Chapter 2

Melanie’s POV

I resist the urge to follow him; instead, heading to the training grounds to blow off some steam. Swiftly shifting, I throw on a purple sports bra and shorts, ready to release my pent-up emotions. Then, I do a series of warm-up stretches before running a few laps around the track outside.

I have spent the last six months in Alpha Academy, where Alphas from all over the country come and train for their roles. which I can only describe as pure hell. After graduating high school a year early, I pleaded with my father for the opportunity to prove myself worthy of the Alpha title, and with Mom’s persuasion, he sent both me and Jaxon.

Jaxon, golden boy groomed from childhood to become the next Alpha, had always been Dad’s favorite choice. And no matter how hard I worked or begged for recognition, it was obvious that his decision was made long before I ever stepped foot in the academy.

My fist smashes through the wooden dummy, sending pieces flying in all directions.

“Fuck you, Jaxon!” I growl.

“Who’s fucking Jaxon?” a cheerful voice asks from behind me.

“Hey Bliss,” I mutter, walking over to pick out another dummy to obliterate.

Bliss is my one and only best friend. We’ve known each other since we were in diapers. She has long black hair, hazel-green eyes, and the figure of an hourglass. I only hope to one day be as gorgeous as she is.

“What’s wrong with my bestie?” she inquiries from behind me.

“Ask our new Alpha.” I throw the dummy on the ground, punching it repeatedly until it’s just a pile of wood.

“Oh, damn, I’m sorry-” she trails off, keeping her distance to avoid flying splinters.

I destroy three more dummies before I feel even a tiny bit better. By the time I’m done, I’m covered in sweat and panting, trying to catch my breath as I lay sprawled on the ground.

Bliss walks closer, now that there isn’t a chance she’ll be hit by a stray piece of wood. She looks down at me with a sympathetic smile. “Want to grab breakfast at the diner?” she asks.

“Sure, whatever,” I mutter, getting up, throwing a towel over my shoulder, and heading to the showers. After washing off some of my anger and disappointment, I find Bliss in her car, waiting for me. I stare out the window as she drives, watching the buildings blur past us. “You think he would’ve ever picked me?” I ask, my voice tight with emotion.

She sighs loudly. “Honestly, no. Your dad is a huge dick, and he probably chose Jaxon just because he’s an even bigger dick than he is.”

“Probably,” I chuckle. Her answer actually makes me feel a little better.

We quickly arrive, thanks to her reckless and illegal driving, and find a parking spot in front of the building. Donna, our favorite server, seats us at a booth. I order avocado toast and orange juice, while Bliss gets three orders of short stacks and two coffees.

I eye her suspiciously. “Let me guess, Patrick will be joining us?”

She averts her gaze to the table, her face blossoming with warmth. “Ugh, I’m sorry, Mel. I can’t stay away from him for too long.”

“I know, a slave to the mate bond,” I mumble, disdain coloring my words. “I hope I never find my mate. That shit looks miserable.”

“Here you go girls!” Donna exclaims, placing our orders on the table.

“Thanks, Donna,” we say in unison. After she walks away, I dive into my food. I deserve it after the shitty morning I’ve had so far.

Bliss shoves a forkful of pancakes into her mouth. “Don’t you think you’ll find your mate at the Mate Ball?” she asks, curiously.

I scoff. “I’m not going. It will be on my birthday too. You think I’m falling for that trap?”

She scowls at me like a stern parent. “Now Mel, you know it is mandatory for all werewolves to attend the Mate Ball every year after turning eighteen until you find your mate. Your dad is going to force you to.”

“It’s my birthday. He’ll understand,” I insist.

No, he won’t.

“You know that’s a lie,” she mumbles, taking another bite.

Her head suddenly snaps in the direction behind us. “Baby!” she exclaims, getting up and jumping into Patrick’s arms as he walks through the diner door. They sit back down across from me.

“Hey, Mel,” Patrick greets cheerfully.

“Pat,” I mumble, trying to conceal the irritation in my voice. By the glare Bliss sends me, I didn’t do a very good job.

“Baby, I’ve missed you so much,” she whispers. She kisses the mark on his neck, and Patrick damn near starts sucking her face off.

I pretend to gag as I quickly look away. There is no way I would ever act like some lovesick puppy over a guy. Even if I find my mate, I vow to reject him on the spot. Because of my bloodline, my mate can only be an Alpha, and that means I’ll become a stupid Luna. I’ll just be a housewife washing dishes and raising pups. I would rather die alone than do that.

Mating with an Alpha also means I will have to join his pack instead of ruling the pack that is rightfully mine as Alpha Damon’s only child. Instead, my heritage is being handed to some cocky asshole just because he has a penis.

Speaking of cocky assholes, here he is.