Mated

Three

My mother and I sat at the dinner table. I responded to a text from Raquel, asking if I was coming out tonight, probably thinking I'd changed my mind since I never returned to lunch after...

"Honey, pass me the salad."

I handed over the bowl just as my father strolled into the room.

"How was school today? Anything new happen?" He asked, settling into his seat at the end of the table, opposite Mom. He took a sip of his wine.

"It was fine," I mumbled.

"Did you see Raquel and O'Connor today?" Mom picked up the wooden serving spoon and heaved a healthy portion of the salad onto her plate.

"Mm hmm," I chewed a piece of steak slowly, then swallowed.

"How are they?" She shot a look at my dad.

"They're fine."

"Are they going to the bonfire I hear some of the pack is throwing tonight?"

"Just Ray." I felt two sets of eyes on me so I looked up.

"Did something happen today that I need to take care of?" My Dad held his knife and fork in mid air, pausing from cutting into his steak. I shook my head.

In our world, my dad was a leader. He watched over the pack, created agreements with other wolves in the surrounding areas, and kept us safe. In the Real, any societal space outside of the pack consisting of humans, he worked as an academic advisor at the University. He'd made friends with at least one person from each staff led committee at the school and took it to his full advantage.

"No, it's nothing." But Mom reached for my hand and gave it a sharp squeeze.

"Sweetheart, what is it? Tell us." I looked at her and wiggled the fork between my fingers, seeing a sliver of my reflection in the silver deciding whether or not I wanted to tell.

I looked away, embarrassed with a knot in my throat. Even more embarrassed that my parents would probably go after the guy and demand he recognizes me as his mate.

"Go on."

I sat back in my seat and looked everywhere but at their expressions. "I found my mate today." Mom gave a silent gasp.

"That's great news!" She clasped her hands together. "How did it happen?" They both waited for me to answer. I bit the inside of my lip until I tasted enough blood to keep me anchored to the kitchen and not revisit the backward encounter that had been playing on a loop in my head. I hated how it stung. How could I feel anything from rejection from a guy who's name I didn't even know?

I'd waited for the moment I would meet my mate for so long. I'd never expected it to go wrong.

"He...brushed me off." Shame consumed me then, making me dread what my Alpha parents would say next. I blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep my eyes dry. I hated that the bond or what little bit of the bond I'd felt had been so certain, so...finalized without my say.

"What?" My mother too leaned back in her seat. "He must not have known how to deal with the bond. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming." I shook my head and wiped at my cheeks, thankful that they were still dry. "Come here." I walked over to her and kneeled down so she could run her fingers through my hair like she liked to do.

"He'll come around. He'll realize what kind of power you'll bring to him—"

"Which you get from me," Dad interrupted.

"You're strong and brave—"

"You get that from me too."

She smacked his arm and he chuckled. "Honey, please." Mom glanced at him then turned back to me. "It won't be long before he comes around. He can't stay away for too long, his wolf won't let him." I nodded. "This bond will change you both in many ways. You'll learn a different kind of love. Very soon, you'd rather die than be apart." She looked at my father as she said this.