chest intensified. Soon, it became unbearable. It felt as if someone was relentlessly stabbing my chest while I screamed at them to stop. I tightly shut my eyes, threw my head back, and let out a scream. Tears welled up and streamed down my face, one after another, until my visage was a complete mess of water and salt. Suddenly, my entire body grew heavy and weary. My heart ached to the point where I thought stabbing it would be less painful. I sniffled and whimpered, slumping further onto the floor. I lay there with my head resting on the cool marble for a considerable while, contemplating the events of the day. So much for wishing for a mate, right? So much for daring to hope? I suppose that's how fate operates, then. Happy birthday to me. ... The next day was school. Of course. It feels like this world has some sort of grudge against me. First, my mate rejects me. Second, I can't feel my wolf, which makes me question whether I'll even shift in a fortnight or not. And third, my best friend isn't at school. Julie Paxton, also known as the energy ball of the school and my closest friend, wasn't going to be here today. She texted me this morning, saying she had to urgently leave for Mexico to visit her grandma. Honestly, the fact that she isn't here is really getting on my nerves. Yeah, she's Latina. Another reason why she's as energetic as HELL. And absolutely feisty. Unlike me, she's gorgeous, and her accent is everything! Her mate will be so lucky to have her. Well, unlike mine... I shook my head, trying to shake off those thoughts. I still haven't told her about what happened on my birthday. And this damn pain in my chest just won't go away. Letting out a sigh, I slammed my locker shut. I refuse to think about him. He clearly doesn't care about me, so why should I care about him? Hugging my books to my chest, I walked with my gaze fixed on the floor. I didn't want to look up. If I do, I might catch a glimpse of him, and I don't want to see him. I don't want to see him because I know if I do, I'll break down in tears. Ugh, why am I so weak? I thought to myself when suddenly someone's arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me into yet another embrace. Damn, so many unexpected hugs. I turned around to find my other best friend, Jaxson Hastings, standing there with a grin on his face. Jaxson, also known as... Wait, he's not known as anything. He's just ordinary like me. Yay for us! "Jax!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around his neck and squeezing him tightly. "Whoa!" He whispered, but he hugged me back nonetheless. "Where were you this morning? I checked your locker, but you weren't there," I muttered, my voice muffled by his shirt. He began to respond, but his words were interrupted by a loud growl that emanated from behind me. Fear sent shivers down my spine. The growl carried authority. I immediately turned around to see Nicholas, looking furious with his black eyes and clenched fists, watching us. His gaze focused on Jax's arm around my waist, and he growled again when Jax pulled me closer, as if protecting me. At his second growl, I quickly untangled myself from Jax's embrace and stood there awkwardly. I didn't want to cause a scene. Nicholas's expression shifted into one of satisfaction as he noticed the distance between me and Jax. Soon, his eyes returned to their normal color. With one last menacing glare in our direction, he walked away as if nothing had happened. My jaw dropped at his behavior, and I gasped. Okay, what the hell just happened?

Quinnie I tugged Jaxson along with me as we headed to our next class after that embarrassing encounter with the Blockhead. Yeah, I called him that. Because that's exactly what he is. A Blockhead with a capital B. My mind involuntarily drifted back to the party, and a pang of heartache surged through me as I thought about him and how he pushed me away. I thought mates were supposed to love each other... Shaking my head, I tried to focus my attention on the thermodynamics problem in front of me. "Okay, so when the standard value of the equilibrium constant is positive... The standard Gibbs free energy becomes negative because it is -2.303RTlogK-" "Pssssshhh, Quinn," someone nudged me from behind, and I brushed him off, knowing it was Jax. I resumed working on the problem at hand when he poked me again, this time with a pencil. I glanced back at him and hissed, gesturing for him to be quiet. He jutted out his bottom lip and gave me a puppy dog look. I wanted to burst into laughter, but I settled on giving him a stern look. He widened his eyes, and they started to dramatically glisten. I snorted. What a drama queen. Ignoring his antics, I continued working on my question paper when a slip of paper landed on my leg, causing me to gasp. Did he just pass me a cheat sheet? Doesn't he realize we have a test going on? What if someone saw this? Panicking, I decided to pick up the paper and throw it away, but it was too late. My teacher snatched it away from my lap. Pray to the holy mother of macaroons. I screeched and leaped to retrieve it, but he raised his hand, and, well, my 5'6 height was no match for my teacher's towering 6'3 frame. Seriously, 6'3? Did he inhale steroids or something? Eventually, I gave up my futile attempts to reach for the paper and huffed in frustration. He smirked triumphantly at me. "Well, well, well," he said. "Looks like Ms. Ackerman has something interesting for all of us." He opened the paper and cleared his throat. No, he wouldn't... "Dear Quinn, I know you're upset with me for rejecting you last night. But you need to understand, baby, the neighbors have started complaining. They say they can't handle the noise anymore. Our love must be too loud for this world, honey. I promise you, I'll find a world that accepts us and our loudness, just as we are. Until then, please forgive me. Yours truly, Caspar the Friendly Ghost." My eyes widened, and a deep blush spread across my cheeks as I read the contents of the note. Oh god. "Hmmm," the teacher remarked, "looks like a love letter to me. You may proceed to take your exam." He turned to me, an amused glimmer in his eyes and a mock frown on his face. "And Ms. Ackerman, I would advise you to save your lover's quarrels outside my class. I mean, I know this is a chemistry class, but this is taking it a bit too far." Needless to say, I received a detention slip as well. Fuck my life. ... "Awwww, come on! Don't be like that!" Jax whined, but I continued to ignore him and briskly walked out of the room. He jogged, almost ran, to keep up with me, and I couldn't help but smirk internally. You see, Jax is human, and being a werewolf, I'm much faster than him. "Hey! S-Stop!" He pleaded, panting as he caught up with me. "Why are you so angry with me?" I came to an abrupt halt, seething with frustration. "What do you mean? Why am I mad? How can you expect me not to be mad, huh? I have EVERY RIGHT to be mad at you!" I snapped. "You caused a scene out there! What was the need for that, huh? Do you realize how embarrassed I was? That note sounded so inappropriate. And not everyone out there probably thinks I'm some sort of sex-starved slut!" I finished my tirade, breathing heavily, and looked up. Jax's face had paled, and he wore an expression of hurt. Regret washed over me instantaneously. He hung his head low and mumbled, "I'm sorry, Quinn..." My eyes softened, and I opened my mouth to say something, but he stopped me. "It's just that..." He started, kicking a stone along the path with his foot, his head still down. "You weren't acting like yourself today. You looked so sad. I didn't... I didn't like seeing you that way. I-I'm sorry for what I did. I just wanted to make you laugh. And... and I thought it would be good-" I cut him off with a tight hug, wrapping my arms around his torso and burying my face in his chest. "Shhhh," I comforted. "Don't say anything more. Quinn loves you!" He stood frozen for a second before relaxing and reciprocating the embrace, wrapping his arms around me too. Chuckling softly, he said, "I know, Quinn-Bear. Jax loves you too." He kissed the top of my head, and I closed my eyes, a smile spreading across my face. ... Detentions can't be that bad, right? Well, that's what I thought as I entered the room. But then I saw the blockhead sitting there too. At first, my stomach fluttered at the sight of him, and I scolded myself for reacting to his presence so strongly. However, when I looked around, I realized he wasn't alone after all. His arm was wrapped around a blonde who was practically sucking his neck off. My heart stopped, and the once-fluttering butterflies felt like they died a merciless death. The excitement I had felt earlier turned into a deep sense of hurt when I saw him with her. My stomach dropped, and a profound pain filled my chest. The wolf I could no longer feel suddenly howled in agony inside me, and I felt numb. For some reason, I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. This morning, I had cursed him and despised him with all my might. And now, here I was, feeling hurt and envious of him. How ironic, huh? He must have noticed my presence because he lifted his head and smirked. I ignored him, refusing to dwell on how devilishly gorgeous that smirk was, and looked away. The last thing I wanted was to make him think I was jealous. Because I wasn't. I was just territorial. He's my mate, and I have every right to feel that way. But whatever. Screw it. And how were the teachers allowing them to engage in such behavior during class anyway? Oh, right. There was no teacher in detention. Yay, high school. They were occupying the last row, so I decided to sit in the front row. The farther, the better. Even though I hated sitting in the front. It made me feel like everyone at the back was staring at me, and that always creeped me out. I was about to take my seat when the classroom door swung open, and the great Jaxson walked in with a triumphant look on his face. "GUESS WHO'S GONNA KEEP YOU COMPANY, Quinn-BEAR?" He exclaimed with excitement and hugged me tightly. Only he could be happy about getting detention, I thought, laughing. I hugged him back, momentarily feeling a sense of happiness before a loud growl echoed in the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Blockhead giving Jax a murderous glare. Oh god. It was only the first minute of detention, and I had already managed to anger the Blockhead. Who knows what will happen in the next 59 minutes...

Quinnie God must hate me. Yup, that's the only logical explanation for the kind of torture I'm being put through right now. Shortly after Jaxson's surprise visit, the teacher entered the class and seated himself in front of us. He gave us all a blank stare for a good 5 minutes, and just when we thought he would lecture us on good behavior, he started going through some essays, completely ignoring our presence. Awkward. The Blondie left the class shortly after, claiming she didn't have after-school detention and was only here to keep The Blockhead company. I snorted. "Give some company?" More like "give something else." The value of that "something else" depends on how dirty-minded you are. "Jaxson?" The teacher suddenly called out, and I stifled a gasp. Oh, he speaks! Turns out he's Jaxson's German teacher and he needed his help. "Can you assist me in carrying these to the staff room?" he asked, rising from his chair. He gathered a bundle of papers and gestured for Jaxson to carry his briefcase. Jaxson, being the goody-two-shoes he is, agreed and followed the teacher. He threw me a "I'll be back soon" look, and I smiled, nodding. Only after they both exited the class did I realize the situation. The Blockhead and I were now alone in this room. Oh, macaroons. •°•°• 5 minutes, 43 seconds, and a few milliseconds later... "OKAY, SERIOUSLY?" He burst out suddenly, and I nearly jumped a foot in the air. Talk about being random. ...and loud... "Are you that desperate, Ackerman? Going out with a guy who looks like he's in freakin' freshman year just to make me jealous?" My jaw clenched as I comprehended what he said, and I snapped. How dare he talk about my Jax like that? "EXCUSE ME?" I said, turning around. When I turned around, I realized how close he was standing to me. My nose almost touched his chest, and I gasped, instinctively taking a few steps back. I backed away, and he smirked, probably enjoying the fact that his presence affected me. Jerk. A hot, hot jerk. But still a jerk. "What's the matter, princessa?" he said, huskily. "Does my closeness affect you?" He moved closer to me, teasingly. I shook my head and responded almost immediately, "No!" His smirk deepened. He continued moving closer, and I kept backing up. One step forward, one step back. One step forward, one step back. One step forward, one step ba- I gasped when my back touched the wall opposite the main door and looked at him with wide eyes. His eyes danced with smugness and amusement as he registered my expression. He moved as close as he could, and I could feel the warmth of his body against mine. My wolf inside me started stirring with excitement, and I couldn't help the tingles that erupted under my skin. He picked up a strand of my brunette hair and twirled it between his fingers. "I'm liking this position," he whispered, his warm breath washing over my face, sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I do too, I thought to myself, guiltily. I closed my eyes, trying to savor the moment, but he had other ideas. He lifted my chin with his thumb, making me look directly into his eyes. My breath caught in my throat as I stared directly into his beautiful grey eyes. I had never seen them from this close before. His eyes were silvery grey near the pupil and became darker towards the rim. From afar, you'd think they were just grey. But if you looked closely enough, you could see that the area near the rim was a deep blue, with flecks of icy blue within the grey regions. My lips parted as I took in just how stunning my mate was. I hate how painfully beautiful he is. Because it only makes it harder to hate him. "I don't like seeing you with that kid," he said, and something inside me snapped. I had forgotten about his words. But now I remember. Thanks for ruining the moment, Blockhead. I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him away. When he didn't even budge under my force, I growled. "MOVE!" I said, threateningly. He didn't move an inch. I gritted my teeth and pushed him harder, ignoring the sparks that tingled through my arm as it made contact with his chest. "MOVE, GODDAMMIT!" I growled and gave him a final push.

This time he stumbled back a little, gaping at me in shock. Oh honey, I haven't even started yet. "First of all," I said, my voice surprisingly calm. "I am not trying to make you jealous. Don't ever think that my actions revolve around you. You are not the center of my universe, jerk. And not everything is about you, okay? Get that through your thick skull." He growled at me, probably due to the insulting tone I used, but I ignored him. "Secondly, Jaxson is not a kid. Just because he doesn't go around sleeping with anyone and everyone likes you and your friends, doesn't mean he's not a man." I locked eyes with him and poked his chest as I spoke. "Sleeping around, doing drugs, and getting drunk doesn't make you a man. A real man doesn't belittle the weak. My Jaxson is nothing like you all. And you know what? I'm glad about that." I took deep breaths, panting slightly as I stared at him, challenging him to say anything else. His jaw clenched, and he grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards him. I gasped as my body collided with him, but he didn't seem to mind. His eyes bore into mine as he asked, "So, you're dating him?" I opened my mouth to say that it was none of his business, but just then, the classroom door swung open, and in a lightning-fast motion, The Blockhead moved away from me. I stood there, shocked. Why did he do that? Oh, he doesn't want to be seen with me. He's ashamed of me. Ashamed that I'm his mate. A feeling of sadness washed over me, and I slowly stepped back toward my seat. Jaxson gave me a questioning look, and I shook my head, forcing a fake smile. I sat down and pretended to focus on my homework, but my mind kept drifting away to the brief moment we had shared. My heart pounded in my chest as I thought about how close he had been to me, and I bit my lip to suppress the urge to smile like a fool. Stupid mate bond. Stupid, stupid mate bond. ... Jaxson! My heart pounded in relief and confusion as I turned around to face him. "What the hell, Jax? You scared the daylight outside of me!" I exclaimed, trying to catch my breath. He removed his hand from my mouth and gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Quinn. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to talk to you privately." I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't you have chosen a less terrifying way to do that?" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I know, I messed up. But I needed to make sure we had some privacy. It's important." I softened my expression, realizing that he must have had a valid reason. "Fine, what did you want to talk about?" He took a deep breath before speaking. "It's about The Blockhead. I've been observing him closely, and something seems off. I think there's more to his behavior than what meets the eye." My confusion deepened. "What do you mean?" "I think he's hiding something, Quinn. And I believe it has to do with you," Jaxson explained, his eyes filled with concern. I frowned, trying to process his words. "What could he possibly be hiding? And why would it involve me?" Jaxson hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I overheard a conversation between him and his pack members. They mentioned something about a prophecy and a powerful secret related to you. I think The Blockhead knows more than he's letting on." My mind raced with questions and apprehension. A prophecy? A powerful secret? What did it all mean? "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. "I wanted to gather more information before confronting you. I didn't want to worry you unnecessarily," Jaxson replied, his gaze filled with sincerity. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "Okay, let's say you're right. What do we do now?" Jaxson's expression turned determined. "We need to investigate further. Find out the truth behind the prophecy and what The Blockhead is hiding. We can't let him keep secrets that could affect you and our pack." A mix of fear and determination swirled inside me. I never asked for any of this, but now it seemed like the fate of our pack and my own destiny were intertwined. "Alright, Jaxson. Let's uncover the truth together," I said, my voice resolute. We shared a determined look, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Little did we know that our journey would reveal secrets that would shake our world to its core.

Quinnie I could see the frustration building in his eyes as I challenged him. His grip on my waist tightened slightly, his fingers digging into my skin. "So, it means that I have a claim on you," he replied, his voice laced with determination. I scoffed, trying to hide the effect his touch had on me. "Claim? Is that what you think this is? Just because we're mates, it doesn't give you the right to control my life." He leaned closer, his breath brushing against my ear. "I'm not trying to control you, princessa. I'm trying to protect you. There are things you don't understand, things I can't explain right now. But I need you to trust me." Trust him? After everything he had put me through, how could he expect me to trust him so easily? "You've given me no reason to trust you, Nicholas," I said, my voice filled with frustration. "You pushed me away, humiliated me in front of everyone. And now you expect me to believe that you're here to protect me?" His grip on me loosened slightly, and I could see a flicker of remorse in his eyes. "I know I've made mistakes, Quinn. I've let my anger and fear get the best of me. But deep down, I've always cared about you." I couldn't deny the conflicted emotions swirling inside me. A part of me wanted to believe him, to give him a chance to explain. But another part of me was wary, afraid of getting hurt again. "You have a lot to prove, Nicholas," I said, my voice softening. "If you want me to trust you, you need to show me that you're worth it. Words alone won't be enough." He nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "I'll do whatever it takes, Quinn. I'll prove to you that I'm not the person you think I am. Just give me a chance." I looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. Despite the doubts lingering in my mind, I saw a glimmer of hope, a hint of vulnerability. "Fine," I said, relenting slightly. "But don't expect me to forgive and forget so easily. You have a long way to go to earn my trust back." He nodded again, his grip on me releasing completely. "I understand. I'll do everything I can to make things right." As we stood there in the dimly lit closet, I knew that our journey wouldn't be easy. There were still many obstacles to overcome and secrets to unravel. But perhaps, just perhaps, there was a chance for us to find our way back to each other, to discover the truth behind our connection. Only time would tell. "What do you mean, so?" He said frustration evident in his voice, and I couldn't help but smirk, enjoying his misery. "I mean, so what if you're my mate?" I replied, my tone laced with defiance. He gave me a stern look, his eyes flashing with intensity. "This is not a joke, Quinn. You know what being mates means." "Oh, do I?" I retorted, maintaining my facade. "Please, enlighten me." His frustration grew, and he once again pinned me against the wall, his hands on either side of my body, trapping me in his gaze. "Yes, you do," he whispered, his face dangerously close to mine. I held my breath as his fingers grazed my lower lip, sending shivers down my spine. He rubbed his thumb over it and spoke again. "I can't stand to see you with other men. I won't allow it. You're mine. They have no right to touch you in any way." His voice turned into a low growl, and I couldn't help but gasp. "But he's my best friend!" I reasoned, ignoring the electrifying sensations coursing through my body at his possessiveness. He shot me a skeptical look. "Are you sure about that?" I nodded, my defiance still intact, and he groaned in exasperation. "Damn it! Are you blind? Can't you see how he looks at you? It's as if you're the center of his universe. And if you continue like this, it will only fuel your desires and intentions. Do you think I didn't notice? He was all over you today, and I won't stand for that. You're my mate, not his!" His words ignited a fiery rage within me. "You have no right to order me around like this!" I screamed, pushing him away. Suddenly, being near him felt suffocating. "You may be my mate, but that didn't stop you from being with every other person out there," I accused. "So don't you dare accuse me of being with someone."

I was breathing heavily now, my chest rising and falling with anger, but he didn't react as I had hoped. Instead of apologizing or showing remorse, he smirked at me triumphantly, his expression oozing smugness. "Are you jealous?" He taunted, and I fought the urge to slap him then and there. I clenched my jaw, refusing to give him satisfaction. "No," I said, my voice dripping with confidence. Swiftly, I maneuvered between his arms and managed to wriggle free from his hold. Unlocking the door with enhanced speed, I escaped as quickly as I could. His calls reached my ears, but I didn't look back. I couldn't face him, not when tears streaked my face. The fact that he didn't deny rejecting me wasn't lost on me... ... I parked my bike in the garage and made my way to my room, whispering to myself, "I'm home." I quickly glanced in the mirror, ensuring I didn't appear as if I had been crying. I didn't want to worry my parents. It's funny how as kids, we want our parents to know when we're crying, but as we grow older, we try to hide it from them. We attempt to lick our wounds alone. What changes in us to make us do this? "Quinn!" My mom's voice called from the kitchen as she rushed out to greet me. "Oh my God, Quinn! You're home! You're 10 minutes late! Are you okay? Did something happen? Did you eat properly? Is everything alright? Oh, Jesus! Why aren't you answering?" She exclaimed, fussing over my slight delay and enveloping me in a hug. I chuckled and felt warmth fill my insides at her affectionate concern. I shook my head and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm okay," I assured her, even though I wasn't. Her smile widened, convinced by my response. She nodded and returned to the kitchen to prepare something for me to eat. On her way, she turned back and said, "Oh, and I forgot to tell you something, honey." I raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?" "There's another party at the pack house tomorrow. Your father and I received an invitation. I don't think we'll be able to attend, but he wants you to go." I frowned. "What's the occasion for this party?" Or rather, who is this party for? My mother smiled mischievously. "Remember Gamma Landon?" I nodded, a sense of pride and respect filling me for the man who had sacrificed his life for our pack's safety. "Of course. How could anyone forget him?" I instinctively lowered my head slightly in reverence. Her smile transformed into a grin. "Well, his son has completed his training in Alaska and is returning tomorrow to assume the Gamma position as a legacy and responsibility." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You mean..." "Yes! George is coming back!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. "I can't wait to have him over for dinner after tomorrow's party. It will be just like old times!" She continued gushing about the possibility of George and me being mates and how thrilled she was to see him again. However, I tuned her out as my mind processed this newfound information. George Landon, the Gamma heir and my childhood crush, was returning for real. My mother was well aware of the enormous crush I had on him. He was two years older than me, but ever since he rescued me from bullies in elementary school, I was smitten. He was the only boy I had ever liked, my only crush, until he left three years ago to undergo training following his father's passing. George loved his father more than anything or anyone else. He idolized him. Perhaps that was why his father's death had taken a part of George with it. Suddenly, the fun-loving, carefree guy I once knew turned cold and serious. It was as if the harsh realities of life had slapped him in the face, and he was determined to avenge his father's death and fulfill his pack responsibilities with the same fervor. In no time, he left for training, never looking back. I hadn't seen him since. I knew he hadn't forgotten our friendship; he had simply prioritized his duties to the pack above everything else. Because of that, I respected him. My crush on him gradually faded over the years as I grew up. But now, he is returning. And I couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Jesus. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse.