In search for a mate

CHAPTER 4

My heart clenched. The disgusted disappointment in his eyes told me all I needed to know. Once again, I had failed him.

I looked at the floor, blinked away my tears. "No, Father."

His lips curled in disgust. "Just as I thought. Useless, worthless girl!" He spat at my feet. "You're nineteen now and still unmated. An embarrassment and disgrace to this family! Not to add being an Omega!"

I recoiled from his vitriol, my eyes glistening with anger. "I will try again next year father." I sighed, my word rapt and curt.

"Enough!" My father roared, face contorting in rage. "I have give you too many chances already. I'm not a toy that'll you play with I'm your Alpha. And I'm tired of waiting. it is due time I take matters in my hands."

"Ugh?"

"What do you mean? Father, no, please!"

"You have no choice Emma," I felt my father's words slipping through my ears. "I am going to have to give you off to Alpha cauldron!"

"No, father!" I yelled as I tried to take a step backwards when he yelled, "Guards, seize her!"

All of a sudden, I felt mighty hands gripping me to the spot, I tried to free myself from their grips but I failed awfully.

"I'll bring a mate home tonight father!!" I finally spat out.

"And how would you do that?" He questioned, his brows furrowed. "Father, please, just give me an hour." I begged like my life depended on it, I waited for a while the silence that followed my voice adding to my curiosity.

"An hour?" I heard a voice call out. Turning my face, I spat at the view of Natasha walking down the stairs. "Oh, please Emma, you think you can get a mate within an hour when you've spent three years searching for one."

"Father, please," I begged, turning to my father as I watched his stone cold face, his gaze boring into mine.

"Father, don't fall for her pleas, we both no she'll always be up to no good." Natasha rattled on, her lips going on and on.

"Yes." My father said as Natasha's jaw fell in shock. Her frown deepens as I was immediately freed by the men.

"And don't even thinking of fleeing the pack, the consequences are severe!" He announced, fear camping into my veins. A shiver ran up my spine as I adjusted my dress and walked out of the pack house.

My father’s words echoed in my ears as I stride out of the pack house, my mind of dangerous thoughts. “You have one hour, Emma. Find a mate, or I have no choice but to sell you to Alpha Cauldron” His words echoed against the walls of my ears, fear gnawing at my insides.

Alpha Cauldron. The name alone sent shivers down my spine. Known for his ruthlessness and dark reputation, the thought of being bound to him was unbearable. I had to find a mate at the mating event tonight, and quickly. My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed down the grand staircase of our pack house, my steps echoing in the empty halls.

The mating event was already in full swing, the ballroom buzzing with chatter and laughter. The air was thick with the scent of potential mates and the sweet aroma of freshly cut flowers.

Unlike me, most of the she-wolves in my age group had already found a mate, the happiness ringing clearly in their highly pitched howls. I looked around, caught in a daze, as I searched my gaze frantically for anyone. I pushed through the crowd, my eyes scanning the room for anyone I knew. Anyone who could help me.

First, I saw Jared, a childhood friend. “Jared, please, I need your help,” I begged, clutching his arm. He looked at me, confused. “Emma, what’s going on?”

“My father… he’s going to sell me to Alpha Cauldron if I don’t find a mate tonight. Please, will you be my mate?” My voice trembled, my eyes pleading.

Jared’s face softened with pity, but he shook his head. “Emma, you know I can’t. I’m already promised to someone else.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, forcing a weak smile. “I understand. Thank you, anyway.”

Next, I approached Lucas, an arrogant pack minister. "Lucas, please, I need you to be my mate. It’s a matter of life and death.”

He looked taken aback, his eyes wide. “Emma, I… I’m sorry. I can’t. I’ve already found my mate," He called out softly, feigning pity as he immediately broke into laughter. "And even if I hadn't find my mate, I'd definitely not go for a scrawny and pathetic little bit*h like you."

"Back off you desperate little sl*t!" I heard his mate, pull out from behind him. Unlike me, she was perfect, lustrous hair, gorgeous features and a body that said it all.

"Hahaha!" I heard a series of laughs coming from people in the background.

Rejection after rejection, I felt my hope slipping away. I approached every guy I knew, each one turning me down with regretful eyes and shaking heads. The clock was ticking, each second bringing me closer to the dreaded fate of becoming Alpha Cauldron’s possession.

I felt the weight of my predicament pressing down on me, suffocating me. My heart raced, my breaths coming in shallow puffs. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Desperation gnawed at my insides as I realized how close I was to losing everything I had to being the salve of a sinister Alpha.

My eyes darted around the room, searching for anyone who could save me. But it seemed like everyone was already spoken for, already promised to someone else, or just didn't want to mate with me because I was an omega.

I walked over to a side, retreating to a quiet corner away from the insults and laughs. With no hope in mind, I turned to the exit dragging my feet as I trudged off drowned in my train of thoughts.

Not watching where I was headed, I collided into a figure, a masculine one at that. About to fall, he caught me, apologizing swiftly. I raised my head, my gaze searching frantically as they crash into those black shoes, long legs leading to his almost perfect body leading to the most handsome face I've ever seen.

"Will you marry me, sir?" I asked, the night's harsh cold whipping against my face. 

 

Like every stranger, I expected the man in front of me to walk off. But just as I was about to turn, he gripped my hands, causing my body to unleash a tug of sensations upon his touch. I turned steely, fear purring in my veins, at the sight of the stranger I'd confronted minutes ago.

 

He was tall and perfectly built, with long legs leading up to the most handsome face I had ever seen. His hazel eyes, filled with a hint of mischief, met mine, and I was instantly captivated.

Though it might sound strange, I felt a surge of curiosity as I awaited his response. I squinted, trying to get a clearer view of his face. His golden brown hair stopped just short of his smooth, milky ears. A flash of light crossed our path, and I noticed a mark on his neck, causing my jaw to drop.

A rush of emotions envelopes me at the sight of his mark; he was a werewolf, and so was I. But this stranger wasn't just any werewolf; he was my mate.

 

"Mate." He announced, his dark, velvety voice claiming full charge of my attention.