The Dominant Pair

How about 'No'?

I glared at the calendar balefully as I lay on my bed. I should destroy you, I told it glumly. Let's see how you like being literally torn to pieces. But I didn't move. I knew it wouldn't make a difference. That bright pink highlighted date would still be written down in my mother's neat cursive writing.

7:15, 23rd of September, 2015 - Adirée's 17th birthday! :)

I grimaced at the smiley face. Really, Mom? You think a little smiley face is going to distract me from the fact that that's the day I make one of the biggest decisions of my life? With a sigh, I sat up, my wolf flicking her ears at me lazily and staring at me with her pale blue eyes. I gave her a mental eye roll and told her, I'm not overreacting. In fact, I'm surprised you're not barking at me right now. In 5 months, we either find a he-wolf that won't be completely crushed by our dominance or we step down as Alphas. Shouldn't you be looking for a life partner? She gave me a snort that said, That's your job, dear half-of-my-soul and lay her head on her paws, dozing lightly. I looked at my ceiling and mouthed at the Moon Goddesses 'Why me?'. My self-frustration was slightly alleviated when I heard a light knock on the door. "Come in."

My mother came in and I was immediately defensive when I noticed the sparkling grin she had pasted on her face. "Heeeeeey, Mom..." I tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace. No one's been more excited about my 17th than my mother. She's done all the organization, invited all of the suitors, arranged all the contests - she's even created an entire wardrobe for me from now to my birthday. She's gone completely insane.

"Oh Adirée!" she sighed irritably, closing the door.

"What?" I snapped, tensing. Is my hair not pale enough? Are my eyes not blue enough? What more are you going to criticize me on?! "You're not ready!" she groaned, her eyes narrowed as her gaze swept over me. I frowned, not paying attention to her movements as I tried to recall whether there was anything I needed to be ready for-

"Oh, right. That... thing."

My mother screwed her mouth to one side in exasperation. "The meeting, my darling?" She sighed and continued, "The Alpha of the Redwood pack would be pleased to see you wear this tonight. He bought it specifically for you." She thrust a dress bag towards me that I hadn't even noticed her carrying and I growled, suspicious.

"Mom... where did he get my measurements from?" I asked, glaring at her. She smiled serenely and replied, her tone vacant, "Oh, I don't know, my dear. Perhaps he simply has good eyesight." I grit my teeth with an audible click and shook my head in disbelief. What is she going to tell them next, my phone number? 

"I refuse to wear it," I scowled, sitting back on my bed. She pressed her lips together and gave me the Mom look. I gave her the same bland smile she'd given me a few seconds ago. My wolf wagged her tail once in support and then went back to snoozing. 

"Adirée... I know you hate this." I raised an eyebrow. Do you now? Her eyes met mine and she went back to being my mother - the woman who'd raised me to be fierce, proud and above all, rebellious.

"I know you hate that I've made a list of men to fill the Alpha position and to mate with you. I know you hate the competitions, the dances and the dates. I know you hate the fact that you haven't met anyone yet and that there's a possibility..." She took a deep breath, reigning her emotions in.

But I could still smell the scent of her worry. That there's a possibility... my truemate doesn't exist.

It rarely happens, but that doesn't mean it doesn't. Werewolves don't have 'soulmates' per se, but some wolves will be more drawn to each other than others and they generally end up together and stay together in blissful matehood, with a little brood of pups and an undeniably powerful bond. A wolf could still marry someone he/she doesn't feel that connection with and honestly, that's what most Alphas do... but I've seen the power a truemate bond has. I could never expect less.