Once Upon a Mate

1

I never give too much thought to what it must be like to be human. I mean, I can't even imagine a life without my wolf or the wonders and magic of all the being one has to offer. 

Human life just seems so... bland for lack of another word. All they see is the black and white of their reality, whereas us wolves (and other supernatural creatures that may or may not exist) can see a whole rainbow of reality. 

Even in simple things like running. Humans just run. They don't know the thrill of the chase, when the predator inside you takes over and all you feel is the wind against your body and the ground beneath your paws. 

It's the perfect therapy, handing over control to the wolf within. It allows me to step back and and not have to think. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed, I fallback to the wolf and run.  

But sometimes, on the very worst days, I wonder what the simplicity of a human life would be like. 

No rogue attacks or expectations as the daughter of an alpha. And you'll never have to wonder if people only like you because of who your family is. 

That's the most frustrating part . I've always been considered popular by any standards. I had friends who spent time with me and invited me to different parties and hangouts. I mean, it's not like I'm the next Alpha myself or anything.

No, that title belongs to my brother, Zander. 

I've always just been the future Alpha's kid sister. My mom used to warn me about who I trusted. She'd say I had to be more careful than others  because people might use me to get to Zander. 

I didn't believe it, not really anyway until the questions started.

Hey Zo, has your brother found his mate yet? 

Do you want to hang out late at your place, I mean you do have the Jacuzzi. 

It all makes me feel like nothing more than a pawn in the chess game of life that revolved around my brother. 

"Zoey! Stop!" Zander's voice rang through the trees and I complied with his demand. 

I know it wasn't an Alpha command and even if it was, it wouldn't really affect me. But Zander would never try to use his Alpha influence over me. 

No, I stopped because it was Zander, my brother and by all rights, my best friend. 

I hadn't even heard him running behind me and I am more than surprised when I turn to see him jogging over in his human form.

How long had he been chasing me? 

"Here, shift please," he holds out one of my sundresses before he turns his back to me. 

With a huff, I allow my fur to give way to skin, to feel the slight burn that comes with phasing that reminds us of the magic we are. 

"Were you chasing me?" I demand as the fabric of my dress slides over my skin, "You can turn around now," 

Zander turns and his eyes clash with mine, the same hazel color reflected like a mirror. 

The difference this time, is that whereas mine are suspicious of him, his are sad, as if he can sense everything I haven't said. 

He's always been good at reading me that way. 

"No," He wipes sweat off his forehead quickly with the back of his hand before wiping it on his basketball shorts, "I was running the route and saw you run by - you looked upset," 

I pop my hip out, my hand resting there as I give him a deadpan look. I'm not going to give into his prodding. 

"Running the route? In human form?" Silence surrounds us as he thinks over his answer and finally he shrugs as if it were something he did every day. 

"What happened?" he finally says, not bothering to keep up with his bullshit excuse anymore.

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes staying focused on mine. This always happened, every time he was trying to go all 'big brother' on me, we'd end up in a staring contest, neither of us wanting to back down first. 

I'd like to say that I win most times, but truthfully, it's usually about fifty/fifty. 

"Don't be stubborn, Zoey," He says after I blink away, cursing internally and blaming it on the dust around me, "I know when something is bothering you." 

"Have you picked your third yet?" I shrug, trying to play it off as nonchalant as possible. 

Zander's eyes narrow and he watches me carefully. It's hard not to fidget under his gaze, to not give anything away to him. I thought I was doing a pretty good job but I can practically see a light bulb going off above his head. 

"Who's asking, you or someone else?" he pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head, "Never mind, just tell me what was said and who said it." 

"No one said anything," I cross my arms across my chest, looking at the trees just to the right of his head, "Maybe I want it. Did you ever think of that?" 

I don't want it, not really. But he doesn't know that.

"Riiight," Zander drags out the i sound as he slings his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a headlock. You'd think that after years of this move, I would be an expert of, not only avoiding it, but getting out of it. 

But he's always been stronger than me and in my struggling easily knocks me to the ground. We roll, both trying to come out victorious, but they're can only be one winner.

 His knees pin my hands to my side, and his weight presses me into the ground. 

"Zoey - my sister who hates getting up early to train for herself wants to be my third, who is responsible for things including training," he repeatedly pokes the middle of my forehead in quick succession. 

The more I fight and try to get free the more he laughs. Eventually he tires of his torture and jumps off me, sticking his hand up to help me. 

"Ass," I say before punching him as hard as I can in the arm. 

His laughter doesn't stop, but he at least has the decency to act like I hurt his arm. Maybe I should have just kicked him in his family jewels? That would have surely got my point across. 

"Look, if you really want it, we'll talk to dad about it. For now, we have Dad's party to attend," His eyes widen comically with fake enthusiasm and I can't help but laugh with him.

Every year my parent's throw a celebration bash. My mom just can't not host a party and she will sink her claws into any excuse to invite all their close friends and potential allies over to talk politics, mating tours for the unmated males to find mates, and drink. 

Emphasis on the drinking. 

This year just happens to be my dad's fortieth birthday.

"oh. Goodie," Another year of random males sniffing around me trying to scent me as their mate so that they can get in high ranks with the pack. 

Zander throws his head back and laughs before moving a branch out of the way. A sign that I need to head back to the house with him.

"I knew that would cheer you up,"