The Alpha's Rebel

Chapter 3

"I really don't want to go to this stupid thing," I grumble. "I don't even want a stupid mate. He's just gonna force me to settle down and be a baby carrier."

"I know, Harp, but it's mandatory," Molly sighs, shoving another bobby pin into my hair. "Just get through the night and then it'll be over."

"And what happens if I meet my mate?" I ask.

"Then you reject him. He can't force you to be his mate if it's not what you want," Kaitlyn says from the bed. Her hair and makeup are already done, because, unlike me, she's looking forward to meeting her mate. She didn't wait for the last second to get ready like I did. All she still has to do is put her dress on.

"Or, you could give him a chance," Molly points out. She sticks one more bobby pin into my hair, and takes a step back. The messy side braid is perfect for the style I'm going for: not elegant like the dress code states, but a little wild like me.

"Mols," I sigh, "You know how I feel."

"I know," she says quietly. "I just . . . Sometimes I think about . . . Do you want to know the first thing that crossed my mind when Vinnie and I found out we were mates?" She sits down on the bed beside Kaitlyn, her eyes trained on the ground. I turn around in my seat, and Kaitlyn sits ups straighter. Molly has never told us what happened the moment she realized her and Vinnie were mates. All we know is that she burst into tears and never told us why.

"What?" I ask softly.

"I thought to myself 'He doesn't want a mate'. That's why I started crying. Because I had been looking forward to meeting my mate for my entire life, and when I realized it was Vinnie, I thought he was going to reject me. You remember. He was so firm about not wanting a mate."

"Yeah," I say, and it gets stuck in my throat. Vinnie was more stubborn about not wanting a mate than I am, but the second he laid his eyes on Molly on his eighteenth birthday, everything changed.

"When he realized we were mates, he said that every part of him that didn't want a mate was gone, and the only thing he could think about was how to get me to stop crying," Molly says, laughing at the end. She gives me a look, and I open my mouth to protest but she talks before I get the chance.

"I'm not saying you're going to change your mind like Vinnie did, but don't be stubborn and stick by your words if you do. If you change your mind, don't let your ego get in the way."

"Hey, I'm not stubborn," I defend, and Molly and Kaitlyn both give me an "are you kidding me?" look that puts all three of us in a fit of laughter.

~~~~

Every year, on the second Saturday in June, the packs take turn hosting a ball for the singles to find their mates. Once you turn eighteen, it's mandatory for you to attend it each year until you meet your mate. Thay had to go by himself last year since he's a year older than the rest of us, but he didn't meet his mate.

Yeah, I know he just graduated with us. He failed his first senior year on purpose just so he could finish with the rest of us.

This year, Kaitlyn and I are joining him. We walk through the ballroom doors, and I immediately try to turn around and leave. I showed up. I should be able to go now. Kaitlyn grabs my arm and holds me in place. "Remember what Molly said," she says softly.

I let out an angry breath and feel slightly calmer. "Yeah," I reply, but that doesn't stop me from taking hold of Thay's hand. I came here with Thay, and whether I meet my mate or note, my plan is to leave with him too.

The ballroom is crowded, mostly with people our age. The oldest people here are in their mid-twenties, but there's a only a few of them. Most of us meet our mates by the time we're twenty at the latest.

All the girls are wearing elegant, prom-like dresses with gorgeous heels that probably costed half the dress. I love myself a good pair of pumps, but tonight isn't about following the rules. Why would I follow the dress code to an event that I'm being forced to attend against my will?

I'm wearing my battered three year old high top converse that aren't even close to white anymore, and a slim fit black dress that I ordered online. While every other girl looks fit for a princess, I look like the fucking queen of badasses. Mission accomplished.

"I want a drink," I say, and I march over to the bar. Thay and Kaitlyn are right behind me.

An hour later, I'm still mateless, but I'm intoxicated and having the time of my life on the dance floor. Kaitlyn's dancing right beside me, still no sign of her mate as well. We're both pretty drunk after downing quite a few shots each, but it helped me forget about why I didn't want to be here. I'm actually enjoying myself, but I know if I meet my mate it'll ruin the rest of the night.

There's still people trickling in, even though the ball started almost two hours ago. It's past the point in time where it's considered fashionably late; now it's just late.

"I wish Molly and Vinnie could have come," I say to Kaitlyn. "This would be way more fun with all of us here."

"I know! But they can't come. They already met their mates," Kaitlyn giggles.

"I don't want to meet my mate," I say, and suddenly I think it's the funniest thing in the world. I stop dancing because I'm laughing so hard, and Kaitlyn starts laughing with me even though she has no idea why.

We're both practically on the floor in laughter when a guy our age or not much older comes up to us. His hair's a sandy blonde, and his eyes are the bluest eyes I've ever seen. They're set on Kaitlyn, who's still laughing and hasn't realized that there is someone staring at her. I sober up pretty quick and hiss, "Kait." I nudge her with my elbow and she looks around. Her gaze lands on the boy, and I know what's about to happen.

"Mate," they whisper in sync. Kaitlyn seems to break out of the five second trance and she looks at me, a big smile on her face.

"I'm Daxton," he introduces.

"I'm Kaitlyn. This is one of my best friends, Harper," she introduces.

"Hi," I say.

Kaitlyn looks at me, pleading with her eyes. I know she wants to go off with him, but she doesn't want to leave me alone either. "Go on," I laugh without a second thought. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't let my friend be with her newly found mate?

"Thank you!" she squeals, pulling me into a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Use protection!" I call after them as she pulls him away, because I know Kaitlyn and I know what's going to happen. If they don't complete the mating process tonight, I will be seriously surprised.

And just like that, I'm alone.

I awkwardly stand in the middle of the dance floor, not knowing what to do now. I lost Thay somewhere, and I can't find him in the sea of people. I start pushing my way around the couples dancing and finally make it off the dance floor. There's an empty table against one of the walls, and I hurry over to it before anyone else has a chance to take it. I hop up onto the stool.

Where are you? I mind link Thay.

By the bar. Where are you? he replies. I tell him where I am, and he says he's on his way.

Someone sits down across from me not even a second later, and I think it's Thay before I look up.

Our eyes meet, and a feeling of dread washes over me. Why is this happening?

"Mate."

"Fuck."