Not my Mate

Chapter 7

Ashley POV

I sat up in my bed with my knees pulled closely to my chest. I looked over through my window to see the sun rising over the horizon. I couldn't sleep, my mind wouldn't stop flashing back to the alphas mate. I've never felt so attached to someone before, she was like no one id ever encountered before. Kind, beautiful, smart, she was truly everything id ever wanted.

I shook my head clearing my mind of her and stood up changing into my workout clothes. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail exiting the house. The morning air was cold against my exposed skin and the air smelled of fresh dew. I took in a deep breath enjoying the silence of the forest. 

Abby's smile flashed through my mind once more making me frown. I turned towards the forest and started running. The thought of her slowly faded as the pain in my legs grew. I ran until i physically couldn't anymore. My legs burned and my feet were acheing. 

I sat on the cold ground in the forest breathing heavily trying my best not to pass out. After a while I finally regained normal breathing. I stood up walking back towards the pack house. As i made my way through the silent forest something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I looked to my left to see a large treehouse. I looked around me trying to see if someone was around.

I cautiously walked towards it as my curiosity rose. Slowly I climbed up the old ladder stepping inside of the seemingly abandoned house. It was small but big enough to fit more than one person. I opened the cupboards to see them empty filled with nothing but spider webs and dust. 

A large red stain on the floor caught my eye, i kneeled down running my fingers along it. It looked like old blood, I cringed at the thought. Directly above the stain was a deep stab mark in the wood, probably made by something sharp.

I felt uneasiness fill my body, i shook my head quickly exiting the tree house and running back to the pack house

...

 After about 15 minutes I had finally made it back seeing Zack outside throwing punches and kicks at a training dummy. His hits were powerful his alpha strength was truly amazing. He breathed heavily as he continued to throw combo moves not allowing a second of pause. He winded back for the final blow punching the dummy with all of his strength. I stood in shock seeing his fist had penetrated the dummy. 

He stayed in that position for a moment catching his breath. His hand slowly slid out of the dummy and he finally caught a glimpse of me from the corner of his eye.

" Hey, what are you doing out here so early" he said brushing his hand through his wet hair. 

I walked towards him still looking at the destroyed dummy

"I couldn't sleep and I needed to clear my mind" I said looking up at him 

" where did you go" he asked my mind suddenly flashed to the abandoned treehouse and the blood stained wood.

"just through the forest, i went pretty far out" i said trying to forget about it. 

"are you up for some combat training" he said with a smile, i scoffed looking over at the dummy

"id rather not end up like this guy" i said making us both laugh 

"I'm gonna go get some rest for the party later" I said watching him nod as i walked towards the house

"ash" he said from behind me. I turned to look at him seeing a sad look on his face.

"about what I said yesterday-" he started I smiled shaking my head

"no you were right, I cant go putting the pack in danger just because of some girl, im okay i promise" I said watching him smile softly 

"get some good rest" he said as I continued walking towards the Packhouse feeling a slight sting in my chest

...

We walked into the huge mansion hearing the sound of conversation and music fill the room. A large chandelier hung on the ceiling which had paintings of angels all along it. The walls were a light beige color and the floor was a dark oak. 

I looked around at the hundreds of people who stood around conversing some of them were familiar some not. I felt myself become nervous as we walked through the crowd.

" I see the pack leaders are you ready" zack said looking down at me with a comforting smile. I smiled back nodding. 

We walked towards a large group of people who stood in the middle of the ballroom. I could feel the energy come from them making me slightly dizzy. Most of them were alphas some had their mates and betas with them. 

"long time no see everyone" zack said confidently smiling at the group of people. 

"Zack my boy how have you been, you look good" an older man said hugging zack. The man had short black hair and a long black beard. 

" ive been great old man, its been so long" zack replied. I watched as more people came up to zack conversing with him. I stood awkwardly watching as zack looked over at me from the corner of his eye probably feeling my uneasiness 

"everyone i would like to introduce my new beta, Ashley" he said placing his hand on my back. I stood up straight smiling as everyone looked at me

" so nice to meet you ive heard so much about you from zack" the older man from earlier said. I shook his hand looking up at zack 

" he talks about me huh" i said watching him roll his eyes.  I talked to the alphas for a while hearing crazy story's about rouges and battles. 

"im gonna grab a drink" i said trying not to interrupt the story 

" don't overdo it" he said back sternly making me laugh. I made my way over to the bar picking up a very pretty looking cocktail and took a sip. It was like heaven in my mouth. 

Suddenly someone came up beside me grabbing the same drink as me 

"these things are to die for, this is my 3rd one" the boy said i looked over at him admiring his features his dark brown hair was slicked down on top of his head. He had beautiful green eyes and a very defined face. He had a skinny but strong physique to him and he had a scar just below his left eye. He looked so familiar 

" I can guarantee ill be having way more than 3 by the end of the night" i said making him laugh and take a sip 

"im Ashley" i said extending a hand towards him. He grinned widely looking down at me. 

"im john" he said taking my hand in his.