Once Upon a Mate

3

The lights twinkle around all the trees surrounding the yard and above us in a canopy. They're so soft that it's hard to tell which are lights and which are actually stars. People linger everywhere, clustered into little groups framing the makeshift dance floor in the middle. 

"Alpha, may I steal your daughter for a dance?" I almost didn't recognize Dean as the man that approached my dad. 

I'm so used to seeing him in nothing back basketball shorts and a tank top that looking at him now in a crisp black suit is like a physical slap. Who knew he could clean up so well? 

Still it doesn't change the fact that he threw a literally tantrum when he realized I wasn't his mate. 

"You would have to ask her," my dad smiles down at me at the same time that Dean turns his eyes to look at me, his hand exteneded in invitation.

I don't want to be rude but I also don't really want to dance with him. It's not that he makes me uncomfortable exactly. It's more like, even though we both know we're not each others mate, he's hoping that the Moon Godess will change her mind and at any minute the tell tale sparks that everyone talks about will magically appear between us. 

My dad and Zander watched me expectantly and I'm starting to feel like I really don't have a choice. 

"Okay," I guess one dance won't kill me. It's really hard to put my hand in his without actually touching his hand, but I slap on a one hundred percent fake smile and follow him to the dance floor. 

"You look beautiful tonight, Zoey," Dean says, setting his hand a little too low on my hips then what I'm comfortable with. I give him a glare, one that he reads loud and clear if that audible gulp was anything to go by, as I roughly adjust his grip on me.

"Sorry," at least he had the decency to look a little sheepish, like a child being yelled at for sticking their hands in the cookie jar too many times. 

Neither of us speak while we dance, if you can call it a dancing. There is about two feet of space between our bodies and we are basically rocking from side to side. Something tickles my nose as we dance, reminding me of a sneeze that gets stuck. Not totally unpleasent but distracting and annoying all the same. 

"I'm so sorry we aren't mates," he whispers, taking a tiny step toward me, to close a little of the distance between us. 

His words catch me off guard and I'm sure that the shock shows on my face. I probably look like a fish with mouth ajar and eyes wide for a solid minute before I snap it shut and look away. Why did it sound like he was apologizing to me in a way. Saying he was sorry about it just like he would say he was sorry if you broke something of mine. Like it's more a disappointment to me, than to him?

"You need to stop, seriously," I snap as I step out of his arms stopping the dance, "I'm not your mate nor will I ever be. Get over it and go find her."

The sneeze sensation is stronger now, but I shake my head slightly as if that will dislodge whatever is aggravating my nose. Dean takes quick steps forward, still trying to get closer to me, with a look of determination in his eyes that should frighten me. But it doesn't. An odd sense of comfort and calm washes through me and my heartbeat begins to race when an arm shoots out stopping him from coming closer.

"May I cut in," the deep voice sends a small shiver down my spine and goosebumps to rise on my arm. His scent surrounds me and I realize that it wasn't a sneeze at all that was bothering me.

Sparks ignite a chain reaction, sending tingles up my arms as he grabs my hand and spins me once into his arms. There is barely any space between our bodies as he begins to lead me away from where we were. 

The crowd that was there moments ago, fades, leaving nothing but endless stars and a silence that is only disturbed by the sounds of our breaths mingling between us. All I see are dark brown eyes, the color of warm melted chocolate, and it's like I can actually feel a click in my soul.

I had scoffed at the idea that my mom called my mate 'missing'. As if I had simply misplaced him, like a child would a toy. It's not until now, here in his arms, that I realize what exactly she meant by that comment. 

I don't even know his name and yet I feel whole in a way that I never knew existed.  Like I was nothing more than a sleeping beauty and suddenly this man, my mate, has brought me to life.

"I'm trying to think of the perfect first thing to say to you that we can look back on one day and rememeber," he smiles at me and the air leaves my lungs like a punch in the gut. I was not prepared for that dimple that appeared in his cheek.

"But I hope you enjoyed your dance with who ever that was because I am entirely too selfish to ever let you dance with another unmated male again," I can't help the laugh that escapes me at his words.

If only he knew that I had been nearing the point where I was going to kick Dean in the shin, maybe he would change his mind. Then again, I was entirely too comfortable never having to with another male again. 

"Well, I don't know if you had a chance to dance with another tonight, but I'm not sorry you won't be able to anymore," he lights up like a kid on Christmas morning before he spins me.

"I can't say that I'm sorry about that either," he dips me with a laugh. 

He's so close. I can smell the wine on his breath, feel the heat from his body through the lace material of my dress. My eyelids begin to close on their own, my head moving towards his without so much as a thought. His lips demanding to be covered in my scent. 

"Zoey?" My eyes snap open at the sound of Zander's voice and just as quickly as my mate and I slipped away, I'm pulled back to reality like a rubberband, "Everything okay?" 

Zander stares my mate down, his eyes calculating, taking in every detail about the man beside me. Everything that I haven't had a chance to even notice myself. 

"Yeah," I say breathlessly, suddenly feeling like it is one hundred ten degrees outside. Does my face look as hot and flustered as I feel? 

"Who's this?" My wide eyes follow Zanders line of vision to see the large arm secured around my hip, pulling me closer. This time, I know that my face has to be the exact shade of red that it feels. 

"Uh, this is...uh..." 

"Reece," He extends his free hand towards my brother,  "Zoey's mate,"  

Zander freezes, his body stiffer than a statue as he gives a better appraisal of my mate.  I don't blame him, I am just as captivated by Reece. For the first time, I'm actually taking stock of him aside from his eyes. He's tall, with wide shoulders and the suit he's wearing leaves little to the imagination as far as the muscle tone he's hiding beneath. 

Oh shoot he caught me checking him out. Have I even stopped blushing at all since we met or am I going to just be a tomato from now on?

"Zander Evans," Zander unfreezes, thrusting his hand to meet Reece's. The handshake, though not unfriendly, definitly look rougher than usual, neither of the males in front of me letting go immediately. 

"Evans? Alpha James Evans son?"