The Mate Rules

Prologue

When my father passed the Alpha title to my brother Derek, he and my mother immediately decided to have some "alone" time and went on an around-the-world tour. Calling us every once in a while to tell us where they are and that they'll not be back anytime soon. That gave me and Derek our freedom which I especially enjoyed the most, seeing that Derek's the Alpha of our pack, he has many obligations, and he already has a mate, Issabella.

"Der, you and Issy going out?"

I asked my brother as I entered his office. He was seated behind his desk with papers scattered all over the table. He scrunched his face and answered with his eyebrows furrowed. "Nah, too much work tonight. We'll just stay home." He lifted his gaze and noticed that I was dressed. "Got a date?" He asked and returned his attention in studying the papers in front of him.

"Nope, just a party in the neighbouring pack." I answered inspecting my nails.

He nodded and muttered, "Be careful". With that, I left his office and walked my way out of the house and into my car. While driving, I took out my phone and dialled my bestfriend's number. Lauren answered it on the third ring, "Hey Er, I'm on my way right now. You?"

I put my iPhone on the dashboard after putting in on speaker, "Almost there too. Wait, whose party is it again?" I asked not remembering the name she told me earlier.

"Kent, the Beta of the Brick Dawn Pack, I think. I don't know, Lily just invited me." She chuckled and I rolled my eyes before saying okay and ended the call. Lily is Lauren's cousin and was a member of our pack, the Peak Mountain, but she became part of the Brick Dawn pack after finding her mate John, which is the third in command of the said pack. It was almost impossible for having two packs in the same territory but it never became a problem with us. It just made both packs stronger because of the allegiance that both of the Alphas have with each other.

I parked my car outside the Brick Dawn packhouse. It's already full of people and the music is already blaring up in the house. I've already been in this packhouse twice when my brother takes me to some meeting but I still haven't met their Alpha. Rumor says that even though he's only 18, he acts older than his age. Strict and serious are the words that always accompany his name whenever people talk about him.

When Lauren's car parked beside mine, I got out my car and locked the door behind me. She did the same and we made our way into the front door of the house. When we got inside, the party is already in full swing. People were dancing everywhere. I pulled Lauren's hand and walked towards the drinks table. I filled two cups with what seemed to be a tropical punch and handed her one.

"Thanks. So should we roam around?" She smiled and I immediately know what she meant. Roam around in her dictionary meant "hunt boys". She started her way accross the room and into the packed dancefloor.

I was looking around while sipping my drink when suddenly a tall guy walked up to me with a smile on his lips. He's got blue eyes that matches with his blonde hair that was styled in a messy way. "Hi, I'm Kent.." He smiled and offered his hand. "Beta of this pack."

I smiled in return and took his hand and shook it. "Hey, I'm Erin, the other.." He cut me off before I could finish.

"I know. You're the Peak Mountain Alpha's sister." He grinned and I raised my eyebrow. I was about to say something when I froze and felt a hard gaze on my back and I felt little tingles crawling up my neck. Kent must have noticed because he held my elbow and asked, "Hey, what's wrong?"

I massaged the back of my neck and looked around, only seeing many people dancing around the jampacked room. What was that? I thought to myself and turned back to face Kent. "Uhm nothing. Do you know where the restroom is?" I asked.

He looked confused but nodded either way. "Yeah. You can use the one upstairs, last door on the right."

I thanked him and made my way up the stairs where I passed couples making out on the way. I was almost at the end of the hallway when I felt it again. It was like someone was watching me but instead of making me panic, it made me excited. I turned around only to find no one. I sighed. I'm just paranoid, I told myself and comforted my fast beating heart. I was about to resume my way going to the restroom when I bumped into something hard. I almost fell on my butt but a pair of strong hands caught me. As soon as the hands made contact with my arms, I immediately felt the tingling sensations that ran through my arms up to my neck and into my whole body. I looked up and met a set of the most beautiful hazel eyes that was boring into mine intently. We held our gazes for I dont know how long. I can't hear the loud music anymore. All I can see is the man in front of me. His hands that still held my arms. And his eyes that still held my gaze. Only one realization hit me.

Mate.