Mated to the Alpha

I run home and burst through the door.I cannot believe what I have just heard.Father emerges from the kitchen.He looks at me expectantly.He is smiling.He is expecting me to announce my engagement to Nathaniel."How did it go?" he asks.I shake my head."I am not marrying Nathaniel," I blurt out.His mouth drops open. His face falls."What?" he says.I stare at the floor."He has arranged for me to marry someone else," I say angrily."Who?" he asks."Jeremiah.""There is no wolf called Jeremiah," he says, frowning."He is the Alpha of a neighboring pack.""What?" Father says, his eyes wide. His mouth is open. He is clearly shocked. "That's absurd.""I know.""But...but why?"I pause. I feel guilty. I know Father loves me. I know he loves Alpha. And I don't want to hurt him.A part of me wants to keep my mouth shut. To not talk about Alpha at all.But it is too late."Why would Alpha do such a thing?" he continues."He did not say," I say, miserably. "I did n

I stand on the doorstep of my home in the pale dawn light.I clutch my bag between both hands.I have packed all my belongs inside and am ready to go.But I still cannot believe it.I cannot believe I am leaving.I cannot believe I am joining another pack.I cannot believe I am leaving behind everything I have ever known.I cannot believe I am marrying Jeremiah and not Nathaniel.I look at my father, standing beside Alpha."Am I allowed to say goodbye to Nathaniel?" I ask them, hopefully.They exchange a glance.I already know the answer.It's Alpha who tells me what I already know: "I'm sorry. I think it would be for the best to just leave and not upset him."I lower my eyes to the ground.It is just as I suspected."Will you tell him where I went?" I ask."Of course," Alpha replies.The wind weaves through my hair.I glance up at the car idling in the driveway, spewing exhaust into the cold air.My stomach drops with dread.I take one last long look at my home.I

I rest in my room for a few hours.I don't know what to do now.My mind is spinning.I can't even begin to think about decorating.My mind is full of Nathaniel.I hope he is okay.By now, Alpha will have told him what's happened.He will probably be as furious as the girl lingering at my door earlier was.Ana...She must hate me.I would hate me, too.But everyone else seems so nice.I remember the plate of food offered to me in the kitchen and am suddenly hungry.I jump up out of bed and rush into the corridor.Then I hurry downstairs."You're back," the woman grins when she sees me."I'm hungry," I tell her with a blush.Her plate is empty now. "I can fix you something to eat," she says."Oh, you don't have to do that.""It's no trouble. Take a seat."She goes over to the oven and starts frying.I sit down at the table opposite the man."My name is Beth," the woman tells me.I nod. "I'm Bria."She smiles again. "I know.""You're the Alpha's mate," the man say

"Okay, Bria," Beth says from opposite me at the table. "Time to play."Brock told me he'd show me how the pack had fun, and now I am sitting around the kitchen table with him, Glade, Ethan and Beth.Beth starts dealing cards.I gulp."Why do I feel like this is the first day of school all over again?" I say.They all laugh.They are treating me like I belong here.They seem to get that I'm trying my best to fit in.They are nice people.They put me at ease.They help me forget my wedding...Beth explains the rules and we start playing.Glade is on my right. He is a giant, the biggest in the pack. He is tall and strong, but so gentle and kind. He is sweet too. He makes me feel right at home. I love how he speaks with a southern twang.Ethan is on my left. He's sweet and funny. He teases Beth, who teases him back. I like the way they bicker. It's fun to watch.I'd be happy to be part of their little family if I didn't have to marry Jeremiah.But then, I'd be happy about a

I stare at the bank and see Ana.My heart drops.I am in so much trouble.I don't know what to do.I break away from Brock, who looks shocked.Ana stares at him then at me."What are you doing?" she shrieks."Nothing," I say, defensively."It's my fault," Brock replies.He looks crestfallen."No," I say.I don't want him taking the blame for this.He and Jeremiah have more of a relationship than me and Jeremiah after all."Oh how romantic," Ana mocks. "You're both trying to take the blame. It must be true love!"I hurry to the water's edge and heave myself out."Ana, please don't tell Jeremiah..."She narrows her eyes at me. "And why would I keep a secret for you?"I have no good answer."Please," I say.She scoffs. "You're making out with one of his best friends behind his back!""I know. I'm sorry."I feel the tears well up in my eyes.This is so wrong.I shouldn't be kissing another man behind Jeremiah's back.I'm a horrible, horrible person."I'm sorry," I