The Young Mate

fourteen

Christal McCade

I smile widely and pull both of us into a hug. He can be so sweet sometimes.

We both hug for a few minutes, the door open and the cold winter air blowing in on us. It's late January now. My birthday will be in two weeks. Two more insufferable weeks in this house all day, bored out of my mind while my wolf screams at me in the back of my head to go out for a run. But it will be worth it. Because when I turn 18, I'll meet the pack, be able to actually be with Shawn, have the mate perks, train to become the Luna, etc.

It will all be worth it in the end.

"How do you know they're advancing" I whisper, my eyes closed and my breathing steady. Shawn's sighs into the hug and closes his arms around me tighter.

"The warriors, they walk right outside of our territory and can smell them." Shawn says, his voice soft and vulnerable. "they're surrounding our land, but they're making a terrible mistake."

"Thank you for checking on me," I smile softly this time and start to feel the sleepiness that has taken over my body these past few days finally take over. I haven't been sleeping very well, but I'm not sure why.

"You'll always come first Christal," Shawn picks me up bridal style and begins to carry me back to our room. "Always."

That Night

"No that's dumb," I groan after Shawn recommends the twentieth movie that I've shot down. I roll off the couch and let out a loud, deep, frustrated groan.

"Stop whining and choose a movie," Shawn bites back, annoyed that I don't want to watch anything he has in this house.

"It's not my fault I have seen every one of these movies because you locked me up in this boring ass house," I hiss back at him.

"You just complain to much. You're a pup,  you get annoyed when everything doesn't go your way. News flash Christal, not everything is about you!"

"And not everything is about you!" I stand up and snarl at Shawn who's laying back on the couch. "Just because you're an Alpha does mean you can just-"

"Christal, Jesus, shut the fuck up!"

I grab Shawn's whiskey glass from off the coffee table and show it at him, it hits his chest, spilling all the whiskey still left in it onto his nice button up. The cup falls back down to the ground and shatters.

"I don't want to be in here anymore!!" I scream and stomp my foot. "You're so fucking annoying and controlling!! I have the right to meet the pack, they have the right to meet me, I should have the right to go on runs!!"

"Get over it! Your cooped up, so fucking what?! Stop being such a brat!!"

"Why are you like this? Why are you so inconsiderate!" I kick the coffee table and it slides on the rug. "You're a horrible person Shawn! Don't you realize that?? Your a horrible person! I don't get why I have to be your mate, god I'm never letting you touch me again!!"

I scream and start towards the stairs, stomping my feet on the ground in protest.

"Don't walk away from me Christal!" Shawn shouts, now standing up and coming after me.

I scream again, just to annoy him and start to run up the first floor stairs and towards the stairs leading to the third floor.

"Christal get the fuck back here!"

"Screw you, you bastard!!" I yell and flip him off, still running to the stairs. I start to run up the wooden stairs, half way up I slip and hit my head on the stairs.

"Fuck!" I cuss loudly and grimace. My hand flys up to my forehead, instantly I feel a warm liquid. I whine and pull my hand away, blood covering my palm.

Shawn stops as soon as he sees me sitting on the stairs, blood running down my forehead.

"Jesus Christ," Shawn comes up the stairs towards me, kneeling in front of me. He places his hands on my face, I sneer and pull away from him.

"Don't touch me. This is your fault," I growl and stand up, swaying slightly.

"Don't be dumb Christal, you busted your skull."

I groan and lean against the wall, "I'm fine, leave me the fuck alone you pedo."

"Christal knock it off," Shawn brings his arms under my legs and back, picking me up bridal style. I wrap my arms around his neck and lay my head on his shoulder, closing me eyes.

"No babe, keep your eyes open," Shawn lightly kisses my lips and open my eyes.

"I'm fine, I just hit my head," I insist, squirming slightly in his arms.

"Christal your skull was cracked open, you aren't fine now be quite and listen to me."

"Stop being such a pissy little bitch," I groan and wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, more of the dark substance covers my hand and I bite my lip.

"See you're bleeding, a lot," Shawn stops for a second, looking at me, blood running down my face.

A thumping bags against the inside of my skull and I close my eyes, pain shooting through my temples.

"Hurts now, doesn't it?"

I sneer at Shawn again and he brings himself to a forced chuckle. "See, you aren't okay, that was just you being...well you."