Chosen By the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 2: Find A Mate

Wesley has finally come home. As they hear the engine, my parents and my sister came outside. After a good second, the door opened, and out stepped my brother. The two of us locked eyes and we smiled at each other. I can't believe how different he looks right now. He could really pass off as a Beta with his capable aura. He's no longer the lanky dud I used to make fun of.

"Wesley!" My parents and sister blurted out in delight, but he ignored them for a moment and came to me. We embraced each other and he said, "I missed you, sis. How are you?"

I pulled away and chuckled. "I'm great. You seem to be getting taller!"

"Nah, you just got shorter," he teased and I lightly hit him. Wesley has always been the best person to me. Although he's rational, he never fails to support me in the things I do and say, albeit controversial or not. He calms me down when I begin losing my mind, especially in those moments I become manic because of trauma.

Out of everyone, he understands why I'm not interested in having a mate. After all, a girl can only be sexually assaulted once before shutting down.

Just as we shared a tender moment, a growl rang out from across the lawn. I quickly take a step away from Wesley, and a beautiful brunette greeted my sight with a shocked expression on her face. I remembered that new mates could become extremely jealous of the smallest thing. My bad.

"Sienna, she's my sister!" Wesley said to her upon hitching his head, turning Sienna's face into a shade of red. I watched as she made our way over to us with a sorry look. "I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me..."

"It's all good. I'm Aubrey, by the way—"

I was in the middle of introducing myself when I heard someone clear their throat. It was Clara. She stepped forward and made her way up to Wesley, ignoring his new mate.

"Wesley!" she squealed, giving him a long hug and throwing Sienna a sharp gaze.

Here she goes again with her immature antics. My parents approached my brother after greeting Sienna later on. My friends also waved at the two, and we all walked back inside the house. We stay in the living room to chat, but Sienna seems shy and can't even speak up.

Sharing great stories and immaculate laughter, Wesley hilariously narrated the story of how he met Sienna, and it was the most endearing story I've ever heard. It turns out that they bumped into each other's car on the highway, and once they got out of their vehicles, their angry faces turned soft. The next thing they knew, they were already flirting.

I was sitting next to Sienna and noticed her nervousness. "Welcome to the family," I whispered to ease her out. "Thank you," she shyly replied with a smile and looked at my parents. "Are your parents that welcoming too?"

Knitting my brows, I looked at everyone's happy faces. I didn't even answer yet when Hailey chimed in. "That depends on how submissive you are."

Sienna's eyes widened. "Really? I didn't know that your traditions are like that. In my pack, both men and women are seen as equal." I couldn't help but feel surprised. I never noticed how other packs interact with their mates.

"That's awesome! I wish more pack are like that," I stated.

"Indeed. Sometimes, men need their heads knocked too." Hailey laughed.

"Oh, I agree," Sienna replied, a sly glint in her eyes visible.

Nodding, I laughed along. I think we're going to get along well.

...

A little while later, some visitors from our pack began to arrive to congratulate Wesley. The food my mother prepared was put to good use too, just when I thought we'd have leftovers. Everyone happily ate and shared the feast while I stood on the side, waiting for my brother to get isolated because I had something to tell him.

Finally, after heaps of congratulations, Wesley came to the comfort room on the second floor, and I waited there. "Wesley!" I yelled when he opened the door. However, he didn't even flinch at my prank. He just laughed at me.

"Real mature, Aubrey. What do you need?" he said, half-laughing. I huffed. Look, he really knows me well. I scratched my nape and looked down with a hesitant expression.

Trailing off, I started, "You see, about the ball—Clara snitched on me."

"About what?"

"About my plans of skipping the lame ball. Uhm, can you help me out? I'm in a bind, Wesley. I don't really want to attend this event..." I tried to keep my voice even, but I couldn't help the uneasy tone that had taken over.

I looked at him and saw the change in his expression. He put his hands on his waist, suddenly asking, "Aubrey, do you mind if Sienna stays?"

"Y—Yeah. Sure, she can stay." I nodded.

"I see... If that's the case, then let me be honest."

As he said that, chills ran down my spine. Wesley's disapproving look made my lips pucker. "Aubrey... I think finding a mate would help you."

"What—" I replied adamantly, my arms snaking around my body as he cut me off.

"Let me finish. Sweetie, not everyone is like mom and dad. Your mate is made to love you, help you, and heal you. It could fix what's been broken inside of you for so long." Wesley spoke softly, but his tone didn't make his betrayal hurt less.

"You're wrong!" I choked out, turning away because I couldn't face him right now. I began to stride downstairs, and not once did I look back. I feel my impending tears slipping below my lids. How could he say something so shallow? I can't believe him!

"Aubrey—" he called, but I yelled, "Tell mother I went shopping with Hailey and Adam!"

...

I look out the window of Hailey's car. The view of the pine trees dancing around made me feel light-headed. "So, he's not going to help you out?" Hailey asks all of a sudden as she drives the car. I was in the passenger seat, but I didn't turn to face her.

"No..." I answered. There's no reason to lie.

"I see. Then if you're going, I'll be going too!" Adam volunteered from the backseat, and I couldn't even feel thankful. I'm so mad because the only person I thought understood me turned his back on me.

Wesley has changed. He's now submitting to the pack's way of living.

This is why I despise the idea of being committed. It shapes you into a different person, and who knows what will happen to someone as fragile as me?