The Secret Mate

Chapter 2 (Rewritten)

I woke up to the sun peaking through my blinds. Groaning I rolled over praying that I could get another thirty minutes of rest. Today is the day that I will fly to West Virginia, meet the man of my father's dreams, and live happily ever after in Ireland. Exactly what ever female and her wolf dreams of doing. Ever since my father broke the news to me two days ago, I have purposely distanced myself away from my family; even my mother. Michael has really helped me achieve that. When he wasn't doing his school studies he was with me in the woods or training in our pack gym. I just needed to stay busy to not think about how my father was practically selling his only daughter away.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," my mother said busting through my bedroom door. I groaned back in response about the time the shades were ripped open. I placed my pillow on my head hoping she would get the hint to leave, but clearly she didn't as I felt a dip in the bed next to me. "Katharine, it's time to get up. You have a flight to catch." She took the pillow from my head pushing the lock of hair that covered my face behind my ear. "I know you are not excited about your father's arrangement, but maybe you'll get lucky and meet your mate." Maria said the same thing to me yesterday as we arranged the tables for dinner. Maybe they were both right, maybe I would find my mate at the ball and I wouldn't have to do what my father said. Knowing my luck that wouldn't happen, no matter how much I prayed to the moon goddess. "Make sure you pack enough, your father is planning your return with Alpha Sean on Sunday." She stated while standing and heading towards my door, "Oh do not forget your dress." I gave her a thumbs up in response as she closed my door behind her.

I knew there was no way I was getting out of this and if I didn't get up now I would be dealing with an unhappy Luna. I swung my legs over my bed, letting my toes touch the rug underneath me. I sat on my bed for what seemed like an eternity trying to fully wake up. Normally my wolf, Laura, and I would have started our day with a good run; however, since my father told us about the ball she has been very quiet. She is never quiet, in fact she is rather the opposite. She always has a comment to make about the wolves in the pack and is full of energy. It upset her more than it upset me and I do not know when she will begin to speak again. She hasn't made any attempts for us to shift since Michael and I were at the lake on Wednesday; that was the last time I had felt her. Standing up I headed towards my connected bathroom to get ready for my day.

After getting ready I began to lay out my clothes on my bed, reviewing the list that was taped to my bathroom door. My mother clearly found her way back into my bedroom while I was taking a shower. I needed to pack enough for the weekend, as well as my formal dress that I would wear to the ball. My mother and I picked out this dress on my eighteenth birthday earlier this year. I'm a simple girl and my wolf is a simple wolf too. We knew we both wanted to impress our mate with the way we looked, but wanted to make sure we didn't go about it in a provocative fashion.

The dress is an olive green color with a slit up the left leg. The top is held up by two thin straps that crossed in the back. I knew when I saw this dress I had to have it. The color compliments my dark chestnut hair and slightly tanned skin. I tend to never dress this nice unless I have to for any ritual, ceremony, or event.

A slight knock came from my door, I mumbled a quick 'come in' while placing the last of my items into the suitcase on the floor. I heard the footsteps and then the voice. "You ready?" I looked up to see my trainer Eric standing in the doorway. Eric was a rouge when my parents found him wandering the territory border. He was thirteen at the time and lost his parents in an attack led by no other than the Miller family. My father was torn on what to do with him at the time as it is pack law to kill any rogue that crosses the pack border. He wasn't causing any trouble, he just needed a home. My father made an exception once he saw the fight Eric put up when he was caught. He had managed to injure every wolf who had been guarding the land that day. My father believed that he would be a good asset to the pack as a trainer. One of the only nice things he has done. Eric was practically raised by my parents and became an older brother figure, as well as a personal trainer, to Michael and I.

I sighed, "Do I really have a choice?" He chuckled before entering my room fully. "No, no you don't. I'm sorry kiddo." He gave my head a quick kiss while pulling me into a hug. Eric has always been a loving guy and everyone in the pack loves him. He met his mate Alaina a few years ago at the ball; she had just turned eighteen and he was going on twenty three. It was his third time to attend as he had no interest the first couple of years. When she joined our pack she took on the role as pack doctor and you can tell that she was destined for that role. He has always been a private guy, but I always felt a weird bond with him that I never could quite understand. He pulled away from our hug and grabbed the luggage to zip it up. "Come on, I'm taking you to the airport."

I followed Eric out of my room shutting my door behind me. I sighed knowing that if I didn't return with my mate on Sunday, I would be returning with a random alpha that I have never met. I followed Eric down to the main floor and into my father's office. The door was already opened signaling that my father was expecting us. When I entered I saw my mother was sitting in the same chair I sat in just days before with my father behind his desk.

"Well, I'm off to catch a plane." My father looked up from the work on his desk, placing his pen on the stack of papers. "Be safe sweetheart, we love you and wish you the best of luck" My mom said pulling me into a hug, she whispered the last part in my ear so my father wouldn't hear. I know he heard because of his heightened wolf senses, but didn't comment. "I expect to see you back here on Sunday with Alpha Sean at your side. I was notified this morning that he has already arrived and will be picking you up from the airport tonight." I nodded my head at my father's goodbye before walking out of his office. Eric mumbled something to my parents before following me out of the house to the black suburban.

I took my spot in the front passenger seat and he took his in the driver's. As we were about to pull out we heard a tugging on one of the backseat doors. "What the hell?" Eric placed the vehicle in park before rolling down his window. "Michael what are you doing? You're supposed to be doing your school studies." I mentally slapped myself for forgetting to tell Michael goodbye. What a great sister I am. "I'm coming with you guys, now open the door before mom sees me." Michael responded tugging at the door handle again. Eric unlocked the doors so Michael could get into the back seat, "Hey Katharine, thanks for telling me goodbye. I see where we stand." I mumbled a quick 'sorry' which was returned with an eye roll.

"You know I cannot lie to your mother Michael about where you were if she asks me." Eric said putting the car in drive and finally pulling away from the pack house. "Yes you can, she's your mother too." Michael responded while placing his seatbelt on. I chuckled because he wasn't wrong, Eric has been part of this family for over ten years. "Yes you are correct, but she is also my Luna and if she pulls that Luna voice I have no choice."

The boys continued on with their conversation and I started to drift off into my own world. The ride to the airport was a little over an hour away. Our pack home is so secluded on our territory that it takes a bit to get there. Our land is bordered by a human town. We work and live alongside humans but are considered myths to humans; however, there are a select few who know that we exist like the Miller family. We do not attend the same schools as the humans nor do we use the same hospitals, but when it comes to certain jobs and transportation we have no option but to enter human territory. As far as they know our pack territory is private territory. In my eighteen years we have not ever had an issue with humans, as if they know to stay away. We live so deep in our territory on top of that, so it would be hard for them to even find our homes.

As Eric continued the drive I continued to let my mind wonder. My mind was racing, but I couldn't help but think about this weekend and the possible outcome.