Mate!

David pov.

I returned to the pack house and entered the alpha’s office. To my surprise, elder Arnold and elder Barron were already there. 

“What are you doing here?” I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows at them. They didn’t have the right to enter the office despite being elders.

Elder Barron cleared his throat. “We have decided to take over the pack. Since you are only seventeen and we don’t think you are capable of being a good alpha, it is best that we do it, at least until you turn out eighteen.” He said casually.

“What!” I exclaimed. It was unacceptable. “You cannot do that!” I said. Elder Arnold narrowed his eyes on me. “And what makes you think that we can’t?” he asked coldly. 

“You just can’t. My dad had fully trained me for this. I am more than ready to be in charge.” I protested. 

He laughed at me as if he was mocking me. “Oh yes. We can and that is exactly what we are doing.” He hissed. 

“That is enough!” my grandma ordered in her Luna tone. I turned around relieved to see her arrive at this critical moment. “As long as there is an heir willing to take the position, you cannot take over. It is written in the book of laws.” She stated. 

“But he is just seventeen.” Elder Barron said. “Are you sure he can do it?” he asked. Grandma narrowed her eyes at him. “The late alpha and the high alpha had trained him all his life for this. Are you doubting their capabilities?” she hissed at him. I glanced at the two elders from the corner of my eye. Elder Arnold looked clearly frustrated while elder Barron maintained a neutral expression. 

“Very well. I will see how he performs. But if he fails or proves to be incapable of taking the responsibility, I am taking over.” Elder Barron stated and walked away. As they passed by elder Barron gave me an unfriendly glare while elder Arnold scowled at me. I sighed. I knew taking care of this pack would be harder than anything else. But I must do it. I will do it for dad. 

Days passed by. It would be a lie to say that the elders supported me. No. In fact, they had tried to make my whole life a living hell. They had tried to sabotage my plans and make me look like an unworthy alpha. But with the help of my grandma and Finn, things were somehow manageable. I had decided to keep dad’s beta as my beta, because I just couldn’t trust Cade anymore like I used to. Besides, he too needed to be eighteen. Dad’s beta was super helpful. He didn’t differentiate between me and dad. He did his work perfectly well, but when time comes, he will hand over the position to Cade, his first born. I didn’t comment on it. I just kept hoping for the best.

I did a fairly good job at handling the pack. Not much complications were there except that the vampires kept threatening every now and then. I wonder what was the reason these night creatures started to attack us all of a sudden. We all used to coexist in harmony. There must be a reason good enough for them to start attacking all of a sudden. I must find out. But with whom do I discuss? The elders obviously wouldn’t help. A lot of pack members are still scared of my lycan so they tend to avoid me. Sometimes I feel that they really don’t accept me as their alpha. Perhaps with time they will. Perhaps when I meet my mate, things will get a little better.

Speaking of mates, I am more than eager to meet her. My eighteenth birthday is approaching. That is when most wolf’s find their mate. 

Finn? I called him. He is more like my best friend now. And I’m glad he is always there for me. Do you think we will meet mate soon? I asked eagerly. I could feel him smirk in my mind. I rolled my eyes. Come on. If we do, we will be less lonely. I said.

Of course. I’m sure we will. If she is in our pack we will sense her. Our birthday is next week isn’t it? He replied and I nodded. I can’t wait for next week to come.

“Hey Finn? Why do you think the vamps are attacking us?” I inquired.

“Beats me.” The answer came. Oh well, I guess I will have to investigate to find out. 

The week passed by and my eighteenth birthday arrived. I didn’t celebrate. Originally, my eighteenth birthday would have been the day for the alpha ceremony. But, I just didn’t feel like holding a celebration. I was alpha already. Although some of my pack members are still hesitant around my lycan, I am leading them to the best I can. I am doing this for dad. The other special thing about the eighteenth birthday was, most of us find our mates. But I was anxious to be excited about it because of how things turned out for me on my fourteenth birthday. I had learnt not to get too eager about anything. Everything will happen with due time. 

It was another normal day for me. Except that my lycan was a little restless. 

“What is it, Finn?” I asked him. “I don’t know. I feel something is going to happen today.” He replied. Suddenly I remembered that I had a meeting with the elders. Of course something is going to happen. “We have a meeting with the elders today, remember? Those meetings never end without an argument.” I told him, mentally face palming. 

“I had completely forgotten about the meeting. Now my whole day is ruined. Thanks for reminding about this stupid meeting Finn.” I grunted. He sighed. 

“Sorry dude. We will face them together. Ok?” He replied. I smiled. 

“Of course. You are stuck with me forever.” I smirked. He groaned and then smiled. I could almost feel his wolfy grin. And I have no complaints. 

I chuckled to myself. I am so blessed to have Finn as my lycan. I let out a huff of breath and prepared myself for the day. The meeting is scheduled right after lunch. I never looked forward to meetings like these. It sure is going to be a long day.

After lunch I walked to the meeting room. Everyone must have gathered already. This meeting was supposed to be about the retiring of the beta and Cade being appointed as the new beta. I sure was not so eager about doing that, but what has to happen will happen. I was about to open the meeting room when the most enchanting smell invaded my nostrils. I sniffed the air, it smelt like lavender.

 “Wow,” I whispered to myself. I never thought the smell of lavender could be so pleasant to me. Do you smell that Finn? I asked, but the reply never came. I frowned. That was strange. He always replied back. I shrugged and opened the door. The smell intensified as soon as I opened. My eyes darted across the room and landed on elder Barron’s daughter, Hailey. 

“Mate!” Finn screamed. My eyes widened and a smile started to form on my face but soon it was replaced with a frown. What was my mate doing? I thought as I noticed her interlocked hands with Cade. I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. What was going on? Suddenly, I remembered how Cade beat me years ago, just because he ‘thought’ that I had a crush on her. They had been dating ever since then. 

“Alpha David. Please take a seat.” My thoughts were interrupted by Cade’s father, the acting beta. I peeled myself out of my thoughts and made my way towards the seat. The whole meeting felt like a blur to me. Like it was planned, the meeting was for handing Cade the beta position. I didn’t refuse. But when they announced that Hailey was to be his chosen mate I snapped. How could she do that? Doesn’t she feel the mate bond? 

“No!” I screamed before I could stop myself. All the heads turned towards me and Cade narrowed his eyes at me. But I kept my gaze fixed on Hailey, the one who was supposed to be my mate. “You are my mate. I won’t accept this.” I said.

“What!” Elder Barron shouted and jumped to his feet. I thought for once he was going to be on my side. I thought he would at least cherish the sacred bond of soulmates. But oh boy, was I wrong.

“Stop being delusional David. I have had enough of you. I have been tolerating you for the whole year and now you are after my daughter?” he screamed. I stared at him in utter amazement. Was he for real? Did I say that I was after her? She was my mate for heaven’s sake. But I was too shocked to make any movement or say anything. 

All I could do was stare at him with my mouth wide open.